Permeable materials in homes act as sponges for harmful chemicals: study
Scientists injected volatile organic compounds into a test house and found large reservoirs for the potentially hazardous chemicals in porous surfaces such as wood, concrete and paint. VOCs contained in insecticides, cigarette smoke and wildfire smoke can remain on indoor surfaces for as long as one year. Irvine, Calif., Sept. 22, 2025 — Indoor surfaces have an unexpectedly strong ability to absorb and hold harmful chemical compounds that can threaten human health for as long as a year, accord