Is Your Furniture Making You Sick?
There’s no denying we live in a disposable, fashion driven world. The availability of
cheap furniture means it’s easy to continually update, refresh and renovate interior
spaces. It might look good, but you run the risk of turning your home into a
dangerous health hazard. Furniture made from new materials contains toxins. Some
of the more common toxins include:
PHTHALATES
A group of chemicals used to soften and increase the flexibility of plastic and vinyl.
It’s also used in wood varnishes and lacquers. Phthalates can damage the liver,
kidneys, lungs and reproductive system according to animal studies.
VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOCs)
Used commonly in synthetic foam, lacquers, varnishes and paint, VOCs are a large
group of carbon-based chemicals that are given off as a colourless gas (also known
as off-gassing). High levels of VOCs can be smelt while others are odourless, but no
less harmful. VOCs can cause a range of health issues and have been shown to cause
cancer in animals.
POLYBROMINATED DIPHENYL ETHERS (PBDEs)
PBDEs are used in building materials, furnishings, plastics, foam and textiles as a fire
retardant. PBDEs are not chemically bound to the products so they tend to leach out
of them. Exposure to PBDEs at household levels have been shown to reduce fertility
in humans.
FORMALDEHYDE
Formaldehyde is a VOC, meaning that it will become a gas at room temperature. It is
found in carpets, upholstery fabrics, laminates, plastics, particle board, plywood,
fibreboard and modern-day cabinetry. It is used as a toxic adhesive to bond the wood
particles together. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen linked to several cancers,
including leukemia.
Live Better, Live Green
Switching to eco-friendly, sustainable furniture is an investment in your health, your
home and the planet - and it looks amazing. The natural variations in wood grain
combined with other materials like recycled steel, glass, bamboo, rattan, cork, wool
and organic textiles inject texture, personality and a wonderful handcrafted
ambience. Best of all, it’s toxin free.
From everyday furniture to statement pieces, destined to become family heirlooms,
eco-friendly furniture will reward you with timeless style and durability. You also get
a certain satisfaction knowing that your furniture is created from materials that are
recycled, reclaimed or responsibly sourced.
Sustainable furniture takes into consideration the entire life-cycle of the product,
where it is made, where its parts and pieces come from and what disposal methods
are needed when it reaches the end of its life.
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