Can the Smell of a New Foam Mattress Topper Be Harmful?

Possible Chemical Dangers

• Approximately one-third of a human's life is spent in slumber. Sleeping in prone positions places the face and nose against the mattress top. The close proximately makes the person inhale the chemicals that the foam mattress topper can release. Foam mattress toppers usually contain Styrofoam, a polystyrene foam product containing styrene (also called polystyrene), which can cause serious health problems in people exposed to the chemical. Individuals exposed to styrene can suffer acute or chronic physical disorders.

Styrene

• Exposure to styrene can cause fatigue, neurological disorders, blood cell disorders, menstrual cycle issues, chromosome and lymphatic abnormalities. The person may suffer fatigue even after sleeping. Some individuals may experience bouts of insomnia. Styrene can irritate the nose, eyes and gastrointestinal tract and can also lead to depression and headaches. Styrene exposure may also pose carcinogenic risks. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states that studies may indicate that styrene might pose a carcinogenic danger. As of 2011, the EPA Integrated Risk Information System was still studying styrene to decide on a risk classification.

Arsenic and Phosphor Compounds

• Mattress topper manufacturers outside the U.S. may pose a greater risk because of the unknown chemicals used in their manufacture. Some memory form mattress toppers contain arsenic and phosphor compounds. The U.S. News Health reported that the Eco-Institute in Germany found high levels of phosphor compounds and arsenic in the memory foam mattress toppers tested. Both arsenic and phosphor form gases that the sleeping individual will easily inhale.

Brominated Fire Retardants

• Brominated fire retardants (PBDE) used in the manufacture of mattress toppers may build up a person's bones and body over time. The fire retardant PBDE used in mattress toppers may also pose a risk. The substance can remain in a woman's breast milk after the mother suffers exposure to the chemicals, the U.S. News Health further states. The EPA states that PBDE exposure appears to cause liver, thyroid and neuro-developmental toxicity.