Synthetic Bed Mattress Health Effects Report Page
Reports of health problems linked to chemicals in new mattresses
Updated July 25, 2005
While bed mattresses were previously made of untreated natural materials, the majority of mattresses today are made using a variety of petroleum based chemicals, foams, plastics and controversial flame retardants.  Research and personal accounts suggest people can in fact become ill by repeated and continuous exposure to the low level of chemicals continuously emitted during the sleep process.   The situation is dramatically compounded by the fact that sleeping on a bed (or chemically manufactured pillow) places the individual in extremely close proximity to the chemical source (inches compared to feet for most other chemical exposures).  This direct contact means that concentrations of chemicals are many, many times higher than they would be if the source was at a greater distance, and thereby becoming less harmful because of dilution.  Research is now available showing that chemicals used in bed manufacturing are in fact evaporating and entering into the air.  Some of these are documented carcinogenic and mutagenic compounds.  The next important step is to make public any personal accounts of illnesses developing after mattress use.  Common petroleum based chemicals have been clearly shown to have the ability to weaken or damage the immune and nervous system.   Autoimmune disorders have also been linked with exposure to petroleum-based chemicals and have been found to be the underlying etiology of many common health problems today (soft tissue damage, arthritis, etc).   If you have experience deterioration in health after purchasing a new mattress or pillow - please tell your story below.  We are especially interested in hearing from people who experience dramatic health improvement after getting rid of their new mattress.  This is not an uncommon problem and certainly needs to receive more media attention.  After clicking the "ADD COMMENTS" link you can then write your story and it will be posted to our Mattress Health listings after review.
Thank You ! - Chem-Tox 

235+ current reports of adverse health problems resulting from
chemicals outgassing from new beds

ADD YOUR COMMENTS TO LISTINGS BELOW - CLICK HERE

Sore Joints - Cough - Flu - Hives - All Vanish after Removing Memory Foam
This concerns Memory Foam mattress pad and pillows from Sam s Club. 
We went through problems for seven months.  It started with minor problems and got worse - Hives, kidneys hurting, swollen lips,  flu feelings, morning cough, sore joints, etc.  My wife was going to the Doctor in an attempt to figure out what the problem was.  We never suspected the pad and pillows.   I finally ran across this site while considering what type/brand of new bed to purchase in an attempt to resolve the hurting kidneys and not feeling well in the morning. We had two memory foam pillows and a memory foam mattress pad on our bed.  Took them off and within two days all problems were gone. Two months later all is well and no more memory foam.
Edgemont, South Dakota
Email: harrod@gwtc,net
February 22, 2006

Night Sweats
Our mattress is several years old. I am not sure it is the cause of my husband's problem, but he has this medical problem only when sleeping at home. He sweats so severely that he has to put towels down under his head and shoulders. Doctors have tried everything and cannot find a cause for it.
McMinnville, TN
Email: Gant@BLomand.net
February 11, 2006
CHEM-TOX COMMENT:  While many environmental factors can contribute to adverse health problems when sleeping (such as the petroleum based chemicals in fabric softeners, Clorox, and very strong chemical based fragrances in some detergents i.e. GAIN), the first step to determine if the bed or sheets are the cause should be to simply sleep somewhere else - couch etc. - This trial and error analysis, when repeated several times, will clearly demonstrate if the bed, detergents or bedroom is the problem.

Headaches - Nausea & Sealy Latex
The first night of sleeping on our new Sealy high end latex foam layered mattress, I awoke with a headache and nausea and noticed a horrible sickly sweet smell that permeated the mattress, the room and even penetrated the other rooms in the house.  After calling the salesman  (who said mine was the first complaint of mattress odor) he recommended that we air it for a few days.  We then bought a Sterns Foster (very expensive). We asked that it be aired for four days before delivery, but the first night we had it - the same horrible smell caused the same symptoms.  I have sprayed it with a Clorox odor remover and hope it will be better tonight.  The smell does not bother my husband and other people in my family cannot smell it.  The store where we bought it does not accept returns on Sterns Foster mattresses.  Now What?
Starkville, Mississippi
Email: bubbyland8@nctv.com
February 6, 2006

Dizziness, Headache, Nausea & Memory Foam
I recently purchased a visco-elastic memory foam mattress topper pad under the brand name "Carpenter Sublime Memory Foam".  Since using this pad, my wife and I have both experienced dizziness, headache, nausea, etc.  Where can I get info on this product?
John Huntington
honstjohn2000@yahoo.com
February 2, 2006

Ringing Ears & Memory Foam Mattress
I purchased my memory foam mattress a little over a month ago.  Since that time, and a horrible chemical smell to the mattress, I have had the problem of ringing in my ears, which has gotten worse over the month, and is now quite loud all the time.  I have been searching for possible answer as to why (this is happening).   I am quite ready to get rid of the mattress to see if this was it.  No other explanation.  Foam made by FOAMEX.
Oceanside, California
Email: calaverasue@hotmail.com
January 7, 2006
 

Headaches - Sore Throat - Fatigue - Flu & Memory Foam Topper
I purchased a memory foam topper for my bed at Belk's store, I'm not sure now what the name brand was, but any way I am at home sick today after trying to sleep on it for the last week. At first I thought I really liked it and the smell would soon go away but now my husband and I both have noticed that we feel tried and completely drained of energy. I never get headaches or a sore throat, but now we both keep on having them. We are not sick from a cold or flu we are sick from off-gassing and cancer killing chemicals!!!  I wish I could find a good healthy mattress, any suggestions? Tried of sleeping on the couch.
Asheboro, North Carolina
Randolph
Email: rvoncannon@hotmail.com
January 6, 2006