When we determined that formaldehyde is not required for fiber glass insulation performance, we decided to switch to an acrylic binder. We thought it was just a smart thing to do for our workers, the installers and the many people who enjoy the thermal and acoustical comfort of our insulation.

Our research indicates that up to 80% of people prefer building materials with no-added formaldehyde if given the choice. Johns Manville wants them to have that choice.

Green building and green product programs can be good but you need to read the fine print and understand the limitations. Despite what is written in the article, LEED for Homes does not do much to reduce in-home formaldehyde levels to actual health-based standards. The focus is mainly on dilution of indoor air formaldehyde and not on eliminating its sources.

You can make your home healthier and safer if you reduce your overall exposure to formaldehyde. One way to do that is to use building products, like insulation, with no-added formaldehyde. There are now many building products with no-added formaldehyde that are readily available – these are literally off-the-shelf technology.

Some products are “Greenguard Certified low-emitting.” But Greenguard is a program that is really intended for commercial construction and not the majority of new residential construction. This is because Greenguard uses the relatively high ventilation (i.e., dilution) rates required in commercial buildings and not the typically much lower ventilation rates in most new homes. Remember that most new homes are built tight to be more energy efficient.

For more information you can go to http://www.jm.com.

Thank you.
Bruce Ray, Johns Manville

When we determined that formaldehyde is not required for fiber glass insulation performance, we decided to switch to an acrylic binder. We thought it was just a smart thing to do for our workers, the installers and the many people who enjoy the thermal and acoustical comfort of our insulation.

Our research indicates that up to 80% of people prefer building materials with no-added formaldehyde if given the choice. Johns Manville wants them to have that choice.

Green building and green product programs can be good but you need to read the fine print and understand the limitations. Despite what is written in the article, LEED for Homes does not do much to reduce in-home formaldehyde levels to actual health-based standards. The focus is mainly on dilution of indoor air formaldehyde and not on eliminating its sources.

You can make your home healthier and safer if you reduce your overall exposure to formaldehyde. One way to do that is to use building products, like insulation, with no-added formaldehyde. There are now many building products with no-added formaldehyde that are readily available – these are literally off-the-shelf technology.

Some products are “Greenguard Certified low-emitting.” But Greenguard is a program that is really intended for commercial construction and not the majority of new residential construction. This is because Greenguard uses the relatively high ventilation (i.e., dilution) rates required in commercial buildings and not the typically much lower ventilation rates in most new homes. Remember that most new homes are built tight to be more energy efficient.

For more information you can go to http://www.jm.com.

Thank you.
Bruce Ray, Johns Manville