Most everyone knows about the fiberglass insulation that has been used for many decades in attics all over America. It comes in two forms: blown in wads and rolled in mats. In both cases these two forms of insulation have proven to create a ubiquitous health disaster throughout many a residential subdivision.

Do you know what happens to this fiberglass that sits in the attic through alternating periods of heat and cold, humidity and dryness? It breaks down and dusts. It is then carried by the air movement all over the attic, as well as into the wall spaces.

This is where the problem really begins. You see, when the air conditioning turns on in the southern regions, a negative pressure phenomenon occurs which pushes attic air into the ambient air of the home through various points of entry. Likewise, when the heat pump turns on in the colder regions the same negative pressure is induced. This negative pressure throughout the home pulls air from the attic and wall spaces into the ambient air. More specifically, the following excerpt from hvac-talk.com describes what really happens here.   Continue reading →