It’s a common assumption that new build homes don’t have the environmental exposures that we find in older homes. But after testing new builds across the world, we’ve found that there is no real correlation between the health of a home and its age. The problems are just different.
Here are four examples of things we’d recommend paying attention to if you live in a newer build.
#1 Off-gassing from new materials, trapped by a tight building envelope
New construction materials release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) into the air. Paint, flooring, cabinetry, adhesives, and insulation can all contribute.
What makes this worse in new builds is the building envelope. Modern homes are sealed tightly for energy efficiency, which is great for your energy bill but means those chemicals have nowhere to go.
What you can do: Ideally, avoid building materials containing toxic compounds, but if that’s not an option, open windows regularly to flush out air (especially in the first few months), run air purifiers with activated carbon filters, and consider installing a mechanical ventilation system like an ERV or HRV for continuous fresh air exchange.
#2 Airtight homes trap moisture, creating the perfect conditions for mold
Airtight homes can also increase the risk of mold. Reduced ventilation allows moisture and mold spores to accumulate rather than being flushed out.
What you can do: Ventilate your home regularly, especially in bathrooms and kitchens, watch out for leaks and other signs of mold, and maintain humidity between 30 and 50%. If you suspect mold, get a manual mold inspection (see our guide on how to find the right mold inspector).
#3 AC electrical fields from unshielded wiring
Most new homes are wired with standard Romex (NM) cable, which is unshielded. This allows AC electrical fields to radiate from the wiring in your walls into your living spaces. The concern is primarily in the bedrooms, where these fields interact with the body during sleep.
Metal-clad (MC) wiring contains these fields within its metal sheathing, significantly reducing exposure. But almost no builder uses MC cable unless specifically asked.
What you can do: If you’re still in the build phase, request MC wiring, at least in the bedrooms. If your home is already built, and an assessment identifies elevated fields, we can install shielding paint to block them, kill switches to cut power to bedroom wiring when you sleep, or reposition the bed to reduce exposure.
#4 LED lighting with high flicker and blue light emissions
New builds commonly have all-LED lighting. While LEDs are energy efficient, they typically emit significant blue light and have high flicker rates. In fact, 82% of the lights we’ve tested emit more blue light than we recommend for evening use (measured by melanopic daylight efficacy ratio), and 67% exceed our optimal flicker threshold.
Research has linked evening blue light exposure to reduced sleep quality, hormone imbalances, and depression. Beyond that, LED lights often produce “flicker”: rapid brightness changes caused by how they’re powered. Even when it’s not visible, flicker can contribute to headaches, eyestrain, and fatigue.
What you can do: Switch to incandescent or halogen bulbs, which also benefit from emitting near-infrared light. Or switch to well-tested LEDs from Yuji, Waveform, or Healthy Home Shop, opting for blue-light-free options in the evenings.
A note on magnetic fields: We often get asked about magnetic EMFs in new homes. Magnetic fields are a real concern, but they’re not specific to new construction. They come from external power infrastructure, electrical errors, appliances, and more, and we find them in homes of all ages.