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the bad news:cisco brothers betsy chair cisco doesn't treat its raw materials, fabrics, or leathers with chemical flame retardants. in addition, the company uses soy-based foam cushions, which are as durable as polyurethane foam but take less petroleum to produce. lee industries apartment sofa lee uses soy-based foam treated with "safer" fire retardants, including firemaster 550. although firemaster 550 is believed to be less toxic, be aware that environmental scientists have found traces of it in sewage sludge and household dust. lee's "eco-lux" upgrade, available on this and some other models, offers additional layers of cloth batting around the foam to provide a greater barrier between you and the chemically treated foam. ($2,674) ikea karlstad swivel chair the molded polyurethane foam that gives this chair its modern shape is pbde-free — ikea banned brominated flame retardants from its furniture and mattresses in 2002 — but the foam is treated with fyrol, a fire retardant that may also pose health risks. ikea is working with environmental experts to find an alternative, says jan stensland, founder of inside matters, a bay area consulting firm that helps companies go green. the cover, available in an eye-popping orange or a muted grey, is 100% wool. ($399) furnature anson formal sofa this company, which specializes in furniture for chemically sensitive consumers, uses cushion cores made from natural latex rubber, a renewable resource that holds its shape and firmness as well as polyurethane or soy foam. it's also mold-, mildew- and dust-mite-resistant. all cover fabrics are made from certified-organic natural fibers, including cotton, hemp and wool. ($5,215) greener lifestyles eli sofa this piece is made for worry-free lounging and can even be ordered with a durable — and washable — recycled polyester or hemp slipcover. greener lifestyles also uses natural latex foam cushions made from sustainably harvested rubber tree sap. they also use organic cotton batting in their cushions, coupled with naturally fire-retardant and anti-microbial, organic wool. ($4,530)

the bad news:cisco brothers betsy chair cisco doesn't treat its raw materials, fabrics, or leathers with chemical flame retardants. in addition, the company uses soy-based foam cushions, which are as durable as polyurethane foam but take less petroleum to produce. lee industries apartment sofa lee uses soy-based foam treated with "safer" fire retardants, including firemaster 550. although firemaster 550 is believed to be less toxic, be aware that environmental scientists have found traces of it in sewage sludge and household dust. lee's "eco-lux" upgrade, available on this and some other models, offers additional layers of cloth batting around the foam to provide a greater barrier between you and the chemically treated foam. ($2,674) ikea karlstad swivel chair the molded polyurethane foam that gives this chair its modern shape is pbde-free — ikea banned brominated flame retardants from its furniture and mattresses in 2002 — but the foam is treated with fyrol, a fire retardant that may also pose health risks. ikea is working with environmental experts to find an alternative, says jan stensland, founder of inside matters, a bay area consulting firm that helps companies go green. the cover, available in an eye-popping orange or a muted grey, is 100% wool. ($399) furnature anson formal sofa this company, which specializes in furniture for chemically sensitive consumers, uses cushion cores made from natural latex rubber, a renewable resource that holds its shape and firmness as well as polyurethane or soy foam. it's also mold-, mildew- and dust-mite-resistant. all cover fabrics are made from certified-organic natural fibers, including cotton, hemp and wool. ($5,215) greener lifestyles eli sofa this piece is made for worry-free lounging and can even be ordered with a durable — and washable — recycled polyester or hemp slipcover. greener lifestyles also uses natural latex foam cushions made from sustainably harvested rubber tree sap. they also use organic cotton batting in their cushions, coupled with naturally fire-retardant and anti-microbial, organic wool. ($4,530)