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Allergy Environment

Chemical in Furniture May Cause Skin Irritations

14 years ago

10596  0
Posted on Mar 22, 2010, 6 a.m.

Dimethylfumate (DMF), a preservative used to prevent mold on furniture shipped long distances, can transfer to a person’s skin and cause contact dermatitis.

Dimethylfumate (DMF), a chemical applied to furniture manufactured in China to prevent the growth of mold during transit, has been found to penetrate textile fabrics and transfer to onto a person’s clothing or skin when s/he sits on the furniture.  Susceptible individuals may develop contact dermatitis, involving a rash and dry, chapped, inflamed irritated skin. Doctors warn that DMF is also used in the shipping of some clothing and shoes, and some individuals are highly allergic to the preservative.

68th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, March 2010.

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