In 2007 the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a regulation for all mattresses to contain a flame retardant layer, and be subject to flame testing to ensure they can withstand open flame exposure for an extended period of time. This requirement was made to protect individuals by providing a window to escape to safety or even extinguish a fire in the case of an accident with candles, cigarettes, or other potential flame risks. Although this is a good regulation when a manufacturer is willing to handle with care, not all mattresses are made with such caution; and this regulation has led to harmful chemicals making their way into our homes and bedrooms.
The benefits of having a flame retardant layer are obvious; but what are the risks when it comes to chemical flame retardants?
There are many kinds of flame retardants, and the warnings about them come from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Repeated exposure to these chemicals has been linked to weakened immune systems, reproductive toxicity, and cancer.
Instead of using chemicals like many other mattress companies, we use a layer of certified organic wool in our mattresses to slow the rapid burn of a fire to a simmer. This not only liberates our customers from bleeding flame retardants while still offering protection from flames, but also offers a sleep sanctuary with the hypoallergenic benefits of organic wool.
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Sidney Harrison
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