Insulation, Radiant and Vapor Barriers - Formaldehyde/Paper Insulation: Seal or Remove?

We are putting a floor in our attic so we can use it for storage. The attic has blown-in insulation sitting between the joists which -- I have been told -- is made of formaldehyde and paper.

Should I be getting rid of this stuff? Is it a problem? Or, can I just cover it with plywood flooring and expect no health consequences?

Thanks,

Gary

Who told you this info? Blown in cellulose if thats what you have is made of recycled newspaper ground up and has borates added to it. Borate is a fire retardant and insect repellent. While no formaldehyde is used in making cellulose sometimes the inks from the newspaper can outgas it but even if its there it will fall way below irritating levels if it hasnt already left. You shouldnt have any problems covering it up and leaving it there.

The person who told me is a local contractor. He works a lot on residential houses in our city.

The house was built in 1913 and this stuff looks pretty darn old, too. So, I don't think it contains modern formulations. Although, they wouldn't need formaldehyde for binding old newspaper, would they?

Still, it looks pretty foul. And the air up there (which gets no ventilation) matches.

You have no vents at all in the unfinished attic space? There should at least be a couple of gable vents. All attics usually need ventilation.

Windows and a ventilation pipe are going in as part of this project.

We redid the roof a few years ago because it was completely sealed and the shingles were buckling due to overheating. A cap with a bit of a gap (sorry, don't know the real phrase) was installed to help equalize the temperature around the roof.

Gary