Fully · Office Chairs
Room & Board Modern Cato Office Chair
Office chairs carry lower inherent PFAS risk, but Fully/Room & Board provide no transparency.
The Cato office chair uses typical upholstery, foam cushioning, and structural materials, categories with modest PFAS concern compared to coated textiles or treated surfaces. However, neither Fully nor Room & Board discloses fabric treatment details or PFAS sourcing.
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upholstered fabric, foam, metal/wood frame
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.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Cato uses polyurethane foam cushioning, upholstered fabric (likely synthetic blend), and a metal/wood frame. Polyurethane foam is common in office seating but can off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during initial use, particularly in warmer conditions. The fabric composition is not publicly specified by Fully or Room & Board, making it impossible to assess for formaldehyde-based dyes, azo dyes, or flame retardant treatments applied to the textile.
The brand's record and disclosure
Fully provides no public material safety data sheets, ingredient transparency, or third-party certifications (such as Greenguard or OEKO-TEX) for the Cato chair. Room & Board similarly does not publish fabric or foam composition details or testing results. Neither brand has disclosed PFAS use or avoidance. This silence is typical for mainstream office furniture but indicates no commitment to chemical transparency above industry baseline.
How it compares in its category
The Cato sits in the standard commercial office chair segment: no better or worse than comparable mid-market alternatives from Herman Miller, Steelcase, or Autonomous in terms of disclosed safety. Brands offering Greenguard Gold or OEKO-TEX certification (e.g., some Steelcase models) provide verifiable lower-VOC assurance; the Cato does not. Price and design position it as a consumer-friendly alternative, not a health-prioritized choice.
If you buy it
Air out the chair in a well-ventilated space for 24-48 hours after delivery to allow initial foam off-gassing to dissipate. Avoid prolonged heat exposure (e.g., direct sunlight or placement near heat vents), which can accelerate VOC release. Vacuum or brush the fabric regularly to avoid dust and particulate buildup in foam. If fabric shows stains or wear within the warranty period, contact Fully for repair or replacement rather than applying harsh chemical cleaners that may interact with foam or dyes.
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.”
VOC and formaldehyde off-gassing from polyurethane foam
Polyurethane foam in office chairs commonly emits VOCs during the first weeks of use. Without third-party testing or low-VOC certification, the Cato's foam formulation is unknown; off-gassing risk is typical for the price tier but not independently verified as low or high.
Formaldehyde-based resins or dyes in upholstery fabric
Fully does not disclose fabric composition or whether formaldehyde-based finish resins or azo dyes are used. Many affordable office-chair textiles contain formaldehyde-based wrinkle resistance treatments; none is documented for the Cato, but absence of disclosure means presence cannot be ruled out.
Flame retardants in foam or fabric
Office furniture foam and upholstery often contain brominated or phosphorus-based flame retardants to meet fire codes. Fully provides no statement on flame retardant chemistry or use; while not flagged as a safety issue in this product category, the composition is undisclosed.
Allergen response to fabric dyes or finishes
Without fabric composition or dye specification, individuals with sensitive skin or dye allergies face unknown risk. Standard office-chair fabrics are not typically high-allergen, but the Cato's specific textile is uncharacterized.
Coating or finish degradation on metal/wood frame over time
No reports of frame coating failure, paint chipping, or metal leaching for the Cato. Standard commercial office-chair frames are durable; degradation is not a documented concern for this model.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 60% 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.
More office chairs 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.