Published

1 year ago

April 28, 2025

Alice Rush

University of Albany researchers have presented the first recorded evidence that surface waters in the Adirondack Mountains have made an almost complete recovery — 90 percent — from metal pollution since enactment of the Clean Air Act.

Amended in the decades since it first passed in 1963, the Clean Air Act was one of the United States’ first environmental laws and was intended to lower and control the country’s air pollution.

One of the primary targets of the legislation was Adirondack Park, which had been impacted by decades of acid rain damage to the region’s forests, lakes and fish populations, a press release from the University at Albany (UAlbany) said.

Sky Hooler holds up a sediment core sample collected from Heart Lake in the Adirondack Mountains. University at Albany

“The Adirondacks have been a special place to me since I moved to the region when I was 10 years old. As a kid, I learned about the devastating effects acid rain had on the lakes, rivers and wildlife,” said Skylar Hooler, first author of the study and a doctoral student in the Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences at UAlbany, in the press release. “During my first year of graduate school, I began reviewing the literature and was surprised to find that most recent studies evaluating recovery from metal pollution in the Adirondacks were more than a decade old. I immediately saw an opportunity to revisit this and document how well these ecosystems have recovered since the implementation of the Clean Air Act.”

The researchers analyzed historical data along with newly collected sediment samples and found that metal contamination across four Adirondack ponds had been reduced more than 90 percent over the past five decades.

Hooler’s research partner was Aubrey Hillman, an assistant professor in UAlbany’s Department of Atmospheric Sciences, whose research is focused on using lake sediments — more commonly known as mud — to study past human activities and climate change.

So proud of how hard my PhD student worked on this! And importantly it shows that legislation can WORK.

[image or embed]

— Aubrey Hillman (@mountains-arose.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 9:51 AM

Hillman co-leads UAlbany’s Paleoclimate lab, which provided the research team with instruments to collect and analyze lake sediment and coral. The samples offered clues about our planet’s past climate conditions and how they relate to present and future climate trends.

“Collecting a sediment core is like taking a layered history book from the bottom of a lake,” Hooler explained. “Each layer of sediment represents a moment in time. We use specialized coring tools to extract these long, cylindrical records from the lake bed. The goal is to preserve the layers in the exact order they were deposited, so we get an uninterrupted timeline of environmental change that can stretch back thousands of years.”

The team used sediment cores taken from the four ponds to measure concentrations of metals such as lead, zinc and copper across millenia.

The sediment cores offered the researchers a look into pre-industrial baseline conditions, which allowed them to evaluate the extent of pollution, as well as the success of later recovery efforts, such as the Clean Air Act.

“Site selection was strategic,” Hooler said. “First, we had to ensure the lakes were on land we could legally access. Then, we prioritized lakes with similar hydrology and a consistent watershed-to-lake area ratio to allow for better comparisons. Finally, we looked at historical land-use impacts. Some lakes experienced extensive logging, others fire, and some were relatively undisturbed, so we could better understand how these factors influence both contamination and recovery.”

The Clean Air Act was a major factor in pollution reduction, but Hooler feels the recovery of Adirondack surface waters was largely formed by interactions between local watershed processes and lower emissions.

“Many lakes show peak metal deposition between 1970 and 1990, which aligns with the phased implementation of the Clean Air Act and its amendments,” Hooler said. “However, recovery also reflects local factors, like proximity to pollution sources and prevailing wind patterns. So, while the Clean Air Act laid the foundation, the response in each lake depended on its specific environment.”

The findings of the study, “Five decades after the Clean Air Act, legacy metal contaminants in Northeast U.S. surface waters document full recovery for the first time,” were published in the journal Environmental Pollution.

The post Clean Air Act Helped Reduce Metal Pollution in Adirondack Waters by 90%, Study Finds appeared first on EcoWatch.

https://www.ecowatch.com/clean-air-act-metal-pollution-adirondack-waters.html

Green Living

Guest Idea: Why Your AC Is Leaking a Refrigerant That’s a ‘Super Greenhouse Gas’

Published

6 hours ago

August 3, 2026

Alice Rush

Refrigerants have posed a threat to the environment for decades. A group of chemical compounds called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) was responsible for the ozone hole over Antarctica, which increased the risk of health problems from exposure to extreme levels of ultraviolet radiation. The world gradually phased it out, causing the ozone layer to recover.

The collective effort to avert an environmental disaster by banning CFCs is worth celebrating. However, their long-term replacements, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), have proved to contribute to global warming. Learn how they worsen climate change and about the things you can do to cool your home more sustainably.

Air conditioning equipment relies on refrigerant to cool spaces. As a liquid, it flows through the unit’s evaporator coil and absorbs heat from nearby warm indoor air. Then, this fluid boils and turns into cool, low-pressure gas. The compressor converts it into a hot, high-pressure gas, raising its temperature above that of the outside air as it enters the condenser coil outside. The refrigerant releases heat inside, as the fan blows air over the coil. Next, the gas condenses back into a high-pressure liquid as it cools. It passes through an expansion valve, sharply dropping its pressure and temperature. The fluid reenters the evaporator coil to absorb more heat, repeating the process.

The refrigerant in fridges and freezers works similarly. The fluid also undergoes evaporation, compression, condensation, and expansion to cool the interior and transfer heat to the room.

Most Common Refrigerants Used Today

The most common air conditioner refrigerant is R-410A. Also known as Puron, it’s an HFC, which means it doesn’t deplete the ozone layer but has a high global warming potential (GWP). Every ton of R-410A is equivalent to 7,308 tons of carbon dioxide, making it a potent greenhouse gas.

That’s why the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has begun phasing it out. It no longer allows contractors to install HVAC equipment with R-410A manufactured or imported before January 1, 2025, in houses. This policy mandates that the construction and home improvement industries gradually transition to more eco-friendly refrigerants.

HVAC manufacturers are gravitating toward R-454B as the new standard for central air conditioning. Also known as Puron Advance, it’s a combination of HFC and hydrofluoroolefin. This blend contributes significantly less to climate change but has a safety designation of A2L, indicating low toxicity and a mildly flammable, low-burning-velocity profile.

For ductless ACs, HVAC brands are adopting R-32, a single-component HFC with a lower GWP and better recyclability.

Refrigerator makers are following the same trend. They’re decoupling from R-134a, the long-established refrigerant standard, as authorities begin phasing it down due to its high GWP. Its alternative is R-6000a or isobutane, a naturally occurring hydrocarbon found in crude oil and natural gas. This fossil-fuel derivative is still more sustainable than its predecessor, as it poses no threat to the ozone layer and has an ultralow GWP.

How You Can Be Part of the Solution

Soon-to-be-obsolete refrigerants harm the environment only when they escape from your cooling equipment. Although some causes of refrigerant leakage are challenging to stop, you can mitigate them with these tips.

Replace Your Older Unit

Aging equipment is more prone to damage. Constant vibration causes the tubes to rub together and loosen their sealed joints. Proper AC and refrigerator care only helps if you brush the coils with appropriate tools, as hard bristles and harsh chemicals can compromise the copper tubes.

Upgrading to a model with a more eco-friendly refrigerant reduces the risk of leakage and its negative environmental impact if it does occur. A modern system is more efficient, lowering your utility bills and helping pay for itself over time.

Seal Minor Leaks

Say you can’t afford to change appliances at the moment. The least you can do is to fix the leaks before they compound.

A good way to detect small causes of refrigerant leakage on your own is to monitor your energy usage. Any refrigeration equipment running low on this fluid operates inefficiently, translating into higher electricity bills.

For instance, your AC may be leaky if your electric consumption jumped from last month, even though your thermostat setting and cooling habits remained the same. A modern fridge uses nearly 1,575 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, so anything above that may indicate a lower refrigerant level.

Contact a qualified technician immediately if you notice that your unit underperforms. A professional should be able to identify and address the source of leakage, then recharge your appliance to restore its performance.

Embrace Preventive Maintenance

This appliance care strategy means scheduling a professional inspection at fixed intervals. It enables a credentialed technician to assess your equipment thoroughly and identify red flags early.

Learning about a potential refrigerant leak before it happens gives you time to weigh your options and make an informed decision.

In contrast, reactive maintenance risks letting your faulty appliance leak an HFC refrigerant, which has accounted for 4% of the atmosphere’s increased heating power since 1990. A full-blown leak is more expensive to repair than a minor one, so it may catch you financially unprepared.

The refrigerant crisis can accelerate global warming, but the ozone hole proves that no environmental problem is insurmountable. If you do your share, you can be a force for good and make a difference in the fight against climate change.

About the Author

Jane Marsh is the Editor-in-Chief of Environment.co, a source of sustainable living ideas.

The post Guest Idea: Why Your AC Is Leaking a Refrigerant That’s a ‘Super Greenhouse Gas’ appeared first on Earth911.

https://earth911.com/home-garden/guest-idea-why-your-ac-is-leaking-a-refrigerant-thats-a-super-greenhouse-gas/

Green Living

11 Best Non-Toxic and Low-VOC Furniture Brands for a Healthier Home (2026)

Published

3 days ago

July 31, 2026

Alice Rush

As you furnish a new space, or just invest in a new piece or two, you may be looking for non-toxic furniture brands to ensure clean indoor air and a safe environment for yourself and/or your loved ones.

Building materials and furnishings are one of the major causes of indoor air pollution, according to the EPA. So non-toxic furniture is a key aspect of creating a healthy home.

What is Non-Toxic Furniture?

If you’re here, searching for non toxic furniture, you’re probably somewhat familiar with the fact that most furniture contains either proven or potentially harmful chemicals and you’re looking for a better way. But what exactly is a better way?

Well, there’s actually quite a bit to consider, so here’s a quick list.

Scroll to the bottom for a much more in-depth explanation on all of these elements!

No Flame Retardants
No Formaldehyde (Many, though not all, composite woods that use adhesives contain formaldehyde. Some terms to look out for are plywood, particle board, engineered wood, or MDF.)
Free of Toxic Water Repellents or Stain Guards (These commonly contain Perfluorochemicals, otherwise known as PFCs)
No PVC / Vinyl (Common in fake leather or “vegan leather” fabrics)
Zero VOC finishes (Or low-VOC)
Uses Natural & Organic Materials (such as Dunlop latex instead of polyurethane foam, organic cotton, hemp, and linen instead of synthetic fabrics, and responsibly-sourced solid wood)
Non-Toxic Certifications (such as GREENGUARD, which tests against chemcial emission limits or OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 which tests for harmful substances in textiles)

Is All Eco-Friendly Furniture Non-Toxic?

A lot of eco-friendly furniture is also non-toxic, but that isn’t always the case.

Some furniture brands advertise their products as eco-friendly because they use engineered wood or particleboard made from repurposed sawmill or other wood waste. But, in many cases (though not all), the adhesives used in engineered wood can be toxic, off-gassing high amounts of formaldehyde.

Recycled materials are another complicated one: we can recycle materials that were originally toxic, and so these recycled materials may still emit harmful chemicals.

If you want a guide to eco-friendly furniture specifically, check out my guide to sustainable furniture.

Is Secondhand Furniture Non-Toxic?

While used furniture isn’t necessarily non-toxic (unless you find used furniture from a brand using natural and organic materials) products do off-gas over time, and so depending on how old the furniture is, you are likely going to be exposed to fewer toxic chemicals than if buying that same piece of furniture new.

I just always like to check that the furniture has come from a smoke-free home. (And you might want to ensure it’s pet-free too, if you have allergies/sensitivities). You may also want to clean the furniture with non-toxic cleaning products, especially if buying preloved furniture with upholstery.

Something I’ve experienced with upholstered furniture is that even if someone is selling from a smoke-free, pet-free home they might have sprayed the furniture with strong fabric fresheners. So if there is any upholstery that is removable, I like to take it off and wash that before using the preloved pieces in my home. If it is not removable, it’s nice to leave it outside for a week or two.

If you don’t have any area to do this, I might recommend putting it in a room with the door closed and a window open with your indoor vents in that room closed.

Similarly, not all non-toxic furniture is eco-friendly. For instance, a brand might use natural materials that are irresponsibly sourced, such as harvesting wood from ancient or old growth forests. And there might be plastic materials that were tested to be low in harmful chemical emissions, but using fossil fuel fabrics isn’t exactly sustainable.

The good news is, though, that there are many brands that are low-tox and environmentally responsible.

What to Watch Out For When Shopping for Non-Toxic Furniture

First and foremost, be aware of “non-toxic furniture” ads with no explanations. The term non-toxic isn’t regulated and there isn’t even a standardized definition across the furniture industry. So be cautious of brands that pop up in Google Searches for “non-toxic furniture” — companies may be advertising for those keywords but not actually have non-toxic furniture.

Always look for further details on why a company is claiming to be non-toxic: What certifications do they have? What materials do they use? What finishes do they use on the products?

The second most common culprit of greenwashing in non-toxic furniture is “blends”. A lot of companies will call the upholstery on their furniture “Performance Linen” or “linen blend”, but when you look at the actual fabric content, or ask follow up questions, it’s actually only 5-9% linen and primarily polyester.

Vegan leather is another common term used in furniture. While “vegan” might sound sustainable and healthy, when it comes to leather it usually means it’s made of polyurethane (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Which is, yes, plastic. Beyond toxicity, these plastic leathers are much less likely to last. And nearly impossible to repair when they do get damaged.

I’d also look out for the misuse of certifications. For example, OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 is a certification that only applies to the textiles in a furniture piece, like the cushions and upholstery fabrics. It cannot cover materials like wood or metal. So this doesn’t mean the whole furniture item has been tested against toxic chemicals — it only applies to the soft elements of the furniture.

Non-Toxic Furniture Companies To Know

These brands are leading the way when it comes to safe, organic, and non-toxic bedroom furniture, living room furniture, dining room furniture, and office furniture. There are even some brands who have certified non-toxic furniture, as an extra level of verification.

The price ranges of these brands vary, so you’ll find something that matches your needs — you’ll find everything from heirloom-quality premium furniture to affordable non-toxic furniture. Browse through this guide for some highlights and visit each brand’s website for further details.

This guide contains affiliate links and partners. As always, all brands meet strict criteria for sustainability and are brands we love, that we think you’ll love too!

1. Medley

Best for: full range of non-toxic furniture across every room

Made-to-order from quality materials in LA, Medley’s non-toxic furniture for the bedroom, living room, dining room, and office is sturdy and sustainably made.

Medley’s furniture frames are made with FSC-certified domestically-sourced alder hardwood and their tables are crafted from FSC-certified solid walnut and maple. Any plywood used is low-VOC CARB 2 compliant.

The brand offers a few natural fabric options including hemp and OEKO-TEX 100-certified wool. For cushions, you can choose between organic Dunlop latex or, for a less expensive option, they also have a CertiPUR-US®-certified poly foam. (Keep in mind poly foam is synthetic.)

Categories: Sofas & Accent Chairs, Bed Frames, Nightstands, Storage, Dining Tables & Chairs, Benches & Desks

Price Range: $595 (poufs) – $10,290 (sectionals)

Shipping: Contiguous U.S. (or contact Medley for a quote)

Shop Medley

cream colored non-toxic armchair from Medley

2. Avocado

Best for: most non-toxic certifications in one brand

Another brand in the world of non-toxic furniture is Avocado. This B-Corp creates wooden furniture using either 100% solid FSC-certified maple hardwood, solid walnut, or 100% reclaimed solid Douglas fir. The furniture is completed using zero-VOC finishes and fumeless wood glue.

Avocado also offers several certified non-toxic furniture pieces that have been GREENGUARD Gold certified for low emissions and Formaldehyde Free certified by UL Environment. Their wooden furniture is made in Avocado’s own FSC-certified LA woodshop.

Avocado doesn’t have as many options as some of the other companies on this list, but what they do have is beautiful.

Categories: Bed Frames, Dressers, Side Tables & Nightstands, Benches

Price Range: $349 (side table) – $3,999 (full bed frame)

Shipping: Contiguous U.S.

Shop Avocado

non-toxic light wood dresser from Avocado

3. Savvy Rest

Best for: organic bedroom and living room furniture

A leader in organic and natural furniture, Savvy Rest is a certified B-Corp with living room and bedroom furniture made from sustainably-sourced, safe-for-you materials.

Savvy Rest uses responsibly- regionally-sourced solid wood and zero-VOC stains (or leaves pieces unfinished). Their upholstered furniture is crafted from certified organic cotton and hemp fabrics, as well as natural Dunlop and Talalay latex.

The company isn’t able to accept furniture returns, which may be a deterrent for some. But if you want to support a sustainable employee-owned small business with your non-toxic furniture investment, this would be my pick.

Categories: Platform Beds, Sofas & Chairs, Tables & Benches

Shipping: Contiguous U.S. (Or contact for quote)

Price Range: $400 (bedside table) – $3,999 (sofa) | Use code CONSCIOUSSTYLE20 for 20% off!

Shop Savvy Rest

4. Cisco Home @ Urban Natural

Best for: heirloom-quality furniture with organic upgrade

Cisco Home is a furniture company using responsibly-sourced materials to craft heirloom-quality furniture in Los Angeles.

While their default furniture options don’t necessarily include all-natural materials, you can click “Make it Organic” and Cisco Home will build your furniture entirely from their better materials: FSC-Certified woods, organic latex, jute, hemp, organic cotton, and wool.

Categories: Sofas & Sectionals, Chairs & Seating, Benches & Ottomans, Beds & Benches, Coffee Tables

Price Range: $975 (ottoman) – $9,000+ (large sectional)

Shipping: Continental U.S.

Shop Cisco @ Urban Natural

Beige upholstered chair from non-toxic furniture company Cisco Home

5. Thuma

Best for: versatile minimalist furniture

Categories: Beds, Dressers & Shelving, Bedside Tables

Price Range: $495 (nightstand) – $6,675 (corner sectional)

Shipping: Ships within U.S. and Canada (international customers can use freight forwarder)

Simple, functional, and sustainably made from repurposed rubberwood, Thuma’s non-toxic furniture checks a lot of boxes. Their dresser is also modular so you can expand or shrink it to fit your needs.

Thuma’s pieces are made with solid wood and many are GREENGUARD Gold Certified, which means they’ve been tested for low VOC emissions. (Just be sure to check the description of each product, because not all items have that certification.)

Shop Thuma

6. Natural Home by the Futon Shop

Best for: futons and natural wood furniture

As the name suggests, this furniture brand sells futons and futon frames, but they also offer other natural furniture, like side and coffee tables as well as couches and sectionals. They even have a natural “vegan leather” couch made from cork! (I like the blue cork one, but the natural cork is a pretty specific aesthetic that’s not for everyone.)

The Futon Shop has Amish furniture handmade from solid wood (maple, walnut, oak, or cherry) that was harvested from sustainably managed forests and hand-rubbed with a no-VOC natural linseed oil finish. Each piece is handcrafted by Amish craftspeople in Pennsylvania.

Categories: Bed & Futon Frames, Dressers, Sofas & Sectionals, Side Tables & Coffee Tables

Price Range: $699 (ottomans) – $5,449 (custom sofa)

Shipping: Contiguous U.S. (custom quotes elsewhere) | also offers free in-store pickup

Shop The Futon Shop

7. Healthier Homes

Best for: natural material non-toxic seating, storage, and accents

Healthier Homes offers a curated selection of non-toxic furniture crafted with quality and sustainability in mind. Their selections of seating, tables, and accent furniture is made from solid wood, natural fabrics and metal, all finished with eco-minded non-toxic finishes — or left unfinished. (They sell non-toxic paints and furniture lacquer too.)

My favorite picks from Healthier Homes are their rattan wooden furniture (like consoles and nightstands) as well as their midcentury loom and teak chairs.

Categories: Chairs & Stools, Tables & Benches, Desks

Price Range: $185 (bench) – $4,799 (dining table)

Shipping: Contiguous U.S.

Shop Healthier Homes

8. Copeland @ Urban Natural

Best for: designer furniture with non-toxic certifications

Founded with sustainability at its core, Copeland crafts hardwood furniture — using woods mostly sourced within 500 miles — made-to-order in its’ Bradford, Vermont factory. This factory has a solar array and is heated completely by wood waste. Most pieces are finished with a GREENGUARD certified finish.

But that doesn’t mean sacrificing on the kind of design you might get from mainstream high-end furniture companies like Arhaus.

Categories: Beds, Desks, Side Tables & Coffee Tables, Dining Tables & Chairs, Dressers & Buffets

Price Range: $256 (shelf nightstand) – $6,865 (storage bed)

Shipping: Ships within contiguous U.S. (contact for overseas logistics)

Shop Copeland @ Urban Natural

Solid wood butterfly table with GREENGUARD certified finish

9. West Elm GREENGUARD Certified (some items)

Best for: wide non-toxic selection at a mainstream retailer

Furniture retailer West Elm has a diverse selection of non-toxic furniture that is GREENGUARD Certified. This certification indicates that the furniture has been tested to meet certain chemical emissions and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

However these pieces are not GREENGUARD Gold certified, which has higher standards and their upholstered furniture uses the kind of vague materials I talked about before like “performance linen” that’s mostly polyester. I wanted to include this brand, though, because they are a traditional retailer with physical stores and wide selections.

Categories: Beds & Cribs, Dressers & Storage, Consoles & Hutches, Desks & Chairs

Price Range: $99 (kids chair) – $6,995 (sectional)

Shipping: U.S. and select other countries

Shop West Elm

mid century modern wooden non-toxic office desk and chair

10. Sabai

Best for: repairable non-toxic sofas and seating

This B-Corp certified furniture company has versatile seating as well as side tables for a non-toxic living room. I love how their expansion kits make it simple to turn a sofa into a sectional and their Repair program helps you extend its life.

Sabai uses FSC-certified wood for the furniture frames, domestically sourced maple for the legs, CertiPUR-US certified foam for the cushions, and recycled fiber fill for the pillows. For the upholstery fabric, you can select between OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified recycled velvet, GREENGUARD Gold upcycled poly, OEKO-TEX® Certified natural hemp/cotton blend (that would be my pick!), and cactus leather (made with cactus plant, but is combined with plastic).

Categories: Sofas, Sectionals, Sleepers, Chairs, Side Tables

Price Range: $495 (side table) – $6,295 (sectional)

Shipping: Contiguous U.S.; ships to HI & AK for fee

Shop Sabai

OEKO-TEX Certified recycled velvet green sectional from Sabai

11. What We Make

Best for: reclaimed wood furniture

What We Make is an impressive sustainable non-toxic furniture brand based in the Chicago area. They use reclaimed barn wood to make each furniture item made to order.

The non-toxic furniture brand shares that they finish their pieces with an oil-based VOC-free finish that doesn’t contain hazardous chemicals.

Categories: Bathroom Vanities, Desks & Office Furniture, Bookcases & Storage, Coffee & End Tables, Chairs, Stools & Benches, Dining & Pub Tables

Price Range: $425 (bar stools) – $6,425 (bathroom vanities)

Shipping: Contiguous U.S.

Shop What We Make

Honorable Mentions

My Green Mattress: The mattress brand has a simple, and pretty affordable non-toxic bed frame made from untreated domestically-grown Poplar wood. It’s free from wood stains and adhesives. They didn’t make the main guide since they sell just one furniture product, but it’s here in case you’re looking for a bed frame.

Green Cradle: This brand has the basics covered for a non-toxic nursery — cribs, dressers, nightstands, armoires and bookcases made from 100% solid maple, red oak, cherry wood, and walnut hardwood with a zero VOC finish (linseed oil). Similar to above, the limitation of selection at Green Cradle means it’s not on the main guide, but its still a strong non-toxic option if you need nursery furniture.

IKEA (some pieces): Is IKEA non-toxic? Well, the answer is a bit mixed here. IKEA has taken many efforts to produce furniture with lower use of harmful chemicals and transitioned out all intentionally-added PFAS earlier than many other brands. However, they do use a lot of particleboard. While they say they take efforts to minimize the formaldehyde in their products, there are no specifics on this. So, I’d approach the brand with a bit of caution and prioritize their solid wood pieces if non-toxic furniture is important to you.

Dive Deeper: Here’s how I vetted for non-toxic furniture:

These are some considerations for what to look for when shopping for non-toxic furniture for your space.

No Flame Retardants

There are hundreds of different types of flame retardants. Evidence shows that flame retardants are associated with harmful health impacts, such as reproductive toxicity, cancer, neurological function, impacts to the immune system, and adverse effects on fetal and child development.

Once commonplace to meet California’s fire safety standard, fire retardants are now banned by the state at certain concentrations and in certain products — and a growing number of states are also taking action against them to some extent.

So furniture without flame retardants should be considered a very baseline measure.

No Formaldehyde

As one of the 25 most abundantly produced chemicals in the world, exposure to formaldehyde is a common concern in furniture as well as a number of other consumer products.

The health impacts of formaldehyde exposure include:

“Corrosive injury to the gastrointestinal tract”,
Irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract
Malaise, headache, irritability, memory and dexterity issues, sleeping disturbances
Can cause skin disorders and asthma-like symptoms in those who’ve been previously sensitized
And formaldehyde has been determined to be a probable human carcinogen

And as the EPA states, the primary way you’d be exposed to formaldehyde is by “breathing air containing off-gassed formaldehyde”, often the formaldehyde that has “off-gassed from products, including composite wood products”.

No Perfluorochemicals (PFCs)

If you’re familiar with the DuPont scandal, you’re familiar with PFCs. While typically associated with non-stick cookware, PFCs are also used to repel oil and water on a number of other types of products, including textiles like upholstered furniture.

Why are PFCs a problem? Well they’re persistent not only on products, but in the environment and in people and animals. PFCs can be released directly from manufacturing facilities into the air and water or they can be released from any products you have at home containing PFCs and into your indoor air.

Exposure to PFCs has been associated with several adverse health effects including cancer, liver toxicity, hormone disruption, developmental toxicity, and harm to the immune system.

No PVC (Vinyl)

Many fake leathers (which sometimes come with the euphemism “vegan leather”) are made from PVC. PVC is known as the most toxic and environmentally damaging plastic.

The chemical used to make PVC, vinyl chloride, is a known carcinogen, linked to increased risks of several types of cancers, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Low VOC or Zero VOC Finishes

VOCs, or Volatile Organic Compounds, include a wide group of chemicals. Examples include: benzene, ethylene glycol, methylene chloride, tetrachloroethylene, toluene, and xylene.

While each chemical will have different levels of toxicity and may cause different health impacts, VOCs have been connected to many health issues, including damage to the liver, kidney, and central nervous system; headaches, fatigue, dizziness and nausea; and eye, nose, and throat irritation. Some VOCs are even suspected or known carcinogens.

In an ideal world, you would be able to find furniture that is completely free of VOCs.

A common nearly zero VOC finish is linseed oil, or flaxseed oil. This natural finish is food safe and free of harmful chemical solvents, heavy metals, or other toxic ingredients.

Low-VOC furniture can also be a good option, especially if you’re able to off-gas it outdoors or in your garage for a few months before bringing it into your home.

Organic & Natural Materials

This is an obvious one! Preferable materials include organic cotton, hemp, linen, sustainably and locally sourced wool, responsibly-harvested wood (ideally locally sourced and native to the region), and Dunlop latex.

Some certifications to know are Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS), and OEKO-TEX Standard 100, which tests for harmful substances in textiles.

Other Non-Toxic Certifications

One common certification is the GREENGUARD certification, which are products that have been “scientifically proven to meet some of the world’s most rigorous third-party chemical emissions standards”.

The GREENGUARD Gold certification is the next level. It includes criteria for additional chemicals and requires lower total VOC emissions. It limits the emissions of over 360 VOCs and chemical emissions.

Your Non-Toxic Lifestyle Journey

There is a lot to consider when shopping for non-toxic furniture! Hopefully, this breakdown of elements and red flags to look out for was useful and this list of non-toxic furniture brands gave you a good starting point in your research.

Keep in mind that the journey to green living or non-toxic living is just that — a journey. So, don’t stress if you can’t convert 100% of your home to non-toxic decor and furnishings right away.

Less toxic furniture is still better than conventional super toxic furniture. And implementing air filters or just keeping your windows open each day for an hour can also do wonders. Don’t feel pressured into perfection. Take it slow and do what you can, based on your time and budgetary constraints.

If you’re here, you’re already doing great!

Note: This curation is based upon publicly available information and while we do our due diligence, Conscious Life & Style cannot guarantee the claims of the companies featured. See our Website Disclaimer for more.