What you will learn in this article:

• Types of mattresses in the market (pros and cons of each)
• Toxins found in mattresses and their health impact
• How greenwashing is done
• What mattress I picked and why?
• Why I retired my organic mattress?
• My sleep experience with Organix by Intellibed
• What makes Organix by Intellibed my #1 choice? (Non-toxic, postural body support, temperature support, firm and soft, less tossing, durability and cost, return policy, financing)
• Should you ditch your organic mattress?
• What if you have Tempur-Pedic or other memory mattress?
• Group Buy offer for Hormone Balance community

This article could save you 20 to 30 hours of research if you are considering getting a new mattress. Picking my new mattress has proven to be far more complex than I originally thought. Gone are the days you would walk into a store, lay on the bed (or bounce around as a kid) and pick based on what felt comfortable.

As you will learn in this article, there are a few factors that go into evaluating a mattress. Superficial comfort can be misleading. The chemicals might not be obvious. The long-term impact can be harmful.

A good mattress can be a large (but not the only) factor in getting a good night’s sleep. I wrote about the other factors to consider for good sleep here. It’s common sense that sleep is good for you. You feel energized and sharp. You don’t crave coffee and cookies. You look younger. Your body produces growth hormone and rebuilds the cells during good quality sleep. I don’t think I need to convince you that sleep equals good health.

In doing mattress research over the past few weeks, I used the following eight criteria to pick the best mattress:

1. Non-toxic (includes no off-gassing) and hypoallergenic
2. Support for the hips and shoulders
3. Temperature control
4. Durability and warranty
5. Has a trial and return period  
6. Customer support
7. Founders’ commitment
8. Price and value

A few things I learned in the process:

• The government regulations aren’t here to protect your health. They will help your mattress not catch fire (that easily), but it comes at the cost of being exposed to chemicals that should not be there. More on that below.
• An organic mattress doesn’t address all issues. Organic latex was, I thought, the best-in-class. I have learned otherwise; as you will learn further in this article.
• When choosing a mattress, I concluded that the two most important factors are: Non-toxic materials used and postural body support.   

• Petrochemical-based mattresses are a major concern. Depending on how the final material is treated, major off-gassing can occur. What’s the problem with petrochemicals? A review published in the journal, Recent Advances in Petrochemical Science found that petrochemicals can accumulate in organs and tissues and cause damage to the brain, nerves, liver, and the developing baby. They can cause cancer and inflammatory conditions. They can also hormone imbalances and disorders. So, picking the wrong mattress can actually interfere with getting your hormones back in balance.

Types of Mattresses

1. Innerspring Mattresses

These mattresses are owned by the vast majority of people (they make up two-thirds of mattress sales) and have been around since the 1930s. Serta is a popular brand that is widely available. The name comes from the spring coil core of the mattress, which provides support and disperses weight. There are different types of coils which provide varying levels of support, motion transfer, and durability, reflected in the price.

Types of Innerspring Coils:

• Bonnell: Oldest, most common, least expensive. Contoured shape makes them durable and provides good spine support.
• Offset: Available as double-offset (greater support) or free arm offset. Offset springs are more durable and, as a result, more expensive.
• Continuous Wire: Durable and resilient coils, but have the least contour, meaning minimal support for the spine.
• Pocket coils/Marshall coils/Encased coils: Best contour coils (good spine support) and minimize motion transfer, but the type of thin steel springs that are used makes them both expensive and short-lived.

Pros: These mattresses are affordable, widely available, and comfortable to a wide variety of people. They tend to be firmer, which is preferred by heavier individuals and some people with back problems. Because they lack the foam of other mattresses, they tend to stay cooler, which is great for people who tend to get overheated at night.

Cons: These mattresses tend to sag over time and the lifespan is overall shorter than other mattress types. They can be noisy. They also don’t isolate motion, so if your partner rolls over, you’ll feel it. Because the springs don’t contour to the body, this mattress doesn’t provide much pressure point relief (hips and shoulders are important points of contact). As a result, this mattress can seem too firm for many people.

2. Memory Foam (viscoelastic) / Polyurethane Foam

Tempur-Pedic is the leading brand of memory foam mattress. This type of material was originally developed by NASA in the 1970s to help protect airline pilots and passengers in case of a crash. The “viscoelastic” comes from the material being both viscous and elastic under stress (pressure). It’s known for its ability to give you a “customized” feel like this type of foam response to the pressure and heat of your body to give you the feeling of being surrounded by softness. The main components of a memory foam mattress are its polyurethane memory foam top layer and then the polyurethane foam core.

Pros: Memory foam conforms to your body, making for a very comfortable mattress surface. It’s highly supportive to the spine and evenly distributes weight. Because it excels at preventing motion transfer, it’s great for couples and light sleepers. Because it’s foam, it can easily be packaged and shipped, so you can try it out for a month and easily send it back if it doesn’t suit.

Cons: Memory foam is a polyurethane foam and while polyurethane is a man-made, petrochemical-derived product, its hazards are dependent on interactions with other chemicals. While polyurethane itself is non-off-gassing, memory foam has chemical additives that make the foam more flexible but also cause it to release all kinds of hazardous chemicals, such as methylene chloride, methyl chloroform, formaldehyde, and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Methylene chloride makes up 98 percent of the off-gassed chemicals and is toxic to the nervous system and multiple organs.

Tempur-Pedic has been involved in numerous lawsuits related to its toxic mattresses. Even though this class action lawsuit ended up being denied, I believe it’s just a matter of time before it regains traction – the same with how it took the FDA 10 years to declare BPA a toxic compound

3. Natural Memory Foam (Usually a scam)

Brands of so-called natural memory foam mattresses include Keetsa and Loom & Leaf/Saatva. There is nothing natural about this type of memory foam and it is known for off-gassing of fumes that can last for days. It is still a petroleum-based material, but to make it natural, a company will replace 2-15% of the petro-based foam with soy oil or cedar oil. Clearly, this does not remove the hazards of the petroleum foam and does not make it “natural” by any means. However, Essentia mattresses out of Canada seem to be a truly natural memory foam over a latex core. (See pros and cons of a latex-based mattress below).

Pros: Same as regular memory foam: It conforms to your body, making for a very comfortable mattress surface. It’s highly supportive to the spine and evenly distributes weight. Because it excels at preventing motion transfer, it’s great for couples and light-sleepers. Because it’s foam, it can easily be packaged and shipped. Additionally, if it’s encased in organic cotton or if it uses wool as a flame barrier to make it a more natural option, it could potentially off-gas fewer chemicals than a fully conventional version.

Cons: It generally still contains a lot of hazardous chemicals. Depending on the type of inner core, it may not be supportive of the spine and good posture.      

4. Natural Latex

This is the type of mattress I initially bought (and has since been moved to the guest room).

Natural latex (also referred to as NR latex, all-latex, pure latex, or organic latex) is made from naturally occurring latex from rubber trees. Some common mattress brands that use natural latex include Avocado and Saatva. There are two types of latex foam, based on the manufacturing process:

Dunlop latex is made by taking the rubber tree sap with its natural sediment and stirring, molding, and then stem-baking it. During the process, the sediment falls to the bottom of the mattress and makes it dense and heavy. The resulting mattress is firm and provides good support for heavier individuals.

Talalay latex is made by vacuum-sealing the rubber tree sap, depriving it of oxygen. Then the sap is frozen, then baked. The resulting mattress, with its sediment distributed throughout, is softer and lighter.

Pros: Supposed to be all natural and non-toxic. They are hypoallergenic and have naturally-occurring anti-bacterial and anti-fungal compounds. They also provide great pressure point relief, making them very comfortable — at least at the surface level. Natural latex mattresses “sleep cool” due to their naturally breathable materials. While not quite to the level of memory foam mattresses, natural latex mattresses are also good at preventing motion transfer.

Cons: Not supportive of the spine and posture. Because it is natural it deteriorates faster – it lasts 4-5 years before needing to be replaced. Some natural latex may contain VOC chemicals that have been added in manufacturing. Natural or organic latex tends to be more expensive. It’s also difficult to find in a store. Online purchasing makes it difficult to “try before you buy” unless they offer a money-back guarantee. Still, they tend to be heavy (especially if it’s Dunlop) and are not convenient to move. I had two movers struggle pick it up.

5. Synthetic Latex

Synthetic Latex was created as a less expensive substitute for natural latex. It’s produced from petrochemicals that off-gas. Synthetic latex mattresses can be 100% latex or may be a blend of natural latex and synthetic latex (latex hybrid). This is done to avoid deterioration over time, as synthetic latex tends to gradually lose its shape and crumble around the edges. Still, they tend to last slightly longer than traditional mattresses (6-8 years, versus 6 for a traditional spring mattress).

Pros: They provide great pressure point relief, making them very comfortable — at least at the surface level. Like natural latex, synthetic latex mattresses “sleep cool.” These latex mattresses are also good at preventing motion transfer.

Cons: Synthetic latex is produced using a number of petroleum-based chemicals. Chemicals you’re going to be breathing in as you sleep. It doesn’t last as long as natural latex as it tends to crumble over time. They aren’t as available at your local mattress store, so you’ll likely have to purchase online without testing it first. Synthetic latex tends to be a more expensive option, though more affordable than natural latex. They are heavy, and not convenient to move.

6. Gel Foam

Gel foam is a viscoelastic foam (like memory foam) that is infused with beads of gel. This is meant to improve the circulation of air in the mattress, reducing heat – so it sleeps cooler.

Pros: Gel foam mattresses have the same benefits of memory foam, such as the feeling of comfort and being surrounded by softness. They are supportive of the spine and distribute weight evenly. They help prevent motion transfer, so they are a “quiet” sleeping option. Because it’s foam, it can easily be packaged and shipped. The gel also helps sleepers feel cooler throughout the night, which may help sleep quality.

Cons: Same as memory foam. While polyurethane itself is non-off-gassing, viscoelastic foam has chemical additives that make the foam more flexible but also cause it to release all kinds of hazardous chemicals, including methylene chloride, methyl chloroform, formaldehyde, and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). With the addition of gel in the manufacturing process, these mattresses are more expensive than regular memory foam mattresses. As the gel deteriorates, the mattress may lose its firmness.

7. Gel Matrix (Organix by IntelliBed)

Gel Matrix™ is a patent-protected elastic solid copolymer gel. The co-polymer Gelastic made by the Gel Matrix™ is a honeycomb-structure that supports the body. The honeycomb gel adjusts to the pressure of the body to create even support.

Pros: Highly supportive of spinal alignment and provides great pressure point relief. Very durable – lasting over 20 years. Unlike other mattresses, the gel doesn’t deteriorate with exposure to heat, moisture, pressure, or oxygen. It doesn’t off-gas and is non-toxic. The gel also protects the springs underneath you from the weight of your hips and shoulders, prolonging their lifespan.

Cons: Because it’s made from mineral oil (baby oil), it’s not technically an organic option since it is petroleum-based. However, the mineral oil may be certified food grade, which is also the type of mineral oil used to preserve wooden serving bowls and cutting boards.

Toxins Found in Mattresses and The Health Impact

Here is a list of things I have uncovered that can be infused into a mattress, depending on the type.

To my shock, none of these chemicals are banned or restricted even though when using a mattress, your head is right next to these toxins, for hours at a time.

Memory Foam Chemicals

• Methylenedianiline (known to cause injury to liver and thyroid and may cause cancer).
• Methyl Chloride/ chloromethane (may cause reproductive problems, liver damage, and brain damage over time).
• Formaldehyde (known carcinogen and may aggravate autoimmune disease. It also has been shown to negatively impact the thyroid, causing it to shrink, causing decreased T3 and T4 hormones, and increasing TSH. Formaldehyde exposure may even contribute to Type 2 diabetes)
• Melamine resin – contains formaldehyde.
• Isocyanate compounds, such as acetone, benzene, ethylene oxide (Inhaled, these chemicals can cause neurological problems and set off inflammation.)
• Naphthalene (Inhaled, this chemical, also found in mothballs, can contribute to autoimmune issues, raise cortisol levels, and decrease thyroid function).

Gel Foam Chemicals

• The same as above: memory foam chemicals
  

Synthetic Latex Chemicals

•  Styrene-butadiene copolymer (Non-toxic) 
• 2-chloro-1,3-butadiene (Chloroprene) (May contribute to: insomnia, fatigue, hair loss. liver dysfunction, immune system problems, increased risk for cancers, especially liver cancer).
• Diphenyl diisocyanate  (May contribute to asthma and other breathing problems, inflammation, and immune system dysfunction)
• Metallic oxides (Non-toxic)

Natural Latex Chemicals

• Diphenyl diisocyanate  (May contribute to asthma and other breathing problems, inflammation, and immune system dysfunction)
• Polyvinyl acetate (Fairly non-toxic)

Flame Retardant Chemicals

• Boric Acid (hormone disruptor and reproductive toxin – especially for men)
• Antimony (A heavy metal linked to reproductive problems. Also associated with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS))
• Vinylidene Chloride (May cause liver problems).
• Formaldehyde (known carcinogen and may aggravate autoimmune disease. It also has been shown to negatively impact the thyroid, causing it to shrink, causing decreased T3 and T4 hormones, and increasing TSH. Formaldehyde exposure may even contribute to Type 2 diabetes)
• Polybrominated diphenyl ethers/PBDEs (associated with hormone disruption –especially thyroid function. Plus, infertility and fetal growth problems.
• Firemaster 550 Blend of chemicals which includes bis(2-ethylhexyl) tetrabromophthalate (TBPH). Phthalates are linked to hormone imbalance and Firemaster 550 specifically has been confirmed to be an endocrine disruptor.
• Chlorinated tris (TDCPP) (Hormone disruptor and reproductive and developmental toxin. May increase risk for certain cancers).

 

Flame retardants are some of the worst chemicals leaching from mattresses. Check out this list from Green Science Policy for all kinds of toxic health effects along with scientific references.

The problem with them is that most mattress companies refuse to disclose what they use, hiding behind “industry secrets” and stating that they are still “safe and compliant.” This is worrying as in the United States, many harmful chemicals (banned in the EU) are used pervasively – it does not make it OK or safe.  

Greenwashed Mattresses

“Greenwashing” is a term that refers to marketing that falsely promotes a product, service, or organization as being safe, natural, organic, or environmentally friendly. The words used may or may not have any truth behind them. “Green,” “natural,” “eco-friendly” are simply marketing claims that don’t reflect any actual research or testing.

So-Called Certifications

The natural and organic mattress industry is full of greenwashing, too. Some of the so-called certifications don’t even exist – there’s no certifying body or agency.  

CertiPUR-US – Does It Mean Much?

You have to look beyond simply a CertiPUR-US label and learn more about the manufacturing process. Polyurethane foam should be non-off-gassing once it’s finished being made. However, if a company decides to add chemicals to the polyurethane to either make it into memory foam or to make it more resistant to flames, that could pretty much cancel out the CertiPUR-US certification.

Polyurethane in itself isn’t toxic. It’s the chemicals that get added to it that can make a mattress highly toxic and harmful. 

Chemicals Don’t Need To Be Disclosed

It’s also good to know that chemicals that are infused into the mattresses don’t have to be disclosed. Chemicals can be used in the processing of the materials and still remain in the final product and you’ll never know what they are and what levels remain. Organically produced mattresses are, of course, a better option if you’re wanting to avoid chemicals, but natural materials just aren’t long lasting and they are unable to provide adequate postural support.

The most trustworthy certifications to look for (with the more stringent requirements) if you’re just seeking out the most organic options include Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) for non-latex-containing mattresses and the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) for latex-containing mattresses. Greenguard Gold (which particularly considers children and the elderly) and Oeko-Tex Standard 100 set limits for VOCs, dyes, and flame retardants.

These certifications don’t allow polyurethane foam at all and promote what they believe to be safer materials.

However, organic mattresses aren’t necessarily the most supportive for your spine, which is of primary concern when you’re trying to improve your sleep and lessen back and neck pain.

The trick is to find a mattress that is as non-toxic as possible but which is also supportive of your body for a good, pain-free night’s sleep.

What Mattress I Picked and Why

Overwhelmed yet with what you’ve read so far?

Like I said earlier, this article is probably saving you 20 to 30 hours of research, not to mention the stress and overwhelm. I’ve put my highly skilled researcher to work on this project so we get all the facts and claims cross-checked. As you know, I don’t look at other blogs for information – blind leading the blind isn’t going to help you and me make a confident decision.  

First off, in case you are new to me and my work – I try to live a non-toxic life as much as I can. I don’t obsess about it but I do what I can. Choosing a mattress is one simple thing I can do to control the level of toxins in my life. Since I sleep 8 hours each day, that’s 30% of my life spent in bed – it’s one item to pay attention to.

How Did I Evaluate a Mattress?

In picking a mattress, here are the eight factors I used to screen the endless brands and manufacturers:

    1. Non-toxic (includes no off-gassing) and hypoallergenic
    2. Support for hips and shoulders
    3. Temperature control
    4. Durability and warranty
    5. Has a trial and return period  
    6. Customer support
    7. Founders’ commitment
    8. Price and value

Using this screening process, I ended up going with Organix by Intellibed. It meets all the eight criteria I set forth in the new bed search.

It also boiled down to two things; Organix by Intellibed to me represents the best of both worlds: It’s non-toxic and it supports body posture.

To evaluate your current mattress, or if you want to get a new one, use the above 8 criteria to make a judgment. Also, refer to the list of chemicals we listed above. You can write or call the manufacturer and ask if any of them are present in the mattress. (Your call will certainly be a memorable one to the sales rep!).

My Biggest Skepticism: It’s Not Certified Organic

To be perfectly honest, my biggest reluctance and skepticism around Organix by Intellibed was the fact that they are not fully organic. Part of the bed is made with polyurethane which has a bad reputation.

They also use Gel Matrix™ which is a copolymer gel made into a honeycomb-structure that supports the body.

Here are the reasons why I’m still standing by my choice (and keeping the mattress) and feel OK with personally using and promoting a non-organic mattress to our Hormones Balance community:

 –  Even though the mattress is made with polyurethane, it is important to know that polyurethane in itself isn’t toxic and does not off-gas. It’s the chemicals that get added to it that can make a mattress highly toxic and harmful.  

 –  Gel Matrix (the silicone-like honeycomb to keep you straight) material itself was approved for use in baby bottles and is non-toxic.  

 –  I asked for their toxicity reports, which they sent over – showing 0 cytotoxicity on the scale 0 to 4.  Cytotoxicity means toxicity to the cells.

 –  I have also found research showing the non-toxic effect of copolymer gel.

 –  The postural support the mattress offers is key in keeping a good posture, being pain-free, and getting deep, quality sleep.  

Why Did I Retire My Organic Mattress?

In August 2017, I had a double hip replacement (the why and how is here). Two months before it, I bought a new organic latex mattress to feel more comfortable in my recovery. One of the problems I had, which my doctor said was most likely due to my hip issues, was lower back pain. To my surprise, as much as the hip pain dissipated in months after the surgery, the lower back pain did not. You can imagine my deep disappointment that such an invasive surgery didn’t take care of this chronic pain.

For the longest time, I didn’t make the connection that my mattress could be the culprit. After all, I thought I had chosen the best-in-class mattress on the market and I really wanted to love it.

After speaking to a few of my “online influencer” friends and then diving into online research, I’ve finally found out what the issue was: My organic latex mattress did not provide the postural support that I needed for my hips and shoulders. I was basically caving into it.

Friends who owned organic latex mattresses longer than me (4 years and more) also admitted that their mattresses were losing their form, beginning to sag, and had to be replaced.

I, therefore, retired my organic latex mattress to the guest room.

My Sleeping Experience with Organix by Intellibed

I gave Organix by Intellibed a go and within 3 days of sleeping on the bed, my lower back pain was gone.

In fact, I’m writing this article as I’m in the middle of unpacking the house (the mountain house I mentioned I just bought) and in spite of being on my feet for 10 to 12 hours each day, I have zero back pain. I’m tired but pain-free.

I will also say that my quality of sleep has significantly improved – according to the mattress guru, Robert Rasmussen, that’s because turning becomes easier and I don’t wake up when I do turn. That made sense because I distinctly remember having to use my foot to “get myself up” and turn on my organic mattress.

Is Organix by Intellibed Right for You?

I sat down with the founder of Organix by Intellibed, Robert Rasmussen, to talk about how to pick the right mattress for you.

Here is the video of the webinar – you will learn a ton about the mattress industry and how it impacts your sleep.

What you will learn from the webinar:

• My personal experience with an organic latex mattress
• Types of mattresses in the market (pros and cons of each)
• Toxins found in mattresses and their health impact
• What are volatile organic compounds?
• How greenwashing is done (this is so sneaky and frustrating)
• Which mattress I picked and why?
• My sleep experience with my current mattress
• Should you ditch your organic mattress? (It’s not a straight-up “yes” or “no”)
• What if you have Tempur-Pedic or other memory foam mattresses?
• How to save on a mattress with a Hormones Balance group buy discount

I recorded this short video to share with you the background and why I ditched my organic mattress. Some of our readers also commented on the investment in this mattress – which I’m addressing in this video as well.

What Makes Organix by Intellibed My #1 Choice?

 

Non-toxic. I got over the fact that it’s not fully organic and accepted that the materials used don’t off-gas and seem to be safe – according to their tests (see above) and my own research (see above). The mattress also had no smell when it got delivered and unwrapped.

Postural body support. Many of our readers say how much they love Tempur-Pedic for comfort and the help it provides in mitigating chronic pain. As you know now, foam mattresses are infused with a chemical cocktail; formaldehyde, a well-known carcinogen. On the other hand, organic latex doesn’t provide the support – I’ve learned it first-hand. This is why I’ve found Organix by Intellibed’s Gel Matrix technology such a good fit – it’s scientifically proven to support the posture, it’s recommended by over 1000 doctors to their patients, yet it’s non-toxic.

Temperature control (great for night sweats). Any woman experiencing hot flashes and night sweats knows that a mattress that retains and re-circulates her own body heat is hell to sleep on. Organix by Intellibed is designed to pass the body heat down the mattress so your own body heat will dissipate. This technology has also been used in hospital burn units to provide ventilation for burn patients.

Firm and soft at the same time. When I announced that I was testing a new mattress, many of our readers asked if it was firm or soft. We’ve been conditioned to think in these terms but the reality of Organix by Intellibed is that it is both. When I sleep on it, I feel well supported, yet, it’s extremely comfortable. In the above video, Bob explained the importance of not putting pressure on the parts of the body and skin we sleep on as this will result in tissue blood flow interruption and makes us either wake up and/or toss and turn more than needed.

Less tossing and turning = deeper sleep. The way Organix by Intellibed explains the reason for less tossing and turning (which in most cases leads to deeper sleep, I certainly feel it) is due to the softness of the bed. As you can see on the above image, their mattress has no red spots which indicate pressure points – they make us toss and turn. This explains why I had a hard time turning on my organic latex mattress – I had to place my leg firmly on the mattress to lift myself off (almost like coming out of a hammock) and turn over – that effort would pull me out of deep sleep. I suspect that’s why I sleep deeper now.

Durability and cost. I spent $4K on my organic mattress and the expected lifespan is 4 to 5 years – that’s $800 to $1000 per year cost. An Organix by Intellibed retails for about the same and with the 20-year warranty, that’s $200 per year.

Return policy. I respect the owners in that, despite the shipping cost being significant (you get the base + the mattress), they are willing to stand by their product to take it back if it does not work for you. The return policy is 90 days. (The initial shipping is non-refundable. Also, sheets, pillows, and protector are non-refundable. Organix by Intellibed will pay to have the bed shipped back.)

Financing. The mattress investment is in the $4000 region, which can be a lot of money to some people. Organix by Intellibed makers have partnered with financial providers to facilitate a loan if you need one.

Is There EMF in the Metal Mattress Coils?

Yes, there are metal coils. People went from sleeping on hay and feathers to metal coils because you need something to structurally align your spine. EMF’s and spring units have been really anecdotal information which has made it hard to prove or disprove. Here is an article that addresses this.

Great quote from the article:

“Here is an excellent video showing how little your mattress springs impact EMF fields! If anything, they will actually reduce them, not magnify them as some people claim.”

Here is the video the above quote is referring to.

The mattress coils do NOT store any additional EMF charge.

Should You Ditch Your Organic Mattress?

Not if it’s working for you. If you have no body pains and aches, you sleep deep and sound and you don’t feel hot and sweaty, I see no good reason for you to change. You may find that the mattress loses its firmness in the near future – I would then re-evaluate your next mattress option and give Organix by Intellibed a consideration.

What If You Have Tempur-Pedic or Another Memory Foam Mattress?

This is a tough one because, unlike an organic/latex mattress, you know by now that these mattresses are heavily spiked with harmful chemical cocktails – formaldehyde, a well-documented carcinogen, is just one ingredient. It is my opinion that if you want to regain or maintain good health, you should change your mattress.

One question I asked myself was: “What if the memory foam mattress is two years old and has offgased by now. Is it still toxic?” I’ve searched for answers and found no such research.

The closest I uncovered are these two things: Dr. Sprott’s research on SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) which linked a fungus reacting with chemicals found in mattresses – making it highly toxic and even deadly for infants, to quote: “A fungus that commonly grows in bedding can interact with these chemicals to create poisonous gases (Richardson 1994).” This means it’s a potential ongoing problem, not just during the initial off-gassing period.

Secondly, there is enough anecdotal consumer evidence showing that people who owned foam mattresses have had health issues that go on for years. Apart from an action class lawsuit against Tempur-Pedic, there is also a website listing foam mattress (including Tempur-Pedic) health issues and reactions. In our own community, this is what one of our readers posted:

If you are suspecting that your mattress is making you sick and you are ready to upgrade your current mattress, consider the offer we received from Organix by Intellibed.

Risk-Free Purchase

Organix by Intellibed asks you to keep the mattress for at least 30 days to acclimate. If you decide it’s not for you, return it in 90 days (that’s over 100 nights’ trial). What is non-refundable is the initial shipping, sheets, pillows, and the protector. Organix by Intellibed will pay to have the bed shipped back.

If you decide to get the mattress, I hope you love it and find it as transformative as I have.

Please note that this is a sponsored post, meaning I do receive a small percentage of sales, but all opinions are my own.

---

Resources:

“Mattress Reviews.” SleepHelp.org.

“Toxic Chemicals in Your Mattress.” Mercola.com.

Rae, Haniya. “Organic Mattress Labels You Can Trust.” Consumer Reports.

Loewe, Emma. “Your Definitive Guide To Buying A Nontoxic Mattress.” Mindbodygreen, 21 Oct. 2019.

“How Can Consumers Find Out If a Corporation Is ‘Greenwashing’ Environmentally Unsavory Practices?” Scientific American, 29 June 2013.

“What Is an Organic Memory Foam Mattress?” Savvy Rest.

Dunbar, Brian. “Memory Foam.” NASA.

“How It’s Made – Our Natural Memory Foam Process.” Essentia Natural Memory Foam.

Klose, David. “Are Memory Foam Mattresses Safe?” Sleep Junkie, 11 Dec. 2019.

“About Certified Foam – CertiPUR-US.” CertiPUR, 23 Oct. 2019.

“Material Safety Data Sheets.” People for Clean Beds.

Sleep Exposed. 

“Synthetic Latex.” LatexMattress.org

“Dunlop vs. Talalay Latex Mattresses: What’s the Difference?” Tuck Sleep.

Fulton, Heather. “How I Found a Non-Toxic Mattress.” Empowered Sustenance, 19 May 2018.

Paul Tassin October 4. “Tempur-Pedic Mattress Consumers Denied Class Certification.” Top Class Actions, 4 Oct. 2016.

“Toxic Substances Portal – 4,4′-Methylenedianiline.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Methyl Chloride Handbook.” Oxychem Technical Information. Nov 2018.

“Formaldehyde.” EWG Skin Deep.

Vojdani, and Aristo. “A Potential Link between Environmental Triggers and Autoimmunity.” Autoimmune Diseases, Hindawi, 12 Feb. 2014.

Wentz, Izabella, et al. “The Thyroid-Formaldehyde Connection.” DR. IZABELLA WENTZ, PHARM D, 5 July 2018.

Hipkiss, Alan R. “Depression, Diabetes and Dementia: Formaldehyde May Be a Common Causal Agent; Could Carnosine, a Pluripotent Peptide, Be Protective?” Aging and Disease, JKL International LLC, 1 Apr. 2017.

“Melamine Formaldehyde.” GP Chemicals, 9 Sept. 2019.

Sleep Advisor. “Toxic Materials in Foam Mattresses? Are We Safe?: Sleep Advisor.” The Sleep Advisor, 4 Jan. 2020.

“Illness Associated with Exposure to Naphthalene in Mothballs — Indiana.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“CU-Boulder Team May Have Solved Mystery Of Carcinogenic Mothballs.” CU Boulder Today, 20 July 2016.

Yarahmadi, Zahra et al. “Effects of Naphthalene on Plasma Cortisol and Thyroid Levels in Immature and Mature Female Klunzingeri Mulet, Liza klunzingeri.” Iranian Journal of Toxicology. 27 July 2015.

“STYRENE/ BUTADIENE COPOLYMER.” EWG Skin Deep.

“Chloroprene (2-Chloro-1,3-Butadiene).” Environmental Protection Agency. 9 Dec. 2015.

“Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI) And Related Compounds Action Plan.” Environmental Protection Agency. April 2011.

“POLYVINYL ACETATE.” EWG Skin Deep.

“Borax: Not the Green Alternative It’s Cracked up to Be.” EWG.

Winship, K A. “Toxicity of Antimony and Its Compounds.” Adverse Drug Reactions and Acute Poisoning Reviews, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1987.

“Vinylidene Chloride.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database, U.S. National Library of Medicine.

McDonald, Thomas A. “A Perspective on the Potential Health Risks of PBDEs.” Chemosphere, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Feb. 2002.

Costa, Lucio G, et al. “A Mechanistic View of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether (PBDE) Developmental Neurotoxicity.” Toxicology Letters, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 15 Oct. 2014.

Harley, Kim G, et al. “PBDE Concentrations in Women’s Serum and Fecundability.” Environmental Health Perspectives, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, May 2010.

Szabo, David T, et al. “Effects of Perinatal PBDE Exposure on Hepatic Phase I, Phase II, Phase III, and Deiodinase 1 Gene Expression Involved in Thyroid Hormone Metabolism in Male Rat Pups.” Toxicological Sciences: an Official Journal of the Society of Toxicology, Oxford University Press, Jan. 2009.

“DIBUTYL PHTHALATE.” EWG Skin Deep.

“Flame Retardant Firemaster 550 Confirmed as Endocrine Disruptor.” National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Killilea, David W, et al. “Flame Retardant Tris(1,3-Dichloro-2-Propyl)Phosphate (TDCPP) Toxicity Is Attenuated by N-Acetylcysteine in Human Kidney Cells.” Toxicology Reports, Elsevier, 17 May 2017.

“Selected Bibliography: Furniture Flame Retardants, Toxicity and Health.” Green Science Policy Institute. June 2013.