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then, design styles and production methods changed according to
the tastes of current reigning monarchies and widely influenced
American and Asian furniture. For example, the 16th and early
17th centuries in England were known as the Age of Oak —
oak being plentiful and readily available. Followed by the Age
of Walnut later in the 17th & 18th centuries, veneers and
softer seats were added for that age’s more sophisticated
style and tastes. In those days, a craftsman had to apprentice
for years just to learn detailing and joinery.
 Today, manufacturers have developed furniture out of plastics, metals, foams and all kinds of synthetics. Woods are no longer so plentiful and hundreds of items can come off an assembly line in minutes with no thought to their life cycle. Many have been known to offgas VOCs, with the softer furnishings such as fabrics and woods absorbing them, recirculating them into our breathing space even longer — causing a highly polluted indoor air environment. Many have been designed just to throw away causing more polluted outdoor environments.
Many people have been made ill by their furnishings — and sadly, don’t have any idea what is causing their symptoms. Feeling run down or flu-like, having muscle aches, depression, dizziness and/or anxiety are just a few of the symptoms reported to come from indoor chemicals. Asthma and allergies from the molds and dustmites absorbed by furniture are also reported in growing numbers. So severe are some illnesses, the EPA has estimated that over 11,000 deaths this year will be attributable to indoor air pollution.
Much of the offgassing furniture is from formaldehydes emitted from conventional particleboard and plywood. Paddings and stuffing on upholstered products are often made from polyurethane foam, which can offgas toluene diisocyanate, known to cause severe lung problems and other symptoms. Many conventional fabrics can offgas a myriad of chemicals, including formaldehyde used to keep then stain- and wrinkle-free.
Even without monarchies, things are again changing. Attention to sustainable furniture is gaining greater momentum. Many manufacturers are taking these health risks seriously and aggressively developing products using sustainable materials and methods. Skilled and careful craftsmen once again abound, attentively making their products sustainably by hand. These furniture makers carefully choose their materials from suppliers who are also making important efforts toward sustainability. Those are the kinds of companies listed here at GreenSage. They are leaders. When it comes to making your purchasing decisions, they deserve your support.
Specifying Sustainable Furniture. All of the furniture listed on GreenSage.com is considered sustainable and conforms to at least one of the following criteria for environmentally preferable furniture.
• Specify products that are made of rapidly renewable materials (such as agricultural boards -- wheatstraw or rattan and bamboo) or organically grown fibers (hemp, organic cotton and other natural fibers)
• Specify that virgin wood in products come only from sustainable forests
• Specify products that are made from recycled content (such as fiberboard containing no fomaldehydes, recycled content metal, rubber tires, PET, or reclaimed wood) or are recycled (previously used such as antiques which can be refinished using natural wood finishes.)
• Specify products that are recyclable (designed for disassembly)
• For finishes, choose, for example, Powdercoat finishes which have been the soundest ecological forms of applying a finish coat to metal. Some metal-plating companies meet the stringent EPA standards and should be given preference.
• Specify pulls and knobs from recycled content.
• Specify sustainable, low-toxic finishes, stains and waxes
• Specify natural, recycled or life-cycle fabrics, avoiding synthetic seat pads and vinyl finishes.
• Avoid purchasing products that generate pollutants during manufacture
• Avoid products that generate VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) during installation.
• Avoid conventional particleboard containing formaldehyde, which can be veneered to look solid. It can be present in metal furniture too, particularly in P-lam desktops.
• Specify natural, recycled or life-cycle fabrics, avoiding synthetic seat pads and vinyl finishes.
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