It is legal but restricted by law. The processes used to refurbish or sterilize used mattresses are also regulated by permit. It is a violation to sell used products as new, or to reutilize used materials except in accordance with legal permits to do so.
(see the related link) Is it illegal to sell a soiled mattress in Virginia? HTTP Error 404.0 - Not Found The resource you are looking for has been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable. The directory or file specified does not exist on the Web server. The URL contains a typographical error. A custom filter or module, such as URLScan, restricts access to the file. Things you can try: Create the content on the Web server. Review the browser URL. Create a tracing rule to track failed requests for this HTTP status code and see which module is calling SetStatus. For more information about creating a tracing rule for failed requests, click here. Links and More Information
This error means that the file or directory does not exist on the server. Create the file or directory and try the request again. View more information »It seems that the page you are looking for is not here.Is it illegal to sell a used mattress? No, it is not illegal for individuals or retail stores to sell used mattresses or mattresses containing used materials. Federal law only mandates that mattresses constructed with used stuffing be labeled. What is the law about selling used mattresses? Do you need to ask permission to use pictures of circular skin rash online? What are the laws on downloading pornographic materials? Though some states have laws governing the labeling of used mattresses, the sanitizing process they must undergo and which parts may be recovered from old mattresses for the manufacture of new ones, many states do not. In fact, some bedding is offered for sale without labels of any kind. Thus, the responsibility falls to the consumer to become informed of state law and to purchase properly labelled mattresses from reputable sellers.
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What is the size of a full-size mattress? Do queen size sheets fit a double bed mattress?Blood, dust mites, fungi, bacteria, saliva, other body fluids, skin flakes, cockroach allergens, dog and cat allergens. It may be difficult to read that sentence without cringing, but that’s just a short list of the items that three studies on contaminants found in used, renovated and new mattresses. The studies were completed two years ago for the International Sleep Products Association by researchers at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio; the University of Virginia in Charlottesville; and Enviro Team, a private research firm in Pompano Beach, Fla. All three studies showed that when compared with new mattresses, far higher rates of contamination were found in renovated or rebuilt mattresses — generally defined as those with new ticking and used internal components that should be sanitized or sterilized through methods (usually heat and/or chemicals) proscribed by the states.
The Wright State study concluded that “used and renovated mattresses contained similar numbers of mites, suggesting that renovation does not decrease the numbers of mites found on mattresses” (see table, page 22). The Enviro Team study concurred, stating that “the study illustrates the validity of evaluating the relationship between the mattress renovation process and accumulation of contaminants.” The University of Virginia researchers went further, saying “while the factors that lead to higher levels (of contaminants) in some mattresses are not known, cleaning techniques may play a role.” The report concluded with a statement that “the results clearly demonstrate that refurbished mattresses represent a potential health hazard for a section of the community.” The studies were initiated after ISPA found numerous examples throughout the states where “we saw an abundance of second–hand material being sold where it wasn’t labeled or sanitized, and no compliance was being enforced by state regulators,” says Shawn Conrad, ISPA executive vice president of operations.
Among the first states to take action was New York, which had stopped enforcing its bedding regulations several years ago. State bedding inspectors now investigate on a complaint–only basis. While New York state officials had agreed that instances of deceptive trade existed, they questioned whether used bedding posed a health threat and challenged ISPA to provide scientific proof. In the wake of the research, as well as increased health problems and complaints in the state, the state legislators approved legislation in 2000 to breathe new life into the state’s bedding laws. Also based on the findings, the Ohio state legislature enacted a stringent new bedding regulation, which was signed into law in June. It “strengthens and stiffens the penalties and closes a lot of the loopholes that were being used by unscrupulous second–hand dealers,” says Bill Cale, the president of the American Bedding and Furniture Law Officials. “We started to base a lot of our materials on those studies because of the different consumer health care risks that are associated with second–hand bedding,” Cale says.
“In the past, the second–hand industry basically had a free hand. But it became apparent that as more and more second–hand products were made available to consumers … we were getting numerous (health–related) complaints from consumers” who either had knowingly or unknowingly purchased the renovated mattresses. Currently, 30 states as well as the District of Columbia and Detroit have laws requiring that mattresses be labeled as new or renovated— thus verifying that they meet a state’s requirement for sanitization. However, regulations and labeling requirements continue to vary widely from state to state. Cale notes that ABFLO has approved two spray chemicals, Sterifab and Microban, containing microscopic phosphorus flakes that can be viewed under ultraviolet lights. In states that require a spray method of disinfection, this gives inspectors an easy way of determining whether a mattress has been properly sanitized. But in Connecticut, for example, the renovated mattress must not only be chemically sanitized but must contain new filling material before the ticking is added, says Joan Jordan, who is a consumer protection supervisor with the state’s Department of Consumer Protection.
In North Carolina, a used mattress, which first must “look clean, be clean, and absolutely have no spots,” has to be stripped down to the springs, says Charles Johnson, who is head of the sleep products branch with the Division of Environmental Health. To be sanitized, the springs must be heated in a special oven to 230 degrees for two hours in order to kill all microorganisms. The 16 licensed sanitizers throughout the state are required to keep logs of those materials that are sanitized so inspectors can match the details with the mattress vendor. Variations also exist in the states on the definition of what a “used” mattress is. For instance, new concerns have arisen about store promotions in which mattresses can be returned days or weeks later if the customer is dissatisfied with the product . In North Carolina, “the law interprets that if you sleep on that mattress one night, it’s a used mattress,” Johnson says. However, in Connecticut, the law “allows a retailer to take back any mattress or piece of upholstered furniture within 30 days and resell as new … which is an absolutely horrible thing,” Jordan says.
ISPA’s “bioburden” research offers important scientific backing for a federal regulation that would unify the states by promoting uniform labeling requirements for renovated mattresses and better state oversight over mattress content requirements. In 1999, the association petitioned the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to revamp the labeling requirements of the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act of 1958. The only federal law pertaining to used bedding material on the books to date, it requires that bedding containing used materials must be labeled to reveal that content. The petition was turned down by the FTC for fear that it would impede on states’ rights to govern this issue. However, the FTC has taken some interest in the issue. In 2000, the agency, operating under the initiative Project Rest Easy, joined with officials in New York, Arizona, California and Florida to crack down on manufacturers and retailers of renovated mattresses who were selling the mattresses as new or who were failing to sanitize the mattresses under state law.
A dozen law enforcement actions were taken that resulted in fines, jail or business closures. “The FTC initiative had a significant impact on the used product market, but it was short lived. To be effective, the FTC must maintain a constant watch to fully protect mattress consumers,” Conrad says. Since the enforcement actions two years ago, the FTC has not resumed that effort. While impending open–flame flammability regulations in California and at the federal level are taking precedence over all other regulatory issues for the association, shepherding the so–called National Bedding Law remains very much on the ISPA agenda for the future. “Selling used mattresses to unknowing consumers is an age–old dilemma for this industry,” says Conrad. “This product is typically purchased by consumers looking for a better night’s sleep. Laws and regulations are critical to ensuring that consumers receive a product that is safe and sanitary as well.” Writer Jan Simmons and Sleep Savvy Editor Nancy Butler contributed to this report.