One of the biggest environmental issues when it comes to bedding has to do with the chemicals included with the mattresses. Because so many people died of smoke inhalation and fire as a result of falling asleep while smoking in bed, the government began requiring mattresses to meet the cigarette-ignition testing requirements in 1973.

Flame-retardant chemicals approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are of concern to many. Compounds include polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The National Institute of Environmental Health voiced concern about PBDEs as their prevalence in flame-retardant materials and their persistence in the environment rose. Studies performed in Sweden indicated that PBDEs were even present in the breastmilk of nursing mothers. They have also accumulated in fish and other animals. PBDEs bioaccumulate, and tests indicate that concentrations are rising in humans, most predominantly in North America. These chemicals are suspected of causing liver and neurodevelopment toxicity.

The CPSC recently sponsored tests on other flame-retardant chemicals (not PBDEs) and found them to be safe either because a risk analysis showed no discernable effects or because concentrations of the chemicals were not detected in mattresses. The CPSC and other organizations, such as the Sleep Products Safety Council and the International Sleep Products Association, have stated that mattresses treated with flame retardants provide more safety from fire than risk from chemical exposure.

If you want to avoid flame retardant chemicals altogether, consider a wool mattress. Wool is a natural flame retardant and can be marketed without the addition of flame retardants. Organic cotton mattresses are also sold without added chemicals, but they lack natural flame-resistant ability and can only be purchased with the written consent of a doctor.