{"id":239,"date":"2016-03-08T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-03-08T20:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thatorganicmom.com\/?p=239"},"modified":"2022-06-29T17:33:06","modified_gmt":"2022-06-29T21:33:06","slug":"know-youre-sleeping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thatorganicmom.com\/know-youre-sleeping\/","title":{"rendered":"Do you know what you’re sleeping on?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You think about what you eat every single day, but how often do you think about what you sleep on? <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The average person spends about a third of their life in bed, shouldn\u2019t you be thinking about what you are sleeping on? <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It looks so nice and inviting perhaps it may never have occurred to you that your mattress could be a chemical sponge! One filled with industrial toxic chemicals that have been applied to furniture and mattresses for more than 30 years!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Laws were passed to make furniture less flammable by treating with PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) several decades ago because of house fires. Do you know the number one way that a mattress catches fire? Cigarettes. Do you smoke? Probably not, but even if you do, are you smoking in bed? Did you know that cigarettes now have an additive that actually make them self-extinguishing?! <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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Did you know that firefighters in Minnesota have been trying to get a bill passed to phase out 10 different kinds of flame retardants due to risks they pose to their own health? Since these laws were passed many advancements have been made to smoke and heat detectors, so dousing toxic flame retardants on mattresses is not worth the risk. (8<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ironically, the flame retardants do not prevent the materials from burning, but only allow the materials from failing the flammability tests.  In an actual fire, the furniture and materials will ultimately burn, releasing potentially toxic smoke into the air. (7<\/a>)<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n

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Studies show that PBDEs are turning up in house dust<\/strong>. (5<\/a>) Lab animals exposed to PBDEs show a reduction in cognitive function such as learning and memory. Another reason to keep your bedroom dust-free. I run a Roomba<\/a> every day in my bedroom, right after I make up my bed. This picks up any toxic dust that could otherwise be forming bad bunnies under my bed. It's best to use high-efficiency filters in vacuums as dust mites are so small they can pass through a regular vacuum cleaner bag. In addition, I also vacuum my mattress twice a year even though I keep a mattress cover on it at all times.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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<\/span>All mattresses in the US were required to meet flame retardant standards<\/strong> using certain chemicals (PBDEs) that were banned in the early part of the century, however, PBDEs are still being found in mattresses. BFRs (brominated flame retardants) and other chemicals that were used to replace them might be just as bad and according to some animal research, some of those chemicals may be carcinogenic at worst or cause developmental toxicity at best. As of 2014, a new standard was put into place, unfortunately, flame retardants have not yet disappeared. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For these reasons and more, it is important to know what you are sleeping on.<\/h2>\n\n\n
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How to pick a mattress that's right for you<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Choose a breathable mattress<\/strong>. Some memory foam mattresses retain heat and cause you to sweat at night. Choose breathable memory foam to reduce heat retention and ensure year-round temperature comfort. Preferably a semi-open cell structure that allows heat to escape and air to flow around the body<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose a mattress that is resistant to common allergens such as mold and dust mites<\/strong>. Keeping your indoor environment free of biological contaminants is important to your health. Mold and dust mites can cause allergies, asthma, sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, red or itchy eyes, coughing, and itching. Dust mites are a common cause of asthma in children.(6<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose a certified toxin-free mattress made without harmful azo-dyes<\/strong>.  Some<\/span> azo dyes contain or else break down to form, a class of chemical substances referred to as aromatic amines. Certain aromatic amines such as benzidine, 3,3\u2019-dimethoxybenzidine and p-aminoazobenzene that may be derived from azo colorants are considered to be hazardous. Expert authorities such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have classified some of these aromatic amines as known or suspected human carcinogens.(1) This is especially important to avoid in keeping children healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Choose a mattress made with natural and renewable materials<\/strong>. Avoid petri-based products and those with conventional fibers.  If you are concerned about the environment you\u2019ll want to avoid the use of toxic products because they are harmful to the outdoor environment as well. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Side note<\/strong>: this includes using non-toxic pest control and cleaning products. I try to only use products in my home that are made from plants because they are less harmful. If at all possible I choose other food and herbal products that have been grown locally because they are more likely to be organic. In addition, I prefer to buy products made with natural and renewable resources while limiting the use of non-renewable resources to be more eco-friendly to the environment.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose a mattress Chiropractors across the US recommend<\/strong> as a complement to high-quality care which allows their patients to maintain the balance and alignment achieved during adjustments, at home. Do you see a Chiropractor? My children and I go for regular adjustments, so I want us all to stay aligned, healthy, and happy!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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Choose a mattress Certified TOXIN FREE<\/strong> by an independent<\/b> testing facility.<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n