Is Pu Leather Harmful To The Human Body?

‌PU leather is not directly harmful to the human body under normal circumstances, but attention should be paid to certain potential risks in its production and use.

PU leather, or polyurethane synthetic leather, is a material widely used in fields such as clothing, furniture and automotive interiors. Its main component is polyurethane resin, which is stable under normal use, does not release harmful substances, and has no direct harm to the human body. Wearing PU leather clothes is generally safe, and qualified products on the market will pass testing to ensure safety and non-toxicity.

However, certain chemical additives such as solvents and catalysts may be used in the production process of PU leather. If these chemicals are not fully reacted or remain in the finished product, there are potential health risks. In particular, toluene diisocyanate (TDI), a chemical commonly used in polyurethane production, is listed as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. If the production process is not properly controlled, the residual TDI may pose a health threat to workers as well as consumers.

In addition, although PU leather is harmless to the human body at room temperature and pressure, it may release substances such as formaldehyde and benzene under high temperature and pressure, which are harmful to human health. Prolonged contact or inhalation of such substances may cause eye stinging, coughing, local rashes, and other consequences. For people with allergies, certain chemicals in PU leather may also cause allergic symptoms such as itching and redness.

Therefore, when choosing PU leather products, you should pay attention to its quality and the reputation of the manufacturer to ensure that it meets relevant safety standards. At the same time, maintaining a good ventilation environment during purchase and use is also an effective measure to reduce potential risks. For sensitive people such as babies, PU material products produced by regular manufacturers should be selected, and long-term contact or being in a closed environment should be avoided.