What Is Off-Gassing?

I'm sure everyone remembers the "new car smell," that intoxicating aroma of having something brand new. Well, it was intoxicating because the materials from the car seats, plastic and synthetic rubber, gave off toxic fumes.

In simple terms off-gassing is the evaporation of the volatile chemicals used to make materials. Building materials, like plywood and oriented strand board release dangerous chemicals like formaldehyde into the air through evaporation. The problem can continue for years after the products are manufactured and this means the home dwellers can breathe these compounds every minute of the day.

One of the worst culprits is carpet which, because of its many thread surfaces, produces heavy off-gassing from the day it comes into the home.

Manufacturers are struggling to come up with ways of venting the gas before it leaves the factories.