Does Memory Foam Contain Toxic Chemicals? What is memory foam? According to Wikipedia, memory foam is “polyurethane with additional chemicals increasing its viscosity and density.” Toxic chemicals in memory foam So what are those “additional chemicals”? What do we know about memory foam? There have been legal consequences for memory foam companies which claimed their products are free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Some memory foam mattresses contain toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde, benzene, and naphthalene. Memory foam contains isocyanates which (according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. Exposure to isocyanates can lead to chest tightness and asthma. According to Yale University, continued exposure to isocyanates can lead to “regular asthma, and asthma attacks that are triggered in many environments, not just by isocyanate exposure.” Isocyanates contain compounds classified as potential human carcinogens (Occupational Safety and Health Administration).
Polyurethane: flame retardants, off gassing, and safety Memory foam mattresses often contain chemical flame retardants which have been linked to a litany of health problems, including developmental brain disorders, cancer, and obesity. Organic wool, however, is a soft, natural material that not only can allow a mattress to pass the mandated flame test, but adds a layer of airy cushioning to the top of your mattress. It’s not uncommon to notice a chemical off-gassing smell upon unpacking a memory foam mattress. The best way to get rid of the odor is to allow the mattress to air out by moving air through the room. This can be done by opening doors and windows and running a fan. So what’s the risk? The risk is the unknown. We can’t positively say a memory foam mattress will cause “this effect.” Every person is different. Every mattress is different. Some memory foam mattress users complain of waking with headaches. Others develop respiratory issues such as asthma.
Still others have concerns about the long-term health effects of years of nightly exposure to this material. It's not certain what risk every individual might encounter. But what you can do is use the information available about memory foam to make the best possible decision. Evaluating risk is something that we do every day, whether we are crossing the street or choosing foods to buy at the supermarket. Your mattress choice is the same thing. Gather relevant information, consider organic mattress options, and make the choice that is wisest for you.When most people think adjustable beds, they automatically picture a hospital bed. Many don't realize that bed manufactures now make beds that can be used in the home that will help individuals suffering from a variety of health problems that make sleeping difficult. 1. Relief from Chronic PainAnyone who suffers from chronic pain such as old injuries, back pain, or arthritis will find that they get a much better night's sleep when they use adjustable beds.
They can shift the position of the bed so that pain is reduced. The adjustable bed will spare you the hassle of having to sleep in a chair or using a dozen pillows to prop yourself up at night. 2. Sleep ApneaIf you suffer from sleep apnea, it means that while you sleep, your airway either collapses or becomes blocked by your tongue. Traditional flat mattresses exasperate this problem. Making some minor tweaks to your sleeping position with an adjustable bed prevents the airways from collapsing, allowing you to stay asleep all night long.3. GERDIf you suffer from GERD, you know that bedtime can be a real trial. It seems that no matter what position you try, your stomach acids keep you up all night long. Not only does this make sleeping nearly impossible, but it's also bad for your esophagus. Adjustable beds can help. Raising the head of the bed a few inches can help settle your stomach acid and keep it down where it belongs. Some individuals who suffer from GERT have raised their bed as much as 5 inches to see improvement in their restful night's sleep.4.
Fluids Collecting in LegsIf you notice that your legs swell when you sleep, you might want to consider getting an adjustable bed. Raising the foot of the bed an inch or two will decrease the amount of overnight swelling your experience, making it easier for you to move when you get up in the morning.5. SciaticaIf you have been diagnosed with sciatica, sleeping in the traditional prone position pinches the sciatic nerve in your spine. In most cases, adjustable beds are the best solution. Inclining the bed just a few degrees relieves the pressure. Not only will you get a better night's sleep, but you'll also decrease the amount of damage you potentially do to your back.As memory foam beds gain in popularity and market share, off-gassing has become a major part of the conversation. No one wants to cut off their nose to spite their face, and you don’t want to breathe in harmful chemicals to get better support for your back. I try to pay attention to what I put in and on my body, and can not ignore what’s being said on the internet about my beloved memory foam.
Read on to find out whether you should re-think your memory foam mattress. “Off-gassing” is a term for the chemical odor that can sometimes accompany your new memory foam mattress. Everything naturally gives off a scent, from your neighbor to your apple for lunch, to your new carpet. The particular scent that most people associate with off-gassing of a memory foam mattress is related to the VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) that are sometimes used in the manufacturing process. Most of these chemicals are rendered inert (inactive) after the product is formulated, but their smell can remain. To be perfectly honest, most of the dangerous chemicals that were used have been phased out in the US and the UK. These are PBDEs, which include formaldehyde and CFCs. Reactions to these and other chemicals found in memory foam mattresses can include headache, eye and nose irritation, nausea, or respiratory problems. These symptoms always abate as the scent from the mattress dissipates.
According to the EPA, finished foams used in bedding do not present a health hazard. There are a few ways to avoid the memory foam off-gassing issue entirely: Purchase a latex mattress instead of a memory foam mattress. You’ll get similar support, the same durability, great pressure relief, and if you buy natural latex, no off-gassing. Ask the store to air out the mattress before it is delivered, or air it out yourself once it arrives. Unwrap the mattress and place it in a closed room with windows open. Within seventy-two hours, the smell should be gone. Buy a mattress that carries the CertiPUR-US seal. CertiPUR-US tests all the materials in the mattress for VOCs, PBDEs, carcinogens, CFCs, formaldehyde, and other toxic materials. Good options are Simmons CURV, and Comforpedic by Beautyrest. Since I can’t make it all the way through a post without throwing my two cents in, here it goes: I am not worried about the off-gassing from my memory foam mattress.
Sure, I am concerned about chemicals in my everyday life, but I feel like my memory foam bed is really far down on my list. We use lotions and soaps every day with a bunch of ingredients that we can’t even pronounce. We eat foods that have a bunch of chemical flavorings. I breathe in exhaust from cars, second-hand cigarette smoke, and ahem, methane from my husband. Even with how sensitive my skin and allergies are, I have never had a reaction to my memory foam bed. I put a mattress protector on it, and ta-da, no smell. In all honesty, I think that memory foam off-gassing is a trumped up issue. It’s the SAME smell as “new car scent”, which we are always trying to replicate with air fresheners. That new couch that you bought will have the same smell also. And don’t even get me started on the yucky chemicals that are in your carpet that no one even thinks about. The end result is that the government believes that memory foam beds are not toxic. Many companies, such as Comforpedic, have made huge efforts to make their mattresses healthy and scent-free.