Testing & Process · 7 min read
Find out what that new-house smell really is.
VOC & Formaldehyde Testing
Laboratory testing for volatile organic compounds and formaldehyde in homes and workplaces, from new construction and renovations to persistent chemical odors.
Volatile organic compounds are carbon-based chemicals that evaporate into the air at room temperature. Paints, adhesives, sealants, engineered wood, new carpet, vinyl flooring, cleaning products and furniture all release them, and in a tightly sealed, air-conditioned Florida home they have nowhere to go. Formaldehyde is the VOC that draws the most attention because it is common in pressed-wood cabinets and flooring and is a known respiratory irritant.
UES offers VOC and formaldehyde testing through our accredited laboratory partners as part of our Indoor Air Quality services. A Florida DBPR licensed assessor inspects the space, identifies likely sources, collects air samples using laboratory-specified media and returns a report that tells you which compounds are present, at what concentrations and where they are most likely coming from.
When voc / formaldehyde is the right call
- You moved into a newly built or newly renovated home and notice headaches, eye irritation or a persistent chemical smell.
- New cabinets, flooring, countertops or furniture were installed and the odor has not faded after several weeks of ventilation.
- A tenant, employee or family member reports symptoms in one building that ease elsewhere, and mold has been ruled out.
- You are a builder, property manager or facility director who needs documentation of indoor air quality before occupancy or after a complaint.
- You are pursuing a LEED or green building certification that requires indoor air quality verification.
- An odor investigation has pointed toward a chemical source rather than a microbial one.
How it works
- 1
We interview you about the timeline of the odor or symptoms, recent construction or purchases and how the building is ventilated.
- 2
A licensed assessor inspects the space, catalogs potential sources and records temperature, humidity and ventilation conditions, since heat and moisture increase off-gassing.
- 3
Air samples are collected with laboratory-supplied sorbent tubes, badges or canisters for a set period, with the building in its normal operating state.
- 4
Samples travel under chain of custody to an accredited laboratory for analysis, with results reported by individual compound and as total VOCs.
- 5
We compare your results to published guideline values, identify the probable sources and deliver findings and recommendations in the UES Client Portal.
Where VOCs and formaldehyde come from in Florida homes
New construction is the most common trigger for a VOC call. Fresh paint, floor adhesives, caulk, cabinet finishes and composite wood release the bulk of their compounds in the first months after installation. Florida adds heat and humidity to the equation, and both accelerate off-gassing. A home that is closed up for days while the owner is away, with the thermostat set warm, can build up concentrations that are noticeable the moment you open the door.
- Pressed-wood cabinets, shelving and furniture bonded with formaldehyde-based resins
- Laminate, engineered hardwood and luxury vinyl plank flooring and their adhesives
- Interior paints, primers, stains and polyurethane finishes
- New carpet, padding and the adhesives beneath them
- Spray foam insulation and roofing products during and after installation
- Air fresheners, cleaning agents, pesticides and stored fuels or solvents in attached garages
What a VOC test tells you that your nose cannot
Smell is a poor guide to risk. Some compounds are strongly odorous at concentrations that are not a health concern, while formaldehyde can irritate eyes and airways before many people can smell it clearly. Laboratory analysis separates the compounds present and quantifies each one, which lets you prioritize. A high reading for a flooring adhesive solvent calls for a different fix than elevated formaldehyde from cabinetry.
Testing also establishes a record. Builders and sellers may dispute that a problem exists; a chain-of-custody laboratory report ends that argument. For commercial clients, a documented baseline and follow-up test show employees and tenants that a complaint was taken seriously and resolved. UES does not sell air purifiers, coatings or ventilation products, and we do not remediate, so our recommendations are limited to what the data supports. That independence is why builders and homeowners on opposite sides of a dispute both accept our reports.
Reducing VOC levels once you know the source
Most VOC problems improve with a combination of source control, ventilation and time. Once the laboratory identifies the dominant compounds, we can tell you whether the practical answer is to remove or seal a specific material, to increase fresh air exchange, to raise the air conditioning run time to pull moisture and heat out of the space, or simply to allow a newly installed product to finish curing. Formaldehyde in particular declines over time but releases faster in heat and humidity, so a home that was closed up through a Florida summer can show elevated readings long after installation.
If results remain elevated after reasonable mitigation, a follow-up test documents whether the fix worked. For clients pursuing green building goals, our LEED and Green Building Consultation service can tie the testing into a broader indoor environmental quality plan.
VOC / Formaldehyde questions
How long does new construction off-gas in Florida?
Most building materials release the majority of their VOCs in the first few months, but heat and humidity extend the process, and formaldehyde from composite wood can continue for years at lower levels. Testing tells you where your home is on that curve rather than guessing from the calendar.
Can you test for a specific chemical I am worried about?
Yes. If you suspect a particular product or compound, we can select laboratory media designed for it, including dedicated formaldehyde sampling. If you do not know what the odor is, a broad VOC screen identifies the compounds present so the follow-up can be targeted.
Is a handheld VOC meter good enough?
Consumer and contractor-grade meters show a total VOC trend in real time and are useful for screening, but they cannot identify individual compounds and are easily skewed by humidity and alcohol-based cleaners. Laboratory analysis is the standard when you need to know what the chemical is and whether the level matters.
Should I leave the house during VOC testing?
Usually not. We want to measure the building under the conditions you live in, so we ask you to keep windows closed and the air conditioning on its normal schedule. We will give you specific instructions about avoiding cleaning products, candles and cooking during the sampling period.
How do I book VOC or formaldehyde testing in Orlando?
Schedule online at /book-assessment or call (407) 438-4684. Tell us what was installed or renovated and when the symptoms or odor began, and we will plan the right sampling approach for your home or workplace anywhere in Central Florida.
Need voc / formaldehyde?
Independent, lab-verified answers from Florida licensed assessors who never sell remediation.
What our clients say
“The owner and her team are incredibly thorough. They spent hours in my home and shared what they were doing along the way. UES goes way beyond what I expected, providing an education along with a comprehensive analysis. A multipage report along with recommendations was professionally presented and staff was available to answer all of my questions. I have complete faith in UES's procedures and findings and highly recommend them with no reservations.”
“No home owner wants to hear the word "mold", but if you do, you need the best to support you through the journey. Ultimate Environmental Solutions (UES) is the best. Initially, I didn't know where to turn and UES was highly recommended to me by a friend. The owner and her team walked me through every step and created a plan of action. They were kind, responsive, professional, but most of all knowledgeable. The thorough protocol report they provided was a valuable asset in claiming mold and water damage compensation from my insurance company. Do not cut corners when it comes to mold. The owner is an expert in her field. She is my trusted ally and truly went above and beyond.”
“If you are wondering who to trust with the health and safety of your family, look no further than UES Ultimate Environmental Solutions, Inc. The owner came out to our home and put my mind and wallet to ease. She was transparent, authentic, and professional. She truly cared about my family and our needs, including financial and wellbeing. It's hard to trust anyone anymore. I promise you; you can trust UES. Once you meet her, you'll immediately know why I felt compelled to leave this review as soon as she left my home. Thank you for UES.”
“Ultimate Environmental Solutions provided the environmental testing during a remediation project due to hurricane damage to one of my commercial office building. I found UES to be very professional and easy to work with. I will definitely reach out to them should the need arise.”
“My experience with UES was wonderful. The inspector was friendly, professional and thorough. The office staff was very competent and helpful. The mold specialists spent a great deal of time with me on the phone assessing my needs and guiding me to the type of inspection that was right for me, and she was very careful and thorough in explaining to me the results of the lab results. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this company to anyone searching for mold inspections.”
“Unbelievable customer service and professional knowledge even to non-customer!!! Right off the bat, the owner knew her FL company couldn't help my out-of-state situation; yet she spent her time offering me direction, tips, pointers, pointing me to national testing lab and national organizations which may be able to provide environmental test kit and consultants in my state to help me with the vapor invasion situation at my town home. She even helped me understand a bit on everything from typical airflow of building, firewall building code, construction layout of high density residence... The information she gave me will save me hours of researching. A true rarity.”
“Prompt, thorough and efficient. Did an in-depth survey and report of findings, after our recent fire. Not someone I want to see, again, LOL. But, would highly recommend their services.”
“The UES team were honest, thorough and experts in their forensic analysis of my home environmental inspection. I highly recommend them for anyone concerned with potential mold issues in their home.”
“The owner and her team were very thorough and very knowledgeable. We've been dealing with them for a couple years now. Look no further for mold experts.”
“I highly recommend this company. I used their services on two separate occasions. The owner is awesome. The report was very comprehensive but she still took the time to review it with me by phone to ensure I had all the necessary information. The team are experts in what they do. I found them to be very knowledgeable, punctual and pleasant to work with.”
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Our commitment to every Florida client
Clear, honest answers about the air you breathe and the building you live or work in.
Independent, state-licensed mold assessors and indoor air quality consultants since 2000. We test, we diagnose and we document; we never sell remediation, so the only thing our report has to serve is you.
Ultimate Environmental Solutions, Inc.
Florida licensed mold assessors · Leesburg & Orlando · Serving the entire state