Is it true that furniture is a major contributor to indoor air pollution?
— Jon Kaplan, Brooklyn, NY Many toxic materials are used throughout traditional furniture-making processes. The paints, varnishes and waxes commonly employed can release the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are known to decrease indoor air quality. One of the most common VOCs is formaldehyde, which is used in glues for particleboard. It is also added to paints as a preservative and to upholstery to give it a permanent-press quality. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, formaldehyde emissions can cause eye and throat irritation, allergic reactions, and possibly cancer. In addition to off-gassing chemical pollutants, some furnishings are made of absorbent materials that make them sinks for other pollutants. For example, textured fabric surfaces such as draperies, upholstered furniture and carpeting can absorb and then re-release pollutants into the air. Besides absorbing the VOCs from adhesives and paints, these furnishings can collect dust mites, bacteria and
