How New Construction Can Affect Indoor Air Quality
Posted in Air Quality, on August 12, 2025
It’s easy to assume that an old house = poor air quality, and a new house = great air quality. But the math isn’t so simple. In this article, the SafeAir team will explain why new homes don’t always equal excellent indoor air quality and increased health and safety. While newer houses have several advantages, there can also be hidden air quality issues that can affect your respiratory system, sleep, and daily life. Air quality testing in Toronto is a safe, science-based way to assess your home’s indoor air safety and understand — and resolve — any air quality problems affecting you and your family.
Common Indoor Air Quality Issues in New Construction
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So you’ve just moved into a brand new home — what’s next? Here are 3 of the most common indoor air quality problems SafeAir diagnoses in new builds.
Dust and Particulate Matter
Building is a dirty process, with lots of dust and particulates created when drywalling, cutting wood, and installing fixtures. This debris settles in the days following construction, but can be recirculated when you move in, use your HVAC, or move through the house.
Off-Gassing Building Materials.
The glues, finishes, solvents, paints, and materials used to make flooring, cabinetry, and even your furniture will have a period of off-gassing, where air-soluble chemicals create unpleasant, and sometimes dangerous, odours. These Volatile Organic Compounds can cause health problems and may linger in your environment.
Inadequate Ventilation
Airflow inside your home is necessary for safe and healthy air quality, but many new homes restrict airflow in the wrong places for the right reasons. Energy efficiency needs to be balanced with adequate ventilation that can whisk away stale or polluted air while bringing in fresh, safe air.
Sources of Pollution in Newly Built Homes
Outdoor pollution has easily recognizable sources. However, a big black billowing smokestack isn’t commonly found in your living room! In new homes, air quality testing will often detect sources of pollution that come from innocuous, everyday fixtures like:
- Synthetic carpeting or flooring can leach VOCs or particulates.
- Cabinetry and composite wood products are created using formaldehyde and other chemicals. MDF, particle board, and plywood may off-gas these substances.
- HVAC systems can hold onto construction dust and debris long after the work is done. Having these systems cleaned or assessed can reduce long-term indoor pollution.
Short and Long-term Health Impacts
Poor air quality in new builds is about more than the new-paint smell — many of the common issues create no odour but still have significant effects on your health and wellness. In the short term, you may experience headaches, nausea, eye or nose irritation, and respiratory discomfort. Long-term, air pollution is linked to the development of asthma and allergies, and can cause or affect chronic conditions that reduce your quality of life.
How to Improve Air Quality in New Homes
There are many easy ways to improve your indoor air quality today. At SafeAir, we recommend that clients living in or moving into new homes start with indoor air quality testing. A professional assessment will create a baseline reading and alert you to current issues that we’ll help you resolve.
The SafeAir team also suggests you:
- Use low-VOC, non-toxic, and scent-free products like eco-friendly paint, adhesives, and varnish.
- Use an HRV or ERV ventilation system or air exchanger to ensure that your indoor air is refreshed regularly.
- Replace furnace or air filters every 3-5 months.
- Use a HEPA filter or activated carbon units — invest in a stand-alone unit or cleaning tools that incorporate them!
Breathe Easier in Your New Home
Safe indoor air quality is easy to achieve with a little knowledge and the right tools. Proactive planning and informed material choices can dramatically improve your indoor air quality, comfort, and safety at home. At SafeAir, we’ve been helping families in the GTA with environmental assessments for over a decade and have extensive professional expertise that can help you move in and thrive in your new home. To learn more about air quality testing in Toronto or get answers about your new home, contact the SafeAir team for friendly, professional guidance.