Posted on 07/21/2008 6:48:01 PM PDT by JACKRUSSELL
Thousands of people who suffered severe allergic reactions after sitting on their sofas were victims of a toxic gas emitted by an anti-mould agent, a study has concluded.
Hospitals across northern Europe have treated thousands of patients with symptoms which appeared to range from skin cancer and chemical burns to severe eczema.
The British cases have been linked to an estimated 100,000 sofas sold by Argos, World of Leather and Walmsley Furnishing manufactured in China by a company called Linkwise.
A study in Sweden has concluded that the skin conditions were a reaction to the gas created during the sublimation of a chemical called dimethyl fumarate. Sublimation is the conversion of a solid to a gas without passing through a liquid state.
Sachets containing crystals of the chemical were placed between the cover and foam of the sofas to prevent mould developing during shipping.
More than 1,500 victims including the relatives of two people who allegedly died as a result of their symptoms have lodged compensation claims with British lawyers.
Relatives of Elizabeth McLaughlin, 59, claim that she fell gravely ill after using an Argos Bari sofa in last May and died two months later of heart failure.
Professor Magnus Bruze, a dermatologist from Malmö University Hospital in Sweden, said his tests had proved conclusively that the allergic reactions were caused by the dimethyl fumarate......
Some of the cases have been very severe and have been difficult to differentiate from the malignant cases of skin diseases like lymphoma, or a skin infection or chemical burn, Professor Bruze said......
It is feared that contamination could have spread from the sofas throughout homes when the gas cools and re-solidifies......
(Excerpt) Read more at business.timesonline.co.uk ...

And the Chinese are providing drugs, and want to provide MORE DRUGS, to our pharmacutical market? And food items too? Not only do we have a dysfunctional Congress, but we have an equally malfeasant FDA to deal with.
If it says “MADE IN CHINA” — CAVEAT EMPTOR!!!
Can anybody tell me if this stuff is like, or actually is “Silica Gel”?
Many boxes of merchandise we have received over the years contain packets of “Silica Gel” to prevent mold. Just curious if there is any relation to Dimethyl Fumarate.
Does the increase of asthma coordinate with the beginning of Chinese imports?
From one who has been diagnosed with contact dermatitis, (”No, you’re not allergic!”), are we certain that this chemical, dimethyl fumarate, is not used with products sold in the US as well?
my guitars! my guitars!
...and winning their quiet little war at the same time.
Silica gel is safe, entirely different from dimethyl fumerate. Silica gel adsorbs moisture, does not gas off.
I think Silica Gel is packaged to absorb moisture, and hence, mold, and has no relation to Dimethyl Fumarate.
Cheers!
China Industries International

China sez “Shut up and buy, then die(!), round eyes.”
This message approved by the USDA, FDA, Governors of America for China Trade and Maobama.
sw
One of the chief benefactors has been the local grocery chain whose chain brand apple juice is made from Chinese concentrate.
Silican gel does not absorb mold, it absorbs moisture and therefore prevents excessive moisture/humidity levels from developing in enclosed spaces.
My sofa has had toxic gas in it from time to time, but I don’t think it’s ever injured anyone.
Correction, MADE IN CHINA...by foreign companies that do not watch their quality control or oversee production. They try to save every last dollar.
Instead of keeping an expat in country to look after these types of issues, they fly over, fire the expat manager, then hop on a plane and brag about how much money they saved the company by hiring a Chinese national instead.
Some on here will blame the Chinese. Since when should the buyer and importer have not responsiblity for quality issues of the materials they import.
“My sofa has had toxic gas in it from time to time, but I dont think its ever injured anyone.”
Obviously it wasn’t from red beans and rice with a few links of sausage.
“Not only do we have a dysfunctional Congress, but we have an equally malfeasant FDA to deal with.”
Congress and the FDA are bought, plain and simple.
Why make it more complicated?
“This message approved by the USDA, FDA, Governors of America for China Trade and Maobama.”
Don’t forget John McCain.
On trade globalism, he is a globalists’ globalist.
Asked my 92 year old Dad if his recliner had any, he said "well, that Depends!"
Just bought a scrapbooking kit that was toxic with some sort of pesicide. Not sure what. Returned it.
Silica gel only absorbs water vapor. They are put inside electronic equipment as well as pill vials. Toss them out. Unless you make expensive things. Then you have to add the packets which are dehydrated crystals of silica.
But they were cheap and they weren’t moldy. /s
Yes, I stated that poorly.
Almost bought a $400.00 sofa at Costco. Almost all of their stuffed recliners, sofas, etc are on special buys these last few months and the boxes sitting there for pickup are all from China. Hoe the Lazyboy recliner I ended up purchasing is not from China!
Congress and the FDA are bought, plain and simple.
Why make it more complicated?
::::::
Well not only are they owned (bought) by special interests, they are ALSO malfeasant, irresponsible, (eg just look at the pro-money-giving-conservationist pandering), and are focusing on their own empowerment, far and above the interests of America, or THE WILL OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
It is a bit more complicated than just simple graft and corruption.
“It is a bit more complicated than just simple graft and corruption.”
True. However, I will offer that ‘follow the money’ is a good starting point to any understanding of government.
Also, I think the environmental groups are funded or in some cases direct fronts for foreign energy interests. They have common interests, and the former is a much better pretext than ‘the saudis don’t want me to vote for this.’
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