Imports of roof insulation were 'reeking' of formaldehyde | Herald Sun
One letter described the imports as "reeking of formaldehyde". Another gave examples of roof installers vomiting when they opened bags of the foreign insulation.
A senior industry figure said there was no confidence that the Federal Government was able to check the quality of the imports.
"We have no idea what are the long-term respiratory effects of having this in the ceiling," he said.
Another said shonky installers were putting Australian-made batts around manholes but filling the rest of the roof with cheaper imports.
On December 18, the Polyester Insulation Manufacturers Association lodged a submission with the Government specifically warning about formaldehyde.
The six-page letter said: "There has been a flood of materials imported to Australia which both do not meet Australian standards for performance materials, and represent a significant respiratory health risk to both installers and householders due to excessive levels of formaldehyde, which is also a known carcinogen.
"Millions of square metres of insulation batts and rolls have been imported and dumped into the Australian market from China, Thailand, Mexico, the USA and elsewhere."
Opposition environment spokesman Greg Hunt said it would be gross negligence if the Government allowed Australians' health to be put at risk.
"It would be extraordinary if the minister ignored warnings about potentially deadly Chinese batts," he said.
Mr Garrett's office said: "While some insulation batts may use formaldehyde as a binding agent, all batts used under the program have to conform to Australian standards and be on the approved list of products on the department's website."
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