New Buildings and The Risks of TVOCs

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//The Moving Job//

Find a new place to live has never been a clear cut process. Researching about a neighbourhood, transport links and general safety is very important. Not to mention pricing, property features and general conditions of rent or purchase. There is a lot to consider when moving in. New build properties of all sizes are very attractive to those who want to live in something modern and hopefully with better buildings standards. The last part is important when looking for a new place as safety is paramount. It isn’t just crime that can be potentially helpful in a new environment. Materials used in buildings aren’t always safe to be around and moving from place to place has given me a wider look at what to look out for in new properties in general.

//Volatile and Dangerous//


Out of the numerous considerations when visiting new places to stay in, I became very aware of Total Volatile Organic Compound (TVOCs) and the potential dangers they can present. New houses, apartments and generally most newly built modern buildings will contain a high concentration of TVOCs. Formaldehydes, Phenol, Glycol Ethers and many more are present within just about anything that can make up the room. Flooring, furniture, paints, glue etc. These chemicals are dangerous to humans and significantly degrade the air quality of a building. When a building is complete, measurement of TVOC is required to gauge levels of the compounds and discern whether it is safe for human inhabitation.

//That New Smell//


The new building smell is very distinct. It isn’t just a lick of paint that makes this this smell, it’s a combination of chemicals that are seeping out from multiple materials. Sunlight can accelerate the rate of release in materials and can help with the off-gassing process. Ventilation is very important during this time and buildings sometimes need a number of months before TVOC levels reduce to an adequate amount. Accelerating this process as much as possible and removal of the gasses will help to reach this point sooner rather than later. Consequences of living in a polluted space can include a number of adverse health effects. Breathing difficulties, skin irritation and even cancer have been linked with staying in spaces of high TVOC levels. It’s better to be safe than sorry, seeking independent testing before moving in may be a worthwhile investment and remembering that while new builds can present a number of attractive features, patience and assessment is vital. We can't escape these compounds but we can at least live in an environment that is deemed acceptable.

Sources

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14733315.2018.1435026
https://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/chemicals-and-contaminants/volatile-organic-compounds-vocs
https://foobot.io/guides/volatile-organic-compounds-in-building-materials.php



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