Have you ever heard of a natural latex foam mattress? Although it hasn't yet become as popular as memory foam in the United States, this foam that's made of latex sap taken from rubber trees is actually a much safer substance for use in mattresses. Memory foam mattresses are constructed using polyurethane foam, a petroleum-based product that is highly flammable. Read on to learn more about the innate safety features of natural latex mattresses.
The polyurethane foam used in the majority of mattresses has actually been labeled "solid gasoline" by firefighters. This stuff burns so horrifically that every state in the United States had written strict resistance standards into their laws by 2006. In order to meet these laws, producers of memory foam products have been forced to triple the amount of chemicals, known as PDBEs, they use to make their mattresses fire resistant.
Most consumers have no clue that polyurethane mattresses are so dangerous and pose such a threat of fire. However, the fire danger isn't the worst problem these mattresses have. Actually, the PDBEs that have been added to these mattresses to make them more fire resistant can build up in the body in much the way PCBs do and are believed to cause cancer and other diseases. Although all of Europe has banned the use of PDBEs, the U.S. has not done so yet. Medical research is showing that these dangerous chemicals pass into your body through your skin while you are sleeping. After lying on that mattress night after night for eight or more hours, these scientists believe that they are building a cancer epidemic for upcoming years.
The Europeans have already solved this problem by banning PDBEs and changing to natural latex mattresses. These mattresses are made of materials that meet all current fire codes. Natural latex foam is a natural fire retardant, and by quilting the mattresses with organic cotton and wool which are also materials that resist fire, the most commonly-used mattresses in Europe now are much safer than those used by the majority of Americans.
Latex foam is not a bad option, either. You can buy mattresses which use it in differing densities which creates different firmness factors. Cold memory foam does not have the properties that cause it to mold to the contours of the body, but that isn't a problem with latex foam. The comfort level of 100% natural latex foam mattresses is unbelievably high as the material works to relieve pressure points and actually improve circulation. It is also a very durable material with some latex mattresses lasting as long as 30 years. An added plus is that you don't need to turn a latex mattress because it has such great resilience.
Latex mattresses need a firmer base than the traditional bed frame used with a mattress and box springs. Some of the options that provide great alternatives include platform beds and slat or solid wood foundations. The two foundations have the same type of look as box springs do, but they are topped with either wooden slats or plywood covered with fabric and provide a much more solid base for the mattress.
There are North American manufacturing companies that produce 100% natural and chemical-free latex mattresses. Two of these are the American Vivetique - Crown City Mattress and the Canadian Obasan. Many latex mattresses are imported to the U.S. from Europe. Big Sleep, a Belgian company, is the largest of these importers.
You should be able to find mattress stores in your area that offer a selection of natural latex mattresses, and there are also online retailers, such as Dax Stores, that offer great prices on the safest, most comfortable mattresses you've ever tried.
You deserve a better nights sleep. Visit GreatSleepSecrets.com for more tips on improving reaction time [http://www.greatsleepsecrets.com] and natural latex foam mattresses [http://www.greatsleepsecrets.com/better_bedding/natural_latex_foam_mattresses.asp] and improve the quality of your sleep tonight.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2768331
No comments:
Post a Comment