Tens of thousands of Dutch homes are contaminated with carcinogenic UF foam
It has been confirmed that tens of thousands of homes across the Netherlands contain UF foam insulation that releases formaldehyde, a carcinogenic chemical, RTL reports. In some cases, formaldehyde levels were high enough that residents were advised to leave, while other homes remain uninhabitable for extended periods, according to findings reported by Zembla.
The Municipal Health Services, known as the GGD, recorded health complaints at at least seven sites where UF foam—different from standard polyurethane spray foam—had been injected into cavity walls. Formaldehyde is classified as a substance of very high concern because it can cause cancer and damage DNA. At several locations, concentrations were high enough to warrant immediate evacuation.
Residents affected include tenants in Elst, Dalfsen, Dedemsvaart, Capelle aan de IJssel, and Purmerend, as well as private homeowners in Oostzaan and Nieuwegein. In some homes, formaldehyde emissions spread through walls into living areas.
Two apartment buildings in Dalfsen have remained empty for three years because levels remain unsafe. In other cases, residents were confined to only a few rooms for months while the rest of their homes were considered hazardous.
Short-term exposure to formaldehyde can cause breathing difficulties, headaches, and eczema. Long-term exposure increases the risk of throat and nasal cancer, as well as leukemia. Zembla investigated why UF foam continues to be used despite decades of known risks. Internal documents from the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport reportedly show senior officials considered banning the material as early as 1980.
The Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning said it is aware of both historical and current problems and is awaiting results from ongoing GGD investigations.
The GGD advises residents who suspect UF foam in their homes to ventilate thoroughly. Residents without health complaints do not need immediate action, but anyone experiencing symptoms should contact the GGD to determine whether UF foam may be the cause.
