The following is a summary of an extensive Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) report. The NRDC is a non-profit environmental membership organization with over 300,000 members and contributors nationwide:

The NRDC has concluded the following:

* Cellulose insulation manufactured from recycled paper is the least polluting and most energy efficient insulation.

* Cellulose has the highest post-consumer recycled content. The fiberglass industry averages 35% recycled glass, while the cellulose industry averages a minimum of 75% recycled content.

* It takes more than 10 times as much energy to produce fiberglass insulation as cellulose insulation.

* Due to air circulation and natural convection, the R-value of blown-in fiberglass insulation decreases by as much as 50% as the temperature drops from 45 degrees F to 18 degrees F.

* Cellulose has better resistance to air flow and prevents the upward movement of air caused by temperature differences (the R-value of cellulose actually improves during cold weather).

* Substantial and well-documented public health threats are associated with fiberglass.

* No adverse health effects from cellulose insulation have been identified.

* Cellulose that has been properly installed in your walls will not settle.

* Cellulose is non-corrosive to steel, copper and aluminum.

* Cellulose will not lose it's energy saving abilities over time.

* Cellulose will not rot, decay or mildew, and it does not support fungus or mold growth.