Memory foam is also called "viscoelastic" foam. A memory-foam mattress cushions your body as you sleep, so you feel less strain on your muscles and joints. Foam mattresses are comfortable, but they aren't ideal for everyone. Memory-foam mattresses are made of a synthetic substance, polyurethane, and a cocktail of other chemicals, and these may pose a health risk for some people. Chemicals in Foam Mattresses Polyurethane foam, the main substance in memory-foam bedding, has been used in mattresses since the mid- to late 1960s. Polyurethane is a volatile organic compound, or VOC, which may cause skin irritation and breathing problems, according to Mother Jones. Polyurethane is also used in foam insulation and floor finishes. The Environmental Protection Agency notes that this type of product contains uncured diisocyanates, a chemical that can be toxic if inhaled. According to the EPA, polyurethane mattresses contain cured or finished diisocyanates that are not hazardous to health. Other Chemicals Flame retardants are also used in foam mattresses, creating another concern.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission requires all new mattresses made in the United States to withstand up to 30 minutes of flame. Mattress makers once used PentaBDE, a type of polybrominated diphenyl ether, to protect bedding from fire. PentaBDE was phased out in 2004, but manufacturers now use undisclosed proprietary blends of flame retardants instead. Foam mattress also include the chemicals methylene chloride and formaldehyde, which are potential carcinogens. According to the National Cancer Institute, short-term formaldehyde exposure can cause skin irritation, coughing, nausea and burning in the eyes, throat and nose. Off-Gassing The chemicals used in foam mattresses don't stay put -- they release a harsh odor that, for some people, can be nauseating. This process is called off-gassing. The odor is most noticeable in new mattresses. Lower-density foams don't contain as many chemicals, so they'll have a less irritating odor. After you bring a foam mattress home, unwrap its packaging and allow it to air out in a well-ventilated spot.
After a few days, the odor won't be as strong. Foam Mattress Alternatives If you're concerned about the safety of foam mattresses, consider buying a more natural alternative. Mattresses made with natural materials, such as cotton, wool, latex, bamboo and hemp, contain few or no hazardous chemicals. Soy-based mattress foams contain less polyurethane. Some companies use wool, a natural flame repellant, in place of chemical fire retardants. These mattresses can be very expensive, however. And unless you opt for an organic mattress, bedding made with plant-based materials may contain pesticide residues. References Mother Jones: Should You Ditch Your Chemical Mattress?: Toxic Nightmare: Is Your Bed Making You Seriously Sick?Memory Foam Mattress Guide: Off Gassing and Memory FoamHealthy Child Healthy World: Your Guide to Affordable, Safe Bedding & MattressesU.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Protecting Your HealthU.S. Environmental Protection Agency: An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: EPA Announces Actions on Two Chemicals to Reduce Harm to PeopleNational Cancer Institute: Formaldehyde and Cancer Risk Photo Credits Goodshoot/Goodshoot/Getty Images Suggest a Correction
Rights & Responsibilities | Fire Prevention Measures | Electric Cords & Appliance Requirements | Minimum Mandatory Sanctions |Additional Safety Information | Online Resources and Articles As Boston College students, you have rights regarding personal safety and security. In order to ensure these rights for you and your fellow students, you must abide by certain policies. Fulfilling these policies and requirements is your responsibility as a residence hall student. Minimum mandatory sanctions will be imposed for failing to comply. Health & Safety Inspections — Random Health & Safety inspections will take place throughout the year. Any safety violation will be recorded. Fire Alarms — When the fire alarm in your building sounds, it is your responsibility to leave the building immediately. Although some fire alarms are false, you must treat every fire alarm as if a real fire is occurring. Maliciously pulling a fire alarm is a serious offense. It disrupts the life of every resident in the building and places at risk the lives of the responding fire personnel and resident staff.
If you witness an alarm being pulled falsely, notify your RA immediately. Fire Extinguishers — Fire extinguishers are placed in specific locations throughout each residence hall. These extinguishers should be used only in the event of an actual fire. Misuse of a fire extinguisher is a very dangerous act. Door Propping — The first step toward a safe community is keeping the exterior door properly locked. Propping open a building door leaves the building and its residents vulnerable to all crimes. The card access system for each residence hall door monitors propping. In the event that a door is propped open for more than 60 seconds, a silent alarm sounds to which the Boston College Police Department will respond. Room Combination Security — Safety begins with you. Under no circumstance is your room combination to be shared with non-roommates. Most on-campus theft is caused by room combination sharing. It is your responsibility to keep this code secure. Security Screens — In order to ensure your safety, residence hall rooms are equipped with locked screens.
The tabs on these screens should not be removed unless an emergency situation arises. Removal of the tab on the screen is a violation. Students may report any missing red tabs to their Resident Director by September 15th without incurring a charge. Fire prevention requires the efforts and cooperation of all Boston College community members. As students, you are expected to adhere to strict guidelines on this matter. Failure to comply with these expectations can jeopardize your safety and that of others. In light of the possible hazards caused by the use of high-voltage and heat-producing appliances and non-approved furniture in densely populated areas, various items are prohibited in the residence halls: No extension cords are allowed. Only power strips with surge protection are allowed. Space heaters and heating blankets Any style of halogen light or lamp Octopus lights and lamps (any light with more than three "arms") Any extension cord without a surge protector
Decorative lights are permitted only from October 15 to last final exam in December. Grills are not permitted except in the Mods. Lighter fluid is prohibited in all areas. Smoking is prohibited in all residence halls. All non-University mattresses are prohibited in the residence halls. All types of foam mattress topper (egg crate, memory foam, etc.) are particularly flammable and are therefore prohibited. Futons may be used in common areas of suites and apartments, but they are not permitted in any bedroom or anywhere in traditional-style residence halls. The University and the Office of Residential Life reserve the right to determine whether personal furnishings (chairs, couches, mattresses, lamps, etc.) are appropriate due to code, policy, or space issues. Heat-producing appliances are limited by hall. Only buildings with kitchens or kitchenette areas may have any appliance. This includes coffee makers, toasters, toaster ovens, etc. Please see your RD for building specifics.
Electric Cords & Appliance Requirements Power strips or surge protectors must be used in the event that the number of electrical appliances exceeds the number of electrical outlets. These must be UL approved, with a circuit breaker. Only 110-volt and low-wattage (1000 or less) microwaves are permitted in the halls. Candles, incense, hookahs, and other sources of open flame are prohibited in the residence halls. These items should not be brought to campus. They will be confiscated and destroyed without compensation to the owner. Posters, flags and other wall hangings must be used sparingly. They are not to be hung from the ceiling or in a location that will cover or interfere with light fixtures, outlets, or other appliances. Self-balancing scooters, commonly known as hoverboards are prohibited on campus. They will be confiscated if found being used anywhere on any BC campus. Construction of partitions, bunk beds, lofts, and other additions to your room is not allowed.
Smoking in all residence halls is strictly prohibited. In order to smoke, students must be at least 20 feet from any residence hall. Exits may not be blocked or used for storage. Deliberately setting off a fire alarm Up to University Suspension; repay all costs associated with violation Negligent alarm (e.g., cooking)cost of any damage Tampering with fire/safety equipment (e.g., fire exting., smoke alarm, heat sensor, alarm box, horns, strobes) Up to University Suspension and/or loss of housing, educational sanctions Failure to evacuate during fire alarm Disciplinary Probation up to University Probation, educational sanction Possession of unlit candles or incense Administrative Warning, confiscation (to be discarded) Possession of a candle with burnt wick or used incense Disciplinary Probation, confiscation (to be discarded) Possession of a burning candle or incense Up to Deferred Housing Suspension, confiscation (to be discarded), and educational sanction