Steelcase · Upholstered Furniture
Great Furniture Gallery Nelson Zero Gravity Power Sofa
Lower PFAS concern for core materials, but upholstery treatment unknown, contact brand for specifics.
Power sofas from Steelcase typically use steel frames and foam cores, which carry lower inherent PFAS risk. However, upholstery fabrics often receive stain-resistant or water-repellent finishes that may contain PFAS compounds; Steelcase does not publicly disclose treatment details for this model.
Shop Steelcase on Amazon →Material
upholstery fabric + steel frame + foam cushioning
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 Nelson Zero Gravity uses a steel frame (low toxicity risk), polyurethane foam cushioning (standard in recliners, can off-gas volatile organic compounds when new), and upholstery fabric of unspecified composition. The power mechanism introduces electrical components. Polyurethane foam itself does not inherently contain flame retardants in modern manufacturing, but the fabric treatment and any added fire-safety layers are not publicly detailed. The power reclining system means more moving parts and potential for foam compression breakdown over years of use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Steelcase is a commercial office furniture manufacturer with a reasonable sustainability and transparency track record, but product-specific chemical disclosures for residential furniture lines like Nelson are sparse. The brand does not publicly advertise PFAS avoidance or provide detailed upholstery safety certifications for this model. No recalls specific to the Nelson Zero Gravity sofa have been published, and the frame and power mechanisms are standard commercial-grade components. However, residential upholstered goods from this brand lack the detailed material transparency typical of certified eco-furniture makers.
How it compares in its category
Power recliners in this price and brand tier typically use untreated or minimally flame-retardant polyurethane foam and non-disclosed fabric treatments. The Steelcase name carries higher structural reliability than budget mass-market recliners, reducing mechanical failure risk. Compared to budget alternatives, this sofa is less likely to off-gas excessively or have coating degradation on the frame. Compared to certified green furniture, it lacks third-party certification (e.g., Greenguard, Cradle to Cradle) for foam and fabric emissions.
If you buy it
Air out the sofa in a well-ventilated space for 24-48 hours after delivery to allow initial off-gassing of polyurethane volatiles. Request the full material safety data sheet or upholstery fabric content from Steelcase before purchase if you have sensitivities. Clean the fabric per manufacturer instructions (usually dry-clean only or mild vacuuming); do not use heat treatments or steam cleaners on the upholstery, as these can accelerate degradation and chemical release. Inspect the power mechanism annually and address any mechanical noise or sluggish operation promptly, as electrical wear can compromise reliability.
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 commonly emits volatile organic compounds in the first days to weeks. This sofa's foam composition is not specified by the brand, so the degree and duration of off-gassing cannot be assessed without direct testing.
Upholstery fabric treatments (dyes, finishes)
The fabric material and any stain-guard, water-resistance, or antimicrobial treatments are not publicly disclosed. Azo dyes or formaldehyde-based finishes are possible but not confirmed for this model.
Flame retardants in foam or fabric layers
Modern polyurethane foams often meet flammability standards without added chemical flame retardants, but Steelcase does not explicitly state whether this sofa uses treated or untreated foam. No recalled or documented flame retardant hazard exists for this product.
Electrical component wear and mechanical failure
Power recliners carry inherent risk of electrical malfunction or mechanical jamming over time. Steelcase components are typically reliable, but long-term durability of the motor and hydraulics is not independently verified in public sources.
Heavy metals in frame finish or hardware
Steel frames are not a typical source of lead or cadmium leaching. Steelcase uses standard commercial electroplating and coatings without known heavy metal contamination in this product category.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 62% 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 Upholstered Furniture
Greenguard
West Elm Andes Sofa 77
Upholstered seating with Greenguard certification
Lower PFAS concern for a certified upholstered sofa, though fabric treatment details remain undisclosed.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Greenguard
Ashley Hartmoor Ink Sofa
Upholstered fabric (composition not specified)
Greenguard Gold certification is positive but doesn't explicitly exclude PFAS, fabric stain resistance raises concern.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
More upholstered furniture 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.