Mattresses - Baby Mattresses       

Protect Your Baby from Toxic Exposures
 
Mattresses are a primary source of chemical poisoning in babies. The majority of baby mattresses today contain polyurethane foam, vinyl (PVC), phthalates, chemical fire retardants, and an extensive list of added industrial chemicals. These chemicals can leach out of the mattress or off-gas to expose the baby through inhalation and through the skin.

A mattress exposure is particularly problematic because it is up-close and long-term. Sleeping on typical crib mattresses, babies breathe and absorb these chemicals for ten to 14 hours a day or more for a period of two or more years during the critical developmental period of their brains, nervous systems and immune systems. Babies who spend over 50-70% of their early life on baby mattresses are likely to receive pretty high doses of these chemicals and gases.

Toxic Components of Typical Baby Mattresses
Baby mattresses encompass not only crib mattresses, but cradle, bassinet, porta-crib, and co-sleeper mattresses. All of these types of mattresses usually contain materials that can be toxic.

Filling Material - Polyurethane Foam
Polyurethane foam is the filling material used in most baby mattresses. This foam is made from petroleum and typically contains chemical catalysts, surfactants, emulsifiers, and pigments. Depending on how it's processed, some polyurethane foam may possibly contain various chemical additives, including formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, and other well established toxic chemicals.

Some of the health hazards listed on manufacturer material safety data sheets (MSDS) for polyurethane foam 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.

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).

Waterproof Covering - Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) with Phthalates)
Most baby mattresses contain polyvinyl chloride (PVC), generally referred to as vinyl, as the surface material or covering. PVC is great for waterproofing, but is considered to be one of the most toxic and environmentally unfriendly plastics used. Vinyl chloride, an intermediate component in the manufacturing of PVC, is a combination of petroleum and chlorine, and is a known human carcinogen.

PVC is a hard plastic so plasticizers called phthalates (pronounced "thalates") are used to make it soft and flexible. Phthalates are endocrine disruptive chemicals and are associated with reproductive harm, premature birth, asthma, early onset of puberty, cancer, and kidney and liver damage. Phthalates can make up 30% by weight of the PVC surface of a typical crib mattress. These chemicals are not bound to the plastic and can leach out so babies can breathe them in and absorb them through their skin.

Lead, cadmium, and various biocides are other hazardous additives to PVC, which can also be released into the baby's environment. The PVC surface of a typical baby mattress is also treated with toxic fire retardant chemicals.

Brominated Fire Retardants
Mattresses made with polyurethane foam and PVC are highly flammable and will burn extremely fast if ignited. Because of this, the U.S. government requires manufacturers to add chemicals to make them fire retardant. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are chemicals typically used to slow the spread of fire. These chemicals are likely to leach out into the surrounding air.

PBDE exposure is linked to numerous adverse health effects, including immune suppression, hormone disruption, learning and memory problems, behavioral changes, and cancer. Some states have banned certain brominated fire retardants, but these have been replaced by other PBDEs or other chemicals that may be just as toxic. Manufacturers are not required to test these chemicals for the effects on health and there is very little data available to show safety.

Mattresses and Crib Death (SIDS)
Several scientists claim that toxic gases released from crib mattresses, when breathed or absorbed by a sleeping baby, can cause crib death or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). These claims have not been 100% scientifically proven, nor have they been disproven, and there is urgent need for more research.

It is important to note that a 100% successful crib death prevention campaign has been going on in New Zealand for the past 13 years. Midwives and other healthcare professionals throughout New Zealand have been actively advising parents to wrap mattresses. During this time, there has not been a single SIDS death reported among the over 170,000 (22%) New Zealand babies who have slept on mattresses wrapped in a specially formulated polyethylene cover. The number of crib deaths in New Zealand that have occurred since mattress-wrapping began in 1994 is about 860. The number of crib deaths that have occurred in New Zealand on a properly wrapped mattress is zero. The SIDS rate in NZ has dropped dramatically since this campaign began. This may be enough evidence to warrant taking a precautionary approach.

Alternatives to Toxic Baby Mattresses
Most people assume that if a mattress is organic, then it must also be non-toxic and safe. This is not necessarily true. There are organic crib mattresses on the market that contain organic cotton as the filling, but the outer covering is vinyl or some other type of harmful material. In addition, fire retardants and other various chemicals may be added to the cotton or to the outer covering. It is important to check with the manufacturer and inquire about all the materials used. Organic is definitely important when choosing a mattress, but the main thing to look for is whether the mattress is non-toxic and safe for your baby.

Filling Material
Organic cotton is the perfect filling material for a baby mattress since it is natural, non-toxic, firm and breathable. Cotton will not burst into flames (like polyurethane foam or PVC) and will not release toxic fumes when ignited. Since cotton is a crop that is heavily sprayed with pesticides, fungicides and other chemicals, it is important for the cotton to be certified organic.

Wool is also commonly used in mattresses and bedding since it is naturally fire resistant, does not provide a favorable environment for dust mites, and handles moisture well. Wool is an excellent bedding material for many reasons. However, wool can be allergenic and you don't know if your baby will be allergic to wool. It may be true that most allergies to wool are actually chemical sensitivities to the chemicals used in processing wool. But people, including babies, can be allergic specifically to the natural animal fiber. It's difficult to know in advance about a baby's allergies and allergies can be developed over time.

Latex (natural rubber) is also used as an alternative crib mattress filling. Shopping for a latex crib mattress can be complicated since even natural latex can contain questionable chemicals added during processing. In addition, natural latex contains proteins that can be highly allergenic and known to cause anaphylactic shock. Again, you just don't know if your baby will be allergic to natural latex.

Fire Protection
Wool is fire-resistant, and is the most common fire protection used in natural, organic crib mattresses. If a wool-wrapped mattress has been tested and approved to meet flammability standards, the manufacturer is able to sell it without obtaining a prescription.