The royal commission into the Federal Government’s ill-fated home insulation scheme has heard cancer-linked chemicals were present in some batts during the roll-out, which are still being sold today.

In inquiry focussed for several days on evidence that imported batts could pose health threats to homeowners.

The founding member of the Polyester Insulation Manufacturers Association, Warrick Batt, faced the commission last week.

He told about concerns over what he described as non-compliant batts imported from Asia. He says they were brought in to meet demand during the Rudd government's scheme.

Mr Batts says the batts from Chinese suppliers contained high levels of the chemical formaldehyde, which has been listed by several authorities as carcinogenic to humans.

“We purchased a hand-held formaldehyde meter and did some very basic testing of insulation packs that had come in from China and found very high levels of formaldehyde,” he said.

“The readings we took were either between 20 and 50 times higher between the highest of the recommended levels.”

“My understanding is that it will continue to off-gas for quite some time,” he said, which would mean that material continues to pose a health threat.

Mr Batt says he tried to warn the former Government about the risk, but also9 admitted he declined to provide a sample when asked.

He said he did not have one at the time, but lawyer Michael Windsor said a sample would be obtained for further investigations.

Mr Batt says the material is still being sold.

“I have asked my state managers and they do report that there is product still available on the market that meets those criteria,” he said.