Winter is the time for home improvements, whether it’s just applying a fresh coat of paint or a full renovation; removing walls, stripping and sanding floors, laying new flooring and installing new cabinets, counters and plumbing.
At Maertin Heating and Cooling, we know that these updates add value to your home. We also know that, in many cases, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are emitted during these improvements can negatively impact your family’s health.
VOCs are emitted as gases from both solids and liquids. Everything you bring into your home emits gases, even that healthy fruit sitting on your counter. VOCs, however, are harmful, linked with many types of cancer. They can damage lungs, liver, kidneys, brain and nervous system. Because there is limited air movement indoors, the concentration of VOCs indoors can be about 10 times higher than outdoor air.
Demolition is particularly liable to emit both VOCs and particulates, tiny dust particles that can be inhaled, affecting the heart and lungs. Particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter can lodge deep in the lung and may also enter your bloodstream. No matter how tiny these materials are, they do not belong in your body:
- Insulation
- Drywall or sheet rock
- Ceramic tile and grout
- Mold and mildew
- Concrete
- Wood
- Granite or quartz
- Plastic
When starting or completing home improvements, be aware that these materials will emit dangerous VOCs:
- Paint, paint strippers and other solvents
- Wood preservatives and varnishes
- Cleaning products and disinfectants
New flooring, carpeting, mattresses and furniture also give off gases from the glues, chemicals and adhesives used to make them. Studies shows that babies under a year old will wheeze and cough when new carpeting is added to the home. Avoid purchasing medium density fiberboard products, which are known to be the highest emitters of formaldehyde in pressed wood manufacturing.
If you are having existing draperies, rugs or furniture dry cleaned, make sure you can’t smell the cleaning solution when you pick them up. Perchloroethylene, linked to certain cancers and used in dry cleaning, should be removed during the process. If your materials have a strong smell, return them and request they be dried properly.
Prolonged exposure to VOCs can cause cancer. Even when your carpeting or paint loses the “new” smell, it’s still emitting gases. Watch your family for signs of VOC contamination including:
- Headaches or dizziness
- Swollen, itchy or runny eyes
- Coughing, wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Sneezing, runny or stuffy nose
- Nausea or vomiting
Make your demolitions and renovations as safe as possible for everyone involved. Call us to check that your air cleaner or scrubber is in good working condition before you begin. Keep windows open and make sure air is moving through the room. Turn on exhaust fans and make sure KN95 masks and goggles are worn. Look for any recalls, warnings or alerts for any new materials or goods you are planning to purchase, and while it sounds very strange, get your new carpets and furniture steam cleaned immediately to remove VOCs.
Change your furnace filters after renovation to keep your HVAC system and the air in your home as clean as possible and to avoid equipment breakdowns caused by a clogged system.
With a little advance planning, proper protocol during renovations and thorough cleaning after installation, you can protect your family from VOCs.
Questions about the air quality in your home? Looking for an air scrubber? Click here to schedule an appointment with your Maertin Heating and Cooling professionals!
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