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While a green mattress might seem like a pretty pricey investment, there's no doubt that we spend a huge amount of time in bed. Sleep problems can lead to added stress, health problems, and an achy back. Even more problems may linger in the depths of your mattress.
"You spend a third of your life in bed," said Debra Lynn Dadd, an author and blogger, who has been writing about toxic substances in household products for 25 years in a New York Times article. "If you are interested in things like organic food and natural beauty products," she added, "you should realize that you're actually getting a greater exposure to toxic chemicals in your bed than anywhere else."
According to the article, government agencies don't regulate the labeling of mattresses as organic or natural.
Here are some tips for finding a good, green mattress:
- Skip the phthalates.
Phthalates found in the covering of mattresses are also linked to health problems and have been banned in mattresses in California for use by children. According to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), phthalates are harmful platicizer chemicals commonly found in crib mattresses and mattress pads. The group of chemicals are known to affect a child's developing endocrine (hormonal) system, and which may cause asthma, allergies, and even cancer. - Is natural suspect?
Make sure that the mattress is not just made with all natural ingredients like wool and cotton, but that those ingredients are also free of chemical and pesticides. The sheep that produced the "all natural" wool may have been raised on land treated with chemicals, fungicides, and insecticides. Or cotton, it takes 1/3 pound of chemicals to make one cotton T-shirt, so can you imagine how many pounds of chemicals are in your mattress? - Watch out for PBDEs.
Especially with crib beds, watch out for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Read Jasmin's article on this harmful fire retardent that can cause immune suppression, endocrine disruption, behavioral problems, and cancer. Thanks to 1973 U.S. law decreeing that all mattresses must meet requirements for cigarette-ignition, most conventional mattresses are treated with toxic fire-retardant chemicals that pose significant potential health risks. - Don't forget comfort.
No one can tell you how firm you like your mattress because it's totally subjective. So decide what is the most comfortable for you and go with it!
Related Posts:
Sleep Green, Sleep Better
Green Your Nursery: Don't Let the PBDEs Bite
5 Reuses for: Pillows
Are you a green hipster looking for all things green and cool? Then you'll love actor and eco-activist Adrian Grenier and his team of environmental experts, who live it up with sustainable style on Planet Green TV's Alter Eco.
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