How Long Do the Effects of VOCs Linger in New Construction? - Cda Wood (2024)

FAQs

How long do VOCs linger? ›

When paint is applied inside a confined indoor space the concentration of VOCs can be up to ten times higher than outdoors. VOCs emitted from paint do dissipate overtime, after the paint dries on the wall but this process can take a while with most dispelling within the first six months after application.

In general, low-VOC paints may off-gas for only a few days. Oil-based items such as varnishes and lacquers are considered some of the worst offenders for emitting VOCs. And some items in a building may off-gas VOCs at low levels for years.

Paint, stains, strippers, and solvents are notorious for having powerful smells that often lead to headaches and dizziness during initial exposure. If you ventilate well, the worst of the smell may wear off in a few days, but harmful gasses can continue to emit for six months or longer.

The data suggests it takes about two years for formaldehyde in newly built or remodeled homes to off-gas down to levels of the average home. However, higher humidity and temperatures can make VOCs off-gas faster.

The VOCs emanating from a product dissipate over time as the chemicals vaporize. VOCs from paint dissipate fairly quickly with most offgassing occuring during the first 6 months after application. Other sources, such as particle board may continue to offgas for 20 years or more.

This process can take 3 to 30 days, depending on the kind of stain and brand. As the stain dries, volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, release into the air. Products with high levels of VOCs create air pollution and can have long-term adverse effects on human health.

You can also use exhaust, attic, or whole house fans to circulate the air. These fans pull air out of or through the living space, diluting the concentrations of VOCs. Air purifiers with PCO (Photocatalytic Oxidation) and activated carbon are effective at removing VOCs that may be present in your home.

General instructions that should apply to most situations:

Leave it on all day and all night for 3-5 days. It is equally important to air out the house by opening a door and some windows for 15-25 minutes at least twice a day, three times is better.

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are found in thousands of products we use every day and can lead to serious health problems. Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are gases that are emitted into the air from products or processes. Some are harmful by themselves, including some that cause cancer.

The off-gassing process that new building materials undergo in a new home can not only be dangerous to the indoor air quality of the environment but also to the health of those first time occupants in the space, and if you have been living in this new home you may already be experiencing the effects of these higher ...

How do you flush out VOCs? ›

Short-term exposure to VOCs can lead to eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches and dizziness. Prolonged or repeated exposure to high levels of VOCs may contribute to more serious health problems, especially for individuals with existing lung disease.

By providing plenty of fresh air, using an air purifier, keeping the room at a comfortable temperature, and avoiding chemical cleaners, you can speed up the off-gassing process and ensure that your flooring is safe for you and your family to use.

The formaldehyde emissions from plywood tend to be at their highest immediately after the manufacturing process. This is when timber sheets are bonded together using phenol formaldehyde adhesive. However, the formaldehyde emissions do eventually subside after a few weeks.

Off-gassing doesn't stop when the smell stops either. The 'new smell' may disappear after a week or so but the fumes are still being emitted – they're just much more subtle. Off-gassing can last between six months and five years depending on the household item and the chemicals used to treat it.

50% of VOCs in paint will be emitted in the first year

Unfortunately, the harm won't be gone in another year. It might take a few years to reduce the risk. One effective way to reduce the lingering effects of high VOC paint is to re-paint with a high quality non-VOC sealer/primer, then repaint with non-VOC paint.

Many people wonder “do HEPA filter based media filters remove VOCs?” The answer, unfortunately, is no. Instead, you need a different filtration material. You need an air purifier that uses activated carbon.