Toxic Sofas’
May 13, 2010
Posted by:Marilene Antoni
Last month the High Court ordered that victims of 'toxic sofas' manufactured in China that caused serious burns will receive combined payouts totalling up to £20 million. Several high street retailers were ordered to pay compensation to approximately 2,000 people who received injuries which included chemical burns, allergies and skin rashes from the anti-fungal agents in sofas which were being used to stop the furniture from going mouldy in storage. The use of the highly sensitising fungicidal chemical dimethyl fumarate (DMF) has now been banned by the EU after consumers in at least five European countries suffered some form of medical condition as a result. The victims are expected to receive between £1,200 - £9,000 each for the injuries suffered. It is expected that the High Court will be considering further cases this month.