SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — According to The Futon Shop, conventional mattresses are very likely to contain chemicals, some potentially toxic to humans and/or harmful to the environment. Most of these chemical compounds have a cloud surrounding the information on the possible harms they can cause. The way to go green is to choose a mattress with fewer chemicals or no chemicals. The ideal mattress would have low VOCs, no PBDEs, no formaldehyde, and no phthalates. But what are these chemicals and how do they affect the environment and you?
VOCs:
(VOCs) Volatile organic compounds are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. Most mattresses contain considerable amounts of synthetic and chemical-based foams (polyurethane), plastics and artificial fibers, and most box springs are made with chemically treated wood and chemical adhesives. In fact, almost every mattress type contains at least some polyurethane foam components. A good choice to be free of VOCs is a chemically free 100 percent pure Dunlop Latex mattress.
PBDEs:
Polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) are major components of commercial formulations often used as flame retardants in furniture foam. There is growing evidence that PBDEs persist in the environment and accumulate in living organisms, as well as toxicological testing that indicates these chemicals may cause liver toxicity, thyroid toxicity, and neurodevelopmental toxicity. Even though PBDEs are in the process of being banned from use, you can be sure that any older mattress is sure to contain them. If you sleep on an old mattress it is time to upgrade with a USDA certified Organic cotton mattress.
Formaldehyde:
Formaldehyde, a colorless, pungent-smelling gas, can cause watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes and throat, nausea, and difficulty in breathing in some humans exposed at elevated levels (above 0.1 parts per million). High concentrations may trigger attacks in people with asthma. It has also been shown to cause cancer in animals and may cause cancer in humans. Health effects include eye, nose, and throat irritation; wheezing and coughing; fatigue; skin rash; severe allergic reactions. Formaldehyde is typically used to make adhesives that hold mattresses together.
Phthalates:
Phthalates are animal carcinogens and can cause fetal death, malformations, and reproductive toxicity in laboratory animals. Children may be at higher risk of adverse effects of phthalates because of anticipated higher exposures during a time of developmental and physiologic immaturity. Phthalates are not covalently bound to the plastic matrix and leach out of PVC. The Vinyl/PVC surface of a typical baby mattress consists of 30 percent phthalates that can leach out into your child's crib. Why risk your child's life on anything but an organic cotton baby crib mattress.
What is Offgassing?
Polyurethane foam is the number one ingredient in traditional mattresses today. Understanding the dangers from off gassing is why so many Americans are now purchasing organic mattresses. Off gassing from polyurethane foam, releases many harmful petroleum chemicals. These chemicals in mattresses release hydrocarbons that evaporate into the air we breathe throughout a mattress' lifetime. These hydrocarbons are powerful carcinogenic chemicals, attacking and severely damaging the immune and nervous systems of adults and children.
So where can you get a mattress that is chemical free?
The Futon Shop manufactures natural organic futon mattresses and green futon mattresses by combining the most pure and natural elements inside their organic futons to build the most comfortable and natural organic mattresses, sofa bed mattresses and futon mattresses. USDA certified Organic cotton futon mattresses, American grown long crimp Virgin Wool mattresses, chemically free 100 percent pure Dunlop Latex mattresses and beds, VOC free soy-based foam futon mattresses (CertiPUR-US certified), GOTS certified Organic cotton mattress pad protectors, and all their inner springs bed mattresses are made from recycled steel right here in the U.S. They are also a proud founding member of the Sustainable Furniture Council and a member of the Organic Trade Association. They have been manufacturing American made natural and organic mattresses for over 30 years and have over 2 million happy customers.
In accordance with Federal law, The Futon Shop does use a borate to ensure all mattresses are fire retardant. They will gladly omit the Borate in any mattress purchase order with a note from your doctor or chiropractor.
More information: http://www.thefutonshop.com .
About The Futon Shop:
Since 1976, The Futon Shop, a vertical retailer manufacturing organic and green futon mattresses for sofas and beds, offer clean solutions for chemical free bedrooms from farm to factory their products eliminate the dangerous toxins that are harming American homes.
Copyright © 2012 CaliforniaNewswire® and Neotrope®. California Newswire is a publication of the Neotrope News Network and a U.S. reg. TM of Neotrope.
