From this article you will learn:
- What harmful substances may be contained in furniture?
- How do they affect the human body?
- What materials are such furniture made from?
- What rules to follow when choosing furniture
- What is remarkable about such furniture for children's rooms?
The home environment is of great importance for maintaining and preserving human health. If floor and wall decorations, furniture or textile materials were made with harmful substances, they may contribute to an aggravation of chronic diseases, and also cause serious complications. This is why environmentally friendly furniture is so popular among health-conscious buyers. Many modern manufacturers place emphasis on manufacturing safe products, the features of which we will examine in detail in this article.
We don’t scare, but inform about harmful substances in furniture
Almost any wooden furniture that is not environmentally friendly emit a significant amount of free formaldehyde into environment. Typically, when creating them, raw materials such as chipboard, MDF (fiberboard), and plywood are used. They are manufactured using formaldehyde resins as the internal adhesive.
Another no less toxic substance is phenol. The fact is that in a short time it enters the body through the skin and upper respiratory tract, reaching the gastrointestinal tract. After which this dangerous substance accumulates in the kidneys and liver, undermines the immune system, irritates the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, pharynx and gastrointestinal tract. The result of this negative impact is a runny nose, headaches, dizziness, vomiting, shortness of breath, insomnia.
When phenol is inhaled, the mucous membranes are severely irritated, and its contact with the skin can cause burns. If phenol poisoning occurs regularly, the kidneys and liver are affected, and subsequently a pathogenic change in the blood occurs.
Urea-formaldehyde resins are also very often used in the creation of wood products. They are especially noticeable in objects where fiberboard and chipboard are used - the main materials for laying plywood or veneer (in economical options instead, there may be a laminate on a paper or plastic basis).
The creation of the majority of all wood composite materials for furniture occurs using hot pressing of prepared waste. And in this case, the substance for combining the raw materials is often phenol-formaldehyde alcohol-soluble resin. It is distinguished by a dangerous quality - the release of formaldehyde in free form, called in medicine a “chronic toxin”. This volatile substance has a negative impact on human health.
Inhalation of formaldehyde vapor leads to irritation of the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and throat, and also has a harmful effect on the skin and provokes a variety of allergic reactions. The result of prolonged inhalation of the fumes of this substance can be:
- Headache.
- Unusual fatigue.
- Insomnia.
- Depression.
- Asthma.
Symptoms of formaldehyde poisoning:
- Dizziness.
- Unnatural thirst.
- Nausea.
- Watery discharge from the nose.
- Cough, salivation.
- Irritation, infection of the nasal sinuses.
- Sore throat.
- The appearance of a rash.
- Diarrhea.
- Nose bleed.
- Menstrual irregularities.
- Chest pain, abdominal pain.
In many residential areas, formaldehyde levels are higher than normal. Instead of the established 0.04 - 0.06 ppm, its concentration reaches 0.07 - 0.09. Installing necessary household items in the bathroom or kitchen alone can increase the level of this substance to 0.10 ppm or more. Therefore, in order to completely protect yourself and your loved ones from such dangerous influences, it is better to buy environmentally friendly furniture.
What are the features of furniture made from environmentally friendly materials?
Environmentally friendly furniture sets are always made from natural wood (birch, ash, oak, pine, beech) using safe PVA-based glue.
The creation of environmentally friendly furniture from solid natural wood occurs through high-quality wood processing.
For furniture upholstery, non-electrifying materials are used from organic fibers of flax, cotton, soy, bamboo, and silk. These plants are grown without the use of pesticides or other chemicals.
Of all the options for environmentally friendly sofas and armchairs, leather products painted with eco-dyes have the longest service life.
Others are quite in demand modern material is a traffic jam. It is light, pleasant to the touch and environmentally friendly. Cork has sound insulation properties and is widely used for floors and walls. Cork makes excellent eco-friendly bedroom furniture.
For guard flooring and improve the microclimate in the room, you can lay a mat (matting). It is woven from such environmentally friendly natural materials, like cane, flax, coconut fiber.
Stone countertops are popular among eco-friendly kitchen furniture. They are very practical. Such countertops are most often made of marble or granite, sometimes from slate, limestone, travertine, and onyx.
Ceramic and glass tiles, as well as mosaics, are also environmentally friendly materials.
1. Selection of environmentally friendly products.
Furniture that may contain the word “organic” on its label or description:
- Sofas and chairs upholstered in natural organic fabrics filled with natural latex foam.
- Mattresses made using materials such as organic wool, natural latex, organic cotton. Often organic latex mattresses have a core wrapped in wool (fire retardant) or cotton, or a combination of both. And some of them are completely wrapped in a combination of these materials. The best mattress covers are made from organic wool or organic cotton.
2. Bamboo products.
Although bamboo looks like a tree, it is actually a grass. It grows very quickly, so pesticides are not usually used for it. Eco-friendly bamboo furniture enjoys in great demand.
3. Transportation.
The quality and sustainability of environmentally friendly products also depend on how they were transported.
4. Beware of toxic materials.
The best way to protect yourself from toxins (such as formaldehyde) is to choose eco-friendly furniture made from safe materials that do not contain them. The best option are products made from solid wood, as they contain less paint. And it is better to minimize the number of glass and metal objects in the room.
5. Try to avoid:
- Upholstery labeled "stain resistant": These may be toxic.
- Inflatable and artificial leather products, vinyl covers. They may all contain PVC phthalate.
- Items made from chipboard, fiberboard, plywood - anything that may contain formaldehyde adhesives.
- Furniture made from any tropical hardwood (mahogany and teak) and some western cedar unless certified.
6. Give preference to local production.
Local producers and artisans can be found in newspapers, the Internet, and at theme fairs.
7. Functionality.
Choose environmentally friendly items, considering not only them appearance, but also convenience, functionality and durability.
- Multifunctional products should always be a priority.
- Durability is also important, as well-made items with a long functional shelf life prevent landfills from quickly filling up, thereby supporting the health of the planet.
8. Vintage furniture.
Vintage and antique pieces are two of the most eco-friendly furniture options. There are no hard and fast rules for when items become antique. For some, all well-forgotten old items fit into this category, while others believe that they should be at least 20 years old.
Antiques are those items that were made 100 years ago. Most people include those that were made at the turn of the 20th century.
When choosing antique furniture, consider the following points:
- It must comply with current safety regulations. Make sure the items are not radioactive.
- Vintage painted items made before 1978 may contain lead. An antique from the early 19th century will most likely not have it. The downside to lead paint is that it peels off. At the same time, the appearance and value of the product may suffer from the varnish coating. If you have kids in the house, you should think twice before purchasing such things. And the best thing is to postpone buying them until the kids are older.
- Finishing and restoration of antiques should be done by experts. For example, if you want to varnish or repaint 20th century items, you should be aware that the paint may contain lead and you should take the necessary precautions when working with it.
9. Recycling, remanufacturing and repurposing.
You can come up with items and accessories that will be one of a kind if you get creative by reusing various household items. It will also reduce waste going to landfill.
10. Ecology certificate.
When purchasing environmentally friendly furniture, you can ask the seller if there is a certificate. It guarantees that the product does not contain harmful substances (for example, cadmium or lead).
11. New products that emit a pungent odor raise doubts about their environmental friendliness.
According to GOST, such a smell should disappear after a maximum of 2.5 months. However, this purchase may result in an unnecessary headache for you, since your well-being depends largely on the air in your living room.
12. DIY furniture.
Perhaps you enjoy crafting or know crafters. Then you can create exclusive items. It is best to work with wood taken from rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and old buildings. It's even more interesting to use a tree that has its own unique story. Then your furniture will definitely be special.
When choosing environmentally friendly furniture for children, the first thing to evaluate is the materials from which it is made. The most environmentally friendly items are created from solid wood. They are large monolithic bars, for the production of which the least number of various toxic adhesives are used. After all, inhaling harmful fumes exposes the child’s body to the risk of developing a number of diseases.
To fasten parts, bolts and screws, manufacturers of environmentally friendly wood products use casein glue, which does not contain poisons. Companies specializing in the manufacture of furniture for children and teenagers do not use substances harmful to health (formaldehyde, phenols, resins) in their work. All the varnishes and paints they cover wooden surfaces, are safe.
Study suppliers' offers, paying attention to the types of wood used in the manufacture of products. The most environmentally friendly furniture for children is considered to be that made of pine, birch, larch, walnut and beech. This wood has tonic and healing properties. For example, pine is the most economical material that will not stand out for any special decorative qualities, but in terms of ecology it is priceless. The unique antiseptic properties of pine can protect your baby from many diseases.
- "BELFAN" is a combination modern classics and the most fashionable trends.
We closely monitor new products in the world of interior design and produce furniture in accordance with the latest trends. What you will see at the Milan exhibition in April can be found in the assortment of our store in the fall.
Furniture from the BELFAN company remains relevant and does not go out of fashion for many years. Our clients do not have to regularly update their interiors. It is enough to add new elements or swap modules (for example, if we are talking about wall-mounted living rooms).
- Furniture made of natural wood.
Our products are environmentally friendly and safe, thanks to the natural materials used in production. You and your loved ones will certainly appreciate the care for your health. And the pleasant aroma and energy of natural wood in the apartment will fill it with an atmosphere of comfort and tranquility.
- Wide range of products.
Here you will find furniture for the living room, bedroom, hall, nursery, and you can also choose complementary interior items.
Ready interior solution will save your time. Moreover, with us you don’t have to spend your budget on designer services. Our specialists will be happy to draw up a furniture arrangement plan that will meet all your requirements.
- Comfort every day.
When manufacturing furniture, the BELFAN company uses the best modern fittings. You don't have to force yourself to open or close a drawer or door. Mechanisms produced in Austria will ensure the absence of annoying sounds.
In addition, the inside of the drawers is lined with high-quality velor fabric, so you can carefully store your personal belongings.
- Decent quality at the best price.
We produce furniture at partner factories in Russia and Belarus, so we are ready to offer our customers comfortable prices.
Consider whether you are willing to overpay for foreign-made furniture. Our factories produce furniture from such a world-famous brand as IKEA, the quality of whose products cannot be doubted.
With us you do not overpay for the brand, but get excellent quality for a reasonable price.
- Availability of most items from our range in stock.
This means that by placing an order today, in just a couple of days you will receive our furniture delivered to your home. You don't have to wait for long weeks.
- The BELFAN company has been successfully operating in the market for 15 years.
We represent a federal chain that produces furniture under several brands (BELFAN, Velidzh, Loft). The company's products are in great demand, which allows us to expand production even during a crisis. People come back to us and recommend us to friends.
High-quality after-sales service and a guarantee are two more undoubted advantages of cooperation with the BELFAN company!
By buying very expensive things, or household goods that are completely free of harmful impurities, you automatically become an eco-consumer. Eco-furniture – is it really safe? Which upholstery is better to buy and which to refuse?
It is useful to purchase things that are safe for both the buyer and the manufacturer; only then can they be considered completely environmentally friendly.
Eco-friendly furniture: truth and myths
Wooden furniture has always been considered environmentally friendly. Is it really? It turns out that the cleanest array is treated with oil or wax.
But not always natural massif wood will be an environmentally friendly material. You should not purchase a bleached array, since chlorine-containing substances are used during processing to achieve this effect.
MDF or chipboard, what to choose? Is chipboard really that dangerous?
- Chipboard should not be placed in the sun or near heat sources - on a heated floor or near a radiator; it can emit harmful substances.
- You should also be afraid of chips and scratches.
In all other cases, chipboard is quite safe, but it cannot be classified as an environmentally friendly material.
MDF is safer, but not ideal, because it is not a natural material. Both materials must be varnished or laminated. Here it is important to pay attention to what kind of varnish or composition the MDF is coated with.
Only water-based varnishes do not emit harmful substances, but they will also last less.
Is the filling of upholstered furniture fraught with danger?
Do you know what your sofa, pillow, chair is filled with? Is your mattress dangerous? Do not know? And completely in vain! can be dangerous, and the pillow can cause allergies and various diseases. How to determine what to buy?
Let's start with polyurethane foam, the most common material in everyday life today.
You can only buy polyurethane foam without freon, which should be written on the product tag. This means that inside synthetic fibers, or processed down or feather. But even here there are skeletons in the closet; some manufacturers treat down and feathers with chemicals. So that dust mites do not settle in them. It is better when processing is done using sterilization. Such goods are marked with a green tag.
Dangerous cotton - harmless flax
Are you sure that cotton is an environmentally friendly and safe material? Do you know how it is assembled? Even during harvest, cotton is exposed to chemical influences. To make the leaves fall off and expose the cotton boll, the plant is sprinkled with detergents. But that’s not all - the cotton is then processed using bleaching, lightening and dyeing with synthetic dyes.
But flax is not afraid of insects, it is easier to collect - flax is not treated with chemicals. Are you looking for a completely safe eco-friendly material? Choose unbleached linen.
What clothes are safe for health?
Choose clothes that wrinkle. Uncomfortable? Be prepared for an unpleasant filling: to prevent the upholstery from becoming wrinkled, it is treated with a mixture of resins that contain a very unpleasant cocktail of formaldehyde and glyoxal. To make cotton white, it is impregnated with special substances that contain dioxins. Alas, environmentally friendly products are available only in the elite segment; everything else is fiction. For such products, raw materials are collected by hand, without using chemicals. And then coated with beeswax, paraffin or oil. How do you know if a product is safe?
Look for a tag with the "Green Cotton" icon
Upholstery with a surprise
If your sofa upholstery or mattress cover is washable, don't be happy - it contains chemicals that help the cover not shrink, and is often treated with artificial resins, which can easily contain formaldehyde.
So, in order not to be afraid of your own sofa and upholstery, choose upholstery that can only be dry cleaned.
Another option is to purchase sofas upholstered in organic wool; look for the following inscription on the tag: Wolle organic wool. Organic wool is not subject to any impact. But you should know that the price of such wool is enormous, as it is rare.
Silk upholstery is quite safe for humans, but since chemicals are used to speed up growth, formaldehyde and substances that disinfect can sometimes be found in it. To make silk heavier, solutions of metal salts and silicates are used. This is not dangerous for humans, but when disposed of it is very harmful to the environment, which is why silk is not considered a completely eco-product.
Eco-style often uses cheaper materials made from primary raw materials; usually on the tag you can see three twisted ribbons.
Can leather be called an eco-friendly material? Yes, leather is completely environmentally friendly, even though natural acids and chromium salts are used during processing - all these substances are safe for humans. But colored leather can be dangerous, because it is not clear what dyes were used.
There is no “organic” category for furniture, as is used in food and clothing labeling. Although some items may have the word organic in the product name or description.1. Choosing upholstered furniture
Let's start with home furniture, where you can find the word organic on the label or in the product description.- Cushioned furniture: Look for chairs and sofas covered in natural, organic fabrics and filled with natural latex foam.
- Mattresses: organic cotton, organic wool and natural latex are good alternatives to the materials used to create conventional mattresses. Most organic latex mattresses have a core wrapped in wool (a fire retardant, naturally) or cotton or a combination of both, and some are usually wrapped in a combination of these materials. Choose mattress toppers made from organic cotton or organic wool.
2. Consider bamboo
Bamboo furniture is a good option. Although it is not technically a tree (it is a grass), it looks like a tree, and is usually grown without pesticides. Because it already grows so quickly that resistance to renewal is not a problem for it. The only drawback is the traffic trail.3. Transportation
Since transportation also uses energy, being responsible in transportation is also part of getting sustainable eco-friendly furniture.- Furniture must be transported efficiently without incurring excessive space and energy during transport.
- Local furniture using only local production and raw materials has less .
4. Stay away from toxic materials and finishes
The easiest way to avoid toxins such as formaldehyde is to buy furniture made from materials that do not contain them.Choose hardwood furniture that contains less paint. Less commonly, furniture made of glass and metal.
5. Try to avoid:
- Upholstery marked STAIN RESISTANT may be toxic
- Inflatable furniture, faux leather and vinyl furniture covers. All may contain phthalate based PVC.
- Furniture made from chipboard, fiberboard, plywood - anything that may contain formaldehyde adhesives.
- Avoid all tropical hardwoods (mahogany and teak) as well as mahogany and many western cedars, which are typically made from irreplaceable old-growth woods—unless they are certified.
Look for local furniture makers and artisans in local newspapers, classified websites and craft fairs. Look for artisanal furniture made from salvaged trees and wrought iron, organic wool and cotton, and recycled fabrics.
7. Choose functionality
Furniture should also be functional and durable.- Give preference to multifunctional furniture
- Durability also matters because well-made furniture with a longer functional shelf life contributes to the health of the planet without filling landfills.
8. Vintage furniture
Vintage and antique furniture are two of the most environmentally friendly choices you can make for furnishing your home. There are no hard distinctions when furniture becomes antique; For some people it's all that well forgotten old, others argue that the items should be at least 20 years old.Antique furniture is technically anything made 100 years ago. Most people simply assume that it is furniture made at the turn of the 20th century. In any case, if it is old, it does not use any additional energy, water or other resources associated with production.
If you choose antique furniture, keep the following in mind:
- Furniture must comply with current safety standards. Please note that the furniture is not radioactive.
- Vintage painted furniture manufactured before 1978 may contain lead. Old antiques - early 19th century - most likely not. Lead paint is a problem; if it peels, you can varnish it, for example, but this can affect the appearance and value of the piece. If you have small children around, you may want to think twice before purchasing these items or delay purchasing them until your children are older.
- Refinishing or restoring antiques is also usually best left to the experts. If you're thinking about refinishing or repainting 20th century furniture, you'll realize that all paint contains lead and you should take appropriate precautions when working with it.
9. , restoration and repurposing
Getting creative with reusing household items is a great way to come up with furniture and accessories that are truly one of a kind. This can also reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. According to the American Society of Interior Designers, 90 percent of everything manufactured in the United States ends up in landfills less than a year after production.10. Furniture
If you love to tinker or know a craftsman, you can make your own furniture from scratch. Work with wood that has been salvaged from rivers, lakes, reservoirs, old buildings - or work with wood that has a history that can make the furniture even more special.My home is my castle! This phrase can often be heard from people trying to make their home as safe as possible from external enemies. However, we do not always think about the internal security of our home. Meanwhile, invisible enemies can easily attack us and harm our health. It's about about toxic chemical substances oh our internal environment, which do not at all contribute to the strength of our health.
The fact is that at the moment there is a wide variety of furniture on sale that is beautiful and comfortable. However, in the process of a competitive race, manufacturers often do not focus on the safety of their products, but rather think more about how to sell them better and faster due to beauty, functionality, and a cheap price. In such cases, the consumer has to learn to navigate the peculiarities of the furniture market on his own.
Let's figure out what materials modern furniture is made from and determine the most suitable ones for use in our home.
Solid wood.
It is usually considered the most environmentally friendly furniture. Such furniture is made from pine, birch, oak, walnut, mahogany, alder, etc. It is the most expensive on the market and often lacks trendy appeal (in the form of print, color, design), and in order to to meet your needs - most often made individually, to order. It is more durable and safer from the point of view of releasing hazardous substances. However, even in it there may be some danger from the point of view of the environmental friendliness of the adhesives used in its manufacture, varnishes, paints, as well as special additives for treating surfaces against pests and water ingress. Such furniture must be ordered only from reliable manufacturers with quality certificates for their products.
Chipboard.
Chipboard is made from sawdust and shavings, which are glued together with special resins, which, alas, most often contain formaldehyde, then sanded and painted with enamels that may contain phenol. After the production of the boards, they are usually laminated - covered with a paper-resin film, and then the material acquires the name laminated chipboard.
Typically, such a film prevents the release of harmful aldehydes into the air. Therefore, if you have furniture made of chipboard, then check its integrity on the surfaces, and, if necessary, seal these places with PVA or varnish. Also make sure that all edges and seams exposing the chipboard material are intact, this will reduce the concentration of dangerous resins that may be released through them.
Fiberboard.
Fiberboard is made by pressing wood fibers with the addition of binding elements, which also most often contain phenol and formaldehyde, etc.
MDF.
Medium-density fiberboard is made by dry pressing fibers and gluing them together using paraffin and lingin (natural wood glue). Thus, MDF boards are safer for our health, but only if they are high quality workmanship, since manufacturers can use instead of natural adhesives epoxy resins, chemical adhesives that also release formaldehyde.
Plastic.
Plastic furniture is safe only if it is manufactured in accordance with quality standards and is used in rooms without temperature changes, away from exposure to sunlight and heat (batteries, near gas stoves etc.) In this case, the risk of release of polymer compounds (styrene) is quite low. However, you should not abuse its quantity in the interior, because over time, the outer covering layer is imperceptibly destroyed and harmful substances are released.
Furniture made from other natural materials
: vine (branches of shrubby willows), rattan - palm vines, reeds meet all environmental requirements and will add pleasant variety to your interior.
Whatever furniture you choose, always ask for an environmental safety certificate from the seller, which will indicate the formaldehyde emission coefficient: E 0- perfect option, E1 is an acceptable option, E2 is average level, E3 is a dangerous option.
Thus, the safest for furniture are natural materials and MDF, provided they are made of high quality.
Eco-furniture Furniture made from environmentally friendly natural materials (wood, stone, glass, leather, bamboo) that do not contain toxic substances harmful to human health.
Harm
Harmful substances in furniture
Almost all furniture sets made of wood, including solid wood, can emit significant amounts of free formaldehyde in the living areas of houses. Typical materials used in furniture include chipboard, MDF (fiberboard) and plywood, which are manufactured using formaldehyde resins. For wooden products these resins are used as internal adhesives.
Phenol is extremely toxic. It is very quickly absorbed by the skin, through the upper respiratory tract it easily penetrates the human body and its gastrointestinal tract. Phenol is concentrated in the liver and kidneys. He destroys immune system, has an irritating effect on the mucous membrane of the mouth, nasopharynx, upper respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal tract. Such exposure leads to a runny nose, dizziness, headaches, insomnia, vomiting, and shortness of breath.
Inhalation of phenol causes severe irritation of the mucous membranes, its contact with the skin leads to burns, and chronic poisoning leads to damage to the liver and kidneys, subsequently to pathogenic changes in the blood.
Most of the sales wooden furniture made from wood materials using urea formaldehyde resins. They are especially noticeable where fiberboard and chipboard are used - which are the main materials on which plywood or veneer (or, in the case of inexpensive furniture, a laminate based on paper or plastic) is applied.
Almost all wood composite materials are created by hot pressing of prepared waste. The binder in this process, as a rule, is a phenol-formaldehyde alcohol-soluble resin, which tends to subsequently release free formaldehyde, which doctors call a “chronic toxin.” This volatile substance can adversely affect human health.
Formaldehyde vapors irritate the mucous membrane of the eyes and upper respiratory tract (nose and throat), have a harmful effect on the skin and all kinds of allergic reactions. Prolonged inhalation of its fumes can lead to:
- Headaches
- Insomnia
- Atypical fatigue
- Depression
- Asthma
Due to formaldehyde poisoning, the following symptoms appear:
- Mucous, watery nasal discharge
- Irritation and infection of the sinuses
- Nosebleed
- Cough and salivation
- Sore throat
- A rash appears
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Chest pain and abdominal pain
- Menstrual irregularities
- Unnatural Thirst
In most apartments, the level of formaldehyde exceeds the norm - instead of the required 0.04-0.06 ppm, its indicators are 0.07-0.09 ppm. Only bathroom or kitchen furniture can raise the level of formaldehyde in a living space to 0.10 ppm or higher, especially if it is new.
Benefit
Eco-friendly furniture
In the manufacture of environmentally friendly furniture, only natural wood (pine, beech, ash, birch, oak) and environmentally friendly PVA-based glue are used.
The production of eco-furniture from solid natural wood is accompanied by high-quality wood processing.
Upholstery options for natural, non-electric textile fabrics - organic cotton, bamboo, linen, silk, soy. No pesticides or other chemicals are used in their cultivation. The production of environmentally friendly materials of this textile must have OEKO-TEX, Organic Exchange or GOTS certificates, confirming that the material does not use harmful chemicals and azo dyes.
Leather upholstered furniture painted with eco-paints lasts the longest.
Cork is a fairly popular material today, lightweight and pleasant to the touch, environmentally friendly material. Used for floors and walls. Excellent noise absorption, which is especially important for a children's room. Unlike wood cork covering does not rot, and also does not burn, without releasing substances hazardous to health into the air.
You can lay a mat (matting) on the floor. It is woven from environmentally friendly natural materials - reed, flax, coconut fiber. The mat not only protects the floor, but also improves the microclimate in the room.
From natural stone they make a countertop in the kitchen, which is very practical, but quite expensive. The most common materials are marble and granite. Less common are onyx, travertine, slate, and limestone.
Also environmentally friendly are ordinary ceramic or today’s fashionable glass tiles or mosaics.
Environmentally friendly materials for furniture
To protect yourself from the harmful effects of chemicals that harmful furniture evaporates, carefully inspect all your furniture - all scratches and cracks noticed on it should be covered with PVA glue, or furniture varnish, polish or paint. Ventilate rooms where chipboard furniture is located more often. Distribute chipboard furniture so that there is no accumulation of it in one place - this can reduce the concentration of toxic substances in the atmosphere of the home.
In order to save money, unscrupulous manufacturers leave chipboard exposed in areas that are invisible to the eye (the bottom of countertops, internal partitions near cabinets, the insides of bedside tables, etc.). Manufacturers who care about the health of their customers necessarily cover all surfaces and chipboard edges protective film or veneer, that's all drilled holes sealed, which at least partially protects from harmful fumes.
When choosing furniture made from chipboard, fiberboard or MDF, make sure that the veneer evenly and airtightly covers the furniture around the entire perimeter. But even the highest quality chipboard tables and cabinets may develop cracks and chips on the surface over time. Chipboard releases poisons for a very long time - at least 10-15 years. Furniture made from MDF is considered safer. MDF is about 13-15% more expensive than chipboard.
Formaldehyde is found not only in wood, but also in plastic furniture. Furniture made from plywood and solid wood, or entirely solid wood, can also be a significant source of formaldehyde. In this case, they are the oxidizing finishing (paint and varnish, etc.) materials used in its manufacture, containing urea-formaldehyde, which are actively released into the environment, especially during the first six months after use. Once most of the volatile formaldehyde has been released (usually a reduction of 50 percent or more), indoor levels may be a fraction of what they were when the products were new.
Furniture made from natural wood (solid wood) is 10-25% more expensive than MDF (including due to the labor intensity of production and the complexity of processing). In most types of wood, the natural formaldehyde content is only slightly lower than in chipboard, but in some varieties it reaches 12 mg100g. In the production of solid wood furniture parts, glue, varnishes and stains are used; all these materials contain formaldehyde, phenol and other chemicals.
Thus, the statement that furniture made from natural wood is absolutely environmentally friendly is not entirely true. Even solid wood furniture is a source of formaldehyde (it completely evaporates only after 7-12 years). Although a significant reduction is expected, the problem does not disappear, as one might think. Significant continuous release of formaldehyde may occur as the polymer resin undergoes hydrolytic degradation. For this reason, the release of free formaldehyde from products containing formaldehyde resins may occur for an indefinite period.
Many consumers believe that wooden furniture is completely environmentally friendly and safe, but if the processing technologies for natural wood (alder, pine, etc.) are not followed, the quality of such boards leaves much to be desired, despite their natural origin. In this case, an alternative option for eco-furniture would be to make furniture boards yourself from wood (pine, beech, alder, birch, oak, etc.).
We can conclude that in terms of environmental safety, furniture made from MDF or chipboard is not significantly different from furniture made from solid wood, and the price is much cheaper. The main difference is to which “emission class” of free formaldehyde they belong. Chipboard and MDF have the same mechanical strength as natural wood. MDF may even surpass it in some mechanical properties, and is better able to retain its shape under conditions of variable humidity than solid wood products.
The ideal emission class for eco-furniture in terms of formaldehyde emissions is considered zero (E0), but such furniture is difficult to find. One (E1) is an acceptable option, two (E2) is average, and three (E3) is hazardous to health.
At the time of buying upholstered furniture Avoid products with foam rubber - over time it decomposes, which leads to the release of harmful substances.
When purchasing eco-furniture, give preference to upholstery made from natural, non-electric fabrics.
Today, environmentally friendly furniture is quite difficult to find, but everything more people They are doing eco-renovations and are interested in materials that are safe for health, although the prices for eco-furniture are an order of magnitude higher than for mass-produced low-quality furniture that emits toxic toxic substances.
