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Frequently Asked Questions:
These are some of the most common questions that my patients ask me about crib mattresses.
If you have a question that is not answered here, please feel free to contact me here
Q: What is the new mattress flame proof law?
A: This is a law that was passed January 1, 2005 in California, and became a national law on July 1, 2007. It mandates that all consumer mattresses sold after July 1, 2007 be fire-proof.
Q: Shouldn’t mattresses be fire-proof? Won’t that prevent fire fatalities?
A: It sounds like a good idea, but the guidelines are so strict that the only way to comply is to add harsh and toxic chemicals inside all mattresses. These chemicals are known to be dangerous to humans, and have potentially serious side effects. In addition, the fatality risk from a mattress fire is extremely small, only about 1 in 1 million chance.
Q: What are some of the side effects of these chemicals?
A: No one is sure of the long term effects, but many scientists fear that many of these chemicals pose a serious cancer risk. Short term effects are symptoms such as itchiness, rashes, watery eyes, difficulty breathing, hyperventilation, shortness of breath, dizziness, among other allergy like symptoms.
Q: Are these chemicals even dangerous to infants and children?
A:Yes. In fact, the new law states that even crib and youth mattresses be made flame proof. Many researchers have stated that these chemicals are directly responsible for SIDS, and many parents and SIDS support groups agree. In countries where they don’t use these flame retardant chemicals, the rate of SIDS is virtually non-existent.
Q: What about organic mattresses? Are they chemical and toxin free?
A: Under the new law, ALL mattresses must abide by the strict flame proof laws.
This includes organic mattresses. In reality, even organic mattresses contain flame retardant chemicals, even though the manufacturers won’t
admit it. It’s a law, they have to. They may say they use ‘naturally flame resistant fibers’ but there is no such thing. These
fibers, such as wool and cotton, are treated with harsh chemicals to make them flame proof. Please refer to the document on our website,
“The problem with organic mattresses” for more on this issue.
Q: Is there any way to obtain a chemical and toxin free mattress?
A: Yes, but only with a Doctors prescription. There is only one mattress manufacturer who can still make these, and that is Strobel Technologies.
Q: Are these prescription mattresses expensive?
A: No, they cost about the same as a regular crib mattress, maybe even less than some so-called ‘organic mattresses’. And they are guaranteed to be 100% chemical and toxin free.
Q: How do I obtain a chemical free crib mattress for my infant?
A: We can order one for you, and provide a doctors prescription for you as well. Please contact us if you would like to order one. It can be delivered to you within 5-7 days. In addition, we offer a 60 day money back guarantee, to ensure your complete satisfaction.
Q: Do you also sell regular sized adult mattresses that are chemical free?
A: Yes. Strobel Technologies sells all sizes and types of chemical free mattresses. Please visit www.TechnologyBedding.com to learn more about their mattresses and models. If you would like to order one, please contact us and we will place the order for you, and provide a doctors prescription for you as well.
Q: Given that millions of crib mattresses contain phosphorus, arsenic or antimony (and other flame retardant chemicals), why aren't there more cases of SIDS?
A: In order for SIDS to occur, the following circumstances must co-exist in the baby's cot:
The mattress (or other bedding) beneath the baby must contain phosphorus, arsenic or antimony.
The condition of the mattress or bedding must support fungal growth (for example, be damp with sweat or milk, or contaminated with urine).
Fungi capable of generating gases from phosphorus, arsenic and antimony must be growing in the mattress or bedding.
The fungi must be sufficiently active to produce a lethal dose of the gases.
The baby must ingest a lethal dose (for example, because the baby is sleeping face down, or because there is insufficient ventilation around the baby to disperse the gases).
It is uncommon for all these circumstances to co-exist in a baby's bed. Many babies are exposed to sub-lethal doses of toxic gases in their cots, and no immediate harm results. Occasionally, however, all the above circumstances do co-exist and a SIDS death ensues.
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