Chemicals In Mattresses

Mattresses are known to release minute amounts of gaseous chemicals called volatile organic compounds vocs.

Chemicals in mattresses.

These vocs come mainly from the polyurethane used in the mattress but also from other. And pvc or vinyl. For instance wool is able to act as a natural flame retardant but this is more expensive and time consuming to produce and thus not commonly used. For a mattress to qualify for the usda organic seal it needs at least 95 percent certified organic materials and to be processed without potentially harmful chemicals says charlotte.

Memory foam mattresses are made with polyurethane. Flame retardant chemicals linked to cancer hormone disruption and adverse effects on the immune system. This includes polyurethane foam that can emit volatile organic compounds or vocs harmful chemicals that can cause respiratory irritation or other health problems. These chemicals are released from the mattress material through use by a process called off gassing.

Other chemicals frequently found in memory foam and other synthetic mattresses include formaldehyde benzene and napthalene. Mattress companies add these chemical flame retardants because it is an inexpensive way to meet federal flammability standards. This process occurs when the chemicals used to manufacture the mattress breakdown and are released as gases. There are alternatives to chemical flame retardants.