Memory foam is a type of material that conforms to the shape of a person’s body and that is used to make various bedding materials, including mattresses, mattress toppers and pillows. These include morning headaches muscle pain, frequent nausea and the lack of concentration. Traditionally, memory foam is produced using a number of chemicals and processes. If you have been around a lower quality memory foam before, you may have noticed a distinct smell which is known as off-gassing. Choose a quality mattress that is made up of eco-friendly materials. Add to that, there’s probably foam pretty much everywhere else in your house, too. Are you worried that your current mattress might be toxic? Look for a casing that’s comprised of certified organic cotton and certified organic wool. These types of pillows tend to have the highest concentration of chemicals used. Variable pressure blowing dues do not need chemical agents. However, memory foam does contain some synthetic materials which may not be suitable for prolonged use. "Natural" mattresses can be blended with petroleum-based latex, as well as other toxic materials. Since 2004, US law requires all mattresses to be fireproof to a specific temperature. Tempurpedic Sued Over VOCs & Memory Foam Safety. #1 New Releases: Home Detox Workbook & EMF Detox Workbook , 11 Nontoxic Solutions for Indoor Air Pollution Issues. If they cleared safety testing then the goverment has deemed them to be safe. In rare cases, VOC’s lead to more concerning results like … Many mattresses contain polyurethane foam, which makes a mattress cheaper, lighter to move, and more comfortable. But You still need to wear some a tampon or a menstrual cup to avoid getting into a sticky situation. In a mobile dental clinic, the dentist and staff arrive at a facility where the patients are already located. It not only provides unmatched pressure relief, support and comfort but also maintains a cool temperature around the body. Now, it has no smell at all. PBDEs can be found in everything from carpet pads and foam pillows to computers and television sets. No studies show that memory foam is toxic or cancer. Read, How to Choose a Mattress? Only about 2% actually return their mattresses as a result of the smell. are also experienced. Having a specific sleep schedule can help you to get a restful sleep. This article may contain affiliate links. Sleep Calculator – Know What’s the Best Time to Sleep, Voila Mattress Review – The “Best of Both Worlds” Hybrid Mattress, Zenhaven Latex Mattress Review – The World’s Most Natural Sleep, Cuddle Mattress Review – Sleep While Cuddling Your Partner Night Long, Tomorrow Sleep Mattress Review – Unique Hybrid Mattress Made Just For You, A Peek Inside the Working of a Mobile Dental Clinic, What is The Refractory Period? Different memory foam companies use different chemicals for this process. Polyvinyl chloride, formaldehyde, boric acid, antimony trioxide are some of the chemicals that are used to make memory foam. Memory foam mattresses have memory foam in the comfort layers and stable poly-foam in the bottom layer for durability, deterring sagging. The Cuddle Mattress is designed for a unique purpose that is not available with any other mattress. Patients and doctors enter symptoms, answer questions, and find a list of matching causes – sorted by probability. If you want the natural feel of natural latex and do not prefer the spring or foam mattresses, then Zenhaven is just right for you. In surveys completed by Sleep Like the Dead, a mattress research firm, memory foam mattresses represent the bedding with the most owner complaints about smell. Most mattresses sold today contain some polyurethane foam and many contain specialty foams such as latex or memory foam, which consistently break down and release chemicals. We even list what comes out o… Let us learn more about the harmful chemicals used in some of these mattresses and memory foam health risks and ways to avoid them. Essentia is one of the rare exceptions that makes natural memory foam … We're bringing consciousness to unconscious choices. However, this doesn’t mean that the fire-retardant materials used in the beds are safe. Is Memory Foam Toxic? Many types of health issues include headaches, itching of the eyes, joint pains, respiratory problems and also skin infections etc. According to the Kira 2019 article: Elevated heat seems to be the major contributor to the enhanced emissions, compared to elevated relative humidity and CO2 concentration. For example, exposure to formaldehyde may contribute to health issues and symptoms like those listed below. While the odor from memory foam off-gassing is unpleasant, it doesn’t harm most users. For example, exposure to formaldehyde may contribute to health issues and symptoms like those listed below. Many people buy memory foam for the comfort benefits 1. The Environmental Protection Agency has also agreed that these chemicals are toxic. Eighteen VOCs were quantified. You may experience itchy/sore throat, skin, nose, and eye irritation, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. Pillow arrived, perfect condition, and I have yet to remove any of the original filling (you can adjust the volume of the pillow by adding and subtracting more buckwheat hulls). Most people are not aware that studies on polyurethane foam mattresses have been alarming. They don’t “air out” quickly either. Latex vs Memory Foam Mattress -Which one is best for you? This chemical odor is a result of the chemicals used to produce … Ryan December 4, 2015 at 10:16 am. Off gassing, a concern among those wary of memory foam, occurs when volatile organic compounds (or VOC’s) break down and diffuse through the air you breathe. Under certain sleeping conditions, VOC emissions increased significantly. Searched far and wide for a replacement to my toxic memory foam pillow, and was curious and willing to try anything to help my neck support, especially as a side sleeper. It has also been linked to cancers of the paranasal sinuses, nasal cavity, and nasopharynx. Learn budget-friendly tips to detox your home and habits of toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and electromagnetic fields from your technology. Read Affiliate Disclosure. This article may contain affiliate links. Avoid low-quality memory foam mattresses. Exposure to common flame retardants may increase thyroid problems among women, especially post-menopausal women. Spending years sleeping on a polyurethane foam mattress can increase your likelihood of suffering the side effects the EPA warns us about. To our knowledge, as foamers and manufacturers, these are the ingredients used to make the components listed below. The safety of a memory foam mattress can vary depending on where you purchase it from. Many of these options have been recognized as toxic and are no longer considered to be safe for use in the US. Here are a few things you should check before you buy a memory foam mattress: As a consumer, you can protect yourself by understanding the science behind the memory foam mattress and avoiding using the mattresses that contain toxic components. Generally speaking, YES, they are safe. Talalay Global, formerly known as Latex International, also confirms using the same ingredients we use to make their 100% natural latex foam. Memory foam mattresses are made from materials derived from either petroleum-based or plant-based oils. Place it in a ventilated room. There are a few symptoms you should pay attention to if you think that your mattress may be negatively impacting your health. Symptoma empowers users to uncover even ultra-rare diseases. Memory foam mattresses are notorious for the initial smell, which dissipates with time. The diisocyanates that increase the flame resistance in memory foam are known to cause respiratory, and skin damage and are also considered carcinogenic. While various factors can contribute to the symptoms above. Phthalates: It can harm the liver, kidney and the reproductive system. I sleep on an all foam mattress – a 5 inch layer of high density foam with a 4 inch layer of memory foam, all wrapped in a fabric cover. Let’s Find Out. Rayon treated silica and Kevlar fabrics are safer than the others that use polybrominated diphenyl ether. In some cases, there are also natural additives. In fact, these have made the mattresses even more unsafe than before. Memory foam is conforming and elastic when a sleeper applies body heat and pressure. According to SleepLikeTheDead.com, about 15% of memory foam mattress owners report significant odors from off gassing. The reduced cognitive ability is most often reported in young children. Since we spend at least a third of our life on our bed, it is natural that we would want our mattress to be comfortable and safe. Choosing a nontoxic mattress is an important step in removing harmful toxins from your bedroom and detoxing your toxic exposures. For added protection, you can check if your chosen mattress is. As a result, the material relieves pressure points and prevents pain. These chemicals are volatile organic compounds, which break down and release chemicals into the air. Another research was done by the Duke University on the harmful effects of acetone, benzene, ethylene oxide, formaldehyde, methylene chloride and 1,1,1-trichloroethane. Memory foam molds to the body in response to heat and pressure, evenly distributing body weight. If you're looking to replace your current mattress, then the tips below can help you identify healthier options. If they don’t hold a certificate from your home country it doesn’t mean they are toxic. The Tomorrow Sleep mattress uses the best combination of memory foam and pocketed innerspring coils to make a unique hybrid mattress that has several advantages over others. Stemjar.com uses cookies to improve your overall site experience and to show you personalized advertising. I would no recommend them for a dog. Memory Foam Mattresses usually produce some odors when new. The core of the mattress should be comprised of natural latex instead of memory foam, polyurethane foam, or any number of blended foams. Recognizing the Side Effects of Your Memory Foam Mattress You can recognize the symptoms of exposure to the harmfulness of foam mattresses. A lot of new plastic toys offgas, ever smelled a Barbie straight out of the box? Methylene chloride: This chemical is carcinogenic. The 3 most commonly used PBDEs – penta, octa, and deca – can be found respectively in polyurethane foams, high impact plastics and electronic equipment. This research discovered that even brief exposure to these chemicals could cause issues like asthma attacks. Exposure levels estimated for sleeping child/infant indicate that SME can be a significant contributor to VOC exposure, yielding concerning exposure levels for few compounds. Toxic mattress symptoms Some of the more common side-effects of memory foam usage include headaches, muscle pain, nausea and lack of concentration. Memory foam pillows are made with polyurethane, which is considered highly combustible. Memory foam mattresses are made up of three main elements- polyol, isocyanate, and water. Toxic Mattress Symptoms Most commonly people report problems including morning headaches, muscle pain, nausea, lack of concentration and fatigue. I have had my memory foam mattress for almost four months and it still smells up the whole bedroom with a strong chemical smell. It delivers helpful tips for detoxing your environment, habits, and body. Memory Foam Mattress. If you experience any of the below symptoms, according to the EPA and an article in Environmental Science & Technology (Kira 2019), volatile organic compounds (or fumes from) your mattress might be a contributing factor. We all have different sleep needs depending on our age. After 15 years of using polyurethane memory foam toppers, I recently began to experience severe flu like symptoms which included memory problems. © Copyright 2020 Stemjar Services | All rights reserved. The odor results from the breakdown of the volatile organic compounds that occurs. They say that the odor is gone in 24 to 48 hours, and that is simply not true in my experience. Another animal study was done to check the effects of breathing volatile organic compounds (VOC). Groundbreaking hacks for practical nontoxic living. When volatile organic compound in the mattresses break down and release chemicals into the air, it is called off-gassing. Even if you sleep on a good old fashioned coil-spring mattress, chances are there’s still polyurethane foam somewhere inside it. Though different memory foams use different materials, a few components are common to almost all of them. Reply . Rubber tree sap combines with a few other compounds, such as sulfur, and processed to create a foam that’s soft, flexible, durable, and stable. It irritated the lungs and reduced the air flow to the lungs by one fifth. In summary, here’s what’s in standard foam mattresses: Benzene –may damage a cell’s DNA, has been linked to leukemia, breast, lymphatic, and hematopoietic cancers Chlorine – may cause bladder, colon, and rectal cancer Formaldehyde – may be toxic to immune system, nervous system, developmental system, respiratory system and cause cancer Are Foam Pillows Toxic? Polyurethane: Polyurethane is a combination of polyols and diisocyanates. However, polyurethane foam is made of lots of petrochemicals and chemical flame retardants. Available in three variants of firmness – Plush, Medium and Firm and built-in unique 12 layers, voila mattress is bound to be a favorite choice for mattress seekers. You can dip your arms down the mattress and cuddle your partner comfortably during the night. The two articles below have helpful tips on improving the indoor air quality of your sleep area. It has two sides – firm and soft plush, any of which can be chosen by just flipping the mattress. Some mattresses, especially memory foam mattresses or mattresses made of other synthetic materials, are full of petrochemicals, including harmful toxicants. Methyl Benzene: Breathing this chemical can affect your nervous system. Reducing your VOC exposures from your mattress can reduce your risks to a range of symptoms or health issues. Ways To Shorten It, Can You Swim On Your Period? One study of the sleeping microenvironment (SME)—characterized by higher temperature, humidity, and CO2 concentration—was studied to see how the SME might influence the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from eight types of polyurethane foam mattresses. If you would like to know more about creating a safe, nontoxic environment in your home, sign up for our newsletter below! This facility can be a school, community center, old age care facility, or even a sizeable manufacturing facility. Nightmare, migraines, insomnia (! There’s a common concern about memory foam mattresses: are they safe? A class action suit has been filed in California courts alleging that Tempurpedic’s memory foam mattresses contain harmful VOCs.The lead plaintiff in the case, Michael Dodson, claims that Tempurpedic mattresses and pillows release volatile organic compounds which can result in allergic reactions as well as possible long-term complications, … You might experience some headaches, allergies, and nausea and if this does not go away during the gassing period, then you should consider an alternative mattress. Flexible polyurethane foam – that’s just plain old foam (including memory foam) to the layperson – is ubiquitous in the mattress industry. Some have been linked to a range of health issues—like cancer, respiratory and skin irritation, infertility, and developmental issues. These common complaints gassing are skin irritation, respiratory irritations, headaches, and nausea. Lead: It can lead to brain and nervous system damage. Zenhaven mattresses are made of Talalay latex, which is more resilient and has a supple and buoyant feel about it. Not all mattresses are created equal. It was later used for many purposes like orthopedic seating pads, custom molded seating for the disabled and mattresses. As such, memory foams have traditionally used polybrominated diphenyl ethers (or PBDEs) for flame retardation. Petroleum, or fully synthetic foams tend to have more reports of offgassing than plant-based foams. Yes, it is safe to swim while you on periods. Although these symptoms won’t disappear instantly, they should drastically reduce shortly after leaving your home. Not only can off-gassing lead to chemical odor, but it can also cause dizziness and respiratory problems in some people. Blowing agents: These chemicals are used to transform polyurethane into memory foam. Robbie November 19, 2015 at 2:45 pm . 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