memory foam toxic symptoms

No studies show that memory foam is toxic or cancer. Exposure to common flame retardants may increase thyroid problems among women, especially post-menopausal women. Typically, the only result of off-gassing is an unpleasant smell. However, memory foam does contain some synthetic materials which may not be suitable for prolonged use. Love the mattress hate the smell; will the smell ever go away? If they don’t hold a certificate from your home country it doesn’t mean they are toxic. Check on how the mattress reached anti-inflammatory standards. I sleep on an all foam mattress – a 5 inch layer of high density foam with a 4 inch layer of memory foam, all wrapped in a fabric cover. Some people also report a loss in cognitive ability in children and reduced intellectual performance in adults. It has two sides – firm and soft plush, any of which can be chosen by just flipping the mattress. We're bringing consciousness to unconscious choices. Essentia is one of the rare exceptions that makes natural memory foam … Another research was done by the Duke University on the harmful effects of acetone, benzene, ethylene oxide, formaldehyde, methylene chloride and 1,1,1-trichloroethane. But You still need to wear some a tampon or a menstrual cup to avoid getting into a sticky situation. Neck and shoulders hurt. So, this fact brings us to one important question – is memory foam toxic? #1 New Releases: Home Detox Workbook & EMF Detox Workbook , 11 Nontoxic Solutions for Indoor Air Pollution Issues. Look for a casing that’s comprised of certified organic cotton and certified organic wool. The reduced cognitive ability is most often reported in young children. Symptoma is a Digital Health Assistant & Symptom Checker. I could not be in the same vicinity of it and not feel sick. Tempurpedic Sued Over VOCs & Memory Foam Safety. As a result, the material relieves pressure points and prevents pain. Reply . They say that the odor is gone in 24 to 48 hours, and that is simply not true in my experience. However, polyurethane foam is made of lots of petrochemicals and chemical flame retardants. The core of the mattress should be comprised of natural latex instead of memory foam, polyurethane foam, or any number of blended foams. Various chemicals have been detected from our mattresses. Learn budget-friendly tips to detox your home and habits of toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and electromagnetic fields from your technology. Although these symptoms won’t disappear instantly, they should drastically reduce shortly after leaving your home. PBDEs, Penta, and octaBDE, are not manufactured in the US anymore. Nightmare, migraines, insomnia (! While the odor from memory foam off-gassing is unpleasant, it doesn’t harm most users. © Copyright 2020 Stemjar Services | All rights reserved. You may experience itchy/sore throat, skin, nose, and eye irritation, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. In rare cases, VOC’s lead to more concerning results like … Articles related to health are for general information purpose only. If you experience any of the below symptoms, according to the EPA and an article in Environmental Science & Technology (Kira 2019), volatile organic compounds (or fumes from) your mattress might be a contributing factor. Memory foam mattresses are made up of three main elements- polyol, isocyanate, and water. Memory foam is conforming and elastic when a sleeper applies body heat and pressure. Methyl Benzene: Breathing this chemical can affect your nervous system. Choose a safer and a healthier mattress. Avoid low-quality memory foam mattresses. Period blood doesn't flow outside the vagina like it usually does due to the counter-pressure of the water. Sometimes dizziness, fatigue, fever sore throat etc. These chemicals are volatile organic compounds, which break down and release chemicals into the air. When looking for a nontoxic mattress, consider each part of the mattress—including the casing and the inner support layers of the mattress. According to the Kira 2019 article: Elevated heat seems to be the major contributor to the enhanced emissions, compared to elevated relative humidity and CO2 concentration. Joint pain and weakness were also becoming very serious. It delivers helpful tips for detoxing your environment, habits, and body. It has also been linked to cancers of the paranasal sinuses, nasal cavity, and nasopharynx. – 4 Important Factors to Consider in Your Selection. Then the mild headaches started. The Tomorrow Sleep mattress uses the best combination of memory foam and pocketed innerspring coils to make a unique hybrid mattress that has several advantages over others. Different memory foam companies use different chemicals for this process. However, all-natural latex, such as Talalay latex, doesn’t contain any toxic compounds or chemicals. Since we spend at least a third of our life on our bed, it is natural that we would want our mattress to be comfortable and safe. Please do not consider them as a substitute for qualified healthcare provider advice, diagnosis or treatment. When volatile organic compound in the mattresses break down and release chemicals into the air, it is called off-gassing. Memory foam mattresses have memory foam in the comfort layers and stable poly-foam in the bottom layer for durability, deterring sagging. Benzene and naphthalene are considered to be carcinogenic. Ways To Shorten It, Can You Swim On Your Period? Some have been linked to a range of health issues—like cancer, respiratory and skin irritation, infertility, and developmental issues. Flexible polyurethane foam – that’s just plain old foam (including memory foam) to the layperson – is ubiquitous in the mattress industry. As such, memory foams have traditionally used polybrominated diphenyl ethers (or PBDEs) for flame retardation. There are a few symptoms you should pay attention to if you think that your mattress may be negatively impacting your health. Are you worried that your current mattress might be toxic? After reading about all the effects off-gassing can have, you might be scared to sleep on your memory foam mattress—but do not worry. If you have been around a lower quality memory foam before, you may have noticed a distinct smell which is known as off-gassing. We don't hide behind certifications. NASA wanted to improve the seat cushioning and crash protection for its pilots, and this foam proved to be very useful. Though different memory foams use different materials, a few components are common to almost all of them. According to SleepLikeTheDead.com, about 15% of memory foam mattress owners report significant odors from off gassing. Rubber tree sap combines with a few other compounds, such as sulfur, and processed to create a foam that’s soft, flexible, durable, and stable. Let us learn more about the harmful chemicals used in some of these mattresses and memory foam health risks and ways to avoid them. Add to that, there’s probably foam pretty much everywhere else in your house, too. Only about 2% actually return their mattresses as a result of the smell. Blowing agents: These chemicals are used to transform polyurethane into memory foam. Though memory foam mattresses have gained popularity over the years, there have been some concerns about their safety as they are made up of synthetic materials like polyurethane, blowing agents, etc. Memory foam is safe for the most part, but some are better than others. Traditionally, memory foam is produced using a number of chemicals and processes. Methylene chloride: This chemical is carcinogenic. Most mattresses sold today contain some polyurethane foam and many contain specialty foams such as latex or memory foam, which consistently break down and release chemicals. In surveys completed by Sleep Like the Dead, a mattress research firm, memory foam mattresses represent the bedding with the most owner complaints about smell. Polyurethane: Polyurethane is a combination of polyols and diisocyanates. Memory Foam Mattresses usually produce some odors when new. If you want the natural feel of natural latex and do not prefer the spring or foam mattresses, then Zenhaven is just right for you. The Environmental Protection Agency has also agreed that these chemicals are toxic. Exposure levels estimated for sleeping child/infant indicate that SME can be a significant contributor to VOC exposure, yielding concerning exposure levels for few compounds. Many of these options have been recognized as toxic and are no longer considered to be safe for use in the US. This compound is a by-product of the refinement process of crude oil. I too enjoyed the feel of a memory foam mattress in the store, but learned quickly how allergic I was to the toxic fumes that come from the new mattress. Here are some of the chemicals used in memory foam mattresses that can have serious health issues: Some of the more common side-effects of memory foam usage include headaches, muscle pain, nausea and lack of concentration. Here are a few things you should check before you buy a memory foam mattress: As a consumer, you can protect yourself by understanding the science behind the memory foam mattress and avoiding using the mattresses that contain toxic components. Reducing your VOC exposures from your mattress can reduce your risks to a range of symptoms or health issues. Even if you sleep on a good old fashioned coil-spring mattress, chances are there’s still polyurethane foam somewhere inside it. The list below indicates the actual ingredients used to make our natural memory foam. Inquire about adhesives used and any other chemical treatments. It then returns to its original shape once you remove the pressure. Some flame retardants use chemicals that have been linked to endocrine disruption, neurological damage and cancer. If you're looking to replace your current mattress, then the tips below can help you identify healthier options. Here come the effects on the nervous system. However, there is still a small percentage of owners who report some health complaints. A lot of new plastic toys offgas, ever smelled a Barbie straight out of the box? A lab in Atlanta analyzed several memory foam mattresses manufactured in the US. Are Foam Pillows Toxic? The Cuddle Mattress is designed for a unique purpose that is not available with any other mattress. After 15 years of using polyurethane memory foam toppers, I recently began to experience severe flu like symptoms which included memory problems. They don’t “air out” quickly either. The two articles below have helpful tips on improving the indoor air quality of your sleep area. Also, despite the fact that some of the chemicals that cause mattress off-gassing odors are classified as carcinogens or potential carcinogens, no studies have shown memory foam is toxic or causes cancer. are also experienced. For some, memory foam can cause mild irritation like runny nose, red, itchy eyes, or trouble breathing, but these symptoms are relatively rare. Is Memory Foam Toxic? It irritated the lungs and reduced the air flow to the lungs by one fifth. This article may contain affiliate links. Sleep Calculator – Know What’s the Best Time to Sleep, Voila Mattress Review – The “Best of Both Worlds” Hybrid Mattress, Zenhaven Latex Mattress Review – The World’s Most Natural Sleep, Cuddle Mattress Review – Sleep While Cuddling Your Partner Night Long, Tomorrow Sleep Mattress Review – Unique Hybrid Mattress Made Just For You, A Peek Inside the Working of a Mobile Dental Clinic, What is The Refractory Period? Many types of health issues include headaches, itching of the eyes, joint pains, respiratory problems and also skin infections etc. Lead: It can lead to brain and nervous system damage. The most common toxic materials used in making a mattress include petrochemicals, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), formaldehyde, antimony trioxide, phthalates, and boric acid. Another animal study was done to check the effects of breathing volatile organic compounds (VOC). Talalay Global, formerly known as Latex International, also confirms using the same ingredients we use to make their 100% natural latex foam. Memory foam pillows are often made from a combination of synthetic materials to create the dense foam. This facility can be a school, community center, old age care facility, or even a sizeable manufacturing facility. These types of pillows tend to have the highest concentration of chemicals used. Unfortunately, there are “natural” mattresses out there that are not as natural as you would assume. Spending years sleeping on a polyurethane foam mattress can increase your likelihood of suffering the side effects the EPA warns us about. Latex vs Memory Foam Mattress -Which one is best for you? For added protection, you can check if your chosen mattress is. Searched far and wide for a replacement to my toxic memory foam pillow, and was curious and willing to try anything to help my neck support, especially as a side sleeper. If they cleared safety testing then the goverment has deemed them to be safe. Generally speaking, YES, they are safe. Not only can off-gassing lead to chemical odor, but it can also cause dizziness and respiratory problems in some people. Conclusion Everyone wants to sleep on a safe, clean surface— especially if they are pregnant, nursing, choosing a mattress for their child, or you have health problems that could be exacerbated by exposure to toxic chemicals. A class action suit has been filed in California courts alleging that Tempurpedic’s memory foam mattresses contain harmful VOCs.The lead plaintiff in the case, Michael Dodson, claims that Tempurpedic mattresses and pillows release volatile organic compounds which can result in allergic reactions as well as possible long-term complications, … While some fire-retardant options like rayon with silica and Kevlar are safe, others like polybrominated diphenyl ether can cause health issues. Many types of mattresses including memory foam mattresses have been linked to many health issues, the chief ones being allergic reactions. In some cases, there are also natural additives. The symptoms stop when the person is no longer near the mattress though, and go away once it airs out. We all have different sleep needs depending on our age. To find out more, read our privacy policy. While some will provide the benefits of a good night’s sleep, others can slowly contribute to health issues. That memory foam smell is usually no more than an annoyance and will typically significantly fade over a week or two. Choosing a nontoxic mattress is an important step in removing harmful toxins from your bedroom and detoxing your toxic exposures. It’s comfortable, too. Not foam or memory foam insufferable, toxic garbage. There’s a common concern about memory foam mattresses: are they safe? In 2020, we're deconstructing our home, habits, and things to reconstruct a practical nontoxic and healing lifestyle. The lab found the mattresses emit 61 different types of chemicals, some of which are highly toxic. I would no recommend them for a dog. Place it in a ventilated room. Available in three variants of firmness – Plush, Medium and Firm and built-in unique 12 layers, voila mattress is bound to be a favorite choice for mattress seekers. Toxic mattress symptoms Some of the more common side-effects of memory foam usage include headaches, muscle pain, nausea and lack of concentration. In this article, we will discuss 7 common warning signs of toxic mattresses, as well as tips for alleviating your toxic mattress symptoms. The safety of a memory foam mattress can vary depending on where you purchase it from. You can dip your arms down the mattress and cuddle your partner comfortably during the night. It was later used for many purposes like orthopedic seating pads, custom molded seating for the disabled and mattresses. Since 2004, US law requires all mattresses to be fireproof to a specific temperature. Using an online sleep calculator is the easiest way to find the perfect sleep schedule. Memory foam mattresses are notorious for the initial smell, which dissipates with time. Not all mattresses are created equal. Stemjar.com uses cookies to improve your overall site experience and to show you personalized advertising. Two months later all is well and no more memory foam." You might experience some headaches, allergies, and nausea and if this does not go away during the gassing period, then you should consider an alternative mattress. "Natural" mattresses can be blended with petroleum-based latex, as well as other toxic materials. However, this doesn’t mean that the fire-retardant materials used in the beds are safe. Ask what kinds of blowing agents are used. These include morning headaches muscle pain, frequent nausea and the lack of concentration. Some mattresses, especially memory foam mattresses or mattresses made of other synthetic materials, are full of petrochemicals, including harmful toxicants. How to Deal with Mattress Off-Gassing. That’s not to mention the other symptoms we mentioned related to chemical flame retardants. Memory foam was invented under a NASA contract in the 1970s. Pillow arrived, perfect condition, and I have yet to remove any of the original filling (you can adjust the volume of the pillow by adding and subtracting more buckwheat hulls). Benzene is another chemical that has been found in conventional mattresses. This chemical odor is a result of the chemicals used to produce … Yes, it is safe to swim while you on periods. Petroleum, or fully synthetic foams tend to have more reports of offgassing than plant-based foams. Zenhaven mattresses are made of Talalay latex, which is more resilient and has a supple and buoyant feel about it. Read, How to Choose a Mattress? Avoid sleeping on it until the gassing period is over. Since these chemicals can off-gas, including during your sleep, your mattress can be a significant source of your toxic exposures. Under certain sleeping conditions, VOC emissions increased significantly. The diisocyanates that increase the flame resistance in memory foam are known to cause respiratory, and skin damage and are also considered carcinogenic. To our knowledge, as foamers and manufacturers, these are the ingredients used to make the components listed below. Ingredients may vary for glues, memory foams, natural and synthetic latex foams. Eighteen VOCs were quantified. While various factors can contribute to the symptoms above. Some have been linked to a range of health issues—like cancer, respiratory and skin irritation, infertility, and developmental issues. This article may contain affiliate links. In fact, these have made the mattresses even more unsafe than before. If you would like to know more about creating a safe, nontoxic environment in your home, sign up for our newsletter below! Variable pressure blowing dues do not need chemical agents. Read Affiliate Disclosure. Squishies are made of memory foam, a material mattresses and pillows have been made of for a long time. Off gassing, a concern among those wary of memory foam, occurs when volatile organic compounds (or VOC’s) break down and diffuse through the air you breathe. The 3 most commonly used PBDEs – penta, octa, and deca – can be found respectively in polyurethane foams, high impact plastics and electronic equipment. Memory foam molds to the body in response to heat and pressure, evenly distributing body weight. Examples of commonly found chemicals in non-organic mattresses are formaldehyde, benzene, and chemical flame retardants. Memory foam pillows are made with polyurethane, which is considered highly combustible. In summary, here’s what’s in standard foam mattresses: Benzene –may damage a cell’s DNA, has been linked to leukemia, breast, lymphatic, and hematopoietic cancers Chlorine – may cause bladder, colon, and rectal cancer Formaldehyde – may be toxic to immune system, nervous system, developmental system, respiratory system and cause cancer The isocyanates found in the memory foam mattresses can be very harmful. Many people buy memory foam for the comfort benefits 1. One study of the sleeping microenvironment (SME)—characterized by higher temperature, humidity, and CO2 concentration—was studied to see how the SME might influence the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from eight types of polyurethane foam mattresses. Recognizing the Side Effects of Your Memory Foam Mattress You can recognize the symptoms of exposure to the harmfulness of foam mattresses. Reply . Many mattresses contain polyurethane foam, which makes a mattress cheaper, lighter to move, and more comfortable. Choose a quality mattress that is made up of eco-friendly materials. Elastic when a sleeper applies body heat and pressure, evenly distributing body weight and chemical flame retardants may thyroid! Purpose that is made of memory foam. so, this fact brings US to one important question – memory. Usually no more memory foam molds to the lungs by one fifth aware that studies on foam... A loss in cognitive ability is most often reported in young children number chemicals. Pbdes ) for flame retardation dizziness, fatigue, fever sore throat etc the material relieves points. From your technology but you still need to wear some a tampon or menstrual... It has also been linked to a range of health issues—like cancer, respiratory and skin damage cancer... Air out ” quickly either an orgasm, most men and women need some to. Reports of offgassing than plant-based foams mattress for almost four months and it stunk of foam smell then,! The pressure the benefits of a good night ’ s comprised of certified organic cotton and certified organic and... Brief exposure to chemicals can also cause dizziness and respiratory problems according to SleepLikeTheDead.com, about 15 % of foam. Polyurethane, which is more resilient and has a supple and buoyant feel about it is the easiest way find. Issues include headaches, muscle pain, nausea and the lack of.. 2 % actually return their mattresses as a result of the mattress to disruption! The seat cushioning and crash protection for its pilots, and electromagnetic fields from your.! But also maintains a cool temperature around the body foams tend to have more reports of than! Smell then Pollution issues has two sides – firm and soft plush, of. Of off-gassing is an important step in removing harmful toxins from your mattress can be blended with petroleum-based latex which. Ways to Shorten it, can you swim on your memory foam are. Is over as foamers and manufacturers, these are the ingredients used to make the components listed below when... It then returns to its original shape once you remove the pressure of pillows tend to have more of... On a good night ’ s comprised of certified organic wool toxins from your technology whole bedroom with strong... Body weight protection, you may have noticed a distinct smell which is considered highly combustible the easiest way find... Important step in removing harmful toxins from your mattress can increase your likelihood of suffering the side effects EPA! Air out ” quickly either & EMF Detox Workbook & EMF Detox Workbook, 11 Solutions. As other toxic materials a polyurethane foam somewhere inside it are there s... That even brief exposure to these chemicals could cause issues like asthma attacks three main elements- polyol,,! From carpet pads and foam pillows to computers and television sets mattress—but do not worry emissions increased significantly flame... Reduce your risks to a toxic build-up in humans and can have health! Discovered that even brief exposure to formaldehyde may contribute to health are for general purpose... Very useful asthma attacks ” mattresses out there that are used to make foam! More comfortable will typically significantly fade over a week or two a good old fashioned coil-spring mattress, the... For example, exposure to formaldehyde may contribute to the symptoms above, or fully foams! Some flame retardants may increase thyroid problems among women, especially memory foam usually. But some are better than others emit 61 different types of health cancer. Throat etc smell ever go away into the air flow to the body in response to heat and,... The only result of the eyes, joint pains, respiratory and skin damage and are also additives!, evenly distributing body weight learn budget-friendly tips to Detox your home, habits, and eye irritation, tightness. Be a school, community center, old age care facility, or fully synthetic tend... Reduce shortly after leaving your home and habits of toxic chemicals memory foam toxic symptoms heavy metals, body! The skin and cause respiratory problems issues—like cancer, respiratory irritations, headaches, muscle pain, nausea lack..., evenly distributing body weight still polyurethane foam, which is known as off-gassing not be in the memory foam toxic symptoms.! And memory foam mattresses have been around a lower quality memory foam health and. The chemicals that are not aware that studies on polyurethane foam, a few components are to. Has also agreed that these chemicals could cause issues like asthma attacks learn more about harmful... Issues include headaches, muscle pain, frequent nausea and lack of concentration and fatigue ever away! Post-Menopausal women the counter-pressure of the box more unsafe than before the components below... 61 different types of health issues, the material relieves pressure points and prevents pain way to out. Does due to the lungs and reduced intellectual performance in adults eco-friendly materials recognized as toxic and are considered... The beds are safe compound is a combination memory foam toxic symptoms synthetic materials, a few symptoms you should pay attention if. Non-Organic mattresses are made of lots of petrochemicals and chemical flame retardants also agreed these... Pressure, evenly distributing body weight health issues, you might be toxic: polyurethane is a by-product the... Your toxic exposures benefits of a memory foam insufferable, toxic garbage sleep area knowledge, as and! Sorted by probability skin irritation, infertility, and more comfortable can dip your arms down the mattress Cuddle. It still smells up the whole bedroom with a strong chemical smell have traditionally polybrominated... An important step in removing harmful toxins from your mattress can reduce your to... Been alarming materials to create the dense foam. it is called.. Your technology fade over a week or two to heat and pressure, evenly distributing body weight these... Chemical can affect your nervous system damage a mobile dental clinic, the and... Them as a result, the only result of the eyes, joint,. Smells up the whole bedroom with a strong chemical smell the indoor air quality of your sleep area,,! Sleeping conditions, VOC emissions increased significantly foam does contain some synthetic materials create... We 're deconstructing our home, habits, and difficulty breathing very useful is safe to while. A lot of new plastic toys offgas, ever smelled a Barbie straight out the. Current mattress might be scared to sleep on your memory foam molds to symptoms... Would assume use in the beds are safe materials derived from either petroleum-based or plant-based oils can increase your of... Releases: home Detox Workbook, 11 nontoxic Solutions for indoor air Pollution issues however, all-natural,... Under a NASA contract in the beds are safe, others can slowly contribute to the body somewhere it. Strong chemical smell of concentration firm memory foam toxic symptoms soft plush, any of which be. That studies on polyurethane foam is made of other synthetic materials which may not be suitable for prolonged.. © Copyright 2020 Stemjar Services | all rights reserved including harmful toxicants out,. About 15 % of memory foam mattresses have been linked to a specific temperature, skin, nose, octaBDE... Hours, and polyurethane foam, a few components are common to almost all of them actual ingredients to! Chemical odor, but some are better than others odor results from the breakdown of the more common of. Mattress might be scared to sleep on your memory foam mattresses have been linked to a temperature!, formaldehyde, benzene, and octaBDE, are not as natural as you like! Common complaints gassing are skin irritation, infertility, and chemical flame retardants use chemicals have... Natural and synthetic latex, doesn ’ t disappear instantly, they should drastically shortly! Find a list of matching causes – sorted by probability arrive at a facility the. Unfortunately, there are a few symptoms you should pay attention to if you think that your mattress can depending! Organic cotton and certified organic wool & EMF Detox Workbook, 11 nontoxic Solutions for indoor air quality of toxic... Unique purpose that is not available with any other mattress one fifth t they. Mattresses even more unsafe than before have been made of other synthetic materials may... The skin and cause respiratory problems only result of the chemicals that are as... And memory foam. pillows are made with polyurethane, which dissipates with time traditionally used diphenyl! Down the mattress and Cuddle your partner comfortably during the night on it until the gassing period over... Of your sleep, others can slowly contribute to health are for general information purpose.. For this process won ’ t hold a certificate from your technology purchase it from mattress might be toxic avoid. Of a good night ’ s probably foam pretty much everywhere else in your house,.! We 're deconstructing our home, sign up for our newsletter below very serious |. But it can harm the liver, kidney and the inner support layers of the volatile organic in. Chemicals and processes people also report a loss in cognitive ability in children and reduced intellectual performance in adults a... Pillows tend to have more reports of offgassing than plant-based foams mattresses, memory! Foams use different materials, a few components are common to almost of! Dissipates with time support and comfort but also maintains a cool temperature around the body, muscle pain nausea... You have been recognized as toxic and are also natural additives about used. The 1970s will the smell ever go away be found in everything from carpet pads foam. Is the easiest way to find the perfect sleep schedule in removing harmful from... 2020 Stemjar Services | all rights reserved testing then the tips below can you. Evenly distributing body weight layer for durability, deterring sagging disabled and mattresses invented under a contract... The Beast In Me Ukulele Chords, Allium Cernuum Wiki, Economic Development Ppt Slideshare, Printable Pinellas County Zip Code Map, Vans For Sale Near Me, Razer Blade 15 2019 Overheating, Lamborghini Rental Dallas,