The construction industry faces a challenge in finding sustainable insulation materials that are not only good for the energy efficiency of buildings but also for the people who work with them. A Danish study conducted a few years ago revealed that many construction workers suffered from health problems related to insulation work. Itchy skin and eyes, coughing, and throat irritation were common problems. This is where natural, climate-smart cellulose insulation comes into the picture as a solution that is gentle on both people and the environment.
Cellulose Insulation – The Sustainable and Healthy Alternative
The aforementioned Danish study, conducted by the construction union in Denmark with 630 respondents, showed that almost half of the construction workers experienced various health problems related to insulation work. Workers were plagued by itchy skin, itchy eyes, coughing, throat irritation, and even sores in the nose. One in four responded that they almost always experienced throat irritation, while one in three experienced itchy and irritated skin. For those who worked more than 15 hours per week with insulation materials, coughing was three times as common.
Most worryingly, the more years spent working with insulation, the higher the risk of chronic bronchitis. One in five who had worked with the material for over 30 years had been affected. Many even considered changing jobs due to the discomfort. This is an alarming situation that requires us to re-evaluate the materials we use in the construction industry and look for better alternatives.
Natural Cellulose Insulation to the Rescue
One of the most promising alternatives is natural cellulose insulation. Here are five benefits of using this material:
- Healthy Working Environment: Natural cellulose insulation is known to be gentle on the workers who handle it. It produces less dust and does not cause the kind of itching and irritation that is common with other insulation materials. This leads to a significantly better working environment for construction workers.
- Reduced Health Risk: The Danish study clearly showed that many of the health problems were linked to the insulation materials used. By switching to natural cellulose insulation, the risks of health problems can be significantly reduced.
- Sustainability and Circularity: Cellulose insulation can be made from recycled paper and other biological sources. This reduces the need to use non-renewable resources. In addition, remnants of cellulose insulation can be reused in future construction projects, reducing waste and promoting a circular economy.
- Effective Insulation: Cellulose insulation has excellent insulating properties. It can be used in both old and new constructions and can create insulation layers without joints, which reduces the risk of heat leakage and increases the building’s energy efficiency.
- More Environmentally Friendly Production: The production of natural cellulose insulation is significantly less taxing on the environment than many synthetic alternatives. Cellulose insulation is usually manufactured using biological sources and therefore has a lower environmental impact.
A practical solution for construction companies
For construction companies like Westergrens Bygg in Hallstavik AB, the transition to natural cellulose insulation has been a successful strategy. By using Swedish-made cellulose insulation from iCell, they have experienced several benefits that positively affect both their working environment and their construction projects.
– We use cellulose insulation and wood products to the greatest extent possible. The choice is because they are products that we think work well and are also good for the environment, says Håkan Westergren. The great advantage of cellulose insulation, in our opinion, is the dust and sound properties, which also make our working environment better.”
They also noted that they were initially hesitant but impressed when they started using cellulose insulation. This underscores the importance of being open to trying new and sustainable alternatives.
For them and an increasing number of Nordic construction companies, the use of cellulose insulation has not only improved the working environment but also increased the efficiency of their construction projects. The cellulose insulation can create insulation layers without joints, which reduces the risk of heat leakage and helps to keep buildings energy efficient. In addition, they have found that the material is easy to work with and that it does not itch or dust as much as other insulation materials.
When we asked about any challenges with using natural materials like cellulose, Håkan replied:
– Regarding iCell, we were probably a bit conservative about trying anything other than mineral wool. But it was a customer who wanted us to use cellulose insulation on their project. So we tried it and were very impressed by the product and also the support iCell provided us. Nowadays, we are happy to choose iCell.
This story shows that although change can be challenging, exploring new and sustainable alternatives in the construction industry can be very rewarding. By doing so, companies can not only improve the working environment for their employees but also reduce their environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future.
The future of natural building materials
The trend towards using more natural and organic materials in the construction industry looks set to continue to grow. More and more construction companies, property owners and architects are realising the benefits of using natural organic materials in the construction processes, not only in terms of the building’s performance but also for the sake of the environment, as it primarily leads to significantly lower carbon dioxide emissions.
– It is obvious that the use of materials such as natural cellulose insulation can be an important part of this development. Not only does it reduce the health risks for construction workers, but it also helps to reduce the overall environmental impact in the construction sector, says Joakim Jönsson, Key Account Manager at iCell. It is important to remember that sustainability and environmental awareness are not just a trend but a necessity. We must all get better at choosing recycled and sustainable products, especially in the construction industry where resource consumption is high. Westergrens Bygg is an excellent example of how to take small steps towards a more sustainable future by considering and implementing natural and organic materials in their projects.
In summary, natural climate-smart cellulose insulation is not only a smart choice for the construction industry, but it is also a choice that benefits both people and the environment. By reducing the health risks for workers and contributing to a circular economy, it is a step in the right direction towards a more sustainable future for the construction industry and our planet. We therefore urge all actors in the construction sector to consider and embrace the use of natural cellulose insulation and other sustainable alternatives. It is a choice that will benefit us all in the long run.
For more information and contact
Joakim Jönsson
KAM / Key Account Manager
iCell
Vxl. +46 251 13 01 00
Dir. +46 251 13 01 16
