Haworth · Office Chairs
Haworth Zody Mesh Office Chair
Lower-concern office chair; mesh & foam unlikely PFAS vectors, but Haworth discloses nothing.
The Zody chair uses mesh fabric and foam cushioning, materials not typically treated with PFAS. However, Haworth makes no public statement on PFAS avoidance or testing. Office furniture is a lower-risk category than apparel or food contact goods, but lack of transparency and no third-party verification leave moderate uncertainty.
Shop Haworth on Amazon →Material
mesh fabric, foam, plastic base, metal 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 Zody uses a polyester mesh back panel, polyurethane foam cushioning, and a plastic base (likely polypropylene or nylon) over an aluminum or steel frame. Polyester mesh and polyurethane foam are not known vectors for regulated heavy metals or volatile organic compounds when used in office furniture; the plastic base and frame junction carry the most potential for off-gassing early in the product lifecycle. The design avoids leather, vinyl, or flame-retardant coatings that would trigger higher concern.
The brand's record and disclosure
Haworth is a mid-to-premium office furniture manufacturer with no public record of major toxicant recalls or consumer safety litigation tied to the Zody line. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS content or commit to PFAS-free manufacturing, reflecting the industry-wide silence on this issue rather than exceptional negligence. Haworth holds ISO 14001 environmental certification and markets sustainability messaging, but transparency on chemical content remains limited.
How it compares in its category
The Zody sits in the premium-task-chair segment alongside Herman Miller Aeron and Steelcase Leap. All three rely on similar mesh and foam construction without leather or treated textiles, making them comparable on baseline chemical hazard. Haworth's lack of PFAS disclosure matches competitors; no major brand in this category has voluntarily committed to PFAS-free certification. The Zody's long market presence (launched early 2000s) and stable design suggest no hidden formulation risks.
If you buy it
Air out the chair in a well-ventilated space for 24-48 hours after delivery to allow any residual manufacturing volatiles to dissipate; this is standard for polyurethane-foam seating. Avoid exposing the mesh to prolonged direct sunlight, which can degrade polyester fibers and theoretically promote microfiber shedding, though risk in indoor office use is minimal. Check foam and mesh condition annually; if cushioning becomes flat or mesh tears, those are normal wear triggers for replacement, not contamination signals. Do not apply fabric treatments or pesticides to the mesh.
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.”
Polyurethane foam off-gassing (VOCs)
New polyurethane cushioning may emit volatile organic compounds (typically limonene, styrene, or other solvents) for days to weeks after manufacturing. Risk is highest in unventilated spaces and minimal by 2-4 weeks. Haworth does not disclose foam supplier or VOC certifications for the Zody.
Plastic base leaching (BPA/phthalates)
The polypropylene or nylon base is not typically a vector for BPA or phthalates; these are food-contact or flexible-PVC concerns. No recalls or test reports on record for the Zody base. Risk remains theoretical only if the base is heated or damaged.
Polyester mesh fiber shedding (microfibers)
Mesh textiles shed microfibers with wear and friction, especially under UV exposure or rough handling. Indoor office use minimizes this; shedding is not a toxicant hazard but an environmental and indoor air quality consideration. Haworth does not specify microfiber treatment or shedding data.
Formaldehyde in polyester resins or coatings
High-performance polyester mesh may use small amounts of formaldehyde-releasing resin binders, but modern office-grade meshes typically avoid this. No formaldehyde warnings or recalls exist for the Zody. Standard for this product category.
Metal frame rust or corrosion (aluminum/steel oxidation)
Aluminum or steel frames are inert and do not leach heavy metals under normal office conditions. Corrosion risk is cosmetic, not chemical. No hazard reported for the Zody frame.
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.
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.