VOCs are Volatile Air Compounds which are a class of chemicals that are carbon-based that can evaporate at room temperature. This ‘off-gassing' is associated with ‘sick building syndrome'. Sealants, paints, lacquers, varnishes and adhesives tend to ‘off-gas'. Off-gassing is more prominent in newer furniture and in most cases reduces in intencity over time. A lot of new furniture contains formaldehyde, which is considered a carcinogen and can lead to skin, eye and respiratory irritation.
Identifying the source of a particular VOC is difficult, but if you are experiencing symptoms related with VOCs and have recently bought furniture, then the new furniture is most likely off-gassing.
Try to increase the ventilation in areas with furniture, especially new furniture. Avoid buying new furniture if possible when pregnant. – Increased ventilation reduces exposure to VOCs, buying new furniture when pregnant is dangerous because VOCs can ‘cross' the placenta to the foetus.
Although most furniture reduces its amount of off-gassing over time, generally the problem does not cease, it just decreases. Ventilation is the best option. In the long run, manufacturers can reduce the VOC emissions to low, acceptable levels (this is currently happening in many other countries, and only slowly in Australia).
