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NASPO Contract Healthier Furniture Database
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A Guide for Purchasing Furniture Free of the Hazardous Handful Chemicals from the 2023-2028 NASPO ValuePoint Furniture ContractLast updated
10/04/2024
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Furniture is an unexpected source of toxic chemicals that can negatively affect indoor air quality, and pose environmental and/or human health concerns. This database was developed to help purchasers identify healthier furniture options provided by the 10 vendors featured in the NASPO ValuePoint contract for Office furniture (2023-2028).

The database was developed in partnership between the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) and the State of Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The State of Minnesota, in pursuit of its sustainable procurement goals, was the first state to adopt a Participating Agreement to restrict the purchase of furniture products containing chemicals of concern that are linked to adverse health outcomes. These chemicals, identified by CEH as the “Hazardous Handful”, include the following:
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● Formaldehyde and other Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emissions: Formaldehyde is an example of a harmful volatile organic compound (VOC). Formaldehyde is known to cause cancer and has also been found to cause breathing problems. VOCs are linked to eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination, and nausea; damage to liver, kidney, and the central nervous system; and other VOCs are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans. Formaldehyde is still often used in adhesives found in wood furniture.
● Antimicrobials: Added antimicrobials have not been shown to reduce the spread of infection in furniture, can pose hazards to human health and the environment, and may contribute to antimicrobial resistance.
● Flame retardant chemicals: Many flame retardants have been linked to cancer and other serious diseases. Flame retardants escape out of furniture and get into our air, dust, the outdoor environment and our bodies. Government studies show that these chemicals do not provide added fire safety benefits in office furniture.
● Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): PVC can release dioxin, a known carcinogen, during manufacturing, at disposal if incinerated, or if it catches fire during use. PVC exposure from consumer products, furniture, and other sources can result in exposure to PVC dust and associated phthalates, which cause adverse health effects including endocrine disruption and asthma.
● Per- and Poly- Fluorinated Chemicals (PFAS): PFAS chemicals are often used as stain treatments. Some of these chemicals are linked to serious health problems including kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, and obesity. They are often called “Forever Chemicals” because they don’t easily break down in nature and they can build up in our bodies and in the environment, where they remain toxic.
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How to use this file:
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This file was created to make it easy for you to find the office furniture you are looking for. This Spreadsheet is sortable and filterable by Manufacturer, Product Category, Product Subcategory, and Product Name.
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1To view and use the product spreadsheet, click on the Furniture sheet/tab below
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2Browse the comprehensive listing
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3To sort or filter the listings, click on and highlight Row 3
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4With Row 3 highlighted, click the Filter button on the top left corner of the toolbar above the spreadsheet.
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5Select "Create new temporary filter view" from the dropdown menu
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6Filter icons (upsidedown triangle) will appear in the right corner of columns in Row 3
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If a filter is on, the Filter icon will change to a Funnel showing which columns a filter has been used on
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7Click on the filter icon in the column you would like to sort or filter by, to reveal the sort and filter options.
Select which values to filter or sort by and press OK.
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To clear a filter, click on the filter icon to reveal the sort and filter options. Select Filter by "Select all" and press OK.
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If you have any trouble with viewing the document, please refresh your browser window.
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The healthier furniture featured on this database was compiled from BIFMA's Level® site filtering for the targeted chemical elimination (7.4.4) criteria. Additioanlly, CEH reached out directly to the manufacturers to confirm adherence to the 7.4.4 criteria when information on BIFMA's Level® site was not available. This database will be updated regularly as new information becomes available.

Note: Purchaser customization, modification and fabric choice can impact a product’s ability to meet the restrictions on the hazardous handful. Therefore, purchasers are advised to work closely with their vendor to identify specific configurations and fabric choices that will meet the specifications.

CEH and Health Care Without Harm have developed technical specifications that can be used by purchasers in Requests for Proposals, Requests for Information or in contracts to avoid the targeted chemicals of concern.
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Download the Technical Specifications
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For further assistance on healthier procurement, contact
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procurement@ceh.org
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Founded in 1996, CEH is a national non-profit organization
of people dedicated to eliminating the dangers of toxic and
disease-causing chemicals in our everyday environment.
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Return to ceh.org
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