Chemical Components of Shredded Paper Insulation: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

We conducted an evaluation of shredded paper insulation to identify potentially toxic components. The study was to provide a preliminary characterization of a few samples of insulation currently in use. The following samples were analyzed: previously produced insulation (PPI) containing fire retardants, shredded recycled paper (PPI feedstock), freshly produced insulation (FPI), and insulation which had been installed in a residence (II). Volatile constituents were analyzed by GC-MS from headspace air of samples held at room temperature or heated to 90 degrees C. Extractable constituents were sampled by extracting with methylene chloride, and analyzing by GC-MS. Formaldehyde analysis was done according to EPA Method TO11. Headspace air at room temperature contained no detectable quantities of volatile constituents for any sample measured. In headspace air at 90 degrees C, only PPI contained traces of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons and higher aldehydes, and FPI traces of toluene. Extracts of PPI contained traces of octadecadienoic acid methyl ester and aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons and higher aldehydes. Extracts of PPI feedstock contained traces of a substituted cyclohexenecarboxylic acid. FPI contained extractable diethyl phthalate (30-50 micrograms/g). Extracts of II contained traces of methyl palmitate, an octadecenoic acid methyl ester, and a phthalate plasticizer. No formaldehyde was detected. PPI was composed of approximately 98 percent paper fiber and 2 percent pre-gelatinized starch. PPI samples agglomerated together with less than 0.01 percent separating from clumps as fine dust. Boron and sodium were expected and confirmed because they were added to PPI and FPI as fire retardants. Chromium, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and silicon were present at detectable concentrations. Study calculations indicate that an occupant would have to completely consume all the fine particles produced from 3.3 kg of insulation per day to have an intake of boron equivalent to the EPA RfD. No other constituent appeared to be present even close to toxicologically relevant amounts.

Moisture migration in oil-impregnated film insulation under thermal ageing

“…INSULATION paper is commonly used in the transformer insulation system, but its poor thermal resisting property has become an obstacle to manufacturing transformers with smaller size and higher capacity [1][2][3][4]. High-molecular polymer might improve the thermal ageing resistance of transformer insulation [5,6] for the adventures in insulation performance, temperature tolerance and weight, etc.…”

Emissions from thermal insulations—part 2: evaluation of emissions from organic and inorganic insulations

“…In a study by Kelman et al [4], the volatile chemical emissions (VOCs and formaldehyde) of a shredded paper insulation did not appear in biologically significant quantities. However, when samples were heated to 90 C; aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons and higher aldehydes or toluene were detected in traceable quantities.…”

“…However, when samples were heated to 90 C; aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons and higher aldehydes or toluene were detected in traceable quantities. The detection limit of the analyses was very high ð1000 mg=m 3 Þ in the study of Kelman et al [4], so the different volatiles could not be identified exactly. In our study, the VOC emissions of the recycled wood fibre insulation were at least 1000 times higher than in the study of Kelman et al The density of the recycled wood insulation in our experiments was higher than that of the other insulations, which however does not fully explain the high VOC values.…”

“…The emissions of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) of an insulation made of recycled paper were presented in a study by Kelman et al. [4]. However, no information is available concerning emissions of bast fibrous insulations.…”