Couches and Carcinogens

The average consumer tends to prioritise cost over potential health hazards when shopping for furniture and may not be aware of the presence of toxic chemicals and harmful volatile organic compounds in furniture which can be irritants and even carcinogenic. This chapter aims to present an overview of the potential health risks of indoor furnishings, the existing sustainability systems that address those risks, and the expanding market for sustainable furniture. Indoor furnishings can expose users to harmful pollutants which cause short- and long-term negative health impacts. Given that people spend most of their time indoors, the presence of such indoor pollutants is a significant health concern. Residential furnishings can contain unobvious toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde, phthalates, and benzenes, which can cause respiratory irritation, allergies, and asthma in the short-term, and more severe issues like cancer, reproductive harm, and damage to the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys in the long-term. However, the sustainable furnishings market is expanding, with several codes and third-party sustainability rating systems available in the United States. In 2020, eco-friendly furniture was a $34.2 billion market in the United States, and it&s;s expected to grow at a rate of 5.6% per year until 2027. Interior designers can educate residential clients about the potential health risks associated with furnishings and recommend healthier options while advocating for the growth of the sustainable furniture market. This chapter enables interior designers to identify risks associated with indoor furnishings to promote healthier furnishing options.