outgas

To outgas means to release gases or vapors from a material, often slowly over time. This process is common with many manufactured products, especially those that contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These compounds are used in plastics, glues, paints, and other materials, and they can slowly escape into the air even after the product is finished.

The term started in aerospace engineering, where it referred to trapped gases escaping from spacecraft parts in the vacuum of space. Now it is also widely used when people talk about indoor air quality and environmental health. For example, a new car might outgas chemicals that create that distinctive "new car smell."

While some outgassing is normal and fairly harmless, high levels of VOCs can cause headaches, dizziness, or other health problems. That is why people often recommend airing out a room after painting or after bringing in new furniture, so the materials can outgas before long exposure. Heat and humidity can make the process happen faster.

So, whether you are thinking about the air in your home, the safety of a product, or even the performance of a satellite, understanding outgassing helps you see how materials release substances into the space around them.