Toxics

FORMALDEHYDE

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), formaldehyde is a colorless, pungent-smelling gas that can cause watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes and throat, nausea, and difficulty in breathing in some humans exposed at elevated levels (above 0.1 parts per million). High concentrations may trigger attacks in people with asthma. There is evidence that some people can develop a sensitivity to formaldehyde. It has also been shown to cause cancer in animals and may cause cancer in humans. (43)

In 1981, Denmark (Ikea headquarters are located here) established a new law regulating the maximum emissions allowed from formaldehyde off-gassing in particleboard, which is a core component of many Ikea products. Ikea requested that their suppliers follow the regulation but Danish authorities began to realize that companies were paying very little attention to the new law. Since Ikea was one of the largest furniture companies operating in Denmark, they became the focus of an aggressive public campaign. The government tested many products from Ikea and found that the finish on some of them had illegally high levels of formaldehyde. A television program brought a lot of attention to the issue and Ikea was sued and slapped with a fine. In response, however, Ikea moved into action to remedy the situation. (27)

Russel Johnson, the head of Ikea's quality department at the time, set up a large testing laboratory for its products. They started testing samples from suppliers and implemented strong requirements for them to meet. Ikea also had to go to the sub-suppliers to test their products. It turned out that the sub-suppliers also used several manufacturers to supply them with glue, which was the source of the formaldehyde. After investigations led to no solution, Ikea asked large chemical companies in Germany for help in finding an alternative to the glue. This aggressive investigation by Ikea led to finding solutions for the whole European furniture and particleboard industry. (27)

In 1992, Ikea again faced another formaldehyde crisis when a German newspaper's investigative team performed tests on Ikea's most popular bookshelf, Billy. Billy brought Ikea several millions of dollars per year but unfortunately, the tests found formaldehyde emissions from the bookshelf to be slightly higher than the legal limit. This time, though, it wasn't the particle board, which was what the law regulated. The source was the veneer on top of the particleboard. In response, Ikea stopped production of the popular bookshelf worldwide. This cost Ikea and its suppliers tens of millions of dollars to correct. (43)

POLYVINYL CHLORIDE (PVC)

According to the Healthy Building Network, PVC is the worst plastic from an environmental health perspective, posing unique and major hazards in its manufacture, product life and disposal. Global vinyl production totals over 30 million tons per year, and 75% of PVC is directed to building applications. PVC has contributed a significant portion of the world's burden of persistent toxic pollutants and endocrine-disrupting chemicals - including dioxin and phthalates - that are now universally present in the environment and the human population. When its entire life cycle is taken into account, it becomes apparent that this seemingly innocuous plastic is one of the most environmentally hazardous consumer materials produced. (44)

In the late 1980's, Ikea became criticized for the use of PVC plastic after a large fire in the plastic industry traced dioxins to the combustion of PVC. Greenpeace was enlisted to advise Ikea on how to phase out PVC from its product range. Since then, PVC has been eliminated from all goods with the exception of electrical cables, and a 100% phase-out is scheduled for 2006. (39) Many of the plastic products sold at Ikea are now made of PEVA, a chlorine-free plastic alternative to PVC.

DIESEL OIL TO BOIL RATTAN

Customers started complaining of a diesel smell coming from rattan chests and baskets. Ikea coworkers also noted that when they opened up containers storing rattan or wicker products, it smelled the same. Ikea's product technician in Vietnam explained that all rattan factories boil rattan in diesel to make it more pliable to work it into furniture and baskets. This is a century-old tradition. Ikea's response was to find an alternative. After trials with salt and water, coconut oil, and other things, Ikea's supplier of rattan products is the first in the world to boil rattan in palm oil. The working environment for the supplier has become better and the furniture smells sweet. Ikea ensures that the palm oil comes from old plantations rather than intact natural forests.