Chemicals and VOC's in Mattresses

Are memory foam mattreses safe?

There are up to 61 chemicals in your average memory foam mattress.

Health agencies deem exposure to some of these chemicals safe in small quantities but are memory foam mattresses really safe?

VOC's (volatile organic compounds) can now be found in nearly all common household products; from carpets to microwaves, paints, couches, mattresses and baby cribs to children's clothing.

Many of these toxins accumulate in the body and are never expelled.

Reactions to mattress voc's, those chemical odors, are very real.
www.epa.gov/EPA-AIR/1998/October/Day-07/a25894.htm
www.ewg.org/reports/bodyburden2/part8.php (pollutants found in newborns)

While you sleep your body regenerates and recharges itself. Prolonged exposure to low level toxins found in mattresses do affect long term health and oftentimes short term health as well.

Components Found in Mattresses

= toxic chemical
= non-toxic chemical
= natural

Note: One of the columns below lists the ingredients used to make ALL natural latex foams. Unique to us is that we are a foamer. This is the first time actual ingredients for latex foam mattresses have ever been disclosed to the public. Our list indicates what's present in the actual formulation which offers complete transparency. It does not mean these ingredients are detectable in testing of the final product.

	Adhesives (Solvent Based)	Synthetic Memory Foam	Synthetic Latex	Natural Latex
4-Aminobiphenyl
4-trans-pentyl-cyclohexyl
1,1,1, 2-Tetrachloroethane
2-chloro-1,3-butadiene
acetone
Acrylate resins
Asbestos Fluorinated polymers
Azoxylbenzene
benzonitrile
Beryllium and Compounds
Carbon tetrachloride
Cellulose nitrate plastic polymers
Chlorofluorocarbons
Chloroform
Chromium and compounds
Cobalt and compounds
Cone essence
Cynanide
Dimethylacetamide
Dimethylformamide
Dioxins and furans
diphenyl diisocyanate
Emulsion of Hevea brasiliensis milk in water
Epichlorohydrin
Fats
Glycol ethers
Halogenated benzenes
Halogenated napthalenes
Halogenated triphenyls
Halons
Haologenated idphenyl ethers
Hevea brasiliensis milk
Hexachlorobutadiene
Hydrolyzed corn
Indium
Lead carbonate
Lead hydrocarbonate
Lead sulfate
Magnesium
metallic oxides
Methyl benzene (toluene)
Methylene dianiline
Molybdenum
Organo-tin compounds
Perfluorocarbons Benzene
Phenol-melamine resins
Phenol-urea
Phenylcyclohexane Benzidine
Polychlorinated phenols
Polyvinyl acetate
Rhenium
Rubidium
Samarium
Strontium
sulfur
Tellerium
Thallium and compounds
toluene diisocyanate
toluene–neoprene
Vinilideine chloride
Vinyl acetate
Water
Waxes styrene-butadiene copolymer

Diphenyl diisocyanate is an ingredient used in the production of natural latex foam. It allows components of a formula to blend properly together. Our formula is a water based solution diphenyl diisocyanate polymerizes in the presence of water, its ecological risks are low. It has traditionally been used for the production of latex foam, some european urethane manufacturers have blended this component with Toluene diisocyanate in the attempt of reducing toluene content.

Phenol-melamine resins are used in the production of natural latex foam; this component is what creates the flexible properties to the foam. This component has more value in conventional latex, while a zero gravity pressure relieving foam requires less flexibility.

Waxes styrene-butadiene copolymer is used to add resistance and longevity to natural foams. This component has excellent abrasion resistance when properly blended. This component is most commonly used in blends of natural latex. This component is considered a thickening agent and gelling agent and contains vegetal based waxes.

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About the Application of Glues in Standard Mattresses

Mattress manufacturers Tempur-pedic, Simmons, Serta, Sealy, Kingsdown, Spring Air etc use glues to bond the inner layers of mattresses together as well as to bond the fabric cover to the core. Adhesives can be rolled to bond each layer or can be diluted in water and sprayed over each surface to be bonded. This second application method allows manufacturers to call their glue a "water based adhesive".

A water based adhesive is a simple process whereby water is mixed in with a solvent based adhesive to facilitate spraying the glue over each mattress surface. When the glue dries, all water molecules in the adhesive evaporate and only the adhesive which emit VOC's is left behind.

The long-term health effects that may occur after prolonged exposure to Volatile Organic Content (VOC) found in Adhesive/Glue solvents include cancers, damage to the heart, liver, central nervous system and kidneys.

Components used for the production of polyurethane memory foams

Components researched: isocynates; methylene chloride, 1,1,1-trichloroethane; acetone; benzene; ethylene oxide; formaldehyde

Biological Monitoring - Is memory foam safe?
Clinical evaluations conducted by Duke University; Source ATSDR - Public health advisory Public Health Implications: The exact amount of TDI required to cause adverse health effects is unknown. People have become sensitized after being exposed to as little as 20 parts per billion (ppb). After sensitization there is no amount of TDI that one may be exposed to safely. Studies have shown that in sensitized individuals, asthmatic attacks can occur after exposed to TDI air concentrations as low as 0.1 ppb.

Testing Results: Of 113 participants tested, 10 participant (9%) developed antibodies.

Perfumes and Deodorizers

Certain imported polyurethane memory foam products have industrial perfumes to mask the chemical odour that exists in their products.

Chemicals Found in Air Fresheners:
    o Tributyltin maleate (carcinogenicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity etc)
    o Bonded quatermary ammonium chloride compounds
    o Decamethcyclopentasiloxane
    o Phenolics (wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenol)
    o Ozone
    o Paradichlorobenzene (anticipated to be a carcinogen)
    o Fragrances

Super 6.25 Essentia Memory Foam

All our memory foam mattresses are manufactured in Canada by Essentia Groupe Inc.

	Essentia Natural Material	LATEX SAMPLE Talalay	LATEX SAMPLE Dunlop	TP Standard Memory Foam	Pocket Coils
Conditioning Loss (mm)	2.2	5.2	2.9	2.5	n/a
Height Loss (mm)	3.1	3.6	3.3	3.3	n/a
Firmness Rating Change	0.32	1.82	0.7	0.92	n/a
Hardness Change (%)	7%	9.5%	7%	8%	n/a
n/a = Does not pass minimum criteria for Standards

Comparative Testing Results - Mobel Pruf Institute / Supplied through LTXCO - EN1957

The Essentia Way

Our sleep product manufacturing process:
- Forced Expansion Molding
- Patented Adhesive Free Process

Natural Content
Water, Latex, Cone Essence, Green Tea Essence, Jasmine Essence, Plant solid extracts. Certain components may be excluded, substituted and/or concentration varied based on required performance.

Quality & Performance
- Pressure 12.4 mmHg
- ILD 14 (Indentation Load Deflection)
- Density Super 6.25lbs

Health & Sanitary Benefits
- Hypo-Allergenic
- Dust-Mite and Bed Bug Deterrent
- Toxic emission free
- Full pressure distribution
- Superior body support

See all our mattresses.

For articles written about chemicals in mattresses visit:
www.enn.com/pollution/article/33754

Sources

- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
- Water based Adhesives Technology Review
- Aerias - Air Quality Sciences

References

1. Tinnerberg H, Dalene M, Scarping G, Air and biological monitoring of toluene diisocyanate in a flexible
foam plant. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 58:229-235 (1997)
2. Bernstein JA. Overview of diisocyanate occupational asthma. Toxicoligy 111:181-189 (1996)
3. Wegman D, Pagnatto L, Fine L, Peters J, A dose - responsive relationship in TDI workers. J Occup
Med 16:258-260 (1974)
4. Bauer X, Merek W, Ammon J, Czuppon A, Marczynski B, Raulf-Heimsoth M, Roemmelt H, Fruhmann
G. Respiratory and other hazards of isocynates. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 66:141:152 (1994)
5. California Environmental Protection Agency. Determination of Formaldehyde and Toluene Diisocyanate
Emissions from Indoor Residential Sources. Contract no. 93-315 Columbus, OH:Battelle, 1996.
6. ACGIH. Documentation of the Threshold limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices, 5th ed.
Cincinati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 1986.

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