The proposed project combines psychophysical measurement with chemical analysis and advanced mathematical patterns recognition methods to understand the full life-time impact of polymeric building materials on perceived indoor air quality. The project is grounded in the approach that polymeric building materials are living organic materials that continuously interact with their surrounding. The interactions primarily takes place through different degrading reactions that ultimately deteriorate the material performance. The degradation is followed by the formation and emission of volatile compounds that are released into the surrounding environment. Earlier studies of emissions from building materials have focused on the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are formed during the manufacturing of the materials. Several studies have shown that the emission of these VOCs is reduced with time. However, some studies have shown that upon prolonged testing, new compounds of slightly higher molar mass (SVOC) are formed and emitted from the polymeric building materials. The formation of these compounds has not been explained. The proposed study acknowledges these compounds as degradation products formed during the degradation of the polymeric building materials. The unique approach, founded in psychophysics and polymer chemistry, will give new knowledge on the full life-time impact of polymeric building materials on human perception of indoor air quality.