Health Canada should review UFFI ban

Over the last year an a half, about 700 homes in Ontario have been insulated with with a new product containing urea formaldehyde foam insulation or UFFI.
UFFI has been illegal since its ban in 1980 under the Hazardous Products Act.
Health Canada became aware of it and immediately issued an advisory informing consumers that Retro Foam of Canada Inc. illegally imported and sold a urea formaldehyde-based thermal insulation under the name Retro Foam. Health Canada also issued a “cease and desist” letter to Retro Foam of Canada Incorporated, the Canadian importer of the insulation, to stop all importation and sale of the product in Canada. Health Canada also instructed Enerliv, the Canadian distributor of Retro Foam, to stop all sale, advertisement and further installations of the product and to call back any unused product.
In addition, Retro Foam, Retro Foam of Canada Inc., and Enerliv were placed on Canada Border Service Agency’s automated system target list to prevent any future importation of this product. As a result of Health Canada’s actions, Retro Foam is no longer available for sale or installation in Canada.
RetroFoam of Canada Inc. is responsible for ensuring that the products they import, sell or advertise meet the requirements of the Hazardous Products Act and its regulations. Health Canada issued a statement saying it is currently reviewing its legal options.
Urea formaldehyde insulation is prohibited in Canada because it may release formaldehyde gas into indoor air. Health Canada is taking further regulatory action to protect the health and safety of homeowners who have had Retro Foam installed in their homes by supporting them in having their indoor air quality tested.
Health Canada will be communicating directly with homeowners to provide further details on how they can obtain government support for having their indoor air quality tested.
.
“