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Mattresses: Materials Matter!

When thinking about toxins in the home, the bedroom is not often a place we would start, but it should be as we do spend a good chunk of our lives in the bedroom.

The beds themselves can be a major source of exposure to things like chemicals, via the bed frame and its sealants/ materials, the mattress’ flame retardants and the sheets/bedding chemicals used in production.

As we spend ⅓ of our lives in bed, this is important to address!

Toxin Issues in Matresses

PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) were used starting in the 1970s as flame retardants in most mattresses. This class of chemicals are hormone disrupting and obesity-promoting, and they specifically target thyroid hormones. They are fat-loving and stored in our body’s fat tissue making them resistant to breakdown/excretion.

Mattresses also may contain formaldehyde in the adhesives used to glue together the mattress.

A 2005 study sent samples of several mattresses to a lab for testing; one of the memory foam samples was found to emit 61 different chemicals, including cancer-causing chemicals.

Mattresses Made Before 2007

If you purchased prior to 2007, the odds are you have furniture or mattress with flame retardants that continue to leach out of the foam and into your air/dust.

The good news is there has been new legislation for companies not to use flame-retardants anymore, but it is still a good idea to check!

CHECK YOUR MATTRESS TAG:

Find the white tags on furniture that says “don’t remove” if it says that it’s compliant with TB117, this means there are flame retardants present.

If you do have an older mattress or one made with not great materials, in the interim you can get a Mattress Encasement which will help to reduce to exposure from chemicals, etc. used in the mattress.

My Top Picks For Mattresses

Look for ones made of natural materials: organic cotton, wool or latex

Look for certifications like : GOLS, GOTS, Greenguard Gold, MADE SAFE and/or OEKO-TEs

Avoid metal coils and bed frames to reduce EMF potential

Make sure layers are STITCHED together and not glued together

OPT for a “foundation” instead of a box spring (doesn’t contain metal coil springs)

AVOID Memory Foam, Mattress Toppers + Tempurpedic type mattresses

Disclaimer

The information presented on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation.

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