Off-gas

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Off-gas

The release of vapors (volatile organic compounds [VOCs] or other chemicals) from a material through evaporation or chemical decomposition. Many building materials and furnishings off-gas, such as some structural panels, paints, cabinetry, veneers, carpets, upholstery, and wall coverings. Controlling indoor moisture, and specifying prefinished materials, can reduce off-gas potential.

References in periodicals archive ?

It could still be the right product for you--you just want to confirm that the off-gassing has been done before you bring the product into your facility."

Prevent and treat furniture fumes: off-gassing can pose serious risks to occupants' health, satisfaction, and productivity

Meet with your architect and Builder at the Beginning of the project and express your concerns about off-gassing. Make sure that chosen Building materials are low-VOC-emitting products and that there is adequate ventilation in your new space.

Flooring and IAQ: Mitch Gonzalez and Janice Smith walk you through your options from bamboo to linoleum--for healthy indoor air

The diver actually may have been on-gassing (taking on nitrogen) at her 50-foot stop, and, at the least, her off-gassing would have been negligible.

Held hostage by sea creatures

"Instead of off-gassing toxic fumes, furniture will give off something beneficial like vitamin C." CONTACT: Baltix Furniture, (763)210-0155, www.baltix.com; Bean Products, (800)726-8365, www.beanproducts.com; Furnature, (800)326-4895, www.furnature.com; Resource Revival, (800) 866-8823, www.resourcerevival.com; Tamalpais NatureWorks, (415)454-9948; www.tamalpais.com; USGBC, (202)828-7422, www.usgbc.org.

Under the table: eco-friendly furniture that's beautiful and functional

Extruded PVC film uses less plasticizer than calendered, causing less off-gassing. For blood bags it makes 30% stronger welds.

Coex PVC cast film subs for calendering. (Keeping Up With Injection Extrusion)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are "compounds that vaporize (become a gas) at room temperature." This process is referred to as "off-gassing," and building owners are now taking precautions in new-construction and modernization projects to minimize its effect.

Reduce off-gassing for better IAQ

Annie Berthhold-Bond writes in Better Basics for the Home that polyurethane insulation should be avoided because of the toxicity of some of its ingredients and its potential for off-gassing. Scientific data on the health hazards of foam off-gassing are inconclusive.

Veggie athletes, sinful salmon and sprayed insulation. (Ask E)

The sheet is said to be clean enough to handle sensitive electronics like circuit boards because Stat-Rite has extremely low ionic contaminants, off-gassing, and surface particulates.

ESD performance improves in electronic packaging. (Keeping up with Thermoforming)

Secondly, a less tangible but longer term savings comes from the increased productivity and decreased absenteeism as a benefit of the staff's better working conditions vis-a-vis cleaner air, ample natural light and less toxic off-gassing of interior furnishings.

Using recycled materials in interior design

Today, the environmental issues facing building professionals are anything but simple and extend beyond overheating and energy conservation; indoor building design challenges include dealing with under-ventilated and circulated air, moisture and mold growth, off-gassing of furniture and building components, and the impact of such conditions on the productivity, health, and wellbeing of building occupants.