Babies & Toddler Information

On July 1, 2007, a new government law was passed by the CPSC (Consumer Products Safety Commission) that mandated the use of flame retardant chemicals (FRC's) in all consumer mattresses sold in America, including crib mattresses. All mattresses sold in America, including natural, and organic mattresses have to comply with this new law.

The purpose of this law is to reduce the risk of fire injury...however, there is a growing body of scientific evidence that many of these FRC's are questionable at best, and potentially toxic at worst. The most common chemicals being used in all new mattresses (including crib mattresses) are Boric Acid (the active ingredient in roach killer) Antimony (similar to arsenic - a known poison), and Silicon (a respiratory irritant).

This new law has upset many Americans, especially new parents who are considering a crib mattress for their newborn.

And with good reason. This is because the governments own research (conducted by the CPSC) proves that these chemicals leech to the surface of the mattress every night, and are absorbed into the skin and lungs of adults and infants.

According to the CPSC risk assessment, they state that EVERY night, the average person (and infant) will absorb the following chemicals:

.802 mg Antimony (similar to arsenic - a known poison)
.081 mg Boric Acid (the active ingredient in Roach Killer)
.073 mg DBDPO (also known as DECA, a suspected carcinogen)

However, the CPSC stands by its controversial decision and says, this is level of chemical absorption is safe and poses no known health risks.

However, they excluded children under five years of age from their risk assessment by assuming all these children will be protected by a vinyl sheet over their mattresses, due to bedwetting problem. Their assumption is that this vinyl covering with protect them from the FRC's in their mattress.

However, antimony has been proven by European researchers to leech through vinyl covers, and has been found in high concentrations in infants livers, who have succumbed to SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

Fearing a possible link, these same researchers looked at all cases of SIDS in their country and were able to statistically link this to the high levels of antimony in the crib mattresses. In fact, high levels of antimony were found in the livers of dissected human infants killed by SIDS.

For this reason, Europe has been moving away from using flame retardants in their mattresses and requires them be proven safe before being used. Many countries in Europe have even banned them. As a result, SIDS deaths have decreased over much of Europe.

Even New Zealand has virtually eliminated most cases of SIDS by preventing these mattress toxins from being absorbed by the infants, via a special mattress covering. They instituted a nationwide policy in 1994 to "wrap" crib mattresses with a special blanket to prevent the mattress toxins from poisoning the infants. It has been demonstrated that no infant has ever died of SIDS when sleeping on a "wrapped" mattress.

In fact, a well known chemist and scientific researcher, Dr. Jim Sprott, has written a very compelling book, "The Cot Death Cover-Up?" which makes a strong argument for the direct relationship between mattress toxins and cot death (SIDS). He provides irrefutable evidence that has resulted in a nationwide policy change in New Zealand to begin their mattress wrapping program.

Many American medical doctors, researchers, and scientists are upset that the CPSC
did not consider this important European research into account before enacting this new flame proof law. They strongly believe that the evidence proves that this will increase the levels of SIDS in America, by exposing millions of newborns to these harsh chemicals.

It's already a sad fact that over 3000 infants are claimed by SIDS every year...just in the United States. That means that over nine infants are taken from their parents every night...due to SIDS.

However, there is one saving grace for parents opposed to this new law. Under the new law, it is possible for anyone to claim an exemption, by choosing not to sleep on a chemically treated mattress. This requires a doctors prescription. These prescription mattresses do not contain any FRC's of any kind. Thousands of Americans have already opted to sleep on this type of non-treated mattress, by obtaining a prescription from their doctor. The risk of a fatal mattress fire, according to the CPSC, is 1 in 1.11 million, which is a risk that many Americans are okay with.

At this time, there is only mattress manufacturer in America who will still manufacture a toxin free prescription mattress, but they will require a doctors prescription to do so. The cost to obtain this type of mattress is about the same as to buy a chemically treated mattress, which is why many Americans are making the switch.

It is highly unlikely the CPSC will repeal this controversial law anytime soon, so for now, all new parents should properly educate themselves on this very important issue prior to purchasing a chemically treated crib mattress. Their babies very life could depend on it.

About Author

Dr. Kureshi is a chiropractor, and is in private practice in Germantown, Maryland. He has been helping his patients obtain prescriptions for chemical-free mattresses for many years. For more information on this issue, please visit Dr. Kureshi's website, http://www.SafeCribBeds.com, or you can reach him by email at DrK@SafeCribBeds.com. His direct phone number is (301) 979-9345