Upholstered Pieces Can be Extremely Toxic

Upholstery adds drama and softness to interiors.
We all enjoy a great sofa whether we are cuddling watching a movie or in a casual meeting at the office.
Interior Designers use upholstery to create soft structure in interiors while at the same time bringing drama
in, in the form of textiles, shape, and wood or metal trim details.  Upholstery is the single most important element in an interior that has comfort in mind.  It is also the most typically toxic element in those interiors.

Foam is usually the worst offending part of the upholstered piece.  Foam can break down, with particulates becoming air born and ingested into lungs.  This is especially true with children who tend to lay on upholstered pieces face down breathing in more air than adults and typically do so open mouth, skipping the filters of the nose.  These particulates can be of inexpensive foam that is not encapsulated in any way with a textile liner cover, or down wrap. These offending foam components are usually from inexpensive imports, which are very common today.  Oftentimes foam components are imported due to the cost savings and used by US manufacturers.

Another toxin source in upholstery is fire retardants that are applied topically. The California Fire Retardant Standard established in the 1970's is the driving force behind the use of these retardants. The California code established the ability for a small open flame to sit on upholstered pieces for 12 seconds without burning.  Since most textiles cannot withstand this test, Fire Retardants are routinely used to be able to affix the California TB 117  label to upholstered pieces sold in the US.    Before 2005 these retardants were extremely toxic.  They were Tris, a known human carcinogen, and PentaBDE another toxic chemical.   PentaBDE has been phased out in use in the US.  Tris has been proven through sampling to be more prevalent today than before 2005.  Today 97% of all upholstered pieces are treated with newer fire retardants and Tris.  Scientists are having a difficult time keeping up with the industry in testing these new chemicals.  Not much is known currently about their effects on the human body short or long term.

The US consumer has very little resources to find out what their upholstery pieces are treated with to be able to pass the California TB 117 test for labeling.

Another element of upholstered pieces is MDF or composite wood parts that are typically internal and may not even be known by the owner.  MDF or composite wood parts off gas forever.  They are made of wood dust and bonding agents that are know human carcinogens.  MDF and composite wood is prevalent in the US manufacturing of furniture as it is easily shaped into smooth rounded shapes with very few splinters or splitting problems. It also can be made very thin and still be very strong.   MDF and composite wood was thought to be the miracle cure for the furniture industry since the 1990s.

Plywood in furniture manufacturing is another toxic danger.  Plywood is made of glue and wood chips or inexpensive wood layers made into a sandwich or series of plies.  These plies are held together with inexpensive toxic glue or bonding agents.  Plywood is never a safe internal element in furniture.  The glues and bonding agents off gas forever.  They cannot be encapsulated with paint or finishes.

The underlying dangers of furniture parts are activated with use or wear.  When an upholstered piece is sat on or lied on the stresses put on internal parts and that is when the majority of air born particulates take flight. The off gassing of the other toxins can happen even if the upholstered piece is never used.

The best advice to the designer and end user buying upholstered pieces is to ask questions of the manufacturer.  Only hardwood frames and higher end encapsulated foam with down or textile wrap should be considered.  Better yet the use of cotton or wood or soy cushions should be used.   No inexpensive plastic or metal internal parts to be used.  The use of organic textiles (cotton, wool or linen) must be used.   Ideally the piece should be covered in non bleached muslin and then slip covered in organic textiles so that the piece can routinely be washed with use.  This keeps dust from settling within the weave of the textile and breathed in by the user.

If you have questions about what to specify or purchase for your home, feel free to contact us at PURE / Clean and we will help you.