This info sheet presents our opinion regarding the issues surrounding health and safety when using acoustic products in your home, studio or commercial space. This in no way is intended to portrait Primacoustic as an expert on health matters. As many issues may be of particular concern to ones personal health, we suggest you speak with a physician or specialist should you have concerns beyond the informative scope of this paper. To simplify and condense, this has been presented in a question & answer format.

 

Does urethane foam emit odor or gas and is it harmful?
Although extremely stable, all chemically produced products - whether we are discussing the rug we walk on, the furniture we sit on, the bed we sleep in, the wallpaper on our walls, the paint on our ceiling or the acoustic panels in our studio - will emit minute amounts of gas over time. Is it harmful? In large doses it probably would be. But manufacturers and the suppliers of these chemicals follow strict guidelines to deliver products that are not considered harmful. A proper air exchange such as air conditioning, furnace or even an open window will usually suffice.

I am particularly sensitive to odors. Will acoustic panels affect me?
This is hard to say. Some folks do not notice any change while others are acutely aware of the change in odor. If you are particularly sensitive to odors, the best solution is to unpack your new panels outside and leave them air out for a week in the garage. Keep in mind that the various thinners and resins that are used during the manufacturing process will take time to fully cure. And because the panels are generally packed right after they are made, final curing may take a few weeks after they are in contact with air.

Is old urethane dust harmful?
I am not sure, but I know I wouldn't want to be breathing it in! Urethane foam will generally last around 5 years before it begins to break down. If you notice your foam panels are beginning to dry up and dust, change them!

Is breathing fiberglass shards harmful?
Probably. This is why we only produce and sell panels that are 100% encapsulated. We use micromesh on the front and back surfaces and then resin harden the edges so that the minute glass fibers cannot escape. You can find less expensive fiberglass panels that have loose - untreated edges. If you plan to use these, make sure you close off the sides so that the glass fibers cannot escape.

Is handing fiberglass safe?
Probably. Anyone that has built a home or done renovations knows what it is like to handle fiberglass. You are best to use gloves, long sleeve shirt and a mask to avoid contact. For more information on safety, we suggest you consult Corning and other fiberglass producer web sites. They likely have exhaustive studies for those that wish to delve into the subject further.

Can someone get hurt from a falling panel?
Yes with Broadway panels - not likely with urethane panels as they are much lighter. We always recommend adding a dab of construction adhesive during the mounting process. Keep in mind that Broadway panels are made from 6lb per cubic foot fiberglass. A 3" think 24" x 48" panel can weigh upwards to 12 pounds! And with the hard resin treated edges, you really do not want them coming down on your head!