I think we can all agree that a couch should be comfortable, stable and absolutely not burn people who sit on it. Unfortunately, Consumer Reports says over 1,600 people in the United Kingdom have suffered skin rashes and burns from Chinese-made leather sofas and one person died. After an investigation, it was determined the couches had been exposed to dimethyl fumarate (DMF), a chemical used to prevent mold from growing on the leather during shipment. Exposure to this chemical can cause “serious skin sores, blisters, rashes and eye irritation.” The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has not yet received any consumer complaints about leather sofas but is aware of the issue. If you have experienced skin rashes that may be related to leather furniture, report it to the CPSC.

Credit: Consumer Reports