Moiseeva F. A.;

Biba K. V.

Donetsk National University of Economics and Trade

Named by Mikhail Tugan-Baranovsky

ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF SOFT FURNITURE

Formulation of the problem. It is difficult to imagine a cozy and comfortable lodging without soft furniture. Sofa, couch, soft chair - these domestic appliances not only create comfortable conditions for work and rest, but also decorate the room, create warm atmosphere in the room. The selection of this furniture takes a lot of time and attention, it often becomes the basis of interior design, its main element. Soft furniture should combine many options - convenience, ergonomics, functionality, beauty, durability and more. Choosing upholstered furniture, pay attention not only to its size, which affect not only the price of the model, but also determine the ease of transportation, placement in the room and comfort and ease for using, etc., but also how the furniture will be safe for your family.

Condition of the problem. One of the most the actual problem associated with the furniture is the presence of formaldehyde and a phenol in the furniture. Formaldehyde and phenol are powerful eye irritants, dangerous for respiratory system and skin. They also affect the central nervous system, causing headaches, fatigue and depression, it can be a cause for asthma and asthmatic attacks. Surveys of residents of homes where the concentration of formaldehyde greater than 0.10 ppm for over 10 years, indicates for a significantly increased risk of throat cancer. This risk is about 2 to 10,000.

Tasks. The main objective of the researches to examine the environmental aspects for the using modern materials for manufacturing upholstered furniture.

The main material research. Emissions of materials from which individual pieces of furniture are made, can be cause permanent poisoning, comparable with the effect of carcinogenic toxins vehicle exhaust gases. If the material is quality, the omissions of furniture designers who are slightly familiar with the ergonomics, can make the furniture fragile and unreliable, and it is really able to hurt. Many models of furniture assembled in China are suspected by specialists in allergenicity. The secret of frequent allergies for the owners of such furniture is that the producers are protecting seats from water using an anti-mold. It is perfectly ordinary event but a danger to the health of users has repeatedly been proven by doctors. When buying furniture should be present required documents (health certificate), evidence of product safety, as well as pay attention to the quality of finish - good or painted or covered with veneer (laminate) end surfaces of panels and cavities that will help to protect against the harmful effects of formaldehyde and other highly active substances.

Increasing demands for environmental safety and environmental compels furniture manufacturers to run separate environmental production line. In the pursuit of this new trend, many companies claim about the safety and genuineness of their products, and practically any online furniture store will have a list of products corresponding to the position, but really environmentally friendly will be only one.

Recommend to buy various furniture, including bedroom furniture, children's room or kitchen room made of natural materials, as most of the synthetic drugs used in the manufacture of interior, even in small amounts, but stand out in the air, causing allergies or asthma. To avoid this, in most European countries for the production of furniture use arrays of pine, oak and birch, and mainly of Russian origin. Considered to be safe, only that furniture in the manufacture of which does not apply varnish, paint or solvents containing formaldehyde or heavy metals. In this sense, are considered safe by means of an aqueous base. Some models with leather upholstery, soaked in modern aniline dyes can be attributed for eco-friendly furniture. They do not cover the ink material layer and absorbed into the skin, leaving the pores open. In addition, they do not fade in the sun and do not evaporate, so this furniture can even be used for interior design children's rooms.

A sofa or chair that has a fabric upholstery can be eco-friendly. Here it is necessary to pay attention to the fact what material it was made off, cotton, or "haircuts" the wool of sheep, many manufacturers use persistent chemicals. In Europe, the fabric of the truly natural and safe materials marked with the emblem of «green cotton».

To sum up. Consumers are wrong, not giving value of the type of upholstery. It is reasonable for manufacturers to use as upholstery materials based on natural cotton, eco-leather or leather.