Was installing some more ceiling speakers recently - going thru the typical rigamarole of "suiting up" (gloves, respirator, goggles, going outside to do all the cutting) to handle the speaker cavity fill - when I realized how much I hate dealing with R-13 insulation!

Any suggestions for an alternate (and less toxic!) material for use as ceiling/inwall speaker backfill? Was thinking of something similar to this polyfill at P/E, but hopefully cheaper!

Go to Wallmart and get some pillow stuffing(polyfill).
I HATE Wallmart but it is about $3 a bag.

Yah, I'd heard the recommendation re: pillow stuffing before - my concern with that was potential code issues ... e.g., isn't that stuff flammable, and potentially not "code" for construction use?

Try this, may be a little harder to come by and a little more expensive though... but it is a true insulating product that meets all codes and fire ratings.

[Link: environmentalhomecenter.com]

There is cotton insulation out there. I believe the brand name is ultra touch. Next time I'm in NY I was planning on picking up a few bags for exactly the same reason you posted. This stuff has very good sound absorption as well.
how many times have I been working in a basement with miles of exposed fiberglass insulation and young children playing? This stuff would be a nice alternative and for our application it meets codes.

The other option is Triad speakers that have the aluminum back box.

http://www.bondedlogic.com/

I really doubt pillow stuffing or cotton meets building code. I've used pillow stuffing inside cabinets, but never in walls.

If you're referring to my post - it certainly does meet code and is a realistic alternative to fiberglass for consumers interested in more renewable building practices.

If you're looking for formaldehyde-free fibreglass insulation check out this company. One of my contractors will ONLY work with thiis stuff now.

[Link: jm.com]

Keep in mind that you should be using dust masks for all types of insulation. I don't work in insulated attics unless I have a mask.

Cheer

Now this (and the Bonded Logic product) is truly interesting, thansk for sharing this! It's not *that* much more expensive - a quick comparison shows that R-13 from HD/Loews runs ~.33/sq ft, while the UltraTouch cotton stuff is .56/sq ft ... ok, so it's nearly twice as expensive, but if it's safe & nontoxic, that's well worth it, imo!

I thought it wasn't so much the formaldehyde in the product, as the fiberglass itself, that was harmful/toxic?

The fibreglass also is a hazard with respect to the dust particles, but so is saw dust or any course dust. Stating the obvious, formaldehyde is a proven carcinogen, so you may want to avoid or protect yourself from this stuff. The best cancer treament is to avoid, whenever possible, known carcinogens.

I would suggest that you also wear a dust mask when working with the UltraTouch insulation to protect yourself from product dust as well as inhaling the fire retardent that's been sprayed on the product. I do not know if the fire retardent would cause much of a health problem, but less crap in your lungs the better.

In addition, you have to like the no VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) and Formaldehyde features of the UltraTouch product.

There was a big artickle in a general contractors mag a few years ago, about how the insulation mfgrs. have been trying cover - up and dismiss the medical findings about the dangers of Fiberglass. The findings were / are that, loose fiberglass particles are about as bad as asbestos & causing lung cancer. Once the fiberglass fibers get into the lungs, they get wedged in there and are really, really nasty stuff.

Fire retardant used:

"The fireproofing is boric acid, which is obtained from minerals mined in deserts in California and elsewhere. This is the same fireproofing used in our cellulose insulation. Borates are very low-toxic to humans and other mammals."

I think the original poster was mostly iritated by the fiberglass issue, itchy skin, get it in your eyes, breathing in the particles of glass.. Formaldehyde is a big issue but is pretty much in every home product out there today. Formaldehyde is released as a gas so a typical dust mask won't protect you from it. Here is a list of all the day to day stuff that it is in:

[Link: allergies.about.com]

there appears to be a pretty clear distinction between the damage caused by asbestos and fiberglass. fiberglass is definately "safe" by comparison when installed properly. The problem is that it's never installed properly and the HVAC systems in the houses we work in are never sealed properly. Everytime the air handler turns on you're getting faceful of fiberglass dust.

You guys don't like R13? I love the stuff! I remember when I was little my folks would take me to the carnival and we'd watch the man spin a stick in his machine and, Voila! The greatest, sweetest treat ever!

Now I get to crawl around in attics full of the stuff!

You guys are crazy. Oh well, just means more for me.