Urethane Foam Mattress Dangers
Almost all innerspring mattresses also have layers of polyurethane and similar fire barrier materials as well.
Urethane foam mattress dangers. This makes foam mattresses very harmful. To combat this manufacturers began to add flame retardants to polyurethane and these chemicals are the cause of many of the health concerns about polyurethane foam mattresses couches and other home and office furnishings. Polyurethane foam mattresses dubbed solid gasoline can give off toxic fumes that may be linked to short and long term health conditions. Mattress off gassing is the process of voc release causing a strong odor when you first open your new memory foam mattress.
One article i read states. All memory foam comes from using various heavy industrial chemicals. Urethane foam mattress safety. In 2005 walter bader owner of the green mattress company lifekind and author of the book toxic bedrooms sent several mattresses to an atlanta based lab.
The polyurethane used in memory foam beds is the same foam used in most household furniture like sofas recliners and other items with foam. The guidelines above for choosing a safer mattress or non toxic mattress topper can help determine which mattresses are made from natural and non toxic materials instead of those made from chemicals. The answer to the question is it dangerous is a simple one not in the short term which is about the amount of time it takes for your new mattress to off gas. It is no wonder it is unfit for human use.
This is especially true for infants that sleeping on a new mattress. Requires all mattresses to be fireproof to a specific temperature point and ever since the toxicity levels in foam memory mattresses have increased. A memory foam model was found to emit 61 chemicals including the carcinogens benzene and naphthalene source. A memory foam mattress cushions your body as you sleep so you feel less strain on your muscles and joints.
Why are manufacturers able to use dangerous chemicals in products like baby mattresses couches and children s car seats. A new study has shown that breathing the chemicals from polyurethane foam can be dangerous. Foam mattresses are comfortable but they aren t ideal. Consumers also can choose mattresses made of materials other than polyurethane foam evans said.
During the study scientists utilized lab rats to breath in the fumes for a certain period of time.