75/ 100
C
OverallF63/100
Stria Black and White Woven Silk Lumbar Pillow with Down-Alternative Insert 23''x11'' by Ackerman - CB2

CB2 · Throw Pillows

Stria Black and White Woven Silk Lumbar Pillow with Down-Alternative Insert 23''x11'' by Ackerman - CB2

C · Moderate

Lower concern, natural silk cover and synthetic fill pose minimal inherent PFAS risk, but no transparency on treatments.

Verdict: BuySilk cover minimizes chemical risk; down-alternative fill is inert polyester. No recalls or toxicity reports on record. Standard care needed.

This pillow's primary materials (woven silk and down-alternative synthetic fibers) are not traditionally associated with PFAS. However, CB2 does not disclose whether the silk or polyester fill received water-repellent or stain-resistant finishing treatments, which could introduce PFAS.

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Material

silk cover with down-alternative polyester fill

Brand disclosure

Brand is silent on PFAS

Lab data

No public lab test

Why this grade

Category baseline

furniture is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.

Hurts the grade

No PFAS disclosure

No public statement about PFAS in this product.

Hurts the grade

Safe base material

Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).

Helps the grade

The full breakdown

What it's made of and why it matters

This pillow pairs a woven silk cover with a polyester down-alternative fill. Silk is a protein fiber with minimal inherent chemical hazard and does not off-gas volatile compounds the way synthetic foams can. Polyester down-alternative fills (typically polyester fiberfill or microfiber) are chemically inert once cured and do not leach into skin contact. The combination avoids high-risk materials like memory foam (which can off-gas volatile organic compounds) or untreated feather fills (dust/mite concerns).

The brand's record and disclosure

CB2 is a home furnishings subsidiary of Crate and Barrel and maintains basic compliance with US Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. The brand does not publish detailed material safety certifications, third-party testing results, or chemical transparency reports for individual products. No recall history is on record for this specific pillow model. CB2 remains silent on PFAS treatment of textiles, which is consistent with industry-wide non-disclosure at the mass-market level.

How it compares in its category

Throw pillows with natural fiber covers (silk, cotton, linen) and synthetic fills are among the lower-risk options in the category. This is safer than pillows with polyurethane foam cores (VOC off-gassing risk) or covers treated with heavy water-repellent finishes (potential PFAS). However, it offers less third-party certification than premium brands that provide oeko-tex or bluesign testing. Price point and material pairing suggest this is mid-market with standard, not enhanced, chemical oversight.

If you buy it

Unpack and air out the pillow in a well-ventilated space for 24-48 hours before use, as new textiles may carry residual finishing odors. Silk covers require gentle care: hand-wash or dry-clean only; avoid high heat. Polyester fills are durable but inspect seams annually for wear; do not compress excessively in storage to avoid fiber breakdown. Replace if cover tears significantly or fill clumps after 3-5 years of regular use.

Beyond PFAS: other things we checked

Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”

Possible

Formaldehyde-based finishing resins in silk or polyester

Woven silk and polyester blends may be treated with formaldehyde-releasing resins for wrinkle resistance or crease-setting during manufacturing. Most residual formaldehyde off-gases within days to weeks post-purchase; CB2 does not disclose resin type or levels.

Possible

Azo dyes in black weave

The black color in this pillow may use azo dyes, which can release aromatic amines under friction or moisture. Risk is low on a non-garment item with limited skin contact, but CB2 provides no dye safety documentation.

Possible

Microplastic shedding from polyester fill

Polyester fiberfill can shed microfibers over time, especially if seams degrade or the cover tears. This poses no direct toxicity but represents plastic waste. Regular inspection and repair extend functional life.

None known

Flame retardants in fill or batting

No flame retardant treatment is required or typically applied to decorative pillow inserts in the US. Down-alternative polyester fills are not inherently flammable and do not require chemical additives for code compliance in this application.

None known

Heavy metals in silk dyes

Silk dyes used for black woven fabric are not known to contain lead, cadmium, or arsenic at regulated levels in mainstream consumer textile products. CB2 does not disclose dye suppliers or heavy-metal testing.

What we don’t know

This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.

No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.

The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.

Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.

Safer alternatives in Throw Pillows

Coyuchi Canyon Organic Decorative Pillow Cover

Organic Modernism

Coyuchi Canyon Organic Decorative Pillow Cover

Organic cotton shell

A
A
PFASAll
A · Very low PFAS2 flags

Lower concern: plain organic cotton pillow cover with established textile certification, but brand does not disclose PFAS practices.

OEKO-TEX

Verified PFAS-free by a third party

More throw pillows grades

How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.