Killing You Softly - Part III

The Soy Foam Scam - A Hard Look at Polyurethane Foam

'Soy based' foam. It sounds like an eco-friendly dream.

Companies and media releases claim that using soy in polyurethane foam production results in fewer greenhouse gas emmissions, requires less energy, and could significantly reduce reliance on petroleum. While these claims contain grains of truth, they are a far cry from the whole truth. Read on

Killing You Softly - Part II

The Carcinogens Within - A Hard Look at Polyurethane Foam.

You are probably sitting on it right now. In your office chair, on your sofa, or in an easy chair in a coffee bar. It’s in your bed, your car, running shoes, bicycle helmet, and hockey gear. It is in your children’s toys, in planes and buses, under your carpet, in your mouse pad, even in your bra. All these products and many more contain flexible polyurethane foam. Read on

Killing You Softly - Part I

Nothing Safe. Nothing Sacred - A Hard Look at Polyurethane Foam.

It’s difficult to find the word that best describes the emotion I felt. Surprised? Too weak. Flabbergasted? Too nineteenth century. Taken aback? Two words. Aghast? Yes. I was aghast.

I was aghast on that day in the coffee shop in 2003, as I read the article explaining that breast milk of nursing mothers was contaminated with polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). News of a man made chemical polluting the essential gift of life and love from a mother to her child was more than offensive to me. Poisoning the very first food a child ingests was a high crime. Read on

A New Standard for Living

For Earth, for the health and well being of our clients, for our employees and partners, and especially for our children and those not yet born, all our work is governed by these four design principles: Read on

No Greenwash!

Rainforest Alliance Certified Lumber

Upholstery Arts’ sustainable lumber practices are certified by the Rainforest Alliance and recognized internationally by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

Upholstery Arts is the ƒirst upholstery manufacturer in the world to be awarded Chain of Custody status by FSC (SW-COC-001984).

Non Toxic Glues, Stains and Finishes

Upholstery Arts’ glues, stains and finishes contain none of the Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and emit none of the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) identified by the EPA.

And UA glues, stains and finishes exceed both LEED indoor air quality standards and the German E-1 environmental standard.

100% Natural Wool Padding

Upholstery Arts has eliminated petrochemical based cushion wraps & padding, replacing them with natural, sustainable wool. UAs’ wools are recyclable, biodegradable, resilient, moisture & mould resistant-and naturally flame proof.

Read on