Can New Furniture Make You Sick? The Hidden Dangers You Didn’t Know About

There has been a recent concern about the relationship between new furniture and personal health. Studies have shown that some components used in making furniture can periodically release harmful toxins into the air, which affect health in diverse ways.

The awareness of living without toxins has become a trend, with the growing popularity of the hashtag leading a cultural shift on TikTok with over 200 million views. Toxic living can be sourced through many agents, but one way to declutter this effect is to become aware of how furniture, especially new furniture, can become harmful to your health.

This article will provide information on how new furniture can make you sick, the causes and symptoms of such sickness, and how to avoid it.

What Is Off-Gassing

Off-gassing is the process in which new furniture releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other chemicals into the indoor air. These materials come from toxic chemicals like adhesives, varnishes, flame retardants, synthetic fabrics, and foams that emit gases previously trapped inside the furniture.

This is mostly noticed through the unconscious “new furniture smell” during the release of these chemicals. This release can continue for weeks, months, and even years. In some cases, the release can be a permanent episode associated with the furniture. Its highest intensity occurs shortly after the furniture has been brought into a home.

Sources of Off-Gassing

While it has been established that off-gassing is the wearing off of volatile organic compounds, various chemicals used in making home products and furniture can be sources of off-gassing. This is common in materials like plywood, resin, veneers, insulation materials, and particleboard.

Furniture with VOCs often includes frames and tops like sofas, dressers, and wood products. It is also noticeable in finishes, as melamine—a high ingredient in formaldehyde—is used to make such finishes.

Health Risks and Symptoms

The compounds released include formaldehyde and other potentially harmful chemicals, which degrade indoor air quality and cause health risks. These include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, and headaches, which are the most common symptoms.

When in contact with formaldehyde for a long period, the effects become more serious. Respiratory issues, allergic reactions, and other serious health challenges may develop. Children and older people are more prone to these serious attacks.

How to Identify If Your Furniture Is Causing Health Problems

Since it has been established that new furniture often releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde through off-gassing, it’s essential to learn how to identify if your furniture is causing health problems for you.

One potent sign is physical reactions. Symptoms like headaches, dizziness, nausea, or eye irritation may become constant after bringing the furniture home. When prolonged, they may graduate into allergies, asthma flare-ups, and skin rashes.

Ways to Avoid Furniture Making You Sick

Since furniture is an essential aspect of the home, you cannot avoid furnishing your space, and some pieces might come with toxic chemicals. However, there are different ways to avoid off-gassing in your furniture.

Air Out

One common solution is to ensure the furniture is exposed to enough air so that the toxic chemicals can be cleared out. You can do this by unwrapping the furniture outside the home and allowing it to spend some time outside if possible.

If this is not possible, ensure that the furniture stays in a place with good ventilation. Doing this will lessen the effect of off-gassing in your home.

Avoid Particleboard

Another essential way to avoid furniture that makes you sick is to stay away from particleboard. Particleboard is highly known for releasing formaldehyde through off-gassing. Not only particleboard, but also MDF (medium-density fibreboard), pressed wood, and engineered wood will off-gas.

This is because a lot of adhesive is used in binding them, and they contain high levels of formaldehyde. When buying furniture, look for labels like “certified particleboard products”, which are safer than the rest.

Choose Safe Furniture

One way to avoid furniture making you sick is to be very picky about the kind of furniture you bring into your home. Choose furniture made from safe, low-VOC materials and finishes.

Use wood from certified forests, natural latex foams, hypoallergenic fabrics, and water-based or low-VOC adhesives. This will reduce the flow of chemicals indoors.

Conclusion

As much as furniture is meant to make the home beautiful and appealing to the aesthetics of the environment, without much awareness, it can become harmful to the health of those around it through off-gassing. This implies that effective measures should be taken to lessen the effect on your health, such as avoiding furniture with high VOCs and formaldehyde.

When unavoidable, you must take necessary steps to reduce off-gassing so it doesn’t negatively affect your health.

Read our article on choosing the perfect cutting board materials