Most apartment buyers think their headaches are over once they have done all the legwork to find the right apartment, paid the final settlement payment and moved in all their furniture. But sometimes this is when the real headaches start.

Many buyers of new apartments find that, for a few weeks after they move in, they suffer unexplained tiredness and headaches. They search for a  cause in their lifestyle and can’t find one. Often what is happening is something called ‘off-gassing’, common in brand new apartments.

The reason for ‘off-gassing’ is that there are residual fumes from lacquers, paints, sealants and glues. In a new apartment, every surface, joints or seal is releasing fumes into a fairly confined space. Air-conditioned apartments are often the biggest problem because the same air is being re-used and simply keeps coming back into the room.

If you are about to move into a new apartment, makes sure you insist that it has a chance to have windows and doors open so that the fresh air can circulate and carry off the fumes. If you are already installed and realise that this may be happening to you, just make sure you open the place up for a few days to dispel the gasses that are making you feel sick.

Source: localpropertynews.net