Thanks Phoenix I found this on a ebay posting… This further confuses the subject about chemicals and their effects and if any mattress is truly healthy.
The DUNLOP METHOD: After the milk of the Hevea Brasiliensis (rubber) tree, which contains an antibacterial substance that is a natural dust-mite repellent, is harvested, air, soda ash, zinc and natural soap are whipped into the milk and it is poured into a mold with hollow pins and baked. It then goes through a thorough washing to remove all proteins that could possibly cause an allergic reaction. This is truly a sustainable resource because sap can be collected from the trees up to 180 days per year and the tree heals within an hour.
Those who use the more straightforward technique in the Dunlop method like the more elastic, springier feeling it creates and Dunlop has a solid history behind it: It turns out Sears sold an all natural Dunlop method latex mattress back in the 50’s called the “Harvest House” bed, and many are still in homes even to this day.
Although seemingly simple, it is a very costly procedure, so use caution when purchasing from large manufacturers looking to cut costs substituting petrol chemical products for the real thing and charging less money.
THE TALALAY METHOD: There is a second type of Latex known as Talalay, a word you’ll hear often. Talalay, is a softer, more fragile latex, has added freezing steps, which will destabilize if synthetic chemicals are not added. Talalay Latex does contain petroleum and artificial vanillin. This contains dimethyl sulfate and is considered toxic. Talalay contains a preservative in order to transport it to the US, and also uses sulphur and benzene as accelerators during processing…
Then there is a third type. 40% Natural Latex that has been blended with 60% synthetic latex. This is a cheaper mixture containing clays, glues, and other materials causing your mattress to become toxic, break down faster and become uncomfortable; giving truly natural latex a bad reputation. It’s a little known fact that about 80% of latex used in the manufacture of so-called “latex beds” is made of “latex” that is a blend of synthetic latex and natural latex - with synthetic latex often making up 75% to 80% of this “latex” blend. Unlike natural latex, synthetic latex is made from petroleum products … and synthetic latex is stiffer, coarse in texture, not as soft and inviting, and does NOT have the antibacterial, antifungal, and hypoallergenic qualities that natural latex provides. Since Natural Latex is inherently more costly, most large scale bedding manufacturers don’t even offer it.
And some companies boast “perimeter support”. That means they use cheaper materials, usually polyurethane foam, around the outside of the latex to make the edge of the bed stiffer for sitting on. It also reduces the sleeping surface by up to 20%.
Don’t let the words confuse you: “latex mattress,” “natural rubber mattress,” and “natural mattress” can all be used to describe products that are far from all-natural. Most so-called “natural rubber” mattresses are actually a blend of natural rubber and synthetic latex (styrene-butadiene rubber, or “SBR”), which can offgas unhealthful fumes. In fact, the latex for mattresses made by THE leading latex manufacturer contains some chemicals.
It gets even more confusing…some products that claim to use 100% natural latex do have SOME chemical-free latex in their product…just not all of it, or all of the mattress components. A perfect example is very popular brand of “organic latex” mattresses that uses a toxic glue between the layers of latex, and adds boric acid as a flame retardant. Another brand with latex imported from China claims to use “organic latex”, but their test results show up to 30% benzene in their product! Others seal their “organic” mattresses in a polyethylene coating to make it waterproof. Truly chemical-free Latex is naturally water repellant, and an organic wool mattress cover can always be added for extra protection, if desired.
Further, many “natural latex” mattresses are labeled with a “GREEN” certification, which does NOT mean chemical free – This “GREEN” certification allows for pre-set standards of allowable maximum emission level for several chemicals, as regulated by the government, using standards established by the U.S. EPA and OSHA, as well as other state and federal agencies.
The majority of mattresses today are made using a variety of petroleum-based chemicals, foams, plastics and controversial flame-retardants. Research and personal accounts suggest people can in fact become ill by repeated and continuous exposure to the low level of chemicals continuously emitted during the sleep process. The situation is dramatically compounded by the fact that sleeping on a bed places the individual in extremely close proximity to the chemical source (inches compared to feet for most other chemical exposures). This direct contact means that concentrations of chemicals are many, many times higher than they would be if the source was at a greater distance. Research is now available showing that chemicals used in bed manufacturing are in fact evaporating and entering into the air (off-gassing). Some of these are documented carcinogenic and mutagenic compounds.
Autoimmune disorders have also been linked with exposure to petroleum-based chemicals and have been found to be the underlying etiology of many common health problems today (soft tissue damage, arthritis, etc).
Conventional mattresses contain polyurethane foam, which constantly breaks down and releases chemicals. This process is called “off-gassing”. Polyurethane foam is made from chemicals that are known carcinogens.
Other toxic chemicals that can be found in conventional mattresses are PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) and/or boric acid. These are used in mattresses as a flame retardant in order to meet the flame retardant codes. Animal studies show that PBDE’s cause liver, thyroid, and neurological damage in lab rats. Health experts worry about most PBDE’s potential harm to fetuses and children under 6, but studies on human toxicity have only just begun. They are believed to be so toxic that Europe is phasing out the use of them completely! Boric acid: this chemical is also quite toxic, and is in fact used as a roach killer. The Environmental Protection Agency and Center for Disease Control warn of reproductive, developmental, and neurological damage. It has many known health risks just due to inhalation, a few of which are: inflammation of the upper respiratory tract (including dry throat and cough), eye irritation, and reproductive damage in men (including low sperm count).
These NAOMI standards were developed after it was discovered that many manufacturers were not disclosing all ingredients used. They use Greenguard or Oeko Tex as their standard and these are not pure standards in the eyes of a consumer who desires a mattress that is free of toxic or unproven chemicals.
Secrets of the organic manufacturing industry:
In order to be certified organic, the item must be 95% organic, the other 5% can be chemical or other fibers. Ours are tested for 100% purity!
Most companies do not test their raw materials for any toxins. Our mattresses ARE tested!
Many manufacurers believe that Oeko Tex is an organic standard. They use this as proof that their mattresses are chemical free. This is not correct.
Talalay Latex does contain petroleum and artificial vanillin. This contains dimethyl sulfate and is considered toxic. We do NOT use Talalay as it contains a preservative in order to transport it to the US and also uses sulphur and benzene as accelerators during processing.