What Causes New Furniture To Smell?
The main reason new furniture gives off a similar stinky smell is because of the chemicals used to keep it fresh and new. Upholstered, painted, or varnished furniture is a natural and the most common way for chemical fumes to find their way into our homes. Upholstery is usually protected with fire retardants or other chemicals to keep the new furniture safe, while the varnished or painted furniture’s stench comes from the finishing touches. The foul odor you might experience depends on your new furniture’s finishing.
Is The New Furniture Stench Toxic To Breathe?
Yes, it is hazardous for people’s health to breathe in a room filled with the stench of new furniture. Furniture off-gassing releases harmful toxic chemicals that companies use to keep it clean and protected from damage into the air that we will breathe. Chemicals like benzene, phthalates, and formaldehyde are used for such purposes and, through off-gassing, can cause severe headaches, allergic reactions, and even cancer! VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are harmful gasses released by many indoor products. These include numerous chemicals that can cause nose, eye, and throat irritation, headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, and other health issues.