Glossary · Health & indoor air
UFFI (urea-formaldehyde foam insulation)
Also called: urea formaldehyde foam · urea-formaldehyde
A foam insulation pumped into wall cavities in the 1970s that released formaldehyde gas; foamed-in-place UFFI has been prohibited in Canada since 1980.
What it means
UFFI was installed by drilling holes and filling wall cavities with a foam that hardened in place. It was used mainly in the 1970s, and Canada prohibited foamed-in-place UFFI in 1980 over health concerns about formaldehyde.
Why it matters in an audit
Buyers and insurers may ask about UFFI, so it's worth noting if an inspection or audit finds signs of it in the walls.
Typical numbers
Reference values with their sources. Your energy advisor’s report gives the figure for your own house.
| What | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Status in Canada (NRCan) | Foamed-in-place UFFI prohibited since 1980 | natural-resources.canada.ca ↗ |