First, some ugly truths: Many artificial mattresses include chemical compounds which can be poisonous, corresponding to flame retardants, phthalates, and different unstable natural compounds (VOCs). According to Radford (and scientific analysis1), these chemical compounds can off-gas into the atmosphere for years, that means you’ll be regularly uncovered to them.
VOCs, flame retardants, and phthalates all have refined however doubtlessly severe long-term results on our well being, and in keeping with Radford, they primarily have an effect on the endocrine (hormone) system2.
“Flame retardants have been nicknamed ‘the new lead’ given how toxic they are to the brain, hormone system, and organs like the liver,” provides Dahl.
Though there’s native laws prohibiting a few of these chemical components, there aren’t any nationwide bans within the U.S.
In the identical approach that the supplies in some mattresses are dangerous to human well being, in addition they influence the atmosphere as soon as they’re disposed of, Dahl notes. An estimated 20 million mattresses are thrown away annually within the U.S. alone, the place “the same chemicals that leach into our homes, leach into landfills and the local water supply,” says Dahl.