offgas

Many chemicals used in consumer products can be released as fumes, or gases. The process is called "offgassing." These gases can become trapped indoors and levels can increase in concentration over time if there is poor ventilation. These gases can also resolidify as particles that settle onto surfaces and floors, where they may be picked up on hands and then ingested accidentally. Some products, such as carpets and particleboard, may offgas for many months, while others, such as paints, offgas only when wet.