I purchased 2 twin XL and 1 queen 100% natural latex mattresses which I ordered (specifically without chemicals or Flame Retardants). I got very adverse reactions and sick. I have had a major ordeal getting the mattresses replaced after being advised they were sprayed and was told (after the fact) that I needed a Dr. note. They apparently thought they had told me at the time of ordering but I had a chain of emails that showed otherwise. So I got a Dr. note and they are replacing but it’s been long and I’m still waiting. My question for you is regarding Leggett & Platt adjustable bases I also purchased. I can’t go through anymore with The mattress company so I called Leggett & Platt directly and was told yes they do have flame retardant so I went further up the chain with their company for info. They were exceptionally nice and very responsive. They told me they do not spray but do use Pyro Gon material. Can you tell me if this material has any chemical leaching that may affect me as the sprayed FR or if I should remove the material entirely from the frames? I have a seizure disorder and high chemical sensitivity and want to be as safe as possible. Thank you
Hi Krick,
The Pyro Gon material is an inherently fire resistant fabric which means that the fire resistant properties are fabricated into the fiber itself when it is made rather than being the result of chemicals added to the fibers after they are manufactured. Inherent fire barriers of various types are the most common method used in the industry for mattresses and foundations to pass the CFR 1632 and CFR 1633 fire regulations. They are usually made with a combination of fibers that include a fiber that forms a char when exposed to flame to block the flame from reaching the flammable fuel (usually foam materials) inside the mattress.
While there are many inherent fabrics that are used in the industry … the Pyro Gon fabric is a combination of oxidized polyacrylonitrile and polyester fibers.
Polyester fibers are widely used in many different types of applications including clothing, sheets and bedding, batting, and many others and are generally considered to be a safe material.
There is more information about oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers in the Wikipedia article here and there is an article here about the characteristics of Pyron (Pyron is a trade name for the oxidized polyacrylonitrile used in the Pyro Gon fabric). The patent information here also has some very detailed information about how these types of fiber blends are made.
There is also an online brochure about Pyron here and an information sheet here and a material safety data sheet here.
It also isn’t included in the California Proposition 65 list of harmful chemicals
While I’m not a materials scientist so I don’t have the knowledge to do an analysis down to the molecular level of the Pyro Gon fabric … based on what I’ve read there is nothing that indicates it is harmful and the “bottom line” based on the reading and research I’ve done is that by most people’s standards it would be a “safe” material.
Phoenix