Those of you who follow my blogs will know that I have posted a few articles on the subject of the chemical DMF (dimethyl fumarate) which has been used in the production of several models of sofa.
Customers who were left with a horror rash and peeling skin, with many of them fearing skin cancer, are in line to receive compensation of over £20m in total.
The High Court in London approved a prompt settlement between the victims and insurers of the shops that sold the Chinese made furniture which left many customers complaining of burns.
Three retailers admitted liability – Argos, Homebase and Walmsleys – while victims who bought sofas from Land of Leather, now in administration, were not as fortunate after insurers Zurich won a ruling a few weeks ago to avoid paying out.
Apart from 2000 settled cases there are around 3000 where liability is still in dispute, and many more could follow.
The chemical DMF stopped mould developing when the sofas were transported from China.
DMF is a biocide and harmful to people resulting in a rash described as the worst sort of sunburn, then the skin would peel.
Victims couldn’t sleep or go to work and some couldn’t even wear clothes next to their skin.
The story was first reported by the UK consumer programme “Watchdog” back in February 2008.
The sachets that were placed inside the sofas often look similar to those that contain a silica gel, a non harmful desiccant frequently used in leather products.
On 1 May 2009 the European Commission banned products containing DMF from being placed on the market and any that already were had to be withdrawn from sale or recalled.
It was found that concentrations as low as one part per million may produce allergic reactions.
Over the last few years DMF has also been found in shoes again resulting in skin damage and there has been recalls across Spain, France, Poland, Finland, Sweden, Germany and the UK.
While DMF maybe an effective antifungal agent, it is harmful in contact with the skin and if in contact with the eyes could result in serious damage.