Room & Board · Throw Pillows
Room & Board Modern Bergen Throw Pillow
Lower PFAS concern for a basic decorative pillow, but Room & Board doesn't disclose treatment details.
Room & Board's Bergen throw pillow is a standard textile cushion with no known stain-resistant or water-resistant treatment typical of PFAS-risk products. The brand makes no public claims about PFAS or flame retardant chemistry.
Shop Room & Board on Amazon →Material
Polyester blend fabric cover (typical throw pillow)
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 Modern Bergen uses a polyester-blend fabric cover, a synthetic polymer that does not leach plasticizers like BPA or phthalates under normal room conditions. Polyester itself is chemically stable when used as a fabric rather than in rigid food-contact applications. The primary concern for polyester textiles is the manufacturing process (dyes, finishes, and treatments applied during production), not the base fiber.
The brand's record and disclosure
Room & Board does not publicly disclose fabric treatment details, safety certifications (such as Oeko-Tex or GOTS), or testing protocols for their throw pillows. The brand has no known recalls or documented chemical controversies specific to this product line. Their silence on chemical treatments is typical for mainstream home furnishings brands and reflects limited transparency rather than evidence of hazard.
How it compares in its category
Throw pillows are generally low-hazard because they are decorative, not food-contact or high-heat items. Room & Board's polyester blend is standard for this category; competing brands (West Elm, CB2, Restoration Hardware) use similar materials with equivalent disclosure gaps. Certified organic cotton or linen pillow covers would offer higher assurance of restricted chemical use, but cost significantly more.
If you buy it
Wash the pillow cover separately in cool water before first use to reduce residual dyes or finishes. Avoid prolonged direct sunlight, which can degrade polyester over time and potentially release trace particles. Store in a dry place to prevent mold or mildew growth in the fill. Replace the cover if visible damage (fraying, pilling, discoloration) develops, as worn fabric may shed microfibers more readily.
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.”
Azo dyes and colorfast stability
Polyester fabric covers are typically dyed with azo dyes, which are regulated but can release aromatic amines if improperly fixed during manufacturing. Room & Board does not disclose dye testing; initial washing may reduce loose dyes.
Formaldehyde resin finishes
Polyester textiles are sometimes treated with formaldehyde-based resins for wrinkle resistance or water repellency. No specific testing for the Modern Bergen is public; off-gassing risk is low for a non-enclosed decorative pillow in regular ventilation.
Microplastic shedding
Polyester fabric naturally sheds microfibers when washed or worn. This is a general property of synthetic textiles, not unique to Room & Board; shedding increases if the cover deteriorates.
Heavy metals in pigments
No recalls or reports of cadmium, lead, or antimony in Room & Board throw pillow dyes. Standard textile pigment regulations in the US and EU restrict these metals, making documented contamination uncommon in this product category.
Flame retardant coatings
Throw pillows are not regulated as upholstered furniture in the US and typically do not receive flame retardant treatment. Room & Board does not advertise such finishes for this product.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 68% 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
Organic Modernism
Coyuchi Canyon Organic Decorative Pillow Cover
Organic cotton shell
Lower concern: plain organic cotton pillow cover with established textile certification, but brand does not disclose PFAS practices.
✓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.