- Formaldehyde — MDF, chipboard, laminate flooring, plywood, some insulation, permanent-press fabrics.
- Toluene, xylene, benzene — solvent-based paints, varnishes, adhesives, vinyl flooring.
- Terpenes (limonene, alpha-pinene) — cleaning products, air fresheners, candles, wood.
- Acrolein, acetaldehyde — cooking emissions, especially frying and gas hobs.
- Naphthalene, PAHs — mothballs, gas appliances, wood-burning stoves.
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What's giving off VOCs in your home
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Test formats matched to the question
| Question | Best test | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Is formaldehyde above WHO? | 24 h passive badge, UKAS lab | £90–£140 |
| What's in the air after refurb? | Pumped sorbent tube → GC-MS | £180–£280 |
| Is the level falling over time? | Continuous TVOC + temperature monitor | £250–£450 (2 weeks) |
| Disputed source identification | Multi-room pumped sampling + report | £600–£1,000 |
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Interpreting the result
Formaldehyde results are compared directly against the WHO 0.1 mg/m³ guideline. Individual VOCs from GC-MS analysis are compared against the WHO Indoor Air Quality Guidelines (benzene, naphthalene), the German AGÖF orientation values, or the French CSTB labelling thresholds — there is no single UK statutory limit for non-formaldehyde VOCs in dwellings. A competent report will flag any individual compound above its health-based reference value and explain the likely source.
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Reducing VOCs while levels normalise
- Open windows fully for 30 minutes twice a day; run trickle vents and bathroom/kitchen extracts continuously for the first month.
- Bake-out — heat the room to ~28 °C with ventilation off for 24 h, then ventilate aggressively. Accelerates off-gassing.
- Keep new MDF/laminate items out of bedrooms for 2–4 weeks where possible.
- Replace solvent-based cleaning products with low-VOC alternatives.
- For next purchase, look for A+ (France), EC1-PLUS (EMICODE) or E0/EPF-S rated products.
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Background reading
See the pollutant pillars on VOCs in buildings and formaldehyde indoors for the chemistry, the standards landscape and the health evidence.
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Frequently asked questions
When should I test VOCs in my home?
Within 2–12 weeks of major refurbishment, new flooring (laminate, vinyl, engineered wood), new MDF or chipboard furniture, or fresh paint and varnish — the period when off-gassing peaks. Also test if a family member develops new respiratory symptoms, headaches or eye irritation that began after a purchase or renovation.
What is the WHO limit for formaldehyde indoors?
The WHO Indoor Air Quality Guideline for formaldehyde is 0.1 mg/m³ (100 µg/m³) averaged over 30 minutes, to protect against sensory irritation and the long-term cancer risk. UK and EU furniture regulations apply at source (E1 and E0 emission classes) but do not guarantee compliance in the room.
Which test format is right for a home?
For formaldehyde specifically, a 24-hour passive badge analysed by a UKAS laboratory is the gold standard for a single-room snapshot (£90–£140). For a broader VOC profile, a pumped sorbent tube to GC-MS is the laboratory route (£180–£280). For tracking the off-gassing curve over weeks, a continuous TVOC monitor is more useful than a one-off snapshot.
Are consumer 'TVOC' gadgets accurate?
Low-cost TVOC sensors detect a broad mixture and respond strongly to alcohols, terpenes and cleaning products. They are useful for trends — does the reading rise after I use this cleaner, does it fall after I open a window — but they should not be used to declare compliance against a health guideline.
How do I reduce VOCs while I wait for them to dissipate?
Ventilate aggressively (open windows and run extract fans) for the first 2–4 weeks; keep room temperature moderate (off-gassing accelerates with heat); store new furniture or rugs in a garage or spare room for 1–2 weeks before bringing into bedrooms; choose A+ / E0 / EC1-PLUS rated products on next purchase.