Blended latex foam contains both natural and synthetic latex typically in a proportion of 80% synthetic and 20% natural. Boric Acid (also called Borate Powder) can cause eye and respiratory irritation. 100% natural latex mattresses are not toxic and are not known to off-gas when you unwrap them. Guess who came up with the guidelines? In fact, a polyurethane foam mattress loses HALF its weight over ten years of use! The safer choice when it comes to avoiding toxic chemicals. For instance, Wool is able to act as a natural flame retardant, but this is more expensive and time-consuming to produce, and thus not commonly used. Natural rubber comes from the Hevea Brasiliensi tree, and is a great non-toxic material. What’s the Best 4th of July Mattress Sale? The harmful chemicals used to make foam break down over time. Latex is a stable dispersion of polymer microparticles in water. ... Natural Latex. It depends on the mattress in question. Synthetic mattresses are also available on the market, which are manipulated with synthetic latex to create a wider variety of firmness. Some latex is even synthetic which means it is polyurethane foam with added chemicals to make it react like latex. Dioxin has been shown to: Vinyl is a cheap way for manufacturers to make beds waterproof & bacteria resistant. We believe in transparency & honesty, so you know precisely what you are getting when you buy a SleepLily mattress, and you can have confidence knowing that you are making a good investment for the future. If you have any questions, or need recommendations, please don’t hesitate to contact us! The average person can spend 6-10 hours a day in bed, and we often expect that manufacturers make mattresses safe or at least benign. Two different types may be used: solvent-based adhesives and water-based adhesives. How can this be? However, latex mattresses that use synthetic chemicals are prone to off-gassing: a process that releases volatile organic compounds, which are known to be toxic. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The term latex refers to one of two possible definitions. For example, PentaBDE (PBDE) proved one of the worst offenders and was voluntarily phased out in mattresses manufactured in the United States since 2004; however, very few of the major manufacturers like Simmons, Sealy, and Tempurpedic actually disclose what they use, claiming it as a “trade secret”. It’s made by mixing two main chemicals together (Tyrene and Butadiene), both of which are classed as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Here's a list of some carpet "ingredients": Petroleum byproducts and synthetics (polypropylene, nylon, acrylic) Soil and stain repellents Vinyl or latex PVC Urethane Antistatic sprays Artificial dyes Natural Latex can also contain fillers and most natural latex mattresses do. Surprisingly, synthetic latex is a more expensive (raw cost) component than graphite latex. It is speculated that common flame retardant additives might include antimony oxide (carcinogen) or melamine resin (contains formaldehyde). According to CertiPUR-US’s own literature, “The Guidelines were established with guidance from the global foam industry.” That’s right. But regardless of what mattress company you choose, we want to make sure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision. They’re pretty nasty, with some serious health risks. Keep reading to learn more. [source]. To ensure you get the best mattress, look for 100% natural latex. However, there are actually a wide range of chemicals and toxins present in modern mattresses that can pose significant short and long-term health risks. Synthetic latex is another common offender in the world of toxicity. Little research has been conducted into how these types of chemicals affect us, to what degree our bodies absorb them, and what consequences exposure will have down the road. Vinyl production uses toxic chemicals and additives which have been linked to major health issues. [/li], [li]Avoid Antimony, Decabromodiphenyl Oxide, Melamine Resin, Boric Acid, Formeldahyde, Vinylidene Chloride, Brominated chemicals and other chemical additives. Antimony is a toxic heavy metal which can cause eye, heart, and lung problems. Natural latex means that it’s sourced from the rubber tree and contains other natural ingredients; it isn’t blended with synthetic fibers. Almost all carpet is made from synthetic fibers and those fibers have been treated with synthetic chemicals that "outgas" into your home. Even worse, this is true even of many mattresses claiming to be “organic” or “all-natural.”. Second, they break down over time, causing major off-gassing of VOCs into the air you breath. And the leniency of federal regulations in the U.S. certainly doesn’t help the situation. It is known that at the very least they can cause a variety of cancers and decrease indoor air quality. SleepLily is a different kind of mattress company. May or may contain polyurethane fillers. The most common type of synthetic latex contains a styrene-butadiene rubber. [/li] This chemical is toxic, and other chemicals are added to the blend to stabilize the foam. [li]Avoid brands who will not disclose how they achieve flame standards, as they are likely using potentially concerning chemicals. [li]Avoid all adhesives. People who suffer from breathing problems including asthma and allergies should avoid breathing volatile organic compounds. First, that means they are made with a “witches brew” of toxic chemicals (more on that soon). Propylene oxide and TDI (two chemicals used to make Polyurethane Foam) have been shown to, The EPA considers polyurethane foam fabrication facilities potential major sources of several hazardous air pollutants including methylene chloride, toluene diisocyanate (TDI), and hydrogen cyanide. This is a completely man-made product in the foam classification but has the consistency and feel of latex. The word latex is used for various combinations of latex and polyurethane foam. Synthetic fibers, like nylon, are created by people. [/li], [li]Water-based adhesives are not healthier or free of chemicals. Several types of synthetic latex exist but SBR (styrene-butadiene rubber) is the most common type of synthetic latex used in the production of synthetic latex foam. While both of these compounds could be enough to cause someone serious harm, many synthetic latex mattress companies add even more toxic chemicals during the actual mattresses making process. [10] Synthetic latex is made from petroleum-based products. Some fire marshals have even nick-named foam “Solid Gasoline.” As a result, these beds are often soaked in the most powerful and dangerous chemical flame retardants. The issue of toxicity is not limited to one particular type of bed. Phthalates have been shown to: Another problem with Vinyl is that a chemical called Dioxin is released during production. Synthetic Latex: Typically contains around five non-toxic chemicals (2-chloro-1–3-butadiene, diphenyl diisocyanate, metallic oxides, Phenol-melamine resins, sulfur, Tellerium). Both of these are VOCs and can do serious harm. So what they are really making is Polyurethane Foam mattresses with a tiny bit of plant oils added for marketing purposes! Knowing what exactly is in your mattress will help you determine the danger levels. [/li] ... Isn’t the latex fill also a carcinogen? Be sure to look for 100% Natural Latex. Natural latex is the safer alternative to synthetic latex. Where does the weight go? A water-based product, acrylic latex caulks have virtually made solvent-based acrylic sealants obsolete. Rather than being harvested from rubber trees it is produced from petrochemicals. The long term effects of these chemicals are still unknown. Natural latex is made from the rubber tree and will not off-gas. Also, in the descriptions of our non-toxic mattresses, we show you EXACTLY what we use inside the mattress. The global foam industry created their own guidelines for certifying that their foam is safe. Natural rubber (latex). Also, additional toxic chemicals may be used during processing. And third, they are extraordinarily flammable. [/list], [list type=”plus”] They are linked to severe problems that can span generations. And we’ll show you why manufacturers are still using these toxic chemicals, despite their health risks. Avoid beds with latex over poly-foam or springs, as these will almost always contain toxic chemicals and adhesives. Foam is still widely used in mattresses because it is cheap to produce. Synthetic latex contains fewer chemicals than memory foam,  though it is often blended with a relative, polyurethane. Some imported rug pads have clay fillers mixed with the latex. [li]Look for mattresses in which the layers can be pulled apart, and the cover removed. The VOCs off gassed from foam can irritate the eye, nose, and throat, cause headaches, loss of coordination, and nausea, and damage the liver, kidney, and central nervous system. One of the most frustrating things about buying mattresses is the lengths that mattress companies go to hiding the toxic-chemicals from you. 100% natural latex mattresses do not off gas. 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