The Story INVESTIGATION: Is your sofa toxic?
Apr 10, 2026
Martina Lees, senior property reporter who led a multi-year probe into flame retardants in UK sofas. She outlines the history behind Britain’s strict fire tests. She describes how chemicals are used, how they migrate into dust, and who is campaigning for change. She explains industry responses, disposal rules, IKEA’s UK-specific sofas and the evolving government plans.
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UK Fire Rules Drive Heavy Flame Retardant Use
- UK furniture regulations introduced after the 1979 Woolworths sofa fire require much tougher open-flame tests than elsewhere.
- The 1988 rules made it almost impossible to pass without heavy flame retardant use in foam and fabrics, driving unique UK exposure.
Upholsterers Show Damp Stiff Fabric Coated In Retardant
- Martina Lees visited upholsterers who showed fabric back-coated with thick flame retardant that felt stiff, wet and left white powder when touched.
- The treated fabric felt damp and stiff, prompting Martina to ask to open a window for ventilation.
Flame Retardants Migrate Into Homes And Bodies
- Flame retardants migrate from treated furniture into house dust and accumulate in humans, notably young children who show the highest body levels.
- Some compounds are linked to infertility, developmental IQ loss, attention problems and cancer; TCPP comprises about a fifth of sofa foam volume in the UK.