Argos one of three retailers facing 'largest action' taken in UK for a faulty product.
The cause of thousands of severe allergic reactions experienced by people across Northern Europe after sitting on their sofas has been revealed as a toxic gas emitted by an anti-mould agent.

Argos is one of the retailers linked to the British cases along with World of Leather and Walmsley Furnishings. An estimated 100,000 sofas were sold in the UK from Chinese manufacturer Linkwise.

Hospitals have treated patients with symptoms ranging from skin cancer to chemical burns and severe eczema. Two victims in Britain are reported to have died as a result of their injuries.

A study revealed that skin conditions were caused by a reaction to a gas created by sublimation of a chemical substance called dimethyl fumarate. Sachets containing crystals of the chemical were placed in the sofas to prevent mould.

More than 1,500 victims have lodged compensation claims with lawyers in the UK.

A judge has since given approval for a group litigation against the three retailers. It is thought to be the largest action taken in the UK for faulty consumer goods and could spell compensation of £6-10m if all claimants are successful.

Following the ruling, a spokesperson for Argos apologised to any customers affected by skin conditions from the sofas and said: "We are pleased that the court has granted the Group Litigation Order today, which will help with the management and speedy resolution of the claims."

NB: Sublimation is the process in which a solid substance is converted into a gas without passing through a liquid phase.