What does EezyAir check for chemicals and VOCs?

EezyAir identifies likely VOC sources in your home based on recent purchases, renovations, product types, and symptom patterns. It evaluates whether ventilation is adequate to dilute off-gassing concentrations and provides guidance on reducing exposure through source control, ventilation improvements, and targeted product selection.

Can new furniture make you sick?

New furniture, especially pieces made from pressed wood, particleboard, or composite materials, can release volatile organic compounds including formaldehyde into indoor air. These chemicals are associated with headaches, fatigue, eye and throat irritation, and difficulty concentrating. The concentration is highest in the weeks after purchase and can be worsened by poor ventilation in the room where the furniture is placed.

Does ventilation help with chemical off-gassing?

Yes. Adequate ventilation dilutes VOC concentrations by exchanging indoor air with fresh outdoor air. However, ventilation alone may not be sufficient if the source is producing VOCs at a high rate, such as newly installed flooring or recently painted rooms. The most effective approach combines source control with improved ventilation. EezyAir evaluates whether your current ventilation is adequate to handle the off-gassing load from identified sources.

Chemical and VOC Investigation for Your Home

What Are VOCs and Where Do They Come From?

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that evaporate at room temperature from everyday household materials. Sources include new furniture (especially pressed wood and composite materials), paint, flooring, cleaning products, personal care products, and building materials.

Furniture

Pressed wood, particleboard, composite materials. Off-gas formaldehyde and other VOCs.

Paint & Finishes

Solvents evaporate during and after application. Highest in first weeks.

Flooring

Vinyl, laminate, and engineered wood can off-gas for months after installation.

Cleaning Products

Many conventional cleaners release VOCs during and after use.

Personal Care

Fragranced products, aerosols, and hair care introduce VOCs into indoor air.

Building Materials

Adhesives, sealants, insulation, and caulking can off-gas during and after construction.

What Symptoms Are Associated With VOC Exposure?

Many VOCs are associated with symptoms that are often attributed to other causes. Because the onset is gradual and the source is not visible, people frequently do not connect their symptoms to their indoor environment.

Headaches Fatigue Eye irritation Throat irritation Difficulty concentrating Dizziness

How Long Does Formaldehyde Off-Gas?

Formaldehyde is one of the most common indoor VOCs. It can off-gas from composite wood products for years. The rate is highest when the product is new and decreases over time, but it does not stop entirely. Temperature and humidity both affect the rate, with warmer and more humid conditions accelerating off-gassing.

What Does the Chemical and VOC Investigation Evaluate?

The assessment identifies likely VOC sources in your home and evaluates whether current conditions allow those chemicals to concentrate or dissipate.

✓ Recent purchases, renovations, and new materials introduced to the home

✓ Product types and their typical off-gassing profiles

✓ Symptom patterns and whether they correlate with specific rooms or time of day

✓ Ventilation adequacy relative to the off-gassing load in each area

✓ Cleaning products and personal care products in regular use

How Do You Reduce VOCs in Your Home?

The assessment provides guidance on reducing exposure through three complementary strategies, prioritized by impact for your specific situation.

Source Control

Choose low-VOC products. Remove or replace high-emission items. Address the source directly.

Ventilation

Increase fresh air exchange to dilute off-gassing concentrations. Targeted airing of high-emission rooms.

Product Selection

Switch cleaning, personal care, and furnishing products to lower-emission alternatives.

How Do Chemicals and VOCs Connect to Other Air Quality Issues?

Chemical exposure does not happen in isolation. Ventilation, temperature, humidity, and HVAC performance all affect how VOCs behave in your home.

→ Poor ventilation allows VOCs from new furniture or flooring to concentrate rather than dissipate.

→ Higher temperatures and humidity accelerate off-gassing rates from composite materials.

→ HVAC systems can redistribute VOCs from a single source room to the entire home through ductwork.

→ VOC symptoms like headaches and fatigue overlap with CO2 buildup symptoms, making root cause identification harder without a whole-home view.

Other Areas We Investigate

Find Out What's Off-Gassing in Your Home

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Chemical and VOC Investigation