Aren't you excited with the anticipation of shifting into your newly renovated home?
Just like the family in the above picture, we are sure you will be!
But wait a minute, you are happy with the renovation works but there is just this one thing; a smell that lingers, and it is uncomfortable, for some, unbearable... What caused that smell you wonder and the next question you may have, is it harmful?
Unfortunately, the smell is caused by the off gassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that is ever common in carpentry works (due to the use of plywood and adhesives), new furniture, and not forgetting that new coat of paint. Of all the VOCs, formaldehyde is one of the more worrisome one as it is an IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) Group 1 carcinogen! Other less worrying symptoms after exposure to VOCs includes, headaches, nausea, loss of coordination and ENT (teary eyes) irritation.
Certainly, after knowing this as a fact, there is a growing number of people who are concerned and consequently when there is a concern or need, there will be businesses sprouting to cater for it. There are many ways to remove formaldehyde and VOCs, some involving spraying chemicals or human-friendly biodegradable solutions that bind to VOCs, others by introducing large amounts of fresh air to "carry" the VOCs out and etc.
You will be glad that after treatment, the "smell" would probably be imperceptible which is the good news. The bad news, however, off gassing is a phenomenon that can last for months to years depending on the type of compound and for formaldehyde, it takes about 2 years. So, despite the one-time removal/treatment that makes your newly renovated home deemed occupiable, it is without a doubt that VOCs will still be there for a while as is continuously emitted.
At CHAARQ, we do things a little differently. We would tackle VOCs and formaldehyde via a two-step approach:
A one-time service (recommended duration of 2 days) to naturally reduce VOCs before moving in
Supply Ex-CHAARQ-Tor Plates (coming mid-late June 2022) at a discount (30%) after the one-time service. Homeowner is free to place around the house (especially areas with elaborated carpentry works) to reduce effects of off gassing
For the one-time service, we do not spray solutions which may not be ideal for some surfaces, instead, we will use substantial amounts of CHAARQ (a natural product) distributed strategically, and with the help of enhanced air circulation, reduce VOCs present/suspended in the air. How does CHAARQ achieve this?
CHAARQ being activated charcoal has an enormous surface area to volume ratio (this is what made activated charcoal unique in nature). How much is it? It is estimated to be around to 250 square metres (slightly bigger than a tennis court) to one gram! Also, as the surface of activated charcoal is charged (negatively), it attracts VOCs via van der Waals forces and binds them to it, which is, adsorption (sounds familiar huh, it's the same "technology" deployed in CHAARQ's water cleansing abilities).
In other words, we are not chemically intervening apart from making use of the inherent property of CHAARQ and let it does its magic!
So, if you are shifting to a newly renovated place and VOCs or formaldehyde worries you, contact us or better still, make a booking with us and let us help you by offering you the most natural way to reduce them, not just once, but for the months down the road too!
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