Putting our own personal touch on a cottage is what makes it feel like home. These days, however, there is more to consider than just picking the right colours, styles or materials when building, renovating or decorating our retreats. As research on indoor air quality has become more extensive, Canadians are more informed about the risks of using certain products inside. Many of these products give off Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which can be hazardous to our health in high levels. Although we cannot completely avoid VOCs inside, we can make smart choices that will ensure our beautiful cottages aren’t just cozy but safe.

What are VOCs? Volatile Organic Compounds are gases given off by a number of indoor sources. Concentrations of most VOCs is higher in indoor air than outdoor air. Many things inside can emit VOCs, from the materials the cottage was built with to furniture and cleaning supplies.

Tobacco, personal care products (perfume and hair spray), household paper products (bathroom tissue and paper towels), cleaning agents, dry cleaning fluid, paints and varnishes, hobby supplies, and copying or printing machines are all common consumer products that emit VOCs into the air. Fuels, such as gas, wood and kerosene, also emit VOCs when they are burned.


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