Hi TidalWave,
Small can be an indication of VOC’s (fruits for example have VOC’s) but don’t indicate whether or not a VOC is harmful. Some harmful VOC’s have little to no odor and some odors are not harmful at all.
These types of “safety” issues are a very complex subject with a lack of clear and definitive answers. There is more information in post #2 here and the more detailed posts and information it links to about safe, natural, organic, “chemical free”, and “green” mattresses and mattress materials that can help you sort through some of the marketing information and terminology that you will encounter in the industry and can help you differentiate between them and help answer “how safe is safe enough for me” so you can decide on the types of materials you are most comfortable having in your mattress. These types of issues are complex and are generally specific to each person and their individual sensitivities, circumstances, criteria, beliefs, and lifestyle choices.
Phoenix