Scientists urge mattress manufacturers to act

Babies and young children can breathe and absorb plasticizers called phthalates, flame delayers and other harmful chemicals of their mattresses during their sleep, according to a pair of studies published by the University of Toronto in Environmental sciences and technology And Enstable Sciences and Technology Letters. These chemicals are linked to neurological and reproductive problems, asthma, the disturbance of hormones and cancer.

“Sleep is vital for brain development, especially for infants and toddlers. However, our research suggests that many mattresses contain chemicals that can harm children’s brains,” said Professor of Toronto.

“This is an alarm clock for manufacturers and decision -makers to ensure that our children’s beds are safe and support healthy brain development.”

In the first study, the researchers measured chemical concentrations in 25 children’s rooms aged 6 months to 4 years. They detected levels of more than two dozen phthalates, flame delayers and UV filters in the air of the room, with the highest levels hiding around the beds.

In a complementary study, the researchers tested 16 mattresses for newly purchased children and confirmed that they are probably the main source of these chemicals in children’s sleep environments. When the researchers simulated the temperature and body weight of a child on the mattresses, chemical emissions have increased considerably, as much as several times.

The mattresses were bought in Canada, but most contained materials from other countries, including the United States and Mexico. Due to integrated markets and supply chains, the results are likely to apply to the mattresses purchased throughout North America.

The phthalates and flame delayers of Ester Organophosphates measured in this study are hormonal disruptors and are linked to neurological damage, in particular learning disabilities, reduced Qi scores, behavioral problems and alteration of memory. Some are also linked to childhood asthma and cancer. Several UV filters are hormonal disruptors.

Children are particularly vulnerable to exposure, since they are still developing, have melee behaviors and have breathing rates ten times higher than adults. They also have more permeable skin and three times the surface of the skin compared to their body weight than adults.

The high levels of flame delayers in most mattresses tested were confusing, since these chemicals are not necessary to pass the flammability standards of the Canadian or American mattress. Flame delayers are linked to neurological, reproductive and hormonal damage as well as cancer, and also have proven fire safety services, used in mattresses.

“Parents should be able to throw their children to sleep knowing that they are safe and well adjusted,” said co-author Arlene Blum, executive director of Green Science Policy Institute.

“Flame delayers have a long history of harming the cognitive function of our children and the ability to learn. It is worrying that these chemicals are still in children’s mattresses, even if we know that they have no advantage in fire and are not necessary to comply with flammability standards.”

Researchers call on manufacturers to be more vigilant on the chemicals of children’s mattresses thanks to tests. In addition, stronger regulations on the use of flame delayers and phthalate plasticizers in children’s mattresses are necessary.

In Canada, the authors recommend extending restrictions on certain toy and butcher objects to include mattresses and other bedding items and passing long -term restrictions on two flame delayers.

Several mattresses had chemicals prohibited or limited to Canada, which suggests that manufacturers must test the children’s mattresses for these chemicals and other unnecessary chemicals before putting them on the market.

In the meantime, there are actions that parents can take to reduce their children’s exposure. The authors recommend that your child’s sleep zone are cleared by reducing the number of pillows, blankets and toys.

They also recommend washing and frequently refreshing your child’s bedding and bed clothes, as they act as a protective barrier to reduce exposure. Finally, they say that non -tinted or neutral tissues are probably more safe because keeping strong colors requires the addition of UV filters and other additives that can be harmful.

Supplied by Green Science Policy Institute