Did you know that most homes have monsters hiding under their beds and in their beds? Monsters, aka toxic chemicals, are waiting and hiding in most mattresses today. How do you know if these monsters are in your mattress? What are the different types of chemicals and what can they do to my family and me?
Today, most mattresses, including inner-spring mattresses, incorporate memory foam into their structure. There are more than 60 different chemicals used to create a simple memory foam mattress. Since memory foam is highly flammable, many manufacturers add toxic flame retardants to help prevent the mattress from burning. There are more than 80,000 chemicals available in the U.S. Only 200 have been tested for safety and only five are actually regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Listed below are some of the worst materials that are known to be used in conventional mattresses:
• Polyurethane foam (petroleum-based material that emits VOCs)
• Formaldehyde (linked to asthma, allergies and lung cancer)
• Flame retardants (linked to cancer and nervous system disorders), such as PBDEs, which were very recently banned in many countries.
• Boric acid (roach killer)
Debra Lynn Dadd, 25-year writer and blogger of toxic substances in household products, said, “If you are interested in things like organic food and natural beauty products, you should realize that you’re actually getting a greater exposure to toxic chemicals in your bed than anywhere else.” And there are strong indications from major institutions, including the Harvard School of Public Health, that brain disorders, such as autism, ADHD, and retardation, may be related to the “silent pandemic” of chemicals in our indoor and outdoor environments.
So, what can you do to protect your family? Look for mattresses, pillows and bedding that are made with nontoxic ingredients. Question the manufacturer as to what it uses as a flame retardant; are there glues used in this product? Products claiming to be waterproof, wrinkle free, cooling or heating gels are big red flags. You want to find mattresses made from pure ingredients, like latex and bedding sourced from 100 percent cotton and wool. Pillows can use nontoxic ingredients, like wool, latex, buckwheat and kapok, which provides a down-like feeling while providing natural protection from mold, mildew and dust mites.
You will discover quickly that removing chemicals from your sleeping environment won’t sacrifice comfort. Rather it will dramatically improve your sleep and your life.
Source: Bliss Sleep Center. For more information, visit BlissSleepCenter.com. See ad on page 21.
