Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation was Key Focus at Polyurethanes 2009 Conference

National Harbor, MD (October 7, 2009) – “Spray polyurethane foam insulation (SPFI) plays an important role in helping our nation to reach our long term energy goals. It is an excellent insulation and air sealant and we are interested in offering decision makers as many choices as possible to create healthier, green homes,” said Bill Hanson, U.S. Environmental Agency (EPA), Office of Policy Economics and Innovation during a special issue session here today. “Working with CPI, the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA) and industry, our focus is to ensure that SPFI application in buildings follows consistent safe work practices and that comprehensive hazard information is communicated throughout the supply chain, down to the consumer. We’re very pleased that CPI and SPFA, along with industry participants, have undertaken a major voluntary initiative to help educate the supply chain on the safe use and handling of SPFI.”

Representatives from OSHA, NIOSH and CPSC, as well as the polyurethanes industry, discussed training, hazard communication and workplace practices for safe handling and use of spray polyurethane foam ingredients, including selection of appropriate personal protective equipment and ventilation methods during the special session – The New Era of Spray Polyurethane Foam: Leading the Way in Product Stewardship. 

“The special session on SPFI product stewardship was a great way to highlight this exciting new program  with SPFA,” said Neeva-Gayle Candelori, director of Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI), sponsor of the Conference.  “As spray polyurethane foam insulation becomes increasingly important in helping this country meet its aggressive energy efficiency goals, it’s become even more critical for the industry to provide timely, easy to understand product stewardship information. Our newly-launched web site, www.spraypolyurethane.com, contains downloadable information in user-friendly documents, and we’ll keep posting new information to the site as this program grows.  We encourage you to visit the site and please encourage your customers to do the same.”

“The Spray Polyurethane Foam Association has a wealth of safe handling information that we have been making available to spray foam contractors and the general public for many years,” said Rick Duncan, technical director of the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance, sponsor of the panel session. “We are very pleased to be working together with CPI and the governmental agencies represented here today  to help make available high quality information to all those who may come in contact with spray polyurethane foam in building insulation applications.”

“The work we’ve described today is just the first step,” noted Candelori. “We’re hard at work at building out an even more extensive program, and one that will reach much more broadly, to DIY-ers, builders, architects and specifiers to systems houses and isocyanate and polyols manufacturers – and even homeowners and building operators. Stay tuned, and check the web site, www.spraypolyurethane.com, often – and call us to join the program.”

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The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies engaged in the business of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of chemistry to make innovative products and services that make people's lives better, healthier and safer. ACC is committed to improved environmental, health and safety performance through Responsible Care®, common sense advocacy designed to address major public policy issues, and health and environmental research and product testing. The business of chemistry is a $689 billion enterprise and a key element of the nation's economy. It is one of the nation’s largest exporters, accounting for ten cents out of every dollar in U.S. exports. Chemistry companies are among the largest investors in research and development. Safety and security have always been primary concerns of ACC members, and they have intensified their efforts, working closely with government agencies to improve security and to defend against any threat to the nation’s critical infrastructure.

www.americanchemistry.com/polyurethane

The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) of the American Chemistry Council promotes the sustainable growth of the polyurethane industry, by identifying and managing issues that could impact the industry, in cooperation with user groups. Its members include the nation’s leading producers and distributors of chemicals and equipment used to make polyurethane and manufacture polyurethane products. CPI provides a single, strong and credible voice to advocate on behalf of the interests of the U.S. polyurethanes industry. The business of polyurethanes is a $56.1 billion enterprise, supports about 220,000 jobs and a key element of the nation’s economy.

 
Contact: Neeva-Gayle Candelori (703) 741-5654                         Contact : Allison Elliott (212) 697-2600                
Email: Neeva_Candelori@americanchemistry.com                    Email :  aelliott@gibbs-soell.com