Issue Date: January 11, 2009
GreenSmart |
NATALIE ERMANN RUSSELL |
|
Rest easy on an environmentally friendly mattress
We spend 30% of our lives sleeping, so it makes sense to buy a mattress that won't make you sick. Most mattresses are treated with toxic chemicals, such as PBDE (polybrominated diphenyl ether) flame retardants, which may cause health problems, particularly in small children, and are banned in some states and much of Europe.
Tips from Laura Wallace of Savvy Rest Organic Mattresses and Pillows (savvyrest.com):
Know that "natural" and "organic" don't mean much. Applied to mattresses, the terms aren't government-regulated. One option: all-natural latex (which comes from a rubber tree) with an organic cotton and wool casing.
Stay away from chemicals. A thick layer of certified organic wool batting, which is naturally flame resistant, can provide the same cushion of safety as a chemical flame retardant.
Look for a reliable seal of approval. Some names to trust: Co-op America and Oeko-Tex.
Avoid mattresses filled with cotton fiber. It holds in moisture and attracts dust mites.
Information on organic baby mattresses.
|
