There is a lot to consider when buying a new mattress. Comfort, firmness level, size, and price are all important of course, but there is one factor many people forget or aren’t even aware of, and those are toxins. Considering your mattress is the item you spend the most amount of time in close proximity to on an average day, the last thing you want is for your mattress to be toxic.
Yes, many mattresses are actually made with chemical components that could be harmful to your health. In this article, we’ll explain in detail what dangerous components can be found in a mattress and what to look out for to make sure your mattress is safe.
Have you ever bought a new mattress, and as you were unwrapping it from the plastic sheets you felt a strange odor in the air? That was probably off-gassing. Most mattresses contain polyurethane foam, a material that is made from petroleum chemicals. This foam can off-gas- or emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which have been linked to respiratory irritation and nervous system harm.
Off-gassing occurs when the VOCs are released into the open air and come in contact with oxygenated air. Most people believe that the off-gassing lasts only as long as the odor lingers in the room, but unfortunately that's not true. While the initial unpleasant smell usually disperses briefly after opening the new mattress from its packaging, the effects linger for several years, depending on the precise chemicals present in the mattress.
As we mentioned, these chemicals can cause a wide range of symptoms, including eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, and even nausea and vomiting. In some cases, they can even cause severe and lasting health issues.
Related: There Are Many Reasons Why You Should Clean Your Mattress!
Many mattresses will include warnings about the presence of carcinogens or chemicals that can cause reproductive harm, but unfortunately, not all manufacturers will reveal all the important information you need to know. Even if a company claims that their mattresses are safe, green, and healthy, it’s important to dig a little deeper than the advertisement to make sure the product you’re purchasing is safe.
One way to find out if a mattress is 100% organic is to check if it has an Oeko-Tex certification and a GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification. Tex Standard 100 ensures that there are no harmful chemicals in your mattress, and GOTS is a certification for the outside covering, letting you know that the cotton cover is certified organic.
In general, it is always recommended to purchase from a company that is transparent about the materials they use. Choosing a non-toxic mattress will not only benefit you but also ensures that these toxic chemicals won't end up in the environment, putting people and wildlife at risk when they are discarded. Needless to say, that it will also contribute greatly to the quality of the air in your home and the well-being of your family!
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