Bonjour! from a Newbie Ontario Canada

Northerngirl · Jul 14th, 08, 4:20 pm

Hi

I stumbled on your site while searching for Formaldehyde and Voc's emissions from furniture and construction material. I was really amazed to find this kind of site!

I would like to know if We can safely use Ikea kichen cabinets and furniture. I am very sensitive to Chemical as well as my Son who has a kidney and lung diseases. I'm trying to avoid toxic Voc's and Formaldehyde as much as I can. Does someone knows if IKEA has made official public statements regarding chemicals contents in their products, I'm still confused about it. It is really hard to find a definite answer on this matter? I would really appreciate some help on this, since I am about to buy Kitchen cabinets as well as furniture. And juging by the price of Ikea VS Specialty Green products shops ( That I can't afford!) it seems to good to be true!? Ikea stuff is absolutely stunning, I so hope it is safe...

Hopeful Northerngirl

**Gloria** · Jul 15th, 08, 7:57 pm

Bonjour! Welcome to IKEAFans, NorthernGirl!

I did a search for "formaldehyde" in the Green Living & Building forum and got lots of threads.
http://www.ikeafans.com/forums/searc...y=Formaldehyde
There should be some there that help in your search for information.

From what I understand, IKEA follows some of the most stringent standards in the world.

Best wishes,
Gloria

Northerngirl · Jul 23rd, 08, 10:04 am

Thanks a Lot for the reply. I read everything I could get my hands on but still I have some concern... Why is there no upfront statement made by IKEA and accessible for all to see regarding Formaldehyde and other VOC's? Since the main goal of a company is to generate revenus... I presume they would get a tremendous jump in sales if they would state out loud what every concious consumer is desperately looking for. Safe products wich are looking soooo good and are on top of it affordable! Nobody in their right mind would hide such a fact, when this would bring so much more customers. That's why I'm really confused about this. I Love Ikea designs and merchandise. And i so wish I could go in there blindly and buy what I need( What I desire would be too much)without having trouble sleeping. Since what I understood from the litterature available on this site:

The tests on the merchandise are made by the suppliers?!
They state for every pollutant the level of contamination acceptable ?!

Guys I'm sorry but this is scary... I'm not a specialist in chemistry so I'm not so sure about the level ? And moreover i'm wondering why IKEA is not on the list of "Greenguard" who tests and report on low emitting products?

I am in no way trying to discredit IKEA or the Dedicated peoples who digs like spies to find bits and pieces of infos in the name and place of the Company itself , you are doing a very good job! and I thank you for it. But I would like to get the WHOLE thruth from the Company Itself. I am going today to IKEA and I will try to report on what I can find about it ? Wish me luck I do want my IKEA kitchen so bad!

Cheers

**GardenOfDarwin** · Jul 23rd, 08, 11:08 am

Northergirl - Welcome to IKEAFANS!

We have the data on the specs given by IKEA published in the Articles section - take a look there and search for Environmental Policies. Sorry I can't interpret the data for you, but the information is there.

Susan

Northerngirl · Jul 23rd, 08, 11:32 am

Hi GardenOfDarwin

Thanks for reading me! I did read all of the spec sheets, this is why I'm asking questions?!

Cheers

Nocturnal Quilter · Jul 23rd, 08, 1:29 pm

Good Morning! I am new here as well and am exceedingly happy to have found this site (finally). I've already seen so many nifty ideas and applications. Bet you will, too!
Take Care!!!!