There are many different types of vocs but the one related to new carpet odor is 4 phenylcyclohexene 4 pch a by product of the synthetic latex binders used to hold the carpet backing together.
Fumes new carpet.
Some people are very sensitive to voc s and may have respiratory problems in response to new carpeting.
Almost any brand new carpet does give off some voc s fumes that leave a musty scent especially the ones made from synthetic fibres.
As a new carpet gradually releases or off gasses chemical residue the chemicals enter the air where we can smell them.
The new carpet smell is fumes off gassed released from the carpet.
New woollen carpets will also come with a weak wool smell which can get stronger if the material is wet or damp.
Within a few days to a few weeks these fumes dissipate and the carpet no longer smells.
Vocs are what create new car smell new carpet smell and the smell that you probably don t enjoy so much after you paint a room.
The fumes are called volatile organic compounds or vocs for short and one of the most notorious carpet vocs is called 4 phenylcyclohexenem aka 4 pc.
A freshly installed carpet may bring with it a strong odor due to numerous chemicals used in the manufacturing process.
Some carpet backing materials adhesives and pads contain volatile chemicals that off gas or turn into fumes when exposed to air.
The vocs responsible for new carpet smell are 4 phenylcyclohexene 4 pch and to a lesser extent styrene.
The thing with vocs is they aren t unique to carpet.