What is Off Gassing? How it Affects Your Health and Home

You bring home a new couch, mattress, or dresser, and there’s a strong “new” smell in the room.

It might fade over time, but it raises a simple question—what are you actually breathing in?

Indoor air can carry chemicals released from everyday products, which affects air quality inside the home.

In this article, we’ll take a look at exactly what off-gassing is, where it comes from, and how it can affect your health and indoor air.

What is Off-Gassing

Off-gassing is the release of chemicals from materials into the air. These chemicals are often volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Many of these compounds come from adhesives, finishes, and other materials used in furniture.

Many common household products release VOCs, including:

• Furniture made with engineered wood
• Foam cushions and mattresses
• Paints, adhesives, and finishes
• Synthetic fabrics

Heat and humidity increase how quickly materials release these chemicals. For example, furniture in a warm room or direct sunlight will off-gas faster.

Since these emissions come from the materials themselves, this also leaves many people wondering whether the chemicals in furniture are harmful.

What Does Off-Gassing Smell Like? 💨

Off-gassing often has a strong chemical or “new” smell.

Common examples include:

• New furniture smell
• New car smell
• Fresh paint odor

That smell comes from chemicals evaporating into the air.

How Off-Gassing Affects Health

Off-gassing is not just a smell—it means chemicals are being released into the air, which is why people often wonder whether off-gassing is dangerous over time.

Short-term exposure can cause:

• Eye, nose, or throat irritation
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Skin irritation
• Worsened asthma symptoms

Long-term exposure depends on:

• The type of chemical
• The amount released
• How long you are exposed

Higher exposure happens in:

• Small or poorly ventilated rooms
• Homes with many synthetic materials
• Recently furnished spaces

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are carbon-based chemicals that, due to their molecular structure, have a high vapor pressure even at room temperature.

This high vapor pressure leads to the molecules evaporating into the air, turning into a gas.

The level of danger often depends on the type of chemical being released and the duration of exposure.

How Can You Avoid Products That Off-gass?

You can reduce exposure by choosing better materials and improving airflow.

Choose safer materials:

• Solid wood instead of particleboard
• Organic cotton or wool instead of synthetic fabrics
• Natural latex instead of polyurethane foam

Look for certifications:

• GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)
• GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard)
• GREENGUARD Gold

Improve ventilation:

• Open windows
• Use fans
• Let new items air out before use

In short, this will lower your exposure to chemicals by quickly getting rid of them instead of chemicals slowly off-gassing over an extended period.

Frequently Asked Questions