'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 excuse: sachets containing the chemical dimethyl fumarate (DMF) had been used by Chinese manufacturer Linkwise to prevent mould from growing re their leather sofas during transportation and storage. Unfortunately, the chemical, which is sometimes used as a fungicide, led to pained allergic reactions in some people using the sofas. Tests have shown that DMF can cause sudden eczema, a term referring to a range of skin conditions which are hard to treat. The allergic reactions occur previously the substance warms taking place. Consultant dermatologist Dr Sandra Winhoven explained the condition at the period: 'The substance that's causing the couch dermatitis outbreak is a fungicide, and this fungicide has a definitely low vapour mitigation. So behind it gets hot, more of it gets released.' As a conse...