Do you know that "new" smell from fresh paint, furniture, or carpets? It might seem harmless, but can signal the presence of off-gassing—the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into your indoor air. Emitted from various household products, these chemicals can accumulate in enclosed spaces and negatively impact your indoor air and health. By understanding off-gassing, you can take steps to control your indoor air quality—for example, airing out new items, ventilating your space, and using a home air purifier with a VOC filter, such as an Alen. Let’s delve into the details.
What is Off-Gassing?
Off-gassing (or out-gassing) refers to the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from manufactured materials into the air. These chemicals easily evaporate at room temperature and come from many common household items, such as furniture, mattresses, carpets, and paints.
Let’s zero in on where off-gassing originates.
Source of Off-Gassing in the Home
Off-gassing is a common but often overlooked contributor to indoor air pollution. These gases can linger indoors, especially in tightly sealed homes, and may cause health issues. What can you do about it? Understanding where off-gassing originates is key to improving indoor air quality and protecting your well-being. Here are some of the most common sources:
- New Furniture: New sofas, chairs, and tables—especially those made with engineered wood or synthetic foam—often emit VOCs like formaldehyde due to the adhesives and flame retardants. Pressed wood is particularly high in off-gassing potential.
- Mattresses and Bedding: Memory foam and synthetic latex mattresses frequently off-gas chemicals like toluene and benzene. The smell of a new mattress is a mix of these VOCs and can take days or weeks to dissipate without proper ventilation.
- Carpets and Rugs: Wall-to-wall carpeting and area rugs may release VOCs from synthetic fibers and the glues used when installing them. New carpets often emit 4-phenylcyclohexene (4-PCH) that creates the “new carpet smell.”
- Flooring Materials: Vinyl flooring, laminate, and some hardwoods coated with polyurethane finishes can off-gas formaldehyde and other VOCs that often persist for months after installation.
- Cleaning Products: Many conventional household cleaners contain VOCs like ethylene glycol and acetaldehyde that can be released into the air during use and linger.
- Electronics and Plastics: New electronics, plastic storage containers, and synthetic home goods can emit styrene, naphthalene, and other VOCs, especially when heated during use or charging.
- Cabinetry: Kitchen and bathroom cabinets made from particleboard can off-gas formaldehyde and other adhesive-related compounds, especially when they’re new.
What’s Being Released Into the Air?
Off-gassing comes from common household items that you may come in contact with daily (ouch). That’s why it's important to understand what's emitted. Common VOCs released during off-gassing include:
- Formaldehyde
- Benzene
- Toluene
- Xylene
- Acetaldehyde
- Ethylene glycol
- Methylene chloride
- Naphthalene
- Styrene
- Perchloroethylene
Understanding these chemicals and their sources is critical to improving indoor air quality and reducing potential health risks, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Health Effects of Off-Gassing
The potential health risks of off-gassing are very real. Research shows that exposure to VOCs released during off-gassing can lead to a range of health issues, says the EPA, particularly in poorly ventilated indoor environments. Short-term exposure may cause immediate symptoms while long-term exposure has been linked to more serious health conditions.
Common symptoms associated with short-term VOC exposure include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Nausea
- Eye, nose, or throat irritation
- Coughing or wheezing
- Fatigue or general malaise
- Shortness of breath
- Skin irritation or rashes
- Chest tightness
- Sensitivity to smells or strong odors
Exposure to VOCs over a longer period is more serious. According to the American Lung Association, long-term exposure to certain VOCs, such as formaldehyde and benzene, has been associated with more severe health effects, including liver, kidney, and central nervous system damage, and increased cancer risk. You definitely want to minimize your exposure to these chemicals.
What’s more, people with pre-existing respiratory conditions, children, and the elderly may be more susceptible to the adverse effects of VOC exposure. The good news? Ensuring proper ventilation and reducing the use of products that emit VOCs can help mitigate these health risks. Hang tight—we’ve got more info.
How to Reduce Off-Gassing Pollution in Your Home
Minimizing off-gassing in your home is important for maintaining healthy indoor air quality. Here are some steps you can take to reduce your exposure to the VOCs emitted from various household items:
Step 1: Choose Low-VOC or VOC-Free Products
Opt for products labeled as low-VOC or VOC-free in paints, adhesives, and furnishings. Certifications like GREENGUARD and Green Seal can also guide you toward safer choices.
Step 2: Air Out New Items
Before bringing new furniture or mattresses indoors, allow them to off-gas in a well-ventilated area like a garage or covered porch for several days. Opening windows is a good option as well. These practices help dissipate VOCs before they enter your living space.
Step 3: Ventilate Your Space
Increasing ventilation in your space is beneficial for dissipating more than just VOCs. Open windows and use fans to circulate fresh air, especially after introducing new items or during cleaning activities.
Step 4: Use an Air Purifier with a VOC Filter
Invest in an air purifier equipped with activated carbon or other VOC-specific filters to capture airborne chemicals effectively. Alen’s Fresh filters have activated carbon and are excellent for absorbing heavy concentrations of chemicals and VOCs.
Step 5: Avoid Aerosols
It’s best to avoid aerosol products that are typically packaged in pressurized containers and dispense their contents in a mist or spray. Examples include hairspray, bug spray, and spray paint.
Step 6: Clean Regularly to Prevent Buildup
Regular cleaning reduces dust and particulate matter that can absorb and re-emit VOCs. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter and dust surfaces to minimize airborne pollutants.
VOC Air Purifiers for Off-Gassing
If you’re looking for a solution to minimize VOC exposure, Alen VOC air purifiers are engineered to reduce VOCs and off-gassing pollutants in indoor environments. Alen air purifiers are available with medical-grade HEPA filters and activated carbon layers that can capture VOCs such as formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene.
The activated carbon in Alen filters also helps absorb harmful gases and chemical vapors, effectively neutralizing odors and improving air quality. Alen air purifiers are also designed with features like smart sensors to help you monitor air quality in real time, which you can stay on top of via the Alen app. With Alen, you can help mitigate the health risks associated with off-gassing and VOC exposure.
Off-Gassing Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can off-gassing be toxic?
Yes, off-gassing involves releasing VOCs that may be toxic, especially in enclosed environments. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of VOCs can lead to serious health issues, according to research. Health effects include respiratory problems, neurological effects, and increased cancer risk.
2. Is mattress off-gassing harmful?
Off-gassing from mattresses is not harmful for most people. The VOCs emitted from new mattresses are at a low level and typically dissipate within a few days. However, people with chemical sensitivities, asthma, or other respiratory conditions may experience temporary symptoms such as headaches, nausea, or dizziness. Allow a new mattress to air out in a well-ventilated room before use.
3. How to get rid of off-gassing smell?
To eliminate off-gassing odors, place the new item in a well-ventilated area, preferably with open windows and fans to increase airflow. Allowing the product to air out for several days can significantly reduce VOC concentrations. Air purifiers equipped with activated carbon filters can also help absorb and neutralize VOCs, speeding up the removal of unpleasant smells.
4. What is out-gassing?
Off-gassing is the release of chemicals from materials into the air over time. Common sources include furniture, paint, carpets, and building materials. These substances, often volatile organic compounds (VOCs), can affect indoor air quality and may cause headaches, irritation, or respiratory discomfort, especially in poorly ventilated spaces.
Sources:
- https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-quality
- https://www.epa.gov/haps/health-effects-notebook-hazardous-air-pollutants?
- https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-quality
- https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/104822/cdc_104822_DS1.pdf
- https://www.lung.org/clean-air/indoor-air/indoor-air-pollutants/volatile-organic-compounds#:~:text=Breathing%20VOCs%20can%20cause%20health,people%20with%20asthma%20and%20COPD.
