“Mattresses are known to release minute amounts of gaseous chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs)... Health effects associated with VOCs range from eye, nose and throat irritation to headaches and organ damage, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Some VOCs, including benzene, acetaldehyde and formaldehyde, have been associated with increased cancer risk.”   read more

The outer fabric of most mattresses is typically made from some form of polyester, nylon or cotton. Even if the fabric is made from organic cotton, it's likely treated for water-resistance using perfluorinated compounds (PFAS), polyurethane coatings, plus various anti-bacterial biocidal treatments and even flame retardants. All of these chemicals have toxicity concerns.

In contrast, Naturepedic uses a GOTS certified organic cotton fabric without any of these additives. Keeping things simple means keeping things healthy.

A chemical treatment applied to knit or woven fabrics to make them stain- and water-resistant. These chemicals can be found on mattresses that have a fabric finish (even if the fabric is organic cotton!).

According to the U.S. E.P.A., "There is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse health outcomes in humans... Studies indicate that PFOA and PFOS can cause reproductive and developmental, liver and kidney, and immunological effects in laboratory animals. Both chemicals have caused tumors in animals."  Read more at epa.gov/pfas.

Biocides are often added to fabrics as a way to make them "anti-microbial." While this may sound good, these chemicals are actually poison (designed to kill living organisms). At least 30% of biocides are endocrine disruptive, persistent, toxic to water organisms and/or carcinogenic.
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Flame retardant chemicals are also sometimes added to help pass flammability requirements. A common flame retardant chemical used to treat fabrics is antimony (i.e. antimony trioxide/pentoxide, sodium antimonate, and various halogen combinations). Antimony also typically contains arsenic, a known poison and carcinogen.

Nearly all mattresses today are made with polyurethane foam (a.k.a. "memory foam", "soybean foam", "plant-based foam", etc.) as internal filling,  often in combination with springs. Polyurethane foam is a predominantly petroleum product made with ingredients associated with numerous health hazards. It also deteriorates over time, breaking up into small dust-like particles that can easily become airborne (releasing VOC’s associated with upper respiratory conditions and skin irritation). Some of the health hazards listed on manufacturer material safety data sheets (MSDS) include: possible cardiac arrhythmias, breathlessness, chest discomfort, irritation of mucous membranes, headache, coughing, asthma-like allergic reaction, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, nausea, blurred vision, and reduced pulmonary function.

Polyurethane foam is typically produced by combining a polyol (petroleum based) with an isocyanate (usually toluene diisocyanate or TDI), which is a highly toxic substance.

“Occupational exposure to TDI and other diisocyanates can cause... bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, rhinitis, conjunctivitis... irritation of the eyes, upper and lower respiratory tract and skin.”  www.cdc.gov.

The EPA has identified several chemicals used in the fabrication of polyurethane foam as hazardous air pollutants (hydrochloric acid, 2,4-toluene diisocyanate, and hydrogen cyanide).

“Exposure to these substances has been demonstrated to cause adverse health effects such as irritation of the lung, eye, and mucous membranes, effects on the central nervous system, and cancer.”  www.epa.gov.

In addition, polyurethane foam typically contains chemical catalysts, surfactants, emulsifiers, pigments, and other chemical additives. These frequently include halogen compounds, chlorofluoro-alkanes, dichlorodifluoromethanes, formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, and other well established toxic chemicals including organotin compounds.

Polyurethane foam is a petroleum product, and as such, is extremely flammable. Untreated polyurethane burns hot and fast, posing serious fire concerns (which is why it's generally treated). It also decomposes into deadly and hazardous gases when ignited. In particular, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride, and other toxic gases are released.

Due to its high flammability, industrial strength toxic chemical fire retardants are often added to meet the minimum flammability standards set by government agencies. These additives can have a wide range of adverse health effects, especially as the foam breaks down over time and becomes airborne. Flame barriers are also commonly employed in an effort to shield the foam. These flame barriers are typically modacrylic, polyacrylonitrile or rayon. 

Through the intelligent use of natural materials, Naturepedic mattresses pass all flammability requirements without ANY flame retardant chemicals or flame barriers of any kind!

“Sleep has been referred to as the “swiss army knife for health”. Naturepedic goes the extra mile to eliminate toxic and questionable chemicals from mattresses and bedding. Naturepedic’s certified organic products provide healthy and luxurious sleep. Thanks from HealthCode - empowering people to live healthier lives.”  HealthCode.org

“In 1991, at a scientific workshop with Theo Colborn, I coined the phrase ‘endocrine disrupting chemicals.’ There was a lot we didn’t know back then, but we knew enough to be concerned. Since then thousands of scientific papers have been published on the issue, confirming the very real health concerns that these chemicals raise. That’s why it’s so gratifying to me to see that Naturepedic takes these issues seriously, and has designed and brought to market a truly safe mattress, without flame retardants, phthalates, vinyl and other toxic materials and chemicals."