How To Tell If a Mattress Contains Toxic Chemicals
There is a lot to consider when buying a
new mattress. Comfort, firmness level, size, and price are all important
of course, but there is one factor many people forget or aren’t even
aware of, and those are toxins. Considering your mattress is the item
you spend the most amount of time in close proximity to on an average
day, the last thing you want is for your mattress to be toxic.
Yes, many mattresses are actually made with chemical components that
could be harmful to your health. In this article, we’ll explain in
detail what dangerous components can be found in a mattress and what to
look out for to make sure your mattress is safe.
What is off-gassing and why is it problematic?
Have you ever bought a new mattress, and as you were unwrapping it from
the plastic sheets you felt a strange odor in the air? That was probably
off-gassing. Most mattresses contain polyurethane foam, a material that
is made from petroleum chemicals. This foam can off-gas- or emit
volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which have been linked to respiratory
irritation and nervous system harm.
Off-gassing occurs when the VOCs are
released into the open air and come in contact with oxygenated air. Most
people believe that the off-gassing lasts only as long as the odor
lingers in the room, but unfortunately that's not true. While the
initial unpleasant smell usually disperses briefly after opening the new
mattress from its packaging, the effects linger for several years,
depending on the precise chemicals present in the mattress.
As we mentioned, these chemicals can cause a wide range of symptoms,
including eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, and
even nausea and vomiting. In some cases, they can even cause severe and
lasting health issues.
Chemicals to watch out for in mattresses
Formaldehyde - A preservative that is often used as an adhesive that
holds the mattress layers together. According to the EPA Formaldehyde
could increase the risk for coughing and wheezing.
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) - These chemicals are
commonly used as fire retardants. PBDEs have been banned for use in
several states including California, New York, and Maryland as well as
in the European Union. However, many older mattresses still contain
these harmful ingredients, which have been associated with
hyperactivity, low birth weight, and developmental delays in children,
according to the Green Science Policy Institute.
Boric acid - Commonly used by mattress
manufacturers to make the mattress resistant to bed bugs and bacteria.
It’s been confirmed that long-term exposure to boric acid could have
devastating effects, including neurological and developmental problems,
convulsions, skin blistering, and damage to the upper respiratory tract.
Benzene - As we pointed out, many mattresses contain petroleum
chemicals, the most common being benzine, which was identified by the
World Health Organization as a carcinogen.
Diisocyanates - Used to make foam in mattresses more flexible
diisocyanates have fallen under scrutiny by the EPA for causing
potential harm. They have been linked to a variety of conditions,
including causing asthma and irritating the eyes, lungs, and skin.
How to tell if a mattress is toxic
Many mattresses will include warnings about the presence of carcinogens
or chemicals that can cause reproductive harm, but unfortunately, not
all manufacturers will reveal all the important information you need to
know. Even if a company claims that their mattresses are safe, green,
and healthy, it’s important to dig a little deeper than the
advertisement to make sure the product you’re purchasing is safe.
One way to find out if a mattress is 100%
organic is to check if it has an Oeko-Tex certification and a GOTS
(Global Organic Textile Standard) certification. Tex Standard 100
ensures that there are no harmful chemicals in your mattress, and GOTS
is a certification for the outside covering, letting you know that the
cotton cover is certified organic.
In general, it is always recommended to purchase from a company that is
transparent about the materials they use. Choosing a non-toxic mattress
will not only benefit you but also ensures that these toxic chemicals
won't end up in the environment, putting people and wildlife at risk
when they are discarded. Needless to say, that it will also contribute
greatly to the quality of the air in your home and the well-being of
your family!