Old Bed Guy- The Truth about Buying Beds and Mattresses. Your complete guide to buying the perfect mattress. Is TempurPedic/Memory Foam Injurious to Your Health? Californians have banded together to sue Tempur Sealy in a class action suit claiming that volatile outgassing chemicals coming from their mattresses have injured their health. This possibility about all memory foams has been discussed for years on the internet, but this is only the second lawsuit that I am aware of. Possibly science will be able to vindicate memory foam, or, on the other hand, make a determination that the chemicals used in its manufacture, when if/when they leave the mattress and enter your household air and your lungs, are, in fact, harmful to your health. For the sake of the millions of people who sleep on these mattresses made mostly from fossil fuels and catalyst chemicals, I sincerely hope that Tempurpedic and all memory foams are judged to be harmless, or, at least, a lot less harmful than the lawsuit contends.
This is link to a CBS TV report and a link to the actual court papers. If you own one, you owe it to yourself to listen and read. You may have to copy and paste this URL. TEMPUR SEALY TEMPUR PEDIC HIT WITH CLASS ACTION SUIT IN CALIFORNIA ALLEGING THAT VOC’S (VOLATILE OUTGASSING CHEMICALS) HAVE CAUSED INJURY TO HEALTH. THIS IS A LINK TO A CBS NEWSCAS May 3, 2015 at 4:19 pm (Edit) You may have to copy and paste if it does not open when clicked.See all 216 reviewsWorth the moneySize: King|King Ghostbed review after 2 months usage.Awesome mattress, honest companySize: Full|but appears to be a very good purchase. I used to wake up tired and ...Best sleep I've ever hadSize: California King|Definitely A KeeperSize: Twin|←Previous...Get fast answers from reviewers See all 88 answered questions What do customers buy after viewing this item?Best SellingZinus Memory Foam 12 Inch Green Tea Mattress, Queen4,985Top Rated • Lowest PriceLinenSpa 8" Memory Foam and Innerspring Hybrid Mattress, Twin376Need customer service?
A class action suit has been filed in California courts alleging thatTempurpedic’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, and that the company is aware of issues. They believe the company has minimized the problem when advertising their products by stating that the odors will dissipate and that products are VOC-free, when formaldehyde and other odors may continue to be released for months. The class lawsuit brought against Tempur-pedic is represented byattorney Allen Stewart of Dallas, Texas, and seeks many forms of recourse including an injunction, constructive trust, and restitution. It claims that Tempurpedic violated business laws within the State of California, where the suit was filed. One of the primary reasons for the suit states that Tempurpedic not only downplayed VOCs in their memory foam mattresses and pillows but also refers to the fact that they failed to warn customers of a potential link between reactions and allergies with previous customers and their products.
Another key issue brought by the plaintiff is that Tempurpedic and their distributor network informs customers that the odors emitted from their memory foam should only last a few days and is harmless. The class action suit claims that the company has been aware of problems reported by some consumers like allergic reactions attributed to the odors or side effects like headaches since at least 2007, and has failed to notify consumers of these potential problems. Their other claim is that Tempurpedic’s mattresses emit formaldehyde, a strong VOC and known carcinogen, even though they claim their products are ‘allergen-resistant’ (though this claim likely refers to dust mites rather than chemical sensitivities). The claim on the attorney’s website states that formaldehyde has been identified in laboratory testing of Tempurpedic products. Tempurpedic has not officially released a public response yet, but the lawsuit (or perhaps recent FTC actions) already appears to have had some effect on marketing, as the company’s website removed a page in the last few months which had the claims mentioned in the lawsuit (“free of harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds) such as formaldehyde and CFC (chlorofluorocarbon)—harsh chemicals that can trigger allergies and asthma.”)
, and now makes no official mention of the issue. They had also removed all reviews from their website for several months (since July 2013), though many appear to have been restored in the last few weeks. VOC stands for volatile organic compounds which can be released from products created from unstable organic chemicals or compounds, often referring to petroleum or byproducts thereof, including the polyurethane and adhesives used in traditional memory foam. More than 60 compounds have been identified which can cause allergic reactions and other health concerns, with 18 of those requiring a warning label. Formaldehyde is just one of the well-known VOCs, and its concentration is easier to measure than many of the others. According to the EPA website http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html, VOCs are commonly found in paint, organic solvents, furniture, foams and degreasing agents among other commonly used products. The concentration is often higher indoors, and can lead to many health effects, including lung irritation, nerve damage, kidney damage, endocrine disruption and several are also considered to be potential carcinogens.
Although Tempur-pedic is currently being sued over VOCs, they are not the only company to run afoul of problems related to the release of volatile organic compounds and advertising claims. EcoBaby Organics Inc., Essentia Natural Memory Foam Company Inc., and Relief-Mart Inc. were recently asked by the FTC to stop advertising that their products are VOC-free until proven to be so. Other companies including Target, Wal-Mart and Babies R Us were also sued earlier this year in California due to undisclosed Tris fire retardants in baby mattresses. As the organic and natural movements continue gaining popularity and awareness, more and more consumers are becoming concerned about toxic or potentially harmful products. VOCs have been a primary target in the U.S. and Europe, since several of them have the potential to interfere with endocrine systems, hormones, and other bodily functions. Furniture items are of particular concern since their outgassing can affect indoor air quality, and since people are in close proximity to their mattresses for several hours each day.
Memory foam mattresses have taken the bedding industry by storm and continue growing in sales, yet these recent actions have many consumers wondering whether it is safe to go to bed at night. The answer is complex, primarily depending on the type of memory foam mattress you own or choose to buy, as well as your personal sensitivity. Manufacturers are also not required to disclose ingredients at this time, and chemical claims are largely on honor system until challenged. According to SleepLikeTheDead, a consumer review analysis website, more Tempur-pedic owners have complained of issues with off-gassing and odors than from any other brand. Although almost every manufactured product, even spring mattresses, will release a new odor, knowing what the odor actually consists of can be important for peace of mind and health. Thoroughly research products before buying, and check reviews to see if a significant proportion of people mention side effects. Look for recognized industry safety certifications, and ensure that the retailer can answer your questions about foams, fire retardants and adhesives.
When you do choose a new mattress, allow it air out in a separate room or garage for a few days if you are sensitive to smells just to be sure, or even consider buying a pillow from the brand first to test your reaction. But, know that only a very small percentage of people will experience significant side effects, while memory foam as whole remains the highest-rated mattress category for overall satisfaction. While only time will tell how Tempurpedic fairs in their latest lawsuit, the trends toward safer consumer products and greater transparency are clear. Consumers increasingly want to know what is in the mattress that they sleep in or on. With memory foam, it is usually “sleep in”. A group of major chemical companies such as Dow, Bayer, DuPont, and Cargill along with major domestic foam manufacturers such as Carpenter and Hickory, have banded together and formed a non-profit organization: “CertiPur USA” to increase the transparency and safety of their foams.