Is Your Mattress Making You Sick?

(ARA) - Your mattress is probably comfortable, but is it safe? You may be exposed to toxins every night in the form of flame retardants from your mattress.

"For many years, unbeknownst to most of us, we have been absorbing these highly toxic substances," says Walt Bader, president of Lifekind Products. His company makes organic mattresses. "Not only are mattresses made from chemical components, but to make matters even worse, they are then treated with chemical fire retardants that off gas fumes that you breathe as you sleep."

Bader explains that the latest scientific evidence suggests that amounts of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) as small as one part per million can cause long-term behavioral alterations in experimental animals. PBDEs were commonly used in mattress manufacturing until January 2005, so are most likely part of the mattress you currently sleep on.

Although PBDEs are no longer used in mattress manufacturing in the United States, Bader doesn't consider the alternatives to PBDEs any better. "Considering that PBDEs were supposedly the safer alternative to toxic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), the odds are against the new chemicals being any safer," says Bader.

These chemicals can be especially toxic to children. "Researchers say the effects on children are likely to be subtle," says Bader. "Not mental retardation or disability, but measurable changes in a child's intelligence, memory, hyperactivity and hearing."

In addition, over 90 percent of commercial mattresses use polyurethane foam in their construction. "This foam is created chemically from a number of carcinogenic chemicals such as polyols and isocynates," explains Bader.

"Unfortunately, the labeling laws for mattresses require that the manufacturer disclose what the mattress is made of, but not what chemicals it was made from. This is a significant distinction and a potentially important health hazard," Bader continues.

His company makes mattresses that are entirely organic. "Our products will never be exposed to chemically-based fire retardants or synthetic materials. Your Lifekind mattress will be handcrafted to the highest quality standards and will be backed by a two-month comfort exchange policy and the best 20-year warranty in the industry," says Bader.

Lifekind mattresses are made in the United States from certified organic cotton and Naturally Safer wool supplied by America's organic farmers. The company is the only organic mattress manufacturer that uses an exclusive non-chemical sterilization process to sanitize its raw materials. The company's factory recently was certified as an organic processing facility, the only mattress manufacturer in the United States to attain that designation.

"Wool, by its inherent properties, will not burn, and Lifekind mattresses have passed all standard flammability tests for all states," explains Bader. "If you're concerned about your exposure to toxic chemicals, the next mattress you buy should be organic," he continues.

Lifekind also offers pillows, bedding, blankets and other organic additions for the nontoxic bedroom. For more information, visit www.lifekind.com or call (800) 284-4983.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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