Guest Author: Toxic Chemicals in Baby Mattresses

Posted on July 19th, 2008 by Alicia

I know we’re not alone in our concern about the cocktail of chemicals used in baby mattresses.  But since this isn’t our specialty, we decided to ask for a little help.  We’re happy to introduce Christi, founder of The Natural Organic Baby.  She was personally driven to investigate the possible link between SIDS and toxic chemicals used in baby mattresses when a friend lost her baby to SIDS.

Can Crib Death Really Be Avoided?

Is an organic baby mattress really that important? Are YOU aware of the new National Mattress Law? One that requires even more potentially deadly chemicals to be added to our mattresses . . . and then doesn’t even require the label to list them?!   I personally feel we can avoid crib death (also known as sudden infant death syndrome, SIDS).   My friend lost her dear little girl to SIDS which is what catapulted me into researching why it is that we always find SIDS victims on the mattress.

Baby bedding can often contain compounds of the elements arsenic, phosphorus and antimony. In many cases they are added as part of the manufacturing process such as fire retardant (FR) purposes.  In 2004, a research study was conducted which examined the blood in the umbilical cord of Newborns.   287 chemicals were identified, 180 of which are known to cause cancer.  1994 research showed high levels of antimony in the tissue of crib death babies.   Click Here to see what the effect of just 1 fire retardant chemical can have on you.

The British government required a FR (fire retardant) to be added to crib mattresses by 1988.  Britain ’s highest crib death rate was during 1986-1988 until manufacturers started to remove the chemical.  I’ve found in my research that fungi and bacteria can cause toxic gas from the above mentioned chemicals. U.S. citizens are  told that adding these chemicals to our mattresses is going to give us added protection from fires.  I’m sorry . . . but HOW MANY BABIES SMOKE? I’m an American citizen and didn’t get the right to vote on whether or not I want my family or myself sleeping in a bed of toxic chemicals in order to save the single digit percentage of those that die by mattress fire in the U.S.

So what’s the answer?  How do we avoid this atrocity and still comply with the U.S. federal mattress law?  Easy.  A  “tested chemical free” organic wool layer quilted to organic cotton for natural flame retardancy provides healthy, toxic free, peace of mind rest and MEETS THE FEDERAL GUIDELINES . . . without the chemicals.

Now, you’re probably rushing off to buy the cheapest “organic” mattress you can get your hands on .  But, before you go – do you know what to look for?  Did you know that just because something is labeled “organic” does not necessarily mean it’s “tested chemical free”?  Some companies are jumping on the “organic” ban wagon claiming that their mattresses are healthy and organic, when actually by their own admittance when pressed for ingredients, their mattresses contain the very chemicals that you’re trying to avoid!

Be sure to verify that the organic mattress you’re buying does NOT contain any of the following:

· Benzene
· Chemicals
· Toluene
· Artificial vanillin (petrochemical)
· Fillers as found in Talalay natural rubber cores
· Phthalates as found in many Dunlop processed natural rubber.
And be sure that they DO:
· Meet federal guidelines
· Made without poly fibers
· Meet or exceed the safety requirements set forth by the CPSC
· Use only natural fibers and NO chemicals
· Use wool tested for arsenic
· Feature an organic wool layer quilted to organic cotton for natural flame retardancy

I hope you found Chirsti’s insight helpful.  I know we did, and we’re working on making changes ourselves.  We also found several very helpful articles written by our all-time favorite resource, Healthy Child Healthy World:

Is Fire Retardant A Harmful Toxin?
Nearly all conventional mattresses and baby mattrasses today use materials that contain ingredients like flame retardants and formaldehyde. CBS News is talking about hidden danger that those chemicals have, which Americans have depended on to protect them from fire. Russel Long,vice President and board member of Friends of Earth, stated…

Rest Easy on a Safe Bed
There’s nothing like a good night’s sleep to keep you feeling healthy. But what do you do when your mattress or sheets (or both) are “sick?”

Mattresses
Standard mattresses are made with Polyvinylchloride plastic (PVC), and petroleum-based Polyurethane foam, with added Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) including formaldehyde, flame retardants, and toxic glues. Mattresses of natural, non-toxic materials are a worthwhile investment. Look for a mattress or futon made of cotton, wool, or rubber, that uses polyethylene plastic…

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  • Susie
    I've read about the toxic chemicals from the research done by scientist Dr Jim Sprott from New Zealand who wrote a book on the topic. In NZ they have a huge campaign to eliminate SIDS (aka "cot death") by wrapping the crib mattress, and they have shown no cot death for babies who had wrapped mattresses. That is an amazing stat. http://www.cotlife2000.com/

    What are your thoughts on this alternative to organic mattresses?
  • Thank You so much for your feedback. Good question! In my opinion the next-best option while waiting to buy a 'tested' chemical free organic mattress would be to cover a conventional mattress in FOOD GRADE polyethylene sheeting. It is important that you avoid products that contain PVC or polyurethane as these can produce toxic gases of their own.

    Please keep in mind that there are a few drawbacks to wrapping. It can be noisy and crinkly and because ventilation is Minimal to NONE, the wraps could also promote fungal growth in the mattress, particularly if any internal undetectable moisture was present before the wrapping.

    I guess if you're really up to it you could completely remove the plastic weekly and prop the mattress on its side for the day to air. This sounds a little too tiring to my back and daily routine when you consider baby could be sleeping on a Truly tested chemical free mattress that turns into a toddler mattress (with approx 5-6 years of use) for around 12 cents per day.

    There are "organic" mattresses being sold out there that when pressed for ingredients come back with chemicals. I could make alot of money selling them but I won't. Be sure to ask the company to provide you with proof , also ask them if they test their wool for arsenic and don't forget to be sure the "organic" mattress is NAOMI compliant!! I appreciate your comments and as always I'm always here to help. Just shoot me an email: CustomerCare@TheNaturalOrganicBaby.com
  • Sue
    Thanks for the great information. Is there a list of the manufacturers/brands/name of mattresses that are proven to lack these harmful chemicals?
  • Hi Sue :0)

    The ONLY mattress (either baby or adult) that I'm aware of being tested chemical free AND NAOMI compliant are the ones I sell. That's why I sell them and them Only. Ecobaby/Pure Rest Organics has been the leader in the industry for over 13 years and have even tested their wool for arsenic. When buying from my store you are ALWAYS given any warranty offered by Ecobaby/Pure Rest Organics. 10 year fixed/20 yr pro rated. The only difference is....you pay less.
  • Christal
    I just have to make one comment. Babies who die from SIDS are not "always" found on mattresses as the article suggests. Many also die while being held and in other places as well. There has also been recent news of a gene causing them not to regulate breathing well. I'm all for less chemicals in my clothing, food, etc, but chemicals are not the only cause for SIDS and we should be careful not to place blame only in the area of chemicals on the mattress. Following the other SIDS guidelines is also very important, such as placing baby on their back to sleep, not putting blankets, etc around baby while sleeping, etc.. I felt the article made it seem chemicals on the mattress was the only reason for SIDS which, I feel, is far from the truth.
  • Richard
    Just thought I'd let you know about a Cot and Moses basket mattress that I recently bought from Abaca Organic. They are the only Soil Association Certified Organic mattresses on the market (as far as I can see). Totally natural and free from any of the nasties!!
    They're not cheap, but I think they're worth it as they made them to fit an antique cot of mine.
  • Wendy L.
    I completely agree wth Christal's comment about a somewhat misleading article that toxic fumes from mattress chemicals cause SIDS, especially if one does not take into account the big picture of SIDS history & data. We, as parents or human, tend to always find reasons for things that happen. However, there are reasons that can't be explained at the moment. Even the research about a possible gene linked to SIDS need more findings. All said, I'm for the use of non-toxic chemicals in all the things we use now, good for us & the environment. So while the article is misleading, I also appreciate that this topic is brought up. But I can't help but think that your intention is to inject the 'fear' factor in moms & parents in general. Product marketers nowadays are notorious in doing so.
  • Wendy,

    While I'm sure you're speaking to our guest author, I want to be very clear that we at The Soft Landing have never intended to insight fear in any of our readers. I know we've stepped into an area of extreme sensitivity when discussing SIDS, especially for parents who have lost their babies.

    We want you to know that we take the toxic chemicals we research and write about very seriously and have devoted ourselves to educating parents in order to help them make informed choices on their own. We hope you don't feel that we are simply using "scare tactics" to push a product (especially one we don't sell or benefit from). I guess you could make the same argument for all articles we or other experts (such as the ones we cited above by Healthy Child Healthy World) have written on the possible effects of toxins in children.

    We do tend to agree with Christal that our guest author's article did focus only on one view of SIDS in relation to chemicals in mattresses. Possibilities abound in relation to the cause of SIDS.

    Our goal is to build a foundation of trust in our expertise on chemicals in plastics with our readers, not act as "fear mongering salesmen." We firmly believe that each issue we discuss on our blog is something of concern that needs to be addressed. We also ensure that each topic is backed by research and documented as such.

    Warmest,

    Alicia
  • Janet C
    I have read up on Dr Sprott's research with interest and have purchased one of his mattress protectors alongside an organic mattress. What I don’t understand however, is that if his theory is correct about cot death being caused by the flame retardant chemicals giving off gasses and mattresses breeding fungus, what about our pushchairs? Some babies spend a lot of time in their pushchairs due to modern day living and the demand on parents. Surely these pushchairs are treated with flame retardant chemicals in the same way as a mattress? And surely a pushchair is more susceptible to mould due to being in extreme weather conditions? Imagine the scenario of a mother out shopping all day and the baby being enclosed for a prolonged period in a pushchair with a PVC raincover because of bad weather…. is this not 'gassing' the baby inside? It’s a great concern of mine and one I can find no answers to.
  • I apologize for taking so long to respond. First I was sick, then my nephew was in a serious car accident which took front and center.

    When I was invited to write an article on "Toxic Chemicals in Baby Mattresses" it was just that: not a broad study on SIDS per se.

    I'm sorry, Christal and Wendy, that my post came across to you as it did. My heart and soul are in my endeavors to prevent not only SIDS but any & all bad reactions people suffer from contact with chemicals. My site contains an abundance of documentation on human reaction to chemicals, especially concerning mattresses constructed under the latest government requirements. I will be adding a lot more info in the coming weeks.

    Our Ecobaby/Pure Rest Organic mattresses meet all government requirements and are compliant with the National Association of Organic Mattress Industry (NAOMI). Oeko Tex standard is way too low a standard for us to even consider.

    I don't see how my dedication to educating people can be construed as using a "fear factor". Now to answer you, Christal, you're absolutely right. SIDS can occur other than on a mattress. However this doesn't rule out the effect of the baby having slept on a chemical filled mattress for some time, and/or the mother ingesting, absorbing or breathing chemicals while pregnant as indicated by the U. of Washington study referenced in paragraph 2 of my July 19th post. As in all things research is an ongoing thing.

    When the meteorologist uses the latest technology to warn people of impending danger, though his or her warning is fearful, people listen and gratefully take measures to avoid harm.

    I appreciate all your comments.

    Sincerely,

    Christi
    The-Natural-Organic-Baby.com
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