Diet and exercise first come to mind when thinking about health and wellness. However, you should become aware of the potential hazards posed by everyday items. Your mattress—the very place where you spend about a third of your life—can have a profound impact on your health. If you’re sleeping on a conventional mattress, it may be harming you in ways you haven’t realized. Let’s break down the hidden health risks of sleeping on a conventional mattress.
What Is In Your Conventional Mattress?
Getting a good night’s sleep is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle since sleep influences your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. However, the quality of your sleep and your state of health can be significantly compromised when you are exposed to harmful external influences.
A conventional mattress contains toxic materials that can potentially pose health risks. These can potentially off-gas or release particles into the air and environment over time, especially older mattresses.
Some common toxic materials found in traditional mattresses include:
- Polyurethane Foam: Polyurethane foam is a petroleum-based material that has been the standard fill used in many conventional mattresses for its cushioning properties since the 1960s. It has toxic substances such as propylene oxide (methyloxirane) and toluene diisocyanate (TDI). This foam can also release volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Volatile Organic Compounds are emitted by various materials used in conventional mattresses, including synthetic foams, adhesives, and coatings. Studies show that mattresses can release up to 30 different types of VOCs. VOCs can contribute to indoor air pollution and negatively impact indoor air quality, leading to respiratory issues and other health concerns.
- Flame Retardants: Flame retardants are chemicals added to mattresses to meet fire safety regulations. Many traditional mattresses contain flame retardants that are known to be harmful.
- Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is used in the adhesives and glues that hold mattresses together.
- Pesticides and Herbicides: Conventionally grown cotton is often treated with pesticides and herbicides during cultivation. Mattresses made with non-organic cotton can retain these residues, which may come into contact with individuals during sleep.
- Phthalates: Phthalates are chemicals used to soften plastics and are sometimes found in vinyl covers and other mattress components.
- Synthetic Latex: Some conventional mattresses use synthetic latex, which is derived from petrochemicals. This type of latex can release VOCs and may not have the same natural and breathable properties as natural latex.
- Metals: Innerspring mattresses often have metal components, and these metals may include toxic substances.
- Antimony: Antimony is sometimes used in mattresses as a flame retardant.
- Boric Acid: Boric acid is another flame retardant that is sometimes used in mattresses. While it’s considered less toxic than some other options, prolonged exposure can still lead to health concerns.
These toxins are not the only problem, dust mites are another issue:
- These microscopic insects feed on dead human skin cells and accumulate in mattresses. A study found that mattresses contain the highest concentration of dust mites in a household.
Health Risks Associated with Conventional Mattresses
Here are some of the health issues that conventional mattresses pose:
Chemical / Toxin Exposure
Conventional mattresses release toxins into the air, potentially affecting indoor air quality. Additionally, continuous exposure to harmful chemicals while sleeping can contribute to a range of health problems, from mild discomfort to respiratory issues, allergies, and more severe long-term issues.
Here are some concerning issues:
- Polyurethane Foam: This foam can lead to respiratory problems, skin irritation, and allergic reactions. Substances found in the foam such as methyloxirane and TDI are recognized as carcinogens.
- VOCs: VOCs can contribute to indoor air pollution and negatively impact indoor air quality, leading to respiratory issues, headaches, and other health issues.
- Flame Retardants: Flame retardants such as PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) have been associated with developmental delays, hormonal disruptions, reproductive disorders, and even cancer.
- Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and can also cause respiratory problems and allergic reactions.
- Phthalates: Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors and have been linked to developmental and reproductive issues.
- Metals: Nickel is a toxic metal that can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
- Antimony: Prolonged exposure to antimony can lead to respiratory issues, skin irritation, and gastrointestinal problems.
- Boric Acid: Boric acid is less toxic than the above materials but some studies have shown that its inhalation can reduce fetal weight and skin exposure can produce abdominal and skin issues.
Poor Support and Spinal Misalignment
A conventional mattress that lacks proper support can lead to poor sleeping posture. Over time, this can result in chronic back pain, neck pain, and spinal misalignment. Sleep presents an opportunity to rest, recover, and rebuild the body. Not having adequate support during sleep can strain the muscles and joints, preventing proper recovery. Poor sleep posture can aggravate or even cause conditions like sciatica, lower back pain, and joint stiffness.
Allergen Accumulation in Synthetic Materials
Conventional mattresses are notorious for trapping allergens. Unlike natural materials, synthetic fabrics used in these mattresses do not breathe well, which creates a damp environment ideal for allergens to thrive. For instance:
- Dust Mites: Dust mites are some of the most common indoor allergens and can cause symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, wheezing, and difficulty breathing, as well as worsen symptoms in people with pre-existing conditions, such as asthma or other respiratory conditions.
- Other allergens: Conventional mattresses can accumulate pet dander and other allergens over time. This can worsen allergies and respiratory issues for individuals who are sensitive to these particles. If you wake up congested or with itchy eyes, these may be signs that your mattress harbors these harmful allergens.
Increased Heat Retention Leading to Sleep Discomfort
Many conventional mattresses retain heat, leading to night sweats and disrupted sleep. Synthetic materials like memory foam can trap body heat, creating an uncomfortable temperature throughout the night. This leads to frequent waking, ultimately impacting your sleep cycle. Sleeping in a cool environment has numerous benefits, including better sleep quality.
Long-Term Environmental Impact
Besides being harmful to your health, conventional mattresses negatively affect the environment. Most are made with non-biodegradable materials that end up in landfills, where they take decades to decompose. Additionally, the production and disposal of these mattresses release toxic chemicals and pollutants into the air and water, contributing to environmental degradation and harming ecosystems.
As you can see a conventional mattress is not an ideal element in your bedroom since it can potentially harm your health and compromise your sleep. Some of the hidden health risks of sleeping on a conventional mattress include exposure to toxic harmful substances, poor spinal support, allergen accumulation, sleep interruption, and environmental damage. If you want to sleep deep and sound while reducing health risks and your carbon footprint, you should consider getting a non-toxic mattress and be aware of other sleep disruptors that may be affecting you.
To a Fitter Healthier You,
The Fitness Wellness Mentor
