Argos Pia and Bari and Walmsley Marco Sofas and Skin Reactions: In the Hot Seat

Under the headline “In the Hot Seat: Sofas causing Skin Problems” BBC Radio 4 consumer programme You and Yours carried an update on the Argos Pia and Bari and Walmsley Marco sofas that are thought to be causing extreme allergic reactions. Some customers have been suffering from as long ago as June 2006 as no one initially linked the problem with the sofas. Symptoms include constantly itchy skin, burns, blisters and rashes, in some cases severe enough to require hospital treatment.

The sofas have been sourced from Linkwise in China and are supplied in the UK by Argos and Walmsley. UK Trading Standards are happy with the action Argos have taken in withdrawing the sofas and writing to customers who have bought them, but have not commented on the fact Walmsley have not withdrawn them. Tests in Finland have failed to pinpoint the exact problem, but it looks as if a combination of chemical treatments are causing an allergic reaction. UK Dermatologists have agreed that the problem is being caused by these particular sofas, the Pia and Bari range from Argos and the Marco range from Walmsley.

If you or a family member has had a problem, please contact Vickki Ridgway or Saira Roper on 0116 212 1000 for a free initial discussion. We have an out of hours phone service.