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Jun 137 min read

Mattresses

Every day, the average person spends 9.1 hours in bed. That's a lot of time spent being exposed to your mattress! Many mattresses, both crib mattresses and regular ones, contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), PVC and other plastics (as layers, coatings, or padding), waterproof coatings, antimicrobials, and flame retardants. These chemicals can get into your body through skin contact and inhalation.


VOCs can be released from adhesives, polyurethane foam, synthetic latex foam, and other materials in mattresses. Mattress companies may not always directly state that their mattresses are made with polyurethane foam - "memory foam" and "plant-based foam" are also polyurethane foam. Pillows can also be made of polyurethane. Mattresses with polyurethane can release formaldehyde, phthalates, isocyanates, 2-ethylhexanoic acid, toluene, nonanal, decamethyl cyclopentasiloxane, butylated hydroxytoluene, 4-benzoquinone, acetaldehyde, hexanal, hexane, benzene, ethylbenzene, p-xylene, α-pinene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, and octametyl cyclotetrasiloxane, among others. These chemicals have been linked to issues such as cancer, liver, kidney, lung, blood, and nervous, endocrine, urinary, and reproductive system harm, DNA damage, irritation, cell death, and asthma. Mattress emissions can also harm the respiratory system. Synthetic latex is composed of styrene and butadiene, VOCs linked to issues like cancer and nervous system harm.


One way mattress companies create waterproof coatings is by using PFAS, a group of widespread chemicals linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, and reproductive harm, among other effects. Other companies use plastics like PVC and polyethylene. These plastics also often have additives like phthalates, endocrine disruptors that can harm development and the reproductive system. PVC in particular should be avoided, as it is associated with cancer, fertility issues, and hormone disruption. Polyethylene can damage DNA, gut bacteria, and cells, but it is a safer plastic than PVC.


It's very important to use mattresses without flame retardant chemicals, which are used to prevent fires. Because these chemicals can move out of the mattress into air and dust, exposure is not limited to the mattress itself. Flame retardants can accumulate in the body. The specific health effects vary by flame retardant chemical, but they include endocrine disruption, thyroid issues, immune system harm, reproductive problems, bone harm, cancer, developmental issues in fetuses and children, neurotoxicity, and potentially sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). These chemicals can also be found in furniture, carpet, and insulation. Flame retardants are slowly released from products over time, making them a long-term concern. Fiberglass (or man-made vitreous fibers (MMVF)) is also used for fire resistance in mattresses. It can irritate the respiratory system and skin and cause asthma. Organic wool in mattresses can meet flammability requirements without chemicals.


Some mattresses use nanosilver, which can be toxic to reproductive, liver, skin, lung, brain, and circular system cells, cause cell death, harm DNA, and potentially lead to cancer, as an antimicrobial. Other brands use more unique antimicrobials, such as quaternary ammonium compounds, which can harm the reproductive system.


It's important for your mattress to have a third-party certification, as many mattresses do not disclose their materials. In one study, 65% of mattress companies were not fully transparent about their ingredients. Some of these didn't disclose any of their materials!


There are options for safer mattress brands! Both of the brands I recommend are fully Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)-certified organic (not just some of the materials), except any metal parts such as springs or zippers (as metal cannot be organic). GOTS is the organic certification body for mattresses (as well as some other products). This ensures that there are no pesticides in the mattress, and it limits the additives that can be in the mattress. One important exception is Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS)-certified organic latex (rubber) foam. GOLS is the organic certification body for latex, which requires that the foam must be 95% organic rubber. However, other additives are needed to produce the foam. In the latex manufacturing process, the rubber is mixed with chemicals called accelerators and antioxidants, which remain in the final product. Zinc diethyldithiocarbamate (ZDEC) is one accelerator. It is a skin, eye, and respiratory irritant and may produce carcinogens in the latex manufacturing process. 2, 2’-dibenzothiazyl disulfide (MBTS) is another accelerator, and also a skin and respiratory irritant. The accelerator 1,3-diphenylguanidine (DPG) is linked to reproductive and fetal harm and eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. Wingstay-L is an antioxidant linked to cancer, birth defects, and reproductive issues. ZDEC, MBTS, DPG, Wingstay-L, and other toxic ingredients have been found in GOLS-certified latex in a GOTS-certified mattress (Avocado brand). Because of this, I do not recommend latex mattresses if they can be avoided. However, an organic mattress with latex is better than one that uses materials like polyurethane foam. None of the recommended mattresses use chemical flame retardants, adhesives, materials that release VOCs, antimicrobials, or waterproofers, and they are made of certified organic, natural ingredients and metal (except when otherwise specified).


Naturepedic makes crib, child, and adult mattresses. They have latex-free adult mattresses, and none of their crib and child mattresses use latex. They also have adult mattresses that contain latex. Their crib mattresses use polyethylene, polypropylene, which has been linked to respiratory harm and cell death, and polylactic acid (PLA). PLA is a kind of plastic that can be made by chemically modifying a fermented sugar or various chemicals. However, microplastics (small particles) from PLA have been shown to harm the liver and lungs and the liver, lung, and nose microbiomes (bacteria naturally living there), when mice were exposed through the air, as well as immune cells. Research on PLA is currently limited, but for now, it seems to be one of the better plastics. Naturepedic's child mattresses use polypropylene and PLA. Other than that, the mattresses are made of cotton, wool, and metal springs. Avoid their products with "waterproof" in the name, because they use polyurethane, as does the bassinet. Naturepedic also offers pillows made of only organic wool and cotton, rather than polyurethane or polyester. This choice is better than the other pillows Naturepedic offers (latex, PLA, and an unspecified ingredient). Additionally, Naturepedic has alpaca and duck down duvets, cotton and flax linen duvet covers and sheets for children and adults, and cotton sheets for cribs. The other brand option is Lifekind, which has one adult latex-free mattress, as well as several options with latex. Their mattresses also use cotton, wool, and in some mattresses, metal springs. Additionally, Lifekind carries a cotton pillow, a cotton and wool pillow, and a cotton pillow for children. Lifekind also makes cotton sheets, cotton duvet covers, cotton crib sheets, and a wool and cotton comforter. For adults and potty-trained children, I would recommend Naturepedic's adult latex-free mattresses or Lifekind's latex-free mattress. For babies and non-potty-trained children where a crib mattress or waterproof mattress is needed, Naturepedic's crib and child mattresses are best.


Mattresses often contain materials like polyurethane foam, flame retardants, PVC, PFAS, and other VOC-releasing materials that have been linked to various health harms. It's best to choose an organic mattress to limit your exposure to these chemicals!


Here's where I got some of this info!

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I am not being influenced or compensated in any way by the brands I write about. My articles are based solely on scientific research and my own personal experiences. 

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