There are two fundamental indoor air pollutants from building materials: formaldehyde and non-formaldehyde (organic solvents and other toxic vapors). Some materials give off both---e.g., latex paints, plastic laminates.

Particulate matter from glass-fiber insulation and asbestos are included in the non-formaldehyde sources. We should note that some glass-fiber insulation also gives of formaldehyde, because it is used to set the colored dye on the fibers and it helps keep the fibers from matting down and losing their insulating qualities.