Why does tempurpedic smell

However, as new research sheds light on the harmful effects of certain chemicals, more and more manufacturers are moving away from using these substances. Companies usually prefer not to divulge the exact ingredients they use to make their memory foam, as these blends are considered a trade secret. Although not all harmful chemicals are banned from use, most mattress companies voluntarily subscribe to inspections by third-party organizations that test the foams for the most common harmful chemicals.

The Federal Trade Commission FTC has cracked down in recent years on companies who make non-toxic claims without being able to back them up. Common harmful chemicals that were historically found in memory foam mattresses include:. With new research and more understanding about the harm that chemicals can cause to consumers and the environment, many companies have found safer alternatives that still provide the benefits we associate with memory foam.

Manufacturers are also starting to incorporate green materials such as soybean oil to replace some of the petrochemicals that were traditionally used to make memory foam mattresses.

These bio-based memory foams tend to contain lower levels of toxic substances. By law, all mattresses must have some kind of fire barrier. Thus, in addition to the chemicals used to make the memory foam, many foam mattresses also contain a chemical flame retardant.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers PBDEs were one of the most commonly used flame retardants. They have been linked to infertility, cancer, obesity, and developmental brain disorders, and may even contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders. Other toxic substances commonly used to fireproof mattresses include boric acid , which may damage reproductive organs; and melamine compounds , which can contain formaldehyde.

In addition to seeking out certifications from third-party organizations, one way to minimize your exposure to chemicals is by choosing a mattress made with a non-toxic fire barrier , such as wool, Kevlar, or rayon treated with silica.

While many companies have eliminated the more dangerous chemicals in the memory foam manufacturing process, some companies may still use them to cut corners or reduce costs. Low-quality memory foam mattresses offered at prices that seem too good to be true are more likely to contain higher levels of harmful chemicals. Likewise, before jumping at the chance to save a few bucks by buying a used mattress from a friend, consider the fact that older mattresses might still have those harmful chemicals that mattress companies currently avoid.

While it may cost more upfront, your best bet for avoiding toxic chemicals is to buy from a reputable company that is transparent about how it makes its mattresses. Look for third-party certifications, ask what kind of flame retardant the mattress uses, and favor mattresses that were made in North America or Europe, as these places tend to have more stringent regulations. You can get a rough idea about the chemicals in your new mattress by its off-gassing smell.

Off-gassing is the unpleasant odor caused by volatile organic compounds VOCs that are released into the air when a new foam mattress is unboxed. VOCs are an unavoidable part of polyurethane foams, even those that contain a percentage of green materials. However, lower-quality foams may have stronger off-gassing fumes. In addition to the unpleasant smell, some people may experience eye, nose, and throat irritation from VOCs.

The good news is that off-gassing odors usually go away within a few hours to a few days. If the smell bothers you, you might want to consider opening your new mattress in a separate, well-ventilated room, removing the cover, and allowing it to off-gas before you bring it into your bedroom. Many people sleep on a memory foam mattress every night for years with no ill effects. Even when potentially harmful chemicals are used, these pose more danger during the manufacturing process.

However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind when choosing a memory foam mattress , as not all memory foam is equal. Regulations and standards are continually updated as we learn more about the side effects of chemicals commonly used to make memory foam. This means that newer memory foam mattresses are more likely to adhere to higher safety standards, whereas older mattresses may contain chemicals that are no longer in use.

Likewise, cheaper mattresses have a higher potential for being toxic due to price cuts that may happen in countries with lax regulations. Although memory foam is generally considered safe, it may pose a problem for certain people, such as those who suffer from allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions. Memory foam may also bother you if you are very sensitive to smells.

Reason: Updating link to https: status. Yes, this is a chemical process and your smelling the plastics from the mattress - likely the aldehydes. A recent memory foam mattress I bought in the UK had the same smell. I know you can get the new car smell in a little spray, not sure if the same is available for mattresses!

Last edit: by phoenix. Reason: link deleted. Thanks very much! Ah - progress. Moderators: NikkiTMU. Powered by Kunena Forum. Ask an Expert on Our Forum. For eCommerce purchases, please check here for the unique discount code s offered by each TMU Trusted member. One thing to remember, however, is that you are exposed to relatively low levels of VOCs while your mattress is off-gassing, and studies have yet to show whether exposure to low levels of VOCs during mattress off-gassing will cause increased health effects over time.

Even so, the cumulative off-gassing of items in your home can contribute to adverse health effects, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. Long-term exposure to VOCs in the air can increase cancer risks, as well as cause damage to the kidneys, liver and central nervous system. For this reason, both mattress manufacturers and indoor air quality experts recommend letting your mattress off-gas in a well-ventilated area, preferably one outside of your home.

Some mattress manufacturers may take steps to make sure that some of the off-gassing processes happens before the mattress is packaged and shipped. However, it should be noted that even if the bulk of the off-gassing occurs outside of your home, your mattress will still off-gas in some capacity throughout the time that you have it in your home.

The amount of off-gassing that you can expect depends on the type of mattress that you buy, the density of the foam inside the mattress, the chemicals used in the manufacturing process and the way that your mattress is packaged. The strongest off-gassing smell will fade within a few days to a couple of weeks, according to most major mattress manufacturers, though you may notice a faint smell for longer. Leesa mattress is a CertiPUR-US certified multilayer foam mattress made from a combination of memory foam and polyurethane.

After opening, buyers will notice a strong off-gassing smell that should fade within a few days. Casper offers three different mattresses: the Caper, the Wave and the Essential. All three are made with layers of memory foam and polyurethane, but the Wave also includes a layer of natural latex.

You can expect some off-gassing from Casper mattresses, but the odor typically dissipates within 24 hours. New Purple mattresses may have a very faint off-gassing smell that fades quickly. However, many consumers report no off-gassing smell at all. Tempur-Pedic offers a wide range of memory foam mattresses. If you are experiencing this odor, the good news is you may not have to endure the smell for long. Many memory foam mattress owners report that the off gassing period ends after a number of days.

Of course there are many factors which influence this including the product, the type of foam, the sensitivity of the person, the room ventilation and more. Even if the initial odor goes away, it is natural to wonder if there are health issues related to off gassing. Most people do not report any health issues resulting from their memory foam pillow or mattress. However, there are various reports of headaches, nausea, and allergic reactions resulting from the odor produced by memory foam.