Consumers shopping for mattresses tend to concentrate only on firmness and comfort. Of course, these traits are important aspects of the decision-making process, but what about toxicity of your new mattress? People spend approximately eight hours a day sleeping, and even more hours in their bedrooms. Is it important to choose a nontoxic mattress, or is it all hype? Read on to understand the dangers that lurk within mass-manufactured toxic mattresses.
Traditional Mattresses
It is almost impossible to discover what fabrics and materials reside in your mattress. The government does not regulate manufacturers and they do not have any reporting requirements for disclosing material or chemical composition. Manufacturing companies choose from a variety of materials to construct their mattresses. In addition, a law enacted in 2007 requires all mattresses to be flame retardant. If you spend one-third of your life sleeping, do you really want to be on a toxic mattress? There is no industry standard, but here are some commonly toxic materials present in popular mattress brands.
Foam
Memory foam mattresses are popular for their body-molding features, but manufacturers use formaldehyde and other chemicals in the construction of these mattresses. The mattress will lose half its weight due to breakdown and release of chemicals into the air you breathe after 10 years of use. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states foam mattresses contain two separate chemicals known to be human carcinogens: propylene oxide and TDI.
Synthetic Latex
Natural latex is a nontoxic, safe product, but it is too expensive for use by mattress manufacturers. Instead, companies use synthetic latex, which releases volatile organic chemicals into the air. Studies have shown the petroleum-based styrene and butadiene compounds to cause central nervous system damage and increase the risk for certain cancers.
Vinyl
You have probably heard about studies condemning the use of vinyl shower curtains and linking them to serious health problems. That “new plastic” smell? Those are volatile organic chemicals floating around and can cause damage to every system in the human body. Mattress vinyl doesn’t smell as strongly as shower curtains, but mattress pads and sheets still release the same chemicals.
Flame-Retardant Chemicals
In addition to the other hazardous chemicals, the new law requires manufacturers to cover each mattress in a chemical flame retardant. The more flammable the mattress materials, the more chemical flame retardant needed to meet legal requirements. The retardants contain antimony, boric acid, and Halogenated Flame Retardants (HFRs). Each of these is detrimental to humans, with HFRs having the worst effects. Studies have shown the chemical disrupts puberty, reproductive systems, thyroid function, and decreases sperm counts. There are options to ensure beds are fire retardant with healthier materials, but most popular mattress companies choose to use the cheapest methods available.
Choosing a Safe Mattress
The materials in mattresses vary with the amount and types of chemicals listed above. Since there are no regulations for mattress manufacturers, consumers do not know upon which materials they might be sleeping. The next time you begin shopping for a new mattress, be sure to find a healthy, nontoxic option, such as the Intellibed. Our bedding is safe, nontoxic, and will be the most comfortable mattress you’ve ever owned.
Intellibed’s Nontoxic Sleeping Option
Nontoxic Fire Resistance
Intellibeds are healthy mattresses without chemical fire retardants. We construct our beds with a fireproofed silica thread woven throughout the organic cotton outer cover. This provides safe, nontoxic fire protection for you while still meeting the legal standard.
Formaldehyde-Free Foam
The babies’ and children’s beds we sell do not contain foam, but the adult beds do contain a special, eco-friendly foam. The foam we use comes with a CertiPur certification and is one of the healthiest forms of foam available on the market today. The foam does not contain the dangerous chemicals of other mattresses, so you don’t have to worry about volatile organic chemical releases. Our foam is formaldehyde and chemical-fire inhibitor free.
Gel Matrix™
Our beds are amazingly comfortable because of our patented Gel Matrix™ formula. The gel is formulated from nontoxic, eco-friendly materials. Gel Matrix™’s formula base contains mineral oil that helps redistribute pressure for sleepers.
Non-Outgassing Materials
The biggest indicator that a product is full of toxins is the smell. Plastic or chemical smells should turn you off when buying any product. Intellibed’s designs include nontoxic materials, meaning there is no out-gassing as experienced with other mattresses. Our beds do not release dangerous volatile organic chemicals, which makes your bed and environment a healthier place to sleep.
The Intellibed Difference
The Intellibed is a revolutionary design. We design our bed to reduce pressure points up to 80 percent compared with other high-quality mattress types. The bed is safe enough for hospital patients who must remain in bed. The ease on pressure points prevents bed sores from developing, as they might on patients using other beds. Hundreds of doctors, chiropractors, and orthopedic surgeons recommend our mattresses.
Firm or Soft? Both!
Intellibed solves the age-old argument of choosing a firm or soft mattress, which is why we call it the “No-Compromise Mattress.” The mattress provides body-supporting firmness that holds your body in place as you sleep. The mattress will not twist or contort your body as you sink into it. Our Gel Matrix™ holds you in place, ensuring proper body alignment. As your body is held in place, the mattress is cushiony and relieves pressure points on weight-bearing body parts. If you and your spouse disagree about mattress firmness, avoid an argument and call us today!
Contact us today for a free sleep consultation to find out which nontoxic mattress is the best fit for you. Intellibed offers different luxury mattresses at several price points. Our beds offer a satisfaction guarantee because we are confident you will enjoy the best night’s sleep possible after purchase. When you contact us, we can help you decide which mattress is the best fit for your body’s needs and your wallet. We also offer financing with no-interest periods and a short application process.
