A new expensive mattress has never been a simple budget. When you are planning to buy a mattress, make sure you are investing your time and money on a mattress that is worth every penny you put.
While the traditional innerspring mattress have been deemed safe and are quite durable, there are many recent inventions in the mattress world such as latex to memory foam mattress to so-called organic mattresses. But how safe are they?
Why new mattresses are termed 'unsafe'?
Luscious brand new luxury mattresses look great but come with certain chemicals that come with chemicals such as polyurethane foam, boric acid, formaldehyde, antimony (a heavy metal that is like arsenic), and to top it, here comes the worst polybrominated diphenyl ethers which is a type of flame retardants. If you are not aware they can have a huge impact on your health and overall sleep quality.
So, what's the big deal about it? You are simply sleeping on it and not gonna eat them. Here comes the major issue. The problem is that mattress chemicals emit strong gases that can lead to respiratory disorders, SIDS, neurological disorders, allergies, reproductive issues, thyroid disruption etc. and worst of all, the most dreaded – cancer.
National center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) has tested and confirmed the fact that
“…growing evidence shows that PBDE compounds are escaping from the products they protect and making their way into the products’ users. Moreover, the chemicals may disrupt human thyroid hormone functioning and cause other health effects, prompting many nations to ban or suspend their use in new consumer goods.”
For instance, firm mattresses used before 2004 contained chemicals such as PentaBDE (from a family of fire retardants) but after recent study that claimed that fire retardants can be detrimental to liver, thyroid and nervous system, companies have chucked out certain chemicals or limited the quantity.
A person spends around one-third of their life in bed, so isn't it vital to avoid absorbing such toxic chemicals as far as possible?
Organic mattresses
When we shout organically grown fruits and vegetables why not mattresses? The safest way to go would be organic mattress. But the prices can really burn a hole in your pocket. Of course the bed must be comfortable as well and as far as organic mattress they have a slightly low reputation when it comes to delivering optimum comfort.
However note that just because a mattress is termed organic doesn't mean its actually non-toxic. It all comes down to the materials that have been used. A mattress can be called organic only if it contains any organic component such as cotton filling or cotton surface fabric. Some companies use the term because they have an organic cotton filling but with a vinyl covering. Though they may be called organic mattress, the vinyl covering (and the chemical fire retardants) included are not quite healthy.
Consider other factors such as:
Will I ever find a good mattress?
Of course, there are non-toxic mattress, there are people and stores that make natural hand made mattresses.
You can always go the old-fashioned way and prep your bed. Few call them 'sunning'. The technique involves setting them outside for a day both the sides. This is how our grannies used to sterilize, cleaning mattresses, pillows and blankets. Keeping the mattress on the sun kills bedbugs, dust mites and simply makes it worthy enough to use.
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