When you read about chemicals in everyday products, you’ll come across the term offgassing.
Off-gassing describes the release of chemicals into the air. We’re all familiar with the smell of a new-carpet, new-vehicle, and, sometimes, new-clothes. Love it or hate it, you are detecting chemicals. But, not all off-gassing is smelly. Some chemicals don’t have an odor at all.
Now for the sciency bit! Chemicals that off-gas are called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs). However, VOCs and SVOCs are two large groups of chemicals that can be found in many everyday products and building products and have been found to contribute to health conditions. Benzene, for example has been linked to leukemia, breast cancer, and lymphatic cancer; and, methylene chloride may affect the nervous system.
Chemicals recognized as threatening to human health are sometimes labeled “hazardous air pollutants,” or HAPs. HAPs have been known, or are suspected of having, serious health effects on people, such as damaging their immune system, and affecting the nervous system (including the brain), reproductive system, respiratory system, and more. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lists 187 chemicals that are commonly used in everyday products but which are extremely detrimental to our health.
Which Products Off-gas?
- Common household products, such as crib mattresses, adult mattress, furniture, air fresheners, and cosmetics.
- Building materials such as paint, composite wood flooring, carpet, paint thinners, and adhesives.
- Textiles such as clothing, furniture fabrics, and curtains.
- Furniture such as composite wood tables, foam cushions and cabinets.
These products, and more, have been found to off-gas VOC chemicals into the air and affect indoor air quality. As we spend a lot of our time at home it is crucial that we are mindful of the products we are purchasing in order to minimise our exposure to these pollutants. It is especially important to pay attention to the materials and furnishings that are going into children’s rooms and nurseries as their immune systems are still developing and they are much more susceptible to the effects of toxins and chemicals. Plus we spend around 8 hours a night ( if we are lucky) in our beds so its imperative that our bedrooms are as toxin -free as possible to enable us to recuperate and regenerate effectively during the night.
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