TOXIC CHEMICALS IN RECLINERS MORE DANGEROUS IN HEATED ONES

 

  

The photo was one a friend took of her chairs. Her and her husband paid $1000 for each chair.  Even after I found out the info she didn't want to hear about the dangers. She had her chairs for about two years and recently was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to have her breast removed. 
They also have pets, I didn't look into how the chemicals in the furniture can affect her kitties and dogs.  One of the chemicals in the chairs was PVC.
I will add links below for you to click on for more info. 

 I recently wanted to purchase a lift heated recliner with massage. I asked in the store how they were made. 

 

The chairs in all the stores  were very expensive from $500 to $5000 dollars!! I have some friends who purchased them and love them. However they were not researchers and trusted what the dealers said who sold them. They didn't ask additional questions regarding how they were made.

In college I took some environmental science classes and found out a lot about our local environments.  My final term paper in one class was    "How we pollute our bodies" at that time smoking was still very popular. 

However, I never forgot the lessons I learned in that class. We took lots of field trips to local lakes to test water, to the water processing plant and other local county facilities, tested our car emissions, what great information we collected. I loved that class. 

Sorry I digress, while shopping for a chair I went to three local furniture stores and asked the sales people what were the chairs made from inside and out. Two were evasive and one gave me a printout of all that was in the chair.  I did have to make a few phone calls to get more info. I had one more store I was going to visit and called them first again their chairs too had PVC in them.  (the photo above was of their chairs)

In case  you dont know a whole town had to be evacuated because a train carrying the chemical derailed and the chemical they use to make PVC went into the environment. 

In February 2023, a Norfolk Southern freight train carrying hazardous materials, including vinyl chloride used for PVC plastic production, derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, causing a major environmental crisis

. Five cars containing vinyl chloride were involved in a controlled burn. The incident highlights the risks of transporting toxic chemicals for PVC, with 1.5 billion pounds of vinyl chloride shipped annually via rail
Vinyl Chloride Hazards: This colorless, highly flammable gas used in PVC production is associated with liver cancer (hepatic angiosarcoma) and other health issues.

 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39704136/

Yes, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) in furniture can be harmful to human health and the environment, primarily due to the release of toxic additives like phthalates, heavy metals (lead, cadmium), and carcinogens

. These chemicals can leach out over time, affecting indoor air quality and, through ingestion or skin contact, potentially causing hormone disruption, reproductive issues, and other health risks. 

 

From a google search asking about the the dangers of PVC in furniture:  

Key Concerns Regarding PVC in Furniture:

• Toxic Additives: PVC is often rigid and requires additives to make it flexible, such as ortho-phthalates, which are known endocrine disruptors.
• Chemical Leaching: Additives are not chemically bound to the plastic, meaning they can leach into the air, dust, or directly onto skin from upholstery, artificial leather, or vinyl materials.
• Health Risks: Chronic exposure to chemicals in PVC is associated with developmental issues, respiratory irritation, and potential carcinogenicity.
• Indoor Air Quality: PVC materials, particularly in furniture and flooring, can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). 

How to Identify and Avoid PVC:

• Look for Labels: Products may be labeled as "vinyl." Check for the recycling symbol number 3, which identifies PVC.
• Safer Alternatives: Choose furniture made with solid wood, metal, or natural fabrics instead of vinyl upholstery.
• Check for Certifications: Look for furniture that is certified to be low in emissions and free from toxic additives. 

For a safer environment, particularly in homes with children, it is recommended to minimize or avoid products containing PVC. 

 

more will be added as I do more research