Nathan writes:
My wife and I have had the same traditional type mattress for 15
years. Bought it at Sams Club for $350 15 years ago. We r wanting to
upgrade to a memory foam type mattress. I sleep on my back, and she
sleeps on her stomach. We have agreed that we like semi firm - firm
type mattresses. We have never owned a memory foam, and the one thing
that I do not like is being hot when I sleep. I know that there are
some memory foam with cooling agents in them. I would like to be in
the $1000-1500 range. What suggestions would you have for us?
Thank you, Nathan
Hi Nathan,
You might lose some sleep when you find out what's really inside your memory foam mattress. The place where you spend
one-third of your life is chock-full of synthetic materials, some potentially toxic. Since the mid- to late '60s, most mattresses
have been made of polyurethane foam, a petroleum-based material that emits volatile organic compounds, VOCs, that can
cause respiratory problems and skin irritation. Formaldehyde, which is used to make one of the adhesives that hold mattresses
together, has been linked to asthma, allergies, and lung, nose, and throat cancers. And then there are cotton pesticides and
flame-retardant chemicals, which can cause cancer and nervous-system disorders.
In 2005, Walter Bader, owner of Lifekind and author of the book Toxic Bedrooms, sent several mattresses to an Atlanta-based
lab. A memory-foam model was found to emit 61 chemicals, including the carcinogens benzene and naphthalene. Some of the
other 61 chemicals include: isocynates; methylene chloride, 1,1,1-trichloroethane; acetone; ethylene oxide; formaldehyde;
acetaldehyde; limonene; styrene; toluene di-isocyanate;
The exact composition of memory foam is a closely guarded trade secret. The formula and manufacturing process for TEMPUR®
material is a proprietary trade secret known only to a handful of individuals at Tempur-Pedic.
It is known that people who suffer from pain, such as fibromyalgia, experience worsening of that pain from the chemical off-gassing
of memory foam. Memory foam is also known to worsen back problems. Bulging discs can become herniated by the lack of
support that memory foam provides. Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), and herniated disc issues will become increasingly
painful, using a memory foam mattress. The dead and sinking feel of memory foam creates a hammock affect. If you have
back problems, memory foam is sure to make them worse. If you have no back problems and use a memory foam mattress
long enough, it will give you back problems.
More and more consumers are seeking out mattresses made of natural latex. Sales of latex mattresses have increased annually
for the past five years. Latex foam has a higher elasticity or resiliency than memory foam. With latex pushing back against you,
the result is better support and proper spinal alignment.
Latex does everything memory foam claims to do...does it better and much longer, and, without being toxic. An all natural latex
mattress is not in your budget. What we recommend for your price range is an innerspring mattress with no memory foam in it
and a 2" latex topper for comfort and added longevity. Our best selling combination that has worked well over the past several
years is the Stearns & Foster Heidi in luxury firm, with a 2" soft Talalay latex topper.
Delivery is free and there's no sales tax
Thanks, Pete
Phone: 1-856-874-6894
Email: themattressexpert@live.com
Website: http://themattressexpert.com/
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