Learn about the history, fire safety, health and environmental issues of flame retardants in building insulation. Download references for this video.
We have been working with architects, builders, policymakers and fire safety experts to create healthier buildings by finding ways to reduce the use of flame retardants in building materials when they do not improve fire safety.
Flame retardant chemicals in building insulation
The brominated flame retardant HBCD is added to all expanded and extruded (EPS and XPS) and other polystyrene insulation. It bioaccumulates in fat, becoming more and more concentrated moving up the food chain. Marine mammals have on average 100 times greater levels of HBCD in their bodies than small aquatic organisms.
The chlorinated tris flame retardant TCPP is used in most polyurethane and polyisocyanurate insulation. HBCD and TCPP are global pollutants found in:
- Environment and animals from the arctic to the antarctic
- Soil, sediment, sewage sludge and landfill leachate
- Indoor air and dust
- Breast milk
Graph from data in Covaci 2006.
Facts: Flame retardant chemicals in building insulation
|Building insulation material||Flame retardant estimated worldwide use for insulation (year)||Health and environmental concerns||Policy actions|
Expanded and extruded polystyrene (EPS and XPS)
60 million pounds
27,000 metric tons
Endocrine disruption (thyroid hormones)
Recommended for global elimination by the Stockholm Convention
European Union: 2015 phaseout
Canada: 2016 phaseout
Polyurethane and polyisocyanurate (PIR)
TCPP (tris 1-chloro-2-propyl phosphate)
70 million pounds
32,000 metric tons
Lack of data
European Union: regulated in toys under Toy Safety Directive
Under study at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and National Toxicology Program
Peer-reviewed paper: A case for re-evaluating building codes
Our interdisciplinary peer-reviewed paper, Flame retardants in building insulation: a case for re-evaluating building codes explores the history, fire safety, health and environmental issues of flame retardants in building insulation. After extensive review of fire science studies, we concluded that flame retardants in building insulation do not provide a fire safety benefit for many applications.
- Since 1961, building codes have required foam plastic insulation materials to meet flame spread requirements as measured by the Steiner Tunnel test (pictured)
- The Steiner Tunnel test does not accurately measure the flame spread of foam plastics
- Flame retardants are added to foam plastic materials to pass the Steiner Tunnel test, but they do not provide fire safety benefits in many building applications
- Fire safety for foam plastics is provided instead by code provisions requiring firestopping and thermal barriers
Picture shows the Steiner Tunnel test, which does not accurately measure the flame spread of materials which melt and drip like foam plastics. Photo: Intertek Testing Services, Inc.
For healthier, energy-efficient buildings, codes and standards need to be updated to reduce the use of harmful flame retardant chemicals while maintaining fire safety.
U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Program awards points for not using halogenated flame retardants in buildings under Pilot Credit 54: Avoidance of Chemicals of Concern.
CBS Bay Area ConsumerWatch: East Bay lawmaker wants toxics out of insulation
- Peer-reviewed paper: Flame retardants in building insulation: a case for re-evaluating building codes
- USGBC-CA Council of Experts white paper on halogenated flame retardants in buildings
Architects and Builders
- Flame retardant-free alternative insulations chart