Haworth · Office Chairs
Haworth Zody Upholstered Office Chair in Balsam
Lower PFAS concern for a standard office chair, but Haworth makes no public PFAS disclosures.
The Zody is upholstered in fabric without disclosed water-repellent or stain-resistant treatments, which reduces typical PFAS-coating risk. However, Haworth provides no transparency on PFAS, supply-chain materials, or testing, standard for most furniture makers.
Shop Haworth on Amazon →Material
Fabric upholstery (Balsam), foam cushioning, aluminum/metal base
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's Balsam upholstery is a performance fabric, likely polyester or polyester-blend, stretched over polyurethane foam cushioning with an aluminum and metal frame base. Office chair fabrics and foams are not typically treated with the chemical loads found in outdoor textiles or high-performance apparel, meaning formaldehyde resins and heavy-metal azo dyes are less of a concern here than in apparel. Polyurethane foam itself is stable in typical indoor office conditions and does not off-gas significantly after initial manufacturing; the fabric acts as a barrier.
The brand's record and disclosure
Haworth is a major commercial furniture manufacturer with decades of market presence, primarily serving B2B office environments. The company does not publish detailed chemical disclosures or PFAS statements publicly, which is common for office furniture makers but leaves users without transparency on finishing treatments. No major recalls or health controversies are documented for the Zody line. Haworth does hold ISO 9001 and other quality certifications, signaling manufacturing consistency, though this does not cover chemical safety specifically.
How it compares in its category
The Zody sits at the mid-to-premium end of office chairs and is significantly less chemically loaded than budget fast-furniture alternatives, which often use thin foams treated with flame retardants and lower-grade fabrics. Compared to high-end ergonomic chairs from Herman Miller or Steelcase, Haworth provides similar material standards but with less public environmental reporting. Most office chairs in this price range carry similar fabric and foam compositions, making the Zody typical rather than standout for safety.
If you buy it
Vacuum or brush the fabric regularly to prevent dust accumulation; avoid prolonged direct sunlight which can degrade polyester fibers over years. Do not attempt to machine-wash the upholstery, as this can damage the bond between fabric and foam. If the fabric tears or foam compresses unevenly after 5-8 years of use, replacement covers or cushion refurbishment may be needed. Ensure adequate room ventilation in your office, though the Zody itself does not pose off-gassing concerns in normal conditions.
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.”
Formaldehyde resins in fabric finishes
Performance upholstery fabrics may include formaldehyde-based finishing resins, but standard office chair textiles are not typically treated with high levels of these chemicals. No formaldehyde concerns have been documented for the Zody specifically.
Flame retardants in polyurethane foam
Polyurethane cushioning foam in commercial office chairs may contain flame retardant additives to meet US flammability standards, particularly in the base layer. Haworth does not disclose the specific formulation; brominated or chlorinated flame retardants are less likely in premium commercial products but cannot be ruled out without lab testing.
Azo dyes and heavy metals in Balsam fabric
The Balsam upholstery is a performance synthetic fabric unlikely to contain problematic azo dyes or cadmium at levels of concern. No recalls or contamination reports exist for this product line.
Aluminum frame corrosion and leaching
The Zody's aluminum and metal base are not in contact with food or skin during normal use, eliminating leaching risk. Industrial aluminum in office furniture does not off-gas or degrade in ways that pose safety concerns indoors.
Microplastics shedding from synthetic upholstery
Synthetic polyester fabrics can shed microfibers over time, particularly with friction and abrasion. In an office chair context, this is a minor concern as shedding is typically contained within the workspace and not ingested, but sensitivity to synthetic fiber particles exists in some users.
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.