Large Number of players out for Fall camp - Possibly off-gassing from new construction?

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Here are the most common building materials found in a new home that may negatively impact indoor air quality:

Paint
A fresh coat of paint can brighten a room and help ameliorate irritants like mold. But, when paint is newly applied, it can release VOCs into the air that can be damaging. Acute exposure to VOCs from paint can cause dizziness, headaches, and nausea. Depending on the ventilation available, that “new home smell” you’re breathing in may actually cause more respiratory health problems than expected.

Carpet
Everyone’s familiar with that “new carpet” smell. What some people do not know is that scent comes from a chemical known as 4-phenylcyclohexene (4-PCH), which is used in the carpet backing. In a study performed on animals, those that were exposed for a few hours suffered severe toxicity, including death. Over a two-week inhalation study, those exposed to high amounts for six hours a day showed extensive damage, including spontaneous lesions.

While the effect on humans is still being established, off-gassing from new carpet and rugs are a common problem. In addition to 4-PCH, new carpets can also include styrene and formaldehyde, both of which are known carcinogens. Lastly, carpets are a prime source for dust, dirt, pollen, and mold spores build-up – and can often trap additional pollutants if poorly maintained.

Flooring
Flooring that is installed with an adhesive can introduce high levels of VOCs and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs). Because of this, regulations are often in place nationally and regionally on the types of adhesives that can be used to maintain air quality. Certain flooring types may also be coated by a surface coating that emits even more VOCs.

Caulks and Sealants
From caulking, grouts, and mortars, these materials can include plasticizers that can introduce VOCs to the indoor atmosphere. The air inside a building usually contains 100 to 1000 times the phthalates that air outdoors does.

While similar to flooring adhesive in that you may not be able to do much with the choice of caulks and sealants the home developer choose, being aware of this potential air quality problem source lets you make informed decision on the type of flooring, paint, and fixtures for rooms that may house those who can be sensitive to air pollutants, including children and older adults that are suffering from asthma or other respiratory diseases.

Engineered Wood
A common material used in all aspects from plywood, particleboard, and medium-density fiberboard – these pressed wood products sometimes contain urea-formaldehyde, which can off-gas formaldehyde over a long period of time. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen that causes irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat.

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