'Toxic Sofas' - The Truth About the Sofa Rash Compensation Claims
In May 2008, the BBC Watchdog programme alerted viewers that a number of people were reporting itches, blisters, burns and rashes after buying imported Chinese leather sofas. The defense: sachets containing the chemical dimethyl fumarate (DMF) had been used by Chinese manufacturer Linkwise to prevent mould from growing regarding their leather sofas during transportation and storage. Unfortunately, the chemical, which is sometimes used as a fungicide, led to rough allergic reactions in some people using the sofas. Tests have shown that DMF can cause bitter eczema, a term referring to a range of skin conditions which are hard to treat. The allergic reactions occur following the substance warms happening. Consultant dermatologist Dr Sandra Winhoven explained the condition at the time: 'The substance that's causing the couch dermatitis outbreak is a fungicide, and this fungicide has a unquestionably low vapour reduction. So behind it gets hot, more of it gets released.' As a r...