Toxic Mattress Chemicals Can Make You Sick
Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2012/01/16 - Updated: 2025/02/04
Publication Type: Informative
Topic: Blogs / Writings / Stories - Publications List
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main
Synopsis: This article provides an in-depth analysis of the materials commonly found in mattresses, focusing on the health implications for consumers, especially those with disabilities or the elderly. It details the types of chemicals, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), that may be present in conventional mattress materials like polyurethane foam and flame retardants. By highlighting the potential health risks, including irritation, respiratory issues, and environmental impact like ozone depletion, the article guides readers towards making informed choices about mattress types that could minimize exposure to these chemicals. It is particularly useful for individuals seeking to improve sleep quality while managing specific health conditions, offering insights into selecting mattresses with lower chemical content or natural alternatives. This information is crucial for enhancing sleep health and overall well-being for those who spend significant time in bed, providing practical advice without the influence of commercial bias - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
Conventional mattresses are very likely to contain chemicals, some potentially toxic to humans and harmful to the environment. Most of these chemical compounds have a cloud surrounding the information on the possible harm they can cause. The way to go green is to choose a mattress with fewer chemicals or no chemicals. The ideal mattress would have low VOCs, no CFCs, PBDEs, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and phthalates. But what are these chemicals, and how do they affect the environment and you
Main Item
Understanding Low Emissions (low VOCs)
(VOCs) Volatile organic compounds are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short and long-term adverse health effects.
EPA's Office of Research and Development found levels of about a dozen common organic pollutants to be 2 to 5 times higher inside homes than outside, regardless of whether the homes were located in rural or highly industrial areas.
Most mattresses contain considerable amounts of synthetic and chemical-based foams (polyurethane), plastics, and artificial fibers, and most box springs are made with chemically treated wood and chemical adhesives. Almost every mattress type contains at least some polyurethane foam components.
List of Known Carcinogens That Cause Cancer in Humans: List of currently known cancer carcinogens, substances, chemicals, and products known and suspected, to cause cancer in humans.
Ozone Depleters
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), along with other chlorine and bromine-containing compounds, have been implicated in the accelerated depletion of ozone in the Earth's stratosphere.
CFCs are a byproduct of polyurethane production and are released when the material is burned. Thus all mattress production contributes to the depletion of ozone.
PBDEs
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are members of a broader class of brominated chemicals used as flame retardants; these are called brominated flame retardants, or BFRs. These chemicals are major components of commercial formulations often used as flame retardants in furniture foam (pentaBDE) and back coatings for draperies and upholstery (decaBDE).
Although flame retardants save lives and property, unintended consequences exist. There is growing evidence that PBDEs persist in the environment and accumulate in living organisms. Toxicological testing indicates these chemicals may cause liver toxicity, thyroid toxicity, and neurodevelopmental toxicity.
Environmental monitoring programs in Europe, Asia, North America, and the Arctic have found traces of several PBDEs in human breast milk, fish, aquatic birds, and elsewhere in the environment.
The mechanisms or pathways through which PBDEs get into the environment and humans are not known yet but could include releases from manufacturing or processing of the chemicals into products like plastics or textiles, aging, and wear of the end consumer products, and direct exposure during use (e.g., from furniture).
Even though PBDEs are in the process of being banned from use, you can be sure that any older mattress is sure to contain them. If you sleep on an old mattress, upgrade with a USDA-certified Organic cotton mattress.
Mercury, Lead and Heavy Metals
Heavy metal poisoning has become an increasingly major health problem, especially since the industrial revolution. Heavy metals are in the water we drink, the foods we eat, the air we breathe, our daily household cleaners, our cookware, and our other daily tools.
A heavy metal has a density of at least five times that of water and cannot be metabolized by the body, therefore accumulating in the body. Heavy metal toxicity can cause our mental functions, energy, nervous system, kidneys, lungs, and other organ functions to decline.
Learning where these metals can be found and decreasing one's exposure is vital to staying healthy. Heavy metals are used in fire retardants and plastic vinyl coatings (PVC) associated with mattress manufacturing.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde has been labeled a cause of poor indoor air quality.
Formaldehyde, a colorless, pungent-smelling gas, can cause watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes and throat, nausea, and difficulty breathing in some humans exposed at elevated levels (above 0.1 parts per million). High concentrations may trigger attacks in people with asthma.
There is evidence that some people can develop sensitivity to formaldehyde. It has also been shown to cause cancer in animals and may cause cancer in humans. Health effects include eye, nose, and throat irritation; wheezing and coughing; fatigue; skin rash; severe allergic reactions.
Formaldehyde is typically used to make adhesives that hold mattresses together.
Phthalates
Phthalates are animal carcinogens and can cause fetal death, malformations, and reproductive toxicity in laboratory animals.
Children may be at higher risk of adverse effects of phthalates because of anticipated higher exposures during a time of developmental and physiologic immaturity. Phthalates are not covalently bound to the plastic matrix and leach out of PVC.
A typical baby mattress's Vinyl/PVC surface consists of 30% phthalates that can leach into your child's crib. Why risk your child's life on anything but an organic cotton baby crib mattress?
What is Off-gassing?
Polyurethane foam is the number one ingredient in traditional mattresses today.
Understanding the dangers of off-gassing is why so many Americans are now purchasing organic mattresses. Off-gassing from polyurethane foam releases many harmful petroleum chemicals. The Petroleum based chemicals used in making foams are polymers and urethane, which contain an Isocyanate compound. The Isocyanate compound is one of the main culprits that cause illness, asthma, and other diseases.
These chemicals in mattresses release hydrocarbons that evaporate into the air we breathe throughout a mattress' lifetime. These hydrocarbons are powerful carcinogenic chemicals, attacking and severely damaging the immune and nervous systems of adults and children.
United States Department of Labor claims that the health effects of Isocyanate exposure include irritation to the skin, mucous membranes, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing.
Author Credentials: Ian was born and grew up in Australia. Since then, he has traveled and lived in numerous locations and currently resides in Montreal, Canada. Ian is the founder, a writer, and editor in chief for Disabled World. Ian believes in the Social Model of Disability, a belief developed by disabled people in the 1970s. The social model changes the focus away from people's impairments and towards removing barriers that disabled people face daily. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and achievements, check out his bio.