Children’s mattresses expose sleepers to hidden chemical risks, study finds

The Hidden Dangers in Children’s Mattresses Every Parent Should Know

New studies indicate that young kids may be exposed to toxic chemicals while they sleep, but experts say parents can take practical steps to avoid that.Fact checked by Sarah ScottParents/GettyImages/fizkes Kid sleeping on a mattress in her own room.Choosing and maintaining a safe sleep space for a child is a priority for parents before their little one even enters the world. However, two new studies suggest that mattresses firm enough for a chil…

Children’s mattresses expose sleepers to hidden chemical risks, study finds

A new study tested 16 children’s mattresses and found widespread contamination with harmful semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) like plasticizers and flame retardants. These chemicals can migrate into the sleeping environment, increasing children's risk of allergic and neurobehavioral effects.

Potentially Harmful Chemicals Found In Kids' Mattresses

Key Takeaways

Researchers ‘Shocked’ to Find Toxic Chemicals in Common Children’s Mattresses

Researchers have found evidence that suggests alarming levels of toxic phthalates, UV filters and flame retardants in the air of children’s bedrooms are likely coming from mattresses releasing the chemical compounds. Over time, the semi-volatile chemicals can come off of objects and diffuse into the air, reported The Guardian. They are then able to be inhaled, absorbed or attached to dust and ingested. “These results indicate children’s exposure…

Highly Toxic Chemicals Found in Kids’ Mattresses, Study Finds: ‘We Were Really Shocked’

Alarming Toxic chemicals linked to serious health problems have been found in popular kids’ mattresses, according to new research — and they’re polluting the air in children’s bedrooms. The study, published in a peer-reviewed journal, found high levels of harmful substances like phthalates, flame retardants, and UV filters in the air around the beds of kids under four years old. The source? The mattresses themselves. “These kids are getting quit…

Children’s Mattresses Contain Toxic ‘Chemicals of Concern,’ New Study Finds

The mattresses many infants and children sleep on could be giving off toxic chemicals harmful to their health, according to scientists at the University of Toronto. Looking at a variety of lower-cost children’s mattresses, the authors of two related studies found that semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) were present in the sleep microenvironments (SMEs) of children. Often used in fire retardants or bedding softeners, SVOCs have been linked t…