That acre of stunning leather-topped desk might look impressive and make your clients sticky with envy, but is your office furniture giving you those deathly headaches too?
Office furniture should not only be functional and look and feel good, it should also be good for your health.
I was once called to the home of a family who had recently moved and now they all had headaches, and the little boy had rashes.
When I got there, I saw (and smelled) the new leather-topped desk in the main office. It looked very impressive, I must say. Unfortunately, because it was new, it still released the preservatives (including fungicides and formaldehyde) used in its manufacture.
Try to avoid leather
One of the main ingredients used in leather preservation is formaldehyde. It is an excellent preservative, it is what is used to embalm bodies before funerals. It is also carcinogenic, irritant, allergenic and can cause severe headaches.
Also avoid PVC
PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is linked to many adverse health effects, including birth defects, immune system disorders, reproductive health disorders, endocrine and nervous system abnormalities, and cancers.
I remember because I got sick on long drives as a kid, and now I know this was actually caused by the PVC used in the car interior heating up and outgassing. PVC is a horrible thing, try it.
… and particleboard, chipboard and MDF
Furniture made from particleboard, chipboard, or MDF (medium-density fiberboard) should also be avoided. This is reclaimed or scrap wood (that’s great!), that has been decomposed and glued with formaldehyde (that’s bad!), and is sometimes melamine or contact coated. Glue (and therefore formaldehyde) can off-gas in your office or home. If you already have this type of furniture and decide to get rid of it, for the good of all, do not burn it!
The other problem with chipboard is that it’s a haven for mold. If the “real” wood is moldy, you can clean it and let the liquid soak in. When chipboard gets wet, it disintegrates, rots very quickly, and attracts mold. If it’s a piece of furniture that you keep other things in, like books or files, it’s likely to get mold too.
Choose natural products
Natural products are great. Wood is excellent, and should preferably be raw and unfinished. This is because the finishes and varnishes you apply to wood may contain acetone, benzene, ethylene glycol, methylene chloride, toluene, and xylene. These are solvents that normally “evaporate” while the varnish is curing, however smaller amounts may continue to off-gas for some time.
You know that “new paint” or “new varnish” smell? is toxic Wood finishes are available that contain little or no volatile organic compounds (low VOC or no VOC), so ask your furniture supplier to use these oils or finishes before supplying or add them yourself.
Antiques are a good option if you can afford them and they match your decor. Because they are old, they have usually degassed most of their toxins. The exception to this, of course, is antiques that have been refinished with modern toxic finishes. Secondhand (but real) wood from op stores is also a good option.
Glass and steel are also good, especially if you like the modern look. However, opt for low or no VOC paints or finishes on the steel.
When it comes to your furniture, rugs, and underlays, opt again for natural products, like wool. However, don’t get the anti-stain or fire retardant additives, because they are toxic. And don’t forget to check how your rugs and underlays will be installed; There’s no point in choosing a great quality non-toxic rug only to find that it’s been plastered over with the disgusting stuff mentioned above.
As seen on Flying Solo on May 19, 2012.