A mainstay of the apartment culture, compressed wood fiber products from tables, chairs to counter-tops are cheaper that solid wood furniture. But recent studies that such furniture have a nasty ability to release volatile organic compounds or VOC’s in the form of solvents and binders used in manufacturing. The new furniture smell is an indicator that some of the solvents leaking out of the furniture and into your home. In a confined space, it would be dangerous so ensure proper ventilation should you have any furniture made of such materials.
It is a good idea to donate old furniture should you not need them anymore so they stay out of the trash pits for a greener tomorrow. They can also be quite a fire hazard for the small wood chips combined with extremely flammable solvents makes for one hot smoldering flame resulting in extremely hot flames.