I recently read an article about the toxicity of infant mattresses and cribs. The article stated that the fumes released could be linked to SIDS. What do you recommend?

It's true that mattresses can emit fumes from chemical treatments, PVC covers and the polyurethane foam inside. Even cribs can emit toxic fumes. Luckily, there are ways to reduce the fumes as well as alternatives to conventional mattresses. You should always let new mattresses “off-gas” until noticeable fumes have dissipated – do this outdoors or in a well-ventilated room that no one sleeps in. Thereafter, use a mattress cover made of wool, organic cotton or polyethylene underneath sheets to further protect you and your baby. Alternatively, let everyone in your house get a good night’s sleep by purchasing natural fiber mattresses.

Visit the Marketplace section of our website for recommended retailers who offer mattresses that are safer than conventional ones.

My child often coughs at night could it be the mattress he is sleeping on?

Mattresses, pillows, bedding and stuffed animals can emit fumes and collect dust mites – both of which can cause throat irritation and trigger asthma. Mattresses are often treated with chemicals to make them water and flame retardant. Beds can easily collect dust mites. Luckily, there are simple steps you can follow to control off gassing as well as the accumulation of dust mites.

Help Choosing a Foam Mattress

QUESTION:

We want to get a foam mattress, but are confused about the different kinds of foam available. Can you just explain the difference between the foams and help us understand them?

ANSWER:

First, there are more than 150 different formulations of foams, so unless a manufacturer can tell you exactly what the foam is, you really can't find out what's in it.

But there are basically three kinds of foam with regards to choosing a mattress.

1. POLYURETHANE FOAM

This is made from polyol and diisocyanate. Both are petrochemicals. These are combined and passed down through a pipe into a nozzle head, Blasts of carbon dioxide make the foam. Memory foam is a visco-elastic polyurethane foam, still polyurethane. Polyurethane foams are typically very flammable and require fire retardants.

2. LATEX FOAM

This is made from natural latex (milk of the rubber tree) or synthetic latex (rubber made from crude oil). Almost all natural latex is processed into foam using sulfur.

3. SOY or BIO FOAM

This is polyurethane foam with some of the polyol replaced with soy oil, or is a mixture of soy with other oils, such as corn and sunflower. These foams are typically 5-50% natural oils.

If one wanted a foam mattresses, latex foam would be the best of the three as it is the only one that is not polyurethane.

This answer was provided by our friend, Debra Lynn Dadd. Hailed as "The Queen of Green" by the New York Times, Debra Lynn Dadd has been a pioneering consumer advocate since 1982, specializing in products and lifestyle choices that are safer for human health and the environment. She is the author of Home Safe Home.

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What are the best ways to protect your child from mattress off-gassing?

Mattresses outgas less over time. 



A polyethylene wrap will help and off-gasses less than the mattress itself. 



A cotton/wool mattress cover will not block off-gassing fumes. 



Probably a combination of both would be your best bet. The polyethylene would block more emissions, and the mattress cover on top would give more comfort.

Debra :-)

This answer was provided by our friend, Debra Lynn Dadd. Hailed as "The Queen of Green" by the New York Times, Debra Lynn Dadd has been a pioneering consumer advocate since 1982, specializing in products and lifestyle choices that are safer for human health and the environment. She is the author of Home Safe Home.

What Should I Do About Bed Bugs?

QUESTION:

I wondered if you had time to look into the product "Protect-A-Bed." I just bought and I am about to return it. I saw the product just last week on Dr. OZ for bed bugs. Evidently, when you travel, these bugs do not discriminate and easily can be brought home.

So I invested a bit of money and ordered the mattress and box spring & two terry pillow covers. I washed 2 times in Seventh Generation free and clear and put them on. The smell was so annoying and made me dizzy. I called the company to return it and...I have learned my lesson and will read the fabric next time. I just didn't want bed bugs and freaked. I talked to a customer service rep there and sent her what I could about the following materials on your site to educate her.

On their packaging states: 100% Polyester (Main Panel), 100% Polyester (Skirt), Lining 100% Polyurethane all sides laminate! Any comments there!? I would like to send them your response. I have sent them that article from the Polyurethane.org about the safety of it like you posted once.

ANSWER:

If you are concerned about bed bugs, get Nature's Defender Cedar Oil products. You can carry a spray bottle with you and spray the mattresses in hotel rooms. The cedar oil kills them. You can also spray this in your home if you are worried you have bed bugs. It does smell like cedar, but the smell dissipates and it is not toxic.
Debra

This answer was provided by our friend, Debra Lynn Dadd. Hailed as "The Queen of Green" by the New York Times, Debra Lynn Dadd has been a pioneering consumer advocate since 1982, specializing in products and lifestyle choices that are safer for human health and the environment. She is the author of Home Safe Home.

Where can I find a safe and affordable waterproof mattress pad?

Here's a mattress pad with no polyester--only polyethylene and natural fibers. I don't know if it's in your price range, but they do exist. 

If you can't afford this, you can get polyethylene sheeting (like a "poly" tarp sold at outdoor stores for camping) and put it on the bed to protect the mattress. 

Polylaminate is a sheet of polyethylene film laminated between two sheets of aluminium foil.

Debra :-)

This answer was provided by our friend, Debra Lynn Dadd. Hailed as "The Queen of Green" by the New York Times, Debra Lynn Dadd has been a pioneering consumer advocate since 1982, specializing in products and lifestyle choices that are safer for human health and the environment. She is the author of Home Safe Home.