Possible allergy to new furniture??

[seoda24]

Okay..this may sound bizarre but I would value an opinion.I have severe atopic eczema and am doing well at the moment.However, we have got some new presses in my workplace.When I go into the rooms with the new furniture, the over powering smell of varnish/wood brings on slight wheezing, eyes watery..I could almost feel my eyes beginning to swell after an hour in the particular room .this never happened until the new presses arrived.It does not bother any one else but am growing concerned that my list of allergies now includes these presses!!!I know it sounds bizarre but can I be allergic to something like a press/substance on wood??thanks in advance

I did see a tv programme about this , some imported furniture was treated with a preservative that made people ill.
One thing is China often uses banned substances and we don't all way spot it as China allows them and we dont

My DS has reactions to lots of chemical based substances, we can narrow it down and removing the offending item or moving him from them improves his symptoms. Recent reactions are a rubbery ball (was a bit smelly), gas used to blow up balloons, dust from insulation round pipes, new plastic toy, hot water bottle. These reactions a usually respiratory but contact can also make his skin itchy. He is also sensitive to any cream / skin products with petroleum in them.

Thanks for replying- both very interesting.Well today was he same and eyes slightly puffed tonight.The new furniture certainly is doing something to me.What a trivial complaint for anyone who doesn't understand allergies:(( thanks again x

If it's oak: oak off-gasses formaldehyde. Other off-gassing chemicals from wood include hydrogen sulphide etc. Lacquers & varnishes can contain benzoates and the like eg xylene (thinners).

There's more but I'm stretching my brain cells trying to remember as it's years since I studied this stuff as a fine art conservator.

(Currently suffering from 6 months of on-and-off swollen eyes myself & don't know the cause yet)

Spottyblanket, wow that sounds a volume of knowledge.Thanks for information.There is certainly a distinctive smell that is bothering me and as my allergy levels (IgE levels in blood) are very high I certainly think this is a new addition to my list.Eyes start streaming, start coughing and sneezing.Yours sounds like an allergy and maybe you should consider allergy testing although I did not learn anything knew when I was tested.Swollen puffy eyes are hard to cover up!I have what I call the baggy eye look tonight so looking forward to a rest.thanks again:)

Hi, i mostly suspect "Lacquers & varnishes can contain benzoates and the like eg xylene (thinners)" as spottyblanket said.

There are "ecological" furniture lacquers, but their price is almost double of the "non ecological". So only few furniture companies prefer them.

Allergies have been reported because of this.