WARNING! CONTAINS HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

Two striking facts; one surprising link.

Toxic furniture.

Though perhaps not an architect or designer’s first consideration when devising a workspace, more and more major companies are paying close attention to the off-gassing of their furniture. This is because of its hidden threat; the threat posed by its toxins.

The toxicity of office furniture can lead to a range of alarming health concerns – many of which the industry is only just beginning to appreciate.

From the moment it is manufactured, furniture emits gasses or VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds). Numerous studies prove that they can lead to a host of problems in workers, including fertility issues, neurological deficits, developmental delays and cancer. Bisphenol A (BPA), a hormone-disruptor, can mimic oestrogen, a female sex hormone, with research linking it to disruptions of the puberty cycle and reduced fertility in men.

Perhaps the second statistic is the most eye-catching though. Toxic furniture is not only a health concern; it influences workforce productivity too. A study by Harvard University proved that in a workspace with fewer toxins, productivity was increased in ‘crisis management’ situations by 131%, ‘strategy’ situations by 288%, and ‘information usage’ situations by 299%. In fact, it’s thought that spending an extra $40 per employee on toxin-light furniture, would increase employee productivity by as much as $6,500 (mdpi.com research).

Antonia Webb, our Business Relationship Manager at Kinnarps, says:

“Indoor air quality is something that we tend not to think about in the office environment, but the contribution of toxins given off by office furniture is substantial. Kinnarps is very forward thinking, looking into the effect that its furniture has on the environment, both in pre and post production.”

So, you don’t have to sacrifice standout design to make a workplace healthier…

At Kinnarps, we ensure that all of our products are not only beautiful, but also contain the minimum amount of toxins possible. We’ve tested our most popular products and judged them against the criteria of the Indoor Air Comfort Gold Standard (<100 Total Volatile Organic Compounds), with many emitting a TVOC of <2.

If you are interested in finding out more about toxic furniture, booking a CPD presentation on the topic or learning about Kinnarps' extensive product range, please contact us on the form below:

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