# What's the deal with mattress outgassing? deemed evil/deadly/toxic.. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 17, 2014, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-mattress-outgassing-deemed-evil-deadly-toxic/693345 "2014-07-17T09:17:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-mattress-outgassing-deemed-evil-deadly-toxic/693345/21 "2014-07-18T02:11:27Z")
> [@beakernz](#): > > I’m thinking about a latex mattress from these guys: [Heveya - Organic Latex Mattress](http://heveya.com/product_mattress.html) > Similar in price to a high end mattress, similar to memory foam without the outgassing. They also offer a 7 day trial, if returned you only pay 50% of shipping cost. Might be worth a shot. Tell us, what exactly are the toxic gasses that are being released? ---
**Author:** ![Ornery\_Bob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/da6949/32.png) [@Ornery\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ornery_Bob)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2014, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-mattress-outgassing-deemed-evil-deadly-toxic/693345/22 "2014-07-18T02:11:50Z")
There’s no need for opinions about the usefulness of forum comments with this question. From [Sealy.com](https://www.sealy.com/about-sealy/environmental-footprint.html) _FIRE-RETARDANT MATERIALS Sealy chose to use only environmentally friendly fire-retardant materials to meet the new U.S. Code of Federal Standards, Title 16, Part 1633, Standard for the Flammability (Open Flame) on Mattress Sets. By design, Sealy’s fire retardant materials have inherent re-retardant properties. As a result, no chemicals, including halogens or harsh metals, are used in Sealy’s fire-retardant materials._ “No chemicals” - they’re not trying to leave themselves any wiggle room there. And just in case you want to learn more about “inherent re-retardant properties” there’s [Firegard.com](http://www.firegard.com/faq.htm) where they make such fabrics for the mattress industry. Fear mongers… meh. ---
**Author:** ![beakernz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/47e85d/32.png) [@beakernz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beakernz)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2014, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-mattress-outgassing-deemed-evil-deadly-toxic/693345/23 "2014-07-22T03:36:19Z")
Sealy got back to me: > [@](#): > > All of our foam used in Sealy products have been out gassed prior to use, therefore admit no further gas will be emitted. That is pretty amazing. I never imagined a company has the technology to outgas foam before shipping their products. It must be some top secret stuff, I’m sure all manufacturers of foam would love to get their hands on this tech. -face palm (not to mention the spelling/grammar in the response). After this, I’m not overly confident in their products to say the least. I suspect they consider me a typical sucker. ---
**Author:** ![araminty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5e925/32.png) [@araminty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/araminty)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2014, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-mattress-outgassing-deemed-evil-deadly-toxic/693345/24 "2014-07-22T03:54:23Z")
No, if anything, what makes you a “typical sucker” is that you lend any credence to the idea of “outgassing” in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![beakernz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/47e85d/32.png) [@beakernz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beakernz)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2014, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-mattress-outgassing-deemed-evil-deadly-toxic/693345/25 "2014-07-22T04:07:09Z")
> [@araminty](#): > > No, if anything, what makes you a “typical sucker” is that you lend any credence to the idea of “outgassing” in the first place. Really? There is plenty of science backed study to conclude outgassing of VOCs occurs from a variety of materials and can have negative effects on an organism. ---
**Author:** ![GinniePDX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ec9cab/32.png) [@GinniePDX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GinniePDX)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-mattress-outgassing-deemed-evil-deadly-toxic/693345/26 "2015-07-10T19:00:07Z")
This might be enlightening to watch: [HBO Original Documentaries: View All | HBO Official Site](http://www.hbo.com/documentaries/toxic-hot-seat) ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-mattress-outgassing-deemed-evil-deadly-toxic/693345/27 "2015-07-10T19:08:32Z")
> [@Ornery\_Bob](#): > > From [Sealy.com](https://www.sealy.com/about-sealy/environmental-footprint.html) > > _FIRE-RETARDANT MATERIALS > Sealy chose to use only environmentally friendly fire-retardant materials to meet the new U.S. Code of Federal Standards, Title 16, Part 1633, Standard for the Flammability (Open Flame) on Mattress Sets. By design, Sealy’s fire retardant materials have inherent re-retardant properties. As a result, no chemicals, including halogens or harsh metals, are used in Sealy’s fire-retardant materials._ > > “No chemicals” - they’re not trying to leave themselves any wiggle room there. Sealy’s fire-retardant materials are _made_ from chemicals. Unless somehow they’ve built a bed that is a vacuum. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-mattress-outgassing-deemed-evil-deadly-toxic/693345/28 "2015-07-10T19:22:13Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Sealy’s fire-retardant materials are _made_ from chemicals. Unless somehow they’ve built a bed that is a vacuum. Or their virtual mattress is a pure energy levitation force-field. I’ll be that would be even niftier than a waterbed! ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-mattress-outgassing-deemed-evil-deadly-toxic/693345/29 "2015-07-10T19:36:28Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Ever notice how there’s _not_ millions of people dying from new mattresses? > There’s your answer. This is a fallacy. It is possible for something to harm you without killing you immediately, or even without the harm being immediately apparent or traceable to that specific cause. It is a virtual certainty that there are people right now dying of a cancer, where the underlying DNA replication error was directly caused by exposure to a carcinogenic chemical in their mattress. These people don’t know their specific case of cancer was caused by their mattress, and neither does anyone else. That doesn’t mean the risk doesn’t exist. “Doesn’t immediately and obviously kill you” is a pretty low bar to set for product safety. ---
**Author:** ![Haberdash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Haberdash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Haberdash)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-mattress-outgassing-deemed-evil-deadly-toxic/693345/30 "2015-07-10T19:51:47Z")
The reason boric acid is used to kill household pests is that, while it is very effective against insects, you can dust your whole house in it and it won’t harm humans. If you sprinkle it on your food every night, you’ll eventually get sick, though you’ll start vomiting rather than drop dead with no warning. Mere environmental exposure is non-hazardous. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-mattress-outgassing-deemed-evil-deadly-toxic/693345/31 "2015-07-10T20:05:07Z")
You might drop dead with no warning. 15-20 grams can kill you if taken internally. ---
**Author:** ![Haberdash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Haberdash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Haberdash)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-mattress-outgassing-deemed-evil-deadly-toxic/693345/32 "2015-07-10T20:16:07Z")
I can’t imagine how you would eat 20 grams of boric acid without knowing it or vomiting halfway through, but let’s agree that you shouldn’t try. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-mattress-outgassing-deemed-evil-deadly-toxic/693345/33 "2015-07-11T00:20:13Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > It is a virtual certainty that there are people right now dying of a cancer, where the underlying DNA replication error was directly caused by exposure to a carcinogenic chemical in their mattress. I’m virtually certain you have no evidence justifying such a conclusion. Nice combination of username and post, though. [Obligatory theme music](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsQyru5ACmA) for the thread. ---
**Author:** ![BundleOfStix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BundleOfStix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BundleOfStix)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-mattress-outgassing-deemed-evil-deadly-toxic/693345/34 "2015-07-12T02:47:29Z")
I’ve purchased two foam mattresses over the past five years or so. The first one I had a allergic reaction to the minute I lay down on it - sneezing, watery eyes. I unfurled it in the guest bedroom for a couple of days and all was fine. The second one had a chemical smell that dissipated in less than a day, but it didn’t provoke an allergic reaction. I believe I may have directed a fan on it to speed things up. ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-mattress-outgassing-deemed-evil-deadly-toxic/693345/35 "2015-07-12T05:34:55Z")
> [@beakernz](#): > > I’m thinking about a latex mattress from these guys: [Heveya - Organic Latex Mattress](http://heveya.com/product_mattress.html) > Similar in price to a high end mattress, similar to memory foam without the outgassing. They also offer a 7 day trial, if returned you only pay 50% of shipping cost. Might be worth a shot. They also sell all-natural teak bedframes - that they don’t touch except to “polish”. Yeah. Then comes the good part: \*\* “To highlight the beauty of natural solid wood, we have specifically selected teak wood with naturally occurring splits and knots, making each piece beautiful and unique.” \*\* In other words - the scraps nobody in their right minds would consider furniture grade. I once saw a showroom for “All Wood” furniture - a solid rosewood bed with integrated nightstands. Absolutely gorgeous wood - and not a single corner was even close to square. And this was the showroom. What do they ship? Something about solid wood brings out really strange ideas of craftsmanship. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-mattress-outgassing-deemed-evil-deadly-toxic/693345/36 "2015-07-12T06:21:09Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > I’m virtually certain you have no evidence justifying such a conclusion. > > Nice combination of username and post, though. > > [Obligatory theme music](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsQyru5ACmA) for the thread. The evidence is basic mathematics. If you have a sufficiently large sample size, it is a statistical certainty that very low probability events will occur. This is one of the main arguments that James Randi, _et al_, use against people who claim that certain events are proof of paranormal forces. ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2015, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-mattress-outgassing-deemed-evil-deadly-toxic/693345/37 "2015-07-12T11:21:26Z")
well yeah its also the " a large amount of anything is poisonous". Factory workers exposed to similar gases got sick, but they were exposed to clouds that formed a mist in the air… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-mattress-outgassing-deemed-evil-deadly-toxic/693345.md?page=1)