Hi missy_
The issue of flame retardants in mattress is a very complex one and there isn’t enough transparency in the industry to really know all the specifics of the flame retardants that are used in many mattresses.
In most cases … mattresses use barrier systems and foams that use flame retardant chemicals are much more common in the furniture industry than in mattresses. Some of the barrier systems though also use various chemicals in their manufacturing that some people consider to be questionable at best and harmful at worst.
There is a great deal of misinformation on both sides of the discussion but although it’s far from complete because of the lack of transparency in the industry … there is more information about mattresses and flame retardant methods that may be “safer” in post #2 here and post #4 here.
Phoenix