Good to Know: Off-Gassing
We’re all familiar with the scent of a new car, the odor of paint, or the smell of new carpet, but what you may not know is that all of those scents are signs of off-gassing. What is off-gassing, you ask? Today for Good to Know, we’re going to talk all about it, the potential dangers, and simple ways to make sure that your home is protected.
WHAT IS OFF-GASSING?
Essentially, off-gassing is the airborne release of a chemical. Off-gassing happens when new, manufactured items release volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) and other chemicals as they settle. This process happens primarily when a product is brand new, but some materials can off-gas for months or years without noticeable fumes.
Common sources of VOC’s include furniture, cabinetry, and carpet, so it’s important to be extra mindful of off-gassing during home renovations, carpet installations, and other large home improvement projects. It’s also important to keep in mind that synthetic materials are a major source of VOC’s, so choosing more natural products can help limit off-gassing in your home.
WHY IS IT A problem?
While we shouldn’t be overly paranoid about off-gassing, it should definitely be taken into consideration during a renovation project. The biggest concern with off-gassing is that many chemicals that are used within the home are untested, and according to Jillian Pritchard Cooke, the founder of Wellness Within Your Walls, “Nobody’s telling you what is coming from all of those vapors mixing together in the air.” We simply don’t know how various chemicals are affecting an individual’s nervous system, lungs, or cellular makeup.
We do know that some fumes are more toxic than others, and the worst offenders tend to be from adhesives and plastics. Some VOC’s can cause headaches and respiratory problems in the short term, as well as hormone disruption, cancers, and other health conditions as they accumulate over long periods of time. One of the worst chemicals, used in holding particle board together, is formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, and it can also cause eye and nose irritation. While some in the industry are working to ban formaldehyde from building materials altogether, it’s best to avoid particleboard as much as possible. For a full list of harmful substances to avoid, click here.
The primary chemicals in VOC’s tend to be:
Formaldehyde
Chloroform
Phthalates
Acetone
Ozone
Ethanol
Chemical flame retardants
Methylene chloride
Benzene
Perchloroethylene (found in dry cleaning solutions)
The most potent period of time for a product to off-gas is in the first month after it is produced. However, chemicals off-gas at different rates, so some products continue off-gassing for years after they are produced. Carpeting, for example, can off-gas for five years or more after it is produced.
Off-gassing has become a larger problem in recent years, as we build houses that are more energy efficient and less ventilated. In old drafty houses, off-gassing wasn’t really a problem, but now we have to make considerations for less ventilation. We also need to take extra precaution for rooms like bathrooms, which are generally some of the smallest rooms in a home with the poorest ventilation. Even NASA has had to deal with off-gassing in order for people to live in space. Scientists at NASA had to figure out how to reduce the exposure of VOC’s in a space that never gets fresh air. This is the origin of those scientific studies that show that plants help clean your home’s air.
WHO IS AFFECTED?
Off-gassing can affect everyone in a home, but babies, children, and adults with weak immune systems or respiratory problems are often the most affected. One reason for this is that some of the products that off-gas the most are flooring (both carpet and vinyl). So, any creature that spends a lot of time near the floor, including babies, toddlers, and household pets, are going to be more exposed to the VOC’s that are being emitted from flooring.
common Sources of off-gassing:
Furniture - Including couches, chairs, mattresses, and other pieces.
Carpets - Although off-gassing decreases after the first few months, carpets can emit VOC’s for five or more years.
Particleboard / Plywood - The glue that holds these items together almost always contains formaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen.
Wallpaper - Adhesives are common sources of VOC’s.
Paint and Painting Supplies - In recent years, low or no VOC paints have become more popular.
Building materials, cabinetry, and flooring - VOC heavy adhesives and varnishes are common with these items. In 2015, Home Depot and Lowe’s instituted a ban on toxic phthalates (a class of industrial chemicals that help make plastic bendy) in flooring.
Dryer Sheets - This household staple generally contains multiple chemicals that can cause eye and skin irritation. For a more natural alternative, we suggest dryer balls, which provide the same benefits but without chemicals.
Many Electronics, including Printers, Copiers, and Computers - Many printers and photocopiers can release ozone during the printing process.
Nail Polish Remover - Any acetone heavy product can cause irritation of the nose, throat, lungs, and eyes.
Household Cleaners - The vast majority of household cleaners are not assessed for safety, despite containing a large number of chemicals and VOC’s. Toilet bowl cleaners, glass cleaners, and detergents can all contain VOC’s.
Other items that commonly contain VOC’s - Gasoline, Moth Repellents, Cosmetics, Smoking, Burning wood, coal, or natural gas, Pesticides, Aerosol spray, Craft Supplies, Tennis Balls, Bedding, Varnishes, Floor Coverings, Fireplaces, Toys, Vinyl, Plastics, Cosmetics, Newspapers, and Air Fresheners.
HOW TO AVOID Bringing voc’s into your home
The best strategy to avoid off-gassing in your home is to limit the VOC heavy products that you purchase. As people within the home design industry have become more aware of the dangers of off-gassing, more information has become available for people looking to avoid these contaminants. The database Mindful Materials is a searchable library of more than 10,000 products with verified labeling information. In addition to this, there are multiple certifying groups, including GreenGuard and Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), certify products as low or no-emission to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions.
In general, used and vintage products, which have already off-gassed the majority of their VOC’s are a great place to look for lower emission furniture. Solid wood furniture pieces typically also have far fewer VOC’s than their composite counterparts. If you are looking for a mattress, shop for one that is made of natural latex, organic cotton, or chemical-free wool.
If you already own items that are off-gassing, there’s no need to throw them out or return them. However, it’s best that they do not off-gas within your home. If you can, let them air out in your garage or outside for a few weeks. Some furniture stores also allow customers to ventilate their purchases on-site before delivering them to your home.
As there could be many items at various stages of off-gassing in your home, it is also recommended to utilize an air purifier.
If you are interested in reducing the VOC’s currently in your home, follow these steps!
Complete a home inventory. Survey the products in your home, and identify potential VOC sources. Whenever possible, safely dispose of them. If you have questions about disposing of potentially hazardous household waste, contact your local government.
Purchase used products. As we have mentioned already, used products have already gone through their worst periods of off-gassing. If you can’t find what you love in a used or vintage form, it is a good idea to purchase a floor model, so it has had some time to air out before coming to your home.
Circulate fresh air as much as possible. Consider installing a heat recovery ventilator in your home, and make sure that the bathrooms have well-functioning exhaust fans. Weather permitting, keep windows open for several hours a day to help air circulate throughout your home. If you are doing any painting, remodeling, or buying new furniture, it is best to wait for the warmer months, so that you can keep your windows open.
Limit computer time. Use computers in well-ventilated areas, and take breaks from your computer to get some fresh air.
Read labels. As we mentioned earlier, check to see if furniture is certified by GreenGuard, Scientific Certification Systems, or SGS Group. You can also conduct online searches for “Greenguard certified furniture,” and options from all of the major furniture retailers will come up.
Let new products air out. If possible, remove a new product from its packaging and allow it to sit outside or in a garage for a few weeks before bringing it into your home.
Get rid of wall-to-wall carpeting. Since carpeting can off-gas for up to five years, this is one of the worst offenders of VOC emissions. If you can’t give up carpet completely, opt for area rugs, or natural fiber carpet that does not use adhesives.
Shop for a natural mattress. Look for a chemical-free wool, organic cotton, or natural latex option. While these do tend to be more expensive, these options have far fewer emissions and are better long-term. If you are looking for a budget friendly option, go for a cotton or wool futon.
Pick solid wood furniture. The best options are FSC or SFI certified products, as these are required to maintain certain health and sustainability standards. It’s a good rule of thumb to avoid furniture made with cheap plywood or particleboard.
Avoid polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Whenever possible, avoid plastics such as those in linoleum, upholstery, and shower curtains.
Use a dehumidifier. Chemicals tend to off-gas at higher rates in warmer and more humid temperatures. In order to limit emissions, keep the temperature and humidity low.
Opt for unscented versions. Many artificially scented products are full of VOC’s, even products like air fresheners and candles.
Call the manufacturer. If you think that the product you would like to purchase is likely to off-gas, call the manufacturer and see if it would be possible for them to unwrap the product and let it off-gas in their warehouse for several weeks. Often, the worst off-gassing happens in the first few days after a product is unwrapped, and this is a great way to avoid that altogether.
Follow the directions. If a product’s label asks that you wear a mask, or use a product in a well-ventilated area, follow those instructions. They can help you avoid exposure to harmful chemicals.
Avoid flame retardants. Many couches and mattresses are treated with flame retardants, and these products should be avoided wherever possible.
Get as many houseplants as you can! In addition to adding beauty and color, these plants can help keep your indoor air cleaner.
Even completing a few of these tasks will help reduce the VOC’s in your home and limit the off-gassing that you and your family experience. Overall, making an effort to source high quality, solid wood furniture and vintage pieces will go a long way in limiting the VOC’s that you are exposed to.
Information for this post was gathered from the following sources: Architectural Digest, Coway Mega, Tree Hugger, and Get Green Be Well, LA Homes.