Everyone knows how dangerous it is for both adults and children to live in a polluted environment, and although there are many ways in which you can prevent indoor pollution not many people are aware of the health risks of the chemicals used in the furniture industry. The chemicals and pollutants used to treat furniture can cause several health concerns, so it’s highly essential to learn how to avoid them as much as possible. Here’s what you need to do.

Opt for eco-friendly furniture

The first step to ensure that you are living in a healthy environment is to invest in furniture that is environmentally friendly. Most of the materials used in the fabrication of this type of furniture come from a safe and reliable source. For instance, did you know that your mattress contains several synthetic substances and chemicals that can be easily inhaled? Even though memory foam mattresses are the most requested nowadays, people still complain about the “chemical” smell and they have the right to complain. Inexpensive models can contain traces of Methylene dianiline / MDA, Vinilideine chloride, Acetone and many other substances that are suspected carcinogen and considered to be eye and skin irritants. The best solution would be to opt for an organic latex mattress that is free of bacteria or chemicals.

Install an air purifier

If you already have a sofa or several chairs that contain traces of chemicals and you don’t want to replace them, then we suggest to install an air purifier in your home. Air purifiers can absorb a high degree of chemicals and impurities that are found in the air, so it’s advisable to install an air purifier in each room or at least in the living room or kitchen, where you may feel that the air is polluted. The best air purifiers are those who include HEPA filters because they are capable of capturing even ultra fine particles, that can be invisible for the naked eye.

Chemicals that should be avoided when purchasing new furniture

When it comes to remodeling your house, there’s very hard to determine which chemicals and substances are safe and which ones are harmful, mostly because you can’t always depend on smell and fumes. Chlorine-based products should be minimize as much as possible, as well as PVC that is also known as vinyl. PVC contains phthalates, endocrine disruptors that can throw off your body’s hormonal balance. PFCs are fluorine-containing chemicals are mostly used in the furniture industry and they are also considered to be endocrine disruptors. The best advice in order to avoid these chemicals is to choose only products that are labeled and try to buy untreated furniture items.