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Asked by: Barbaro Gerber
home and garden indoor environmental qualityIs cellulose insulation dangerous to breathe?
Similarly, is cellulose insulation dangerous?
Cellulose insulation is safe. It is made of paper, but the chemical treatment provides it with permanent fire resistance. There's been static generated by the fiberglass industry warning that cellulose could burn. But independent testing confirms it's safe and cellulose is approved by all building codes.
Similarly, is blown in insulation bad for your lungs?
It is possible that the material can produce harmful off-gassing from the ink contained in the newspapers, but insulation is generally contained in sealed locations, so this is not likely to be a health concern. As is true with fiberglass, protect your lungs with a breathing mask when handling cellulose insulation.
Have your potential insulation installer give you a cellulose sample in a baggie and take a whiff: it should be odorless. It might smell like newspaper a bit because that is what it is. Sit with the sample for a day or two and see if the smell bothers you, and if it goes away.