Eliza Kennedy was delighted when her dream new sofa arrived, but her excitement quickly turned to concern after she noticed a grim warning on the box.
Eliza, who rose to fame after a stint on Love Island Australia, quickly shot up after seeing a label warning the furniture could be made or coated with a harmful cancer-causing chemical.
The label said: “This product can expose you to chemicals including formaldehyde, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.”
The detail perplexed Eliza, as she had never seen a warning like this on furniture before. So the 29-year-old took a cautious approach and immediately requested a refund for the $3,000 two-seater.
‘In my daily life I try to limit my exposure to toxic chemicals by drinking only bottled water and cooking in stainless steel pans. So when I saw that my new sofa could expose me to toxic chemicals, I was shocked!’ Eliza told FEMAIL.
At that time, Eliza posted a video to warn others about the danger and asked for advice on what to do next.
“Now I feel very uncomfortable with this sofa because how am I going to lie on it, feel comfortable and relax when I know that this sofa is made or coated with this chemical that can cause cancer? Am I exaggerating? ” she said.
Eliza Kennedy, from Sydney, quickly became concerned when the label revealed the sofa was possibly made or coated with a harmful cancer-causing chemical.
The 29-year-old paid just under $3,000 for the loveseat, but requested a full refund (pictured).
“If I had known, I definitely wouldn’t have ordered this sofa.”
In the photo: the label
Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas that can cause significant health problems.
The label was placed on the delivery box by the company where you purchased Eliza, as it is part of standard practice.
However, Proposition 65 warnings are commonplace for Californians. These mandatory warnings imposed by the state of California on all retailers inform customers of the risks involved.
Formaldehyde is a harmful chemical that can be found in various household products, including furniture, building materials, textiles, cleaners, cosmetics, air fresheners, fiber products, and resins or adhesives.
In Australia, formaldehyde is not completely banned, but it is strictly regulated for safety reasons.
‘In my daily life I try to limit my exposure to toxic chemicals by drinking only bottled water and cooking in stainless steel pans. So when I saw that my new sofa could expose me to toxic chemicals, I was shocked!’ Eliza told FEMAIL
Eliza added: “If I had known this, I definitely wouldn’t have ordered this sofa.”
After sharing the clip, many shared a possible explanation.
‘It’s because new furniture is usually covered in flame retardant, which is a volatile organic compound. “I’m sure you read about them,” one commented.
“It’s a standard warning they put on most things in America,” another added.
“I think there are so many couches coated in fire retardant chemicals that they just don’t tell you,” wrote a third.
However, Eliza still wants a refund.