Their is not too many upholstery manufacturers left that is still using solid hardwood frames, stick-built as it was know in the industry. And fire retardant foam is still being produced for commercial market to meet Cal 133. With foam fabricators using both non-fire retardant foam along with fire retardant foam their will be instances where these foams get mixed up in the fabrication process, so their is no guarantee for the upholstery manufacturer that the foam they receive will never contain fire retardants. Some upholstery manufacturers like us and Bernhardt have signed agreements with foam fabricators that if at anytime we receive a shipment of foam and that if any one piece of foam has FR chemicals they will pay a very hefty fine. You will much more likely to find VOC's in leather or leather like materials, especially imported from China or India. Most woven fabrics contain little if any VOC's once they reach the cutting room table. Residential fabrics use a silicone base stain protection, which I have not see any studies linking this to any VOC's. Plywood is not nearly as bad as it use to be, as far as VOC's. Formaldehyde type glues are now being phased out for more safer glues. Majority of the upholstery manufacturers use a polyester base fillings, which is a inert substance and pose little if any VOC's. A sofa consists of either wood / plywood, metal, cardboard, polyester, nylon, cotton, foam and then the cover material. So theirs really not that much that goes into building one that is considered hazardous to anyones health, with the exception of FR chemicals and formaldehyde.

Thank you, this is helpful. Given the negative reviews of Lee sofas, which brand(s) of sectional would you recommend I look at?

I have been selling Lee for years and have not had a single unsatisfied customer. Most of the complaints online are from people who have down cushions which are not an ideal choice for most people - the salesperson should of made it clear what to expect with down cushions. Any furniture manufacturer will have some unsatisfied customers - there are many, many more satisfied Lee customers than unhappy. I have many people that come to me to re-purchase Lee because they are so happy with their previous purchases. Lee offers a lifetime warranty on the frame and suspension and 7 years on the cushions - I don't think you have anything to worry about.

I was looking at down wrapped foam. we are a family of 4 with 2 teenagers. Bad choice? I found the standard foam cushions to be too hard. thank you!

Thank you!