VOCs and Indoor Air Quality

What are VOCs?

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are carbon-based chemicals that evaporate at room temperature. In construction, they are released ('off-gassed') from adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, flooring, insulation, composite wood products, and many other building materials.

You cannot always see or smell VOCs, though some have distinctive odours (the 'new building smell' is largely VOC off-gassing). They are released most intensely in the first weeks and months after installation, but some materials continue off-gassing at lower levels for years.

Common VOCs found in building materials include formaldehyde (from composite wood and some insulation binders), toluene and xylene (from paints and coatings), styrene (from polystyrene insulation), and benzene (from some adhesives and sealants). Some are classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction.

Watch out. Indoor air can be 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air, according to the EPA. Since people spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, the materials used inside buildings have a direct impact on occupant health.

Health impacts

VOC exposure affects people differently depending on the specific compound, concentration, duration of exposure, and individual sensitivity. Effects range from mild irritation to serious long-term health conditions.

Short-term effects

Headaches, dizziness, eye and throat irritation. Often dismissed as unrelated.

Respiratory impact

Aggravation of asthma and allergies. Children and those with conditions are most vulnerable.

Long-term exposure

Some VOCs are classified carcinogens. Chronic low-level exposure carries real health risks.

Vulnerable groups

Schools, hospitals, and care homes require stricter limits - Greenguard Gold level.

Standards and limits

Several frameworks set limits or testing requirements for VOC emissions from construction products. Understanding which standard applies - and what it actually tests - helps you specify effectively.

Topic	Detail
EU Construction Products Regulation (CPR)	Basic Work Requirement 3 covers hygiene, health, and the environment, including indoor air quality. However, harmonised testing standards for VOC emissions are still being developed for many product categories.
French VOC labelling (A+ to C)	mandatory for products sold in France. Products are rated on a scale from A+ (very low emissions) to C (high emissions) based on chamber testing at 28 days. The A+ threshold is the most commonly referenced benchmark in European specification.
German AgBB scheme	the Committee for Health-related Evaluation of Building Products sets testing protocols and evaluation criteria used by many European certification schemes. AgBB testing underpins the Blue Angel and other German eco-labels.
CDPH Section 01350 (California)	the California Department of Public Health's Standard Method for testing VOC emissions from building materials. Widely used globally as a benchmark despite being a US standard. Products meeting CDPH limits can claim compliance with LEED and WELL credits.
Blue Angel (RAL-UZ)	German eco-label with strict VOC emission limits for specific product categories (paints, flooring, furniture, insulation). Goes beyond testing to include limits on specific hazardous substances in the product formulation.
Greenguard / Greenguard Gold	UL-administered certification testing total VOC and individual compound emissions in a dynamic chamber. Greenguard Gold (formerly Children & Schools) applies stricter limits suitable for sensitive environments.
BREEAM Hea 02	awards credits for specifying products with low VOC emissions. References specific testing standards and emission limits for paints, adhesives, flooring, and ceiling products.
UK Building Regulations	Approved Document F (Ventilation) addresses indoor air quality through ventilation rates but does not currently set material emission limits. Adequate ventilation mitigates but does not eliminate the impact of high-emission materials.

Note. There is no single global standard. A product might meet CDPH limits but not Blue Angel requirements, or vice versa. Always check which specific standard the certification references and whether it is relevant to your project's compliance requirements.

Products to pay attention to

Not all building materials are equal in terms of VOC emissions. These product categories warrant careful specification.

Paints & varnishes

Largest single source of indoor VOCs. Specify low-VOC or zero-VOC alternatives.

Adhesives & sealants

Often overlooked but applied in large quantities. Check emission test data.

Composite wood products

MDF, plywood, and chipboard can off-gas formaldehyde. Look for E1 or Blue Angel rated.

Resilient flooring

Vinyl and LVT can emit phthalates and other VOCs. Check Greenguard or Blue Angel.

Insulation

Spray foams and some rigid boards can emit VOCs during and after installation.

Carpet & underlay

New carpet off-gassing is common. Specify CRI Green Label Plus or equivalent.

How to specify for indoor air quality

These practical steps integrate IAQ considerations into material specification without overcomplicating the procurement process.

Topic	Detail
Set a project IAQ standard	decide upfront which emission standard applies (CDPH, AgBB, French A+, Greenguard Gold). Apply it consistently across all interior products rather than assessing each product individually against different criteria.
Focus on the biggest contributors	prioritise VOC limits for products covering large surface areas (flooring, wall finishes, ceiling products) and adhesives. These have the greatest impact on overall indoor air quality.
Request emission test reports	ask suppliers for chamber test results, not just material safety data sheets (MSDS). An MSDS lists chemical composition; a chamber test measures what actually off-gasses under realistic conditions.
Specify before procurement	add IAQ requirements to the specification at design stage. Retrofitting low-emission alternatives after tender is more expensive and disruptive.
Allow for ventilation during and after construction	increase ventilation rates during fit-out and for the first few weeks of occupation to flush initial off-gassing. This complements but does not replace low-emission material specification.
Consider the whole system	a low-VOC paint applied over a high-VOC primer achieves little. Specify the complete system: substrate preparation, primer, adhesive, and finish product.

Tip. For BREEAM projects, keep a VOC compliance tracker listing every interior product, its emission certification, and the relevant test standard. This streamlines evidence collection for Hea 02 credits.

Finding low-emission products on Matera

Browse Matera for suppliers offering products with Greenguard, Blue Angel, or CDPH-compliant certifications. Check product listings for emission data, and use the certification filters to narrow your search to verified low-emission materials. Contact suppliers directly to request chamber test reports for specific products.