Ruth MacEachern, Product Manager at EnviroVent, looks at how effective ventilation systems can ensure good indoor air quality and the reduction of VOCs in new homes.
“Research shows that new homes often have higher than recommended levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). While indoor VOC levels naturally decrease over time, depending on many varying factors, such as building fabric, use and ventilation.
What are VOCs?
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are a group of carbon-based chemicals, the most common of which include benzene, acetone, ethylene glycol, formaldehyde, methylene chloride, perchloroethylene, toluene, xylene and 1,3-butadiene. They can be found in paints, solvents, upholstery fabrics, carpets and adhesives, varnishes, vinyl floors, cleaning chemicals, air fresheners and cosmetics. They can also be produced through activities such as dry cleaning, cooking, smoking, using some non-electric space heaters, using photocopiers and some printers and using wood burners.
Many VOCs are completely odourless and therefore, if a home is inadequately ventilated they can be undetected and can cause a variety of health complaints.
Health concerns
Experts have shown that short-term exposure to high levels of the compounds can cause symptoms like eye nose and throat irritation, headaches, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, and the worsening of asthma symptoms. Long-term, chronic exposure at high levels can cause an increased risk of liver damage, kidney damage, cancer, and central nervous system damage and potentially have carcinogenic effects.
Formaldehyde is one of the most common VOCs – a human carcinogen which can be found in adhesives in wood products such as MDF, carpets, furniture, paints and varnishes. The health impact of formaldehyde also includes sore throats, rhinitis, nasal irritation and breathlessness.
Effective and adequate ventilation is essential in new homes – not only to prevent condensation and mould, but also to reduce VOC levels quickly and efficiently.
Effective ventilation
The updates to Approved Document F (2022) included increasing whole dwelling ventilation rate, modifying requirements for background ventilation and a greater focus on indoor air quality and VOCs.
In addition, a document published by Public Health England ‘Indoor Air Quality Guidelines for selected Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)’ provides a comprehensive list of VOCs commonly found in domestic dwellings. It outlines why they were included, outlines potential health risks and states the limit values permitted in case of both short and long-term exposure. It also offers guidelines and advice on how to reduce and eliminate these harmful chemicals from homes.
There are a variety of ways that VOCs in new buildings can be reduced significantly or eliminated completely. This includes use of low-VOC paints and limiting the use of building materials, such as MDF, which have been shown to emit higher levels of VOCs than others. Solid wood with low emitting finishes will ensure fewer VOCs than composite materials.
The correct specification and installation of an effective ventilation strategy is essential to minimise and help reduce VOC levels.
Research has shown that “chemicals give off higher levels of gas in high temperatures and humidity”. A MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery) will replace contaminated, moisture-laden, humid air with air from outside the property. Not only does this reduce the risk of condensation and mould growth, it will lower the concentration of VOCs from building materials and from items such as air fresheners and cleaning products used by occupants.
Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery
Our MVHR systems are designed to meet or exceed the minimum whole dwelling ventilation rates required by Approved Document F. They ensure sufficient air changes per hour, which are crucial for maintaining healthy indoor air quality. Effective ventilation can improve indoor air quality by reducing VOCs, preventing the formation of mould and reducing the quantity of allergens in the air.
MVHR systems are available with different filter options that capture particulate matter, allergens like pollen and dust and some also use specialised filters, like activated carbon filters, that can absorb gaseous VOCs. These are becoming widely used in inner city areas or near industrial plants.
MVHR systems provide a balanced ventilation solution that creates high levels of indoor air quality, removes stale air that contains pollutants like VOCs and recovers heat to maintain energy efficiency and indoor comfort. This combination of features makes MVHR particularly valuable for achieving healthy and comfortable indoor environments in modern, airtight new build homes.
The new build sector is well aware of its requirements to achieve higher levels of indoor air quality in homes.
Effective ventilation systems can go a long way towards addressing the potential challenges, with the result being improved indoor air quality, less risk of condensation and mould and lower exposure to VOCs.”