Health Risks of Poor Insulation

If your home has poor insulation, you are not only wasting energy and money, but you could be putting your family’s health at risk. Poor insulation can cause things like mold, frozen pipes and other problems that are bad for your health.

Attic insulation insulation allows heat to escape from your home, causing temperature inconsistencies in different rooms. This makes it hard to regulate your indoor air quality and can lead to discomfort for everyone in the household.

Damp and moist conditions that result from insufficient insulation are ideal for mold growth, which produces spores that can be breathed in. This can trigger allergies and aggravate respiratory conditions such as asthma. Over time, prolonged exposure to mycotoxins produced by some types of mold can lead to neurological issues and thyroid hormone suppression.

Cold houses are especially dangerous for the elderly, children and people with existing respiratory conditions. Insulation helps to prevent heat loss and maintain a consistent indoor temperature, so that you can stay healthy and comfortable throughout the year. Several studies have shown that living in well-insulated homes has positive effects on health, including reduced rates of winter mortality (217). Natural insulation materials such as cotton and wool are non-toxic and do not release harmful chemicals. They are also better suited for your health and the environment than traditional spray foam, which may contain fire retardant chemicals such as formaldehyde and phthalates (218).