Claim for damage one year after house purchase?

[ShoreSick]

Hi All , we bought our first house last year. The previous owner had converted the ground floor garage in a sort of lab- not clear what sort of lab, but when we viewed the house there were lots of chemical solvents around and a strong scent- I am thinking perfumes or maybe house detergents. We were asked not to take pictures of that room.
We didn't question that at the time and assume the smell would eventually go away through ventilation, deep cleening etc. However, one year into it, the smell is still there and although it is not too unpleasant, I've read there may be a risk that those substances may be carcinogenic. The room is supposed to be my home office and I haven't been able to use it- working from the kitchen table is driving me mad! We are considering stripping out all the walls, ceiling and some joinery in a desperate attempt to get rid of the smell, which would obviously come at a cost.
Just wondering if anyone knows if there is a chance we could claim some sort of compensation from the previous owners?
Thanks in advance for any tips and advice you may have!

Hello again, upon review of my original post I agree it does sound a bit ridiculous... just few clarifications in response to some of the posters
-the cabinet is not just a cabinet. A bit outing, but it's part of in built joinery feature (think archive drawings, sliding panels..) made by a former owner (not our vendor), it's a sort of heritage feature. It would cost a small fortune to replace the cabinet to match the rest (hence the desire for 'compensation'= cost of replacing) and it would still look different from the rest. OK, I get it's too late and there is no way to claim anything. Got it.
-the smell was actually... a good smell, the vendor made cosmetics! It's still not too bad tbh. I am just worried about being exposed to chemicals all day long.
I don't know what chemicals were used but I've read that the whole fragrance industry uses suspected carcinogenic chemicals.
-and no, I do not let my dog poo in my house...
-in terms of cleaning, I've tried bicarbonate, soapy water, windows open all day long... I'll fwatch the YouTube video, thanks for all the cleaning tips!

the cabinet is not just a cabinet. A bit outing, but it's part of in built joinery feature (think archive drawings, sliding panels..) made by a former owner (not our vendor), it's a sort of heritage feature. It would cost a small fortune to replace the cabinet to match the rest (hence the desire for 'compensation'= cost of replacing) and it would still look different from the rest. If the feature is not listed, I would get a specialist to quote for replacement and take it from there. Unfortunately you just have to decide what matters more, the aesthetic or the smell.

Have you tried using an air purifier? You’d still have to replace the cabinet eventually, but it could help make the room useable while you sort a more permanent solution. You’ll need to make sure the purifier has a carbon filter to remove gases - that will help to remove the smell while you’re in there

I agree re scene of crime cleaners but it does sound like the cabinet is the issue. It’s going to be impossible to get the smell out by the sounds of it. Do be careful in the meantime, my dad died from a lung disease and people in his breathing classes contracted a similar disease from inhaling all kinds of things, such as flour from baking cakes. So anything like this could of course cause issues. I’d change the cabinet, get someone in for a quote

I think I would just gut the room and start again with it.

You realise that everything is a chemical, right? Cosmetics are going to be extremely low-risk, compared to many other chemicals commonly found in households. If you use most cleaning products, a gas hob, candles, or have a log burner, all those will create far more risk of harm than the residue of year-old cosmetics.

Not trying to be wise after the event but did you ask about what was done in that room in your pre-contract enquiries? Like what do you do, what chemicals you use, do you have the paperwork (if a business they may have to have certificates/ risk assessments for anything hazardous). The point about asking beforehand is that you know what you’re getting (and could choose to walk away) but also if the seller lies then you may well be entitled to take legal action.

In this case it seems pointless to ask the seller as it sounds like you won’t believe their answers, so I agree with the others, you may need to take the room back to brick and re plaster/ re-floor. It would likely still be cheaper than trying to sue the seller though.