Mattress Chemicals may be Cause of Your Illness

[Guest guest]

NaturalNews) Mattresses today aren't like the ones  manufactured forty years

ago. Now they come to us manufactured with chemicals that include flame

retardants, petroleum based foams, plastics, vinyls, fungicides and pesticides.

Most mattresses are made almost entirely of raw ingredients from the petroleum

industry. These ingredients are then made into synthetics such as visco-elastic

and polyurethane foams possibly containing TDI (toluene discarnate, which OSHA

labels as a hazardous material.)

 

For those of us who pursue an organic, healthy, natural lifestyle and purchase

products that support that environment, Debra Lynn Dadd, an author who has been

writing about toxic substances in household products for 25 years, gives us a

dire warning; " We have a higher exposure to toxic chemicals in our beds than

anywhere else. " The consensus is that our faces are inches away from the source

at a time when we're most vulnerable.

 

Research suggests that continuous exposure to these chemicals is making a lot of

us very sick. Petroleum chemical exposure can weaken or damage the immune and

nervous system and, through countless studies, has been linked to autoimmune

disorders. Furthermore The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the

Environmental Protection Agency both admit there is a connection between

respiratory irritation and health problems and the volatile, organic compounds

emitted from petroleum.

 

More research shows that flame retardant toxic chemicals like PBDE, or

polybrominated diphenyl ether, are reaching levels in human bodies quicker than

did DDT and PCB's in the 1950's, which were eventually banned in the 1970's.

These researchers say flame retardants have a subtle effect on children's

intelligence by passing through the placenta and being absorbed by the fetus.

Several studies have shown there is a doubling in concentration of PBDE's every

two to five years in people throughout North America. One alarming study

conducted by Indiana University found that a pregnant Indiana woman gave birth

to a baby that had nearly 580 parts per billion of this dangerous chemical in

its little body.

 

While you sleep you may also be inhaling toxic fumes from certain glues used to

manufacture mattresses. The EPA says these adhesives may irritate the skin and

eyes and even be carcinogenic because of methylene chloride, benzene and

formaldehyde found in many adhesives. Solvents known to cause damage to the

central nervous system are also used in adhesives.

 

If that's not frightening enough, added to the PBDE threat, unborn babies like

the one mentioned earlier can be affected by harmful adhesives that are used in

mattresses. The EPA identifies Propylbromide as instrumental in developmental

toxicity and Xylene as causing birth defects.

 

If you think you are safe buying a mattress labeled organic or natural, think

again. There are no clear standards for mattresses labeled as such and in many

cases there is no distinction about their contents.

 

There is no government agency that regulates the labeling of mattresses, and

trade groups like the International Sleep Products Association and the Specialty

Sleep Association offer their members no guidelines for using the terms.

 

Caveat Emptor - Let the buyer beware.

 

Even mattresses labeled " natural " can be toxic because they may contain

pesticide residue. As a mattress ages it becomes more toxic with these residues

because the chemicals never completely dissipate, but when released, they are in

the form of an odorless gas. This silent gas binds to house dust which we then

inhale or ingest.

 

There are those who disagree with the studies. Robert Luedeka, executive

director of the Polyurethane Foam Association, says these are scare tactics to

help hucksters sell products. Steven Safe, professor of toxicology at Texas A &

M University believes the effect of mattress chemicals on humans is not

significant, however, he says manufacturers are striving to reduce the presence

of chemicals in mattresses. He believes the greater harm is to our environment

when the mattresses end up in landfills.

 

We spend a third of our lives sleeping. So until we can find zero-emission

mattresses free of any adhesives and other toxins, or until the mattress

industry goes green, or until the Federal Trade Commission steps in, we

consumers have to educate ourselves and understand what we're buying.

 

Until next time.

Your health mate,

Deanna Dean

Yourhealthcoachdee.com

Losetheweight.matol.com

 

New York Times, January 15, 2009, Julie Scelfo

 

Ecolivingcenter.com

 

Essentiadirect.com/research/glues-in-mattresses

 

Chem.-tox.com/beds/reports/index.htm

 

H3environmental.com,Mary Cordaro

 

 

 

Muhammad Ahmad Al-Masry

64, Muhammad Korayem Street,

Gomrok, Alexandria, Egypt

Tel: 0020-03-4800555

Fax: 0020-03-3082667

Web: massrii

massrii

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the article, Muhammad -- but does anyone know what the

healthy options are? I have long worried about this, and it's the

sole reason why we haven't replaced our mattress, which is

approaching 18 years of age, and it's getting rather uncomfortable.

Aside from stuffing some ticking with certified organic straw (oh, my

aching back!), I'm not sure what to do. My other problem with some

of the more natural options, such as certified organic cotton futons,

is that I have a bad back and futons really make it worse (we tried

one about 10 years ago, and my back condition worsened). Ideas

anyone?

 

Andrea

NZ

 

 

On 22/02/2009, at 8:14 AM, Muhammad Masry wrote:

 

> NaturalNews) Mattresses today aren't like the ones manufactured

> forty years ago. Now they come to us manufactured with chemicals

> that include flame retardants, petroleum based foams, plastics,

> vinyls, fungicides and pesticides. Most mattresses are made almost

> entirely of raw ingredients from the petroleum industry. These

> ingredients are then made into synthetics such as visco-elastic and

> polyurethane foams possibly containing TDI (toluene discarnate,

> which OSHA labels as a hazardou

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

This is interesting, and I've read similar information before. I'm

wondering, is there a way to test ourselves to see if we have been

exposed to these chemicals?

I'd be interested to see if it shows up in a blood test, etc.

Thanks, Nicole

 

On Feb 21, 2009, at 11:14 AM, Muhammad Masry wrote:

 

> Research suggests that continuous exposure to these chemicals is

> making a lot of us very sick. Petroleum chemical exposure can weaken

> or damage the immune and nervous system and, through countless

> studies, has been linked to autoimmune disorders. Furthermore The

> Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Environmental

> Protection Agency both admit there is a connection between respiratory

> irritation and health problems and the volatile, organic compounds

> emitted from petroleum.

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Salam, dear Andrea

 

I deeply wish and pray for your back to come to norm again, soon.

We do have here, in Egypt, a local product, handmade, which is linen stuffed

with cotton. It's perfect and 100% natural.

Every couple of moths we expose it to sun all day long, to be refreshed and

cleaned.

After some years, we unpack it, dismantle cotton block under hard sun rays, then

repack again, as new as ever.

For your dear back, cotton or any other solution is not suitable, in my humble

opinion.

Like in Japan and Ancient Egypt,also as an Arab custom, people who lay on floor

make their backs cured after several weeks, and they stay so.

 

Bless you always

===================

Muhammad Ahmad Al-Masry

64, Muhammad Korayem Street,

Gomrok, Alexandria, Egypt

Tel: 0020-03-4800555

Fax: 0020-03-3082667

Web: massrii

massrii

 

 

--- On Sun, 2/22/09, Andrea Gauland <dreaquince wrote:

 

> Andrea Gauland <dreaquince

> Re: Mattress Chemicals may be Cause of Your

Illness

>

> Sunday, February 22, 2009, 6:40 AM

> Thank you for the article, Muhammad -- but does anyone know

> what the

> healthy options are? I have long worried about this, and

> it's the

> sole reason why we haven't replaced our mattress, which

> is

> approaching 18 years of age, and it's getting rather

> uncomfortable.

> Aside from stuffing some ticking with certified organic

> straw (oh, my

> aching back!), I'm not sure what to do. My other

> problem with some

> of the more natural options, such as certified organic

> cotton futons,

> is that I have a bad back and futons really make it worse

> (we tried

> one about 10 years ago, and my back condition worsened).

> Ideas

> anyone?

>

> Andrea

> NZ

>

>

> On 22/02/2009, at 8:14 AM, Muhammad Masry wrote:

>

> > NaturalNews) Mattresses today aren't like the ones

> manufactured

> > forty years ago. Now they come to us manufactured with

> chemicals

> > that include flame retardants, petroleum based foams,

> plastics,

> > vinyls, fungicides and pesticides. Most mattresses are

> made almost

> > entirely of raw ingredients from the petroleum

> industry. These

> > ingredients are then made into synthetics such as

> visco-elastic and

> > polyurethane foams possibly containing TDI (toluene

> discarnate,

> > which OSHA labels as a hazardou

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have a natural latex mattress from Foamorder.com and it is

absolutely perfect for me. " Latex " can be synthetic petro-chemical

foam or natural rubber-tree-sap foam, so you have to do your research.

It looks like Foamorder has got more natural stuff now, and explains

it better than when I bought this one several years ago.

 

Ikea looks like they are getting more natural mattresses; might be

worth checking out.

 

Joy

 

, Andrea Gauland

<dreaquince wrote:

>

> Thank you for the article, Muhammad -- but does anyone know what the

> healthy options are? I have long worried about this, and it's the

> sole reason why we haven't replaced our mattress, which is

> approaching 18 years of age, and it's getting rather uncomfortable.

> Aside from stuffing some ticking with certified organic straw (oh, my

> aching back!), I'm not sure what to do. My other problem with some

> of the more natural options, such as certified organic cotton futons,

> is that I have a bad back and futons really make it worse (we tried

> one about 10 years ago, and my back condition worsened). Ideas

> anyone?

>

> Andrea

> NZ

>

>

> On 22/02/2009, at 8:14 AM, Muhammad Masry wrote:

>

> > NaturalNews) Mattresses today aren't like the ones manufactured

> > forty years ago. Now they come to us manufactured with chemicals

> > that include flame retardants, petroleum based foams, plastics,

> > vinyls, fungicides and pesticides. Most mattresses are made almost

> > entirely of raw ingredients from the petroleum industry. These

> > ingredients are then made into synthetics such as visco-elastic and

> > polyurethane foams possibly containing TDI (toluene discarnate,

> > which OSHA labels as a hazardou

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you for your reply, Muhammad -- Sounds like a lovely custom,

and I wish we could get the same here (though I don't think the

weather would allow much airing of the mattress!). I have sciatica

and scoliosis which was never treated in childhood and has led to

fusion of the 2 vertebrae involved and now there has been mention of

ankylosing spondylitis (sp?) after recent x-rays. I don't have a lot

of choices other than pain management for treatment, so do

accupuncture and have chiropractic adjustments regularly. I would

love to be able to take to swimming, but all the local area pools are

contaminated with chlorine, and I am allergic to it (instant, intense

headache), and the rivers are coming straight from the Alps so ice

cold and cause back spasms, so I am stuck. Anyway, I will continue

to look for healthier bed options and stick with our old one for

now. Again, thank you for your reply.

 

Kind regards,

Andrea in NZ

 

 

On 23/02/2009, at 9:23 PM, Muhammad Masry wrote:

 

> Salam, dear Andrea

>

> I deeply wish and pray for your back to come to norm again, soon.

> We do have here, in Egypt, a local product, handmade, which is

> linen stuffed with cotton. It's perfect and 100% natural.

> Every couple of moths we expose it to sun all day long, to be

> refreshed and cleaned.

> After some years, we unpack it, dismantle cotton block under hard

> sun rays, then repack again, as new as ever.

> For your dear back, cotton or any other solution is not suitable,

> in my humble opinion.

> Like in Japan and Ancient Egypt,also as an Arab custom, people who

> lay on floor make their backs cured after several weeks, and they

> stay so.

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Joy -- we live in New Zealand, so are pretty limited as to

what's available to us.

 

Cheers

Andrea in NZ

 

 

On 24/02/2009, at 6:17 AM, jmr1290 wrote:

 

> I have a natural latex mattress from Foamorder.com and it is

> absolutely perfect for me. " Latex " can be synthetic petro-chemical

> foam or natural rubber-tree-sap foam, so you have to do your research.

> It looks like Foamorder has got more natural stuff now, and explains

> it better than when I bought this one several years ago.

>

> Ikea looks like they are getting more natural mattresses; might be

> worth checking out.

>

> Joy

>

> , Andrea Gauland

> <dreaquince wrote:

> >

> > Thank you for the article, Muhammad -- but does anyone know what the

> > healthy options are? I have long worried about this, and it's the

> > sole reason why we haven't replaced our mattress, which is

> > approaching 18 years of age, and it's getting rather uncomfortable.

> > Aside from stuffing some ticking with certified organic straw

> (oh, my

> > aching back!), I'm not sure what to do. My other problem with some

> > of the more natural options, such as certified organic cotton

> futons,

> > is that I have a bad back and futons really make it worse (we tried

> > one about 10 years ago, and my back condition worsened). Ideas

> > anyone?

> >

> > Andrea

> > NZ

> >

> >

> > On 22/02/2009, at 8:14 AM, Muhammad Masry wrote:

> >

> > > NaturalNews) Mattresses today aren't like the ones manufactured

> > > forty years ago. Now they come to us manufactured with chemicals

> > > that include flame retardants, petroleum based foams, plastics,

> > > vinyls, fungicides and pesticides. Most mattresses are made almost

> > > entirely of raw ingredients from the petroleum industry. These

> > > ingredients are then made into synthetics such as visco-elastic

> and

> > > polyurethane foams possibly containing TDI (toluene discarnate,

> > > which OSHA labels as a hazardou

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Salam, dear Andrea

 

Cupping can help a lot in your case

Please try it with experts, since it did miracles here

 

Bless you always

===============

 

Muhammad Ahmad Al-Masry

64, Muhammad Korayem Street,

Gomrok, Alexandria, Egypt

Tel: 0020-03-4800555

Fax: 0020-03-3082667

Web: massrii

massrii

 

 

--- On Mon, 2/23/09, Andrea Gauland <dreaquince wrote:

 

> Andrea Gauland <dreaquince

> Re: Mattress Chemicals may be Cause of Your

Illness

>

> Monday, February 23, 2009, 9:17 PM

> Thank you for your reply, Muhammad -- Sounds like a lovely

> custom,

> and I wish we could get the same here (though I don't

> think the

> weather would allow much airing of the mattress!). I have

> sciatica

> and scoliosis which was never treated in childhood and has

> led to

> fusion of the 2 vertebrae involved and now there has been

> mention of

> ankylosing spondylitis (sp?) after recent x-rays. I

> don't have a lot

> of choices other than pain management for treatment, so do

>

> accupuncture and have chiropractic adjustments regularly.

> I would

> love to be able to take to swimming, but all the local area

> pools are

> contaminated with chlorine, and I am allergic to it

> (instant, intense

> headache), and the rivers are coming straight from the Alps

> so ice

> cold and cause back spasms, so I am stuck. Anyway, I will

> continue

> to look for healthier bed options and stick with our old

> one for

> now. Again, thank you for your reply.

>

> Kind regards,

> Andrea in NZ

>

>

> On 23/02/2009, at 9:23 PM, Muhammad Masry wrote:

>

> > Salam, dear Andrea

> >

> > I deeply wish and pray for your back to come to norm

> again, soon.

> > We do have here, in Egypt, a local product, handmade,

> which is

> > linen stuffed with cotton. It's perfect and 100%

> natural.

> > Every couple of moths we expose it to sun all day

> long, to be

> > refreshed and cleaned.

> > After some years, we unpack it, dismantle cotton block

> under hard

> > sun rays, then repack again, as new as ever.

> > For your dear back, cotton or any other solution is

> not suitable,

> > in my humble opinion.

> > Like in Japan and Ancient Egypt,also as an Arab

> custom, people who

> > lay on floor make their backs cured after several

> weeks, and they

> > stay so.

>

>

>

>