Unusually Tired? Mattress Chemicals Might Be Affecting Your Health

We all know that a good night’s sleep is crucial for a healthy body and mind. But what about mattress chemicals?

While we are asleep, our bodies go to work repairing and restoring themselves.

We go to bed tired and wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the new day.
Opening our eyes ready to face the new day.

Wait…

What?

Hold it one minute!

But sometimes you wake up feeling just as tired as you were when your head hit the pillow.

It takes some people if not more of course…

Several minutes to pry their eyes open and convince themselves it’s time to get up.
Rolling out of bed and stumble towards the bathroom moaning with each step.
Sound familiar?

I’m not saying our mattresses are the total cause of our less-than-thrilling start to each new day, but I am sure they are a contributing factor.

Mattress Chemicals In Your Bed?

The chemicals that are approved for use in mattresses are absolutely shocking to me!

These chemicals are found in other things in our homes as well, but since my mouth and nose are pressed into the mattress for 7-8 hours every night (with my leg flung over the edge of the bed), I thought it’s best to start there.

I could not find an exact list of what manufacturers are using in mattresses and the chemicals involved because they did not want to reveal their “trade secrets” (that in itself is a bit scary!).

However, here are a few of the chemicals they do own up to.

Mattress Chemicals Lineup

Polyurethane foam:

This is a petroleum-based material that emits volatile organic compounds that can cause respiratory problems and skin irritation.

Worse for people with allergies or breathing conditions such as asthma for instance.

Formaldehyde:

Used in most mattresses and has been linked to asthma, allergies, lung, nose, and throat CANCERS.

Flame Retardants:

Every mattress HAS to have flame retardants due to US laws. Most manufacturers use chemical flame retardants.

The most toxic of these, PBDEs, have been voluntarily discontinued by US and EU manufacturers (after allowing it for YEARS!).

Shocking to think… Where is the health and safety?

Chlorinated Tris is sometimes used, which has been linked with CANCER and fertility side effects.

Another common chemical flame retardant is Antimony, which has been linked to pneumoconiosis, altered electrocardiograms, stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach ulcers.

Pesticides:

Cotton is one of the most chemical-intensive crops in the world. This cotton is then used in mattresses.

Pesticides can cause CANCER and nervous-system disorders.

Adhesives:

Nearly all adhesives contain potentially hazardous chemicals that can contribute to chemical off-gassing and some of which have been linked to CANCER and

HORMONE DISRUPTION.
A solvent-based adhesive can have nearly 50 different toxic chemicals!
Why are these chemicals allowed you might ask.

The sad fact is, chemicals are allowed UNTIL they are found unsafe.

See also The Pros and Cons of Flippable Mattresses: Is It Worth the Investment
Remember when lead paint was always used?

When lead is absorbed into the body, it can cause damage to the brain and other vital organs, like the kidneys, nerves, and blood.

Lead may also cause behavioural problems, learning disabilities, seizures, and in extreme cases, death.

Lead paint for household use was finally banned in the U.S. and the U.K. in 1978.
Lead paint is just one example.

A couple of other toxins that are now banned for certain uses are Asbestos which leads to malignant and life-threatening health issues and PCBs which have now been found to be a probable human cancer-promoting agents, and has been linked to neurotoxicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity, immune system suppression, liver damage, skin irritation, and endocrine disruption.

Think about all those years we were exposed to these toxins, the illnesses, and even the end for some people, they caused this before the agencies set up to protect us finally said whoa, this is REALLY bad for humans!!!

I don’t know about you, but I just do not trust that the agencies set up to protect us from toxic chemicals are able to do that.

In order to truly test whether a substance will have negative health effects over an extended period of time, it would take YEARS of testing.

Obviously, they are not tested for years before they are okayed for the consumer since new chemicals are created and introduced into consumer products at a staggering pace!

Not to mention, chemicals are tested one at a time when in reality, most of the chemicals we come into contact with are mixed with many other chemicals.

How many of the chemicals found in the mattress you’re sleeping on will be banned somewhere down the road?

How many years will you be breathing them in the meantime?

So how do we avoid these chemically laden mattresses?

The answer is easy to avoid mattress chemicals: use an organic mattress.

A truly organic mattress does not contain any of the chemicals I listed above.

Instead, they are made with natural latex from the rubber tree, organic cotton that has not been sprayed with pesticides or cleaned with toxic chemicals, and untreated wool that acts as a NATURAL fire-retardant.

They are more expensive than chemical cocktail mattresses, but in my opinion, my health and the health of my family are worth it.

Will I have a pep in my step in the morning when I wake up?

Knowing that there is an answer to mattress chemicals that we can avoid…

I’m not sure about you, but I know I will certainly sleep a little more soundly knowing the organic mattress is the alternative and the answer to better health.

So when you get another mattress or have some health issues, choose wisely if you are sensitive to such things.