You Are What You Eat… and Sleep.
When it comes to personal products, your mattress and bedding are among the most intimate items you use daily. We spend about a third of our lives sleeping—roughly four months of every year spent in bed. Yet, while most people are careful about what they eat, they rarely consider the materials they’re breathing in while sleeping for eight hours a night.
Memory Foam: A Chemical Sinkhole
Memory foam, a popular choice for mattresses and pillows, is made from petroleum-based polyurethane combined with unregulated proprietary chemicals that increase its viscosity and density. These ingredients create the “sinking” effect memory foam is known for, but they come with a cost.
A California class-action lawsuit alleges that Tempurpedic’s memory foam mattresses emit harmful VOCs, including formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. Despite claims that VOCs dissipate over time, the lawsuit suggests that off-gassing and odors may persist for months. While memory foam can relieve pressure points, its low resiliency often fails to provide proper support for heavier body areas, leading to overheating and discomfort. Additionally, the mattress’s firmness can vary depending on room temperature due to its chemical composition.
Soy-Foam: A Clever Marketing Gimmick?
With increasing consumer awareness, some manufacturers have turned to marketing “soy-based” or “bio-based” foam as a safer, greener alternative. However, these foams typically contain only a small percentage of soy—often as little as 20%. The remainder? Polyurethane. Essentially, the product is still primarily petroleum-based, with just enough soy added to appeal to eco-conscious buyers.
Polyurethane Foams and Flame Retardants
Nearly all synthetic foams, including soy-foam, are made with a mix of chemicals like polyols, isocyanates, blowing agents, and flame retardants. While PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) have been phased out due to health concerns, new, untested flame-retardant chemicals have taken their place. According to a 2015 EPA report, many of these substitutes have limited safety data, leaving their potential health risks uncertain.
Flame retardants are particularly concerning because they migrate from foam into household dust, which is then ingested or inhaled. The EPA notes, “Additive flame retardants are expected to be more mobile during the consumer use phase,” making them a constant presence in indoor environments.
Even certifications like CertiPUR®, which claim to ensure safer foams, have limitations. According to Heather Stapleton, Ph.D., an expert in environmental chemistry, the CertiPUR® label primarily tests for a small selection of toxins and flame retardants. Many other harmful chemicals may still be present in certified foams.
CozyPure®: The Natural Alternative
Unlike synthetic foams, CozyPure® products are made with natural rubber latex, organic cotton, and wool—materials free from chemical flame retardants or synthetic additives. Wool, naturally fire-resistant, allows CozyPure® mattresses to meet federal flame safety standards without the use of toxic chemicals. Instead of worrying about unknown ingredients in your mattress, you can rest easy knowing ours are made exclusively from organic, sustainable materials.
Why Compromise?
Your mattress should provide not just comfort but peace of mind. CozyPure® mattresses are handcrafted with natural materials to ensure a healthy, nontoxic sleep environment. Why settle for synthetic substitutes when you can choose a mattress made with honesty, care, and purity?
-Staff Report