Sleep Safety – Traditional vs Organic Mattresses

In 2007, the United States adopted new fire-retardant standards for mattresses. Traditional manufacturers are meeting these standards with sprayed on toxic chemicals that make your sleeping space more dangerous than restful. Compare the construction of an organic mattress to the traditional option, and you’re sure to see the compelling difference.

Traditional-vs-Organic-Mattresses

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Posh + Lavish Luxury Mattresses

posh lavish luxury mattresses

For retailers looking to revamp or build upon their sales strategies, Posh + Lavish has emerged as a uniquely high-end solution in a market that has become increasingly saturated with low-cost and copy-cat offerings. Rather than peddling convenience and affordability, it has invested to create luxury mattresses, made with natural materials, available only at brick-and-mortar retail. By coupling that with an unparalleled commitment to philanthropy, Posh + Lavish has built itself on a promise of integrity—and today, the company is providing retailers with a new route to success.

Read the full article here.

V.O.C. Off Gassing Test Results From a Popular Brand Memory Foam Mattress

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1,2,4- Methanoazulene, decahydro- Dodecane, 3-methyl

1,5,5,8a tetra methyl Heptylcyclohexane

1,2- Propanediol (Propylene glycol) Hexanal

1,4- Dioxane Hexasilxane, tetradecamethyl

1,6-Octadiene, 7 -methyl-3- (8CI9CI)*

methylene (Myrcene) Limonene (Dipentene: 1-Methyl-4-

1-Butanol (N-Butyl alcohol) 1 methyllethyl cyclohexene)

1- Dodacene Longifolene

1- Hexanol, 2-ethyl Naphthalene

1-Propanol, 2-chloro* Naphthalene, decahydro-*

2- Butanol, 3-methyl Naphthalene, decahydro-2-methyl*

2-Pentanal, 2-methyl Pentasiloxane, dodecamethyl*

2-Propanol (Isopropanol) Phenol, 4-(1- methylpropYI)-*

2-Propanol, 1,3-diehloro- Pinene, a(2,6,6-Trimethyl-

2-Propanol, 1-(2-Dropenyloxy) bieyelor3.1.1 ]hept-2-ene)

2-Propanol, 1-[1-methyl-2(2- Pinene, p (6,6-Dimethyl-2-meth-

propenyloxy) ethoxy* ylene bieyelo [3.1.1]heptane)

Azulene, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-oetahydro- Propane,1,2,3-trichloro

1,4-dimethyl-7- 12.6(1- Propane, 1,2-dichloro

methyllethyllidene) Propanoic acid,2,2-dimethyl-, 2-

Benzaldehyde ethylhexyl ester*

Benzene, 1,2,4-trimethyl Silane, trichloro (chloromethyl)-*

Benzene, 1,3-diehloro Silanediol, dimethyl-*

Benzene, 1,4-diehloro Styrene

Benzene, 1-methyllethyl (Cumene) TXIB (2,2,4-Trimethyl-1,3-

Bicyclo [3.1.1] hept-2-ene-2-carbox- pentanediol diisobutyrate)

aldehyde Tetrasiloxane, decamethyl

Bicyclo [3.1.1] heptan-3-one,2,6,6- Toluene (Methylbenzene)

trimethyl-.1a,2b,5a* Trisiloxane, octamethyl*

Chlorobenzene Undecane

Cyclohexane,1,1-dimethyl-2- Undecane, 2,6-dimethyl

propyl* Undecane, 2-methyl

Cyclohexane, octyl* Xylene (para and/or meta)

Cyclohexasiloxane, dodcamethyl* c- Decahydronaphthalene

Cyclohexene, 1-methyl-4-( 1- Cyclopentasiloxane, deca-

methylethylidene)* methyl

Cyclotetrasiloxane, octamethyl Cyclotrisiloxane, hexamethyl

Decane, 3-methyl Decane, 5-methyl*

Dodecane

*Indicates NIST/EPAINIH best library match.

Several of these chemicals, such as benzene, propane, styrene, and naphthalene, are recognized as possible Class C human carcinogens by the EPA, as well as other organizations.

Source; VOC measurements taken by gas chromatography together with mass spectrometric detection.

-from “Sleep Safe in a Toxic World” -by Walter Bader. Freedom Press. Copyright 2nd edition 2011.

What Is Mattress Off-Gassing?

boy with gas mask large

Off-gassing is when toxic chemicals evaporate from your mattress into the air. As traditional mattresses with polyurethane foam and chemical flame retardants age, they off-gas these carcinogenic chemicals into the air you and your family breathe. These mattresses contain fire retardant formaldehyde, chemicals, and other toxic glues, stains, and coatings made from petroleum oil based polyurethane foam. These chemicals off-gas their toxic ingredients into the air over time.

You Can’t Smell Off-Gassing

Bacteria and fungus consume the fire-retardant chemicals on the mattress. As time goes on, these tiny organisms off-gas the chemicals into their air, which is why off-gassing becomes worse the older the mattress is. New mattresses off-gas as well, but they can fool you with their perfumed odor. Just because you can’t smell it, doesn’t mean it isn’t there.

Allergic Reactions to Off-Gassing

Headaches, nausea, and allergic reactions are a complaint of many adults sleeping on new, traditional mattresses. When a friend or family member makes these complaints, be aware of where these mattresses are purchased and what the ingredients of the mattress are. If someone is complaining of an allergic reaction from a mattress, off-gassing is most likely the culprit.

photo by Krzysztof Szkurlatowski