Research Reveals Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals in Children’s Mattresses
A recent study connects children’s mattresses to chemical exposure—but parents can implement straightforward strategies to minimize the risk.
Babies and young children spend a significant portion of their early years asleep, with infants requiring up to 17 hours a day and toddlers and preschoolers needing around 14. However, during these crucial hours of rest, recent research indicates that they may also inhale harmful chemicals from their mattresses.
Mattress Chemicals and Children
The findings stem from two studies from the University of Toronto published in Ecotoxicology and Public Health. In the
first study, researchers analyzed the presence of concerning chemicals in the bedrooms of children aged 6 months to 4 years. They discovered elevated levels of over two dozen potentially harmful flame retardants and phthalates—chemicals used to enhance plastic durability and flexibility—in the bedroom air, with the highest concentrations situated around the beds.
companion study, researchers examined 16 newly purchased children’s mattresses and found that these mattresses were likely the primary source of the chemicals. When simulating the effects of a child’s weight and body temperature on the mattresses, chemical emissions significantly increased. Chemicals from the mattresses may also migrate to other items in a child’s sleeping environment, including pillows, bedding, and toys. Although the mattresses were acquired in Canada, the findings likely pertain to mattresses purchased across North America, as the materials are sourced from the United States, Mexico, and other regions.
Hormone disruptors interfere with growth, mood, reproduction, and other essential bodily functions. The flame retardants and phthalates identified in the study fall into this category and are linked to impaired memory, learning disorders, behavioral issues, and reduced IQ scores. Some of them are also associated with childhood cancer and asthma, and several UV filters identified are hormone disruptors as well.
press statement.
Vulnerability of Children
While the chemicals can adversely affect adults, children are particularly susceptible due to various factors, the researchers noted. Their breathing rate is ten times higher, and their skin surface in relation to body weight is three times greater. Frequent hand-to-mouth contact behaviors further increase risk.
review published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences highlights additional reasons why children are at a greater risk of harm. Their blood-brain barrier—a filter that blocks certain substances from entering the brain—is still maturing, making them more susceptible to neurological damage. Moreover, children’s detoxification systems are not fully developed, complicating toxin elimination. Additionally, infants’ skin is more permeable.
Fiberglass in Mattresses
The
California Department of Public Health warns that some children’s mattresses have fiberglass—fine glass fibers sometimes woven into a fabric. Some manufacturers use it to replace chemical flame retardants. Inhaling these tiny fibers can irritate the nose, throat, and lungs, potentially leading to breathing issues.
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Reducing Mattress Chemical Exposure
The Canadian researchers provide several recommendations to help minimize exposure:
- Wash a child’s bedding and sleepwear regularly, as these act as a protective barrier.
- Eliminate unnecessary blankets, pillows, mattress protectors, and toys that may contribute to exposure.
- Select undyed or neutral-colored fabrics, as vibrant colors often require UV filters and other potentially harmful chemicals.
Additionally, placing a freshly laundered sheet or towel between the mattress and final fitted sheet may help, Diamond mentioned in an email to The Epoch Times. She advises against using waterproof mattress covers, as they might also contain toxic chemicals.
When asked about the efficacy of air purifiers, Diamond stated that a HEPA filter may reduce some chemical levels in the bedroom air. However, she noted that the highest concentrations were observed directly above the mattress, making it unclear if a HEPA filter would significantly diminish those exposures.
Reducing Toxic Load in General
While lowering children’s exposure to chemicals in their sleep environment is beneficial, it is also crucial to reduce their overall toxic load, emphasized Christy Nault, a root cause health practitioner, cellular health coach, and plant medicine expert. Such practitioners aim to identify and address the underlying causes of illness rather than merely treating symptoms.
The cumulative nature of a child’s toxic load encompasses more than one product, she noted. “While this may seem overwhelming, it can also be empowering.”
Nault stressed that bedrooms form the foundation of our homes. By prioritizing clean air, natural materials, and nontoxic products in children’s sleep spaces, parents can not only mitigate exposure but also foster long-term resilience and vitality.
She recommended starting with healthier items that children come into contact with each night, such as organic cotton or bamboo pajamas and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)-certified sheets. GOTS certification indicates that a product is made from natural organic fibers.
Choosing fragrance-free body and laundry products and installing a bathtub filter to minimize chlorine and heavy metals in water is advisable, she added.
“Remember that whatever touches your child’s skin is absorbed directly into their bloodstream, from synthetic clothing dyes to lotion ingredients to water,” Nault explained.
Detoxification also encompasses the energetic and electrical environment. “Reducing electronics in the bedroom is crucial, and turning off the Wi-Fi at night is a straightforward yet powerful step that can profoundly support a child’s nervous system and sleep quality,” she noted.
Shopping for Nontoxic Mattresses
“Even minor intentional adjustments, such as upgrading to a nontoxic mattress, can significantly lessen the load on a child’s developing immune, hormonal, and neurological systems,” Nault remarked.
She suggests seeking mattresses crafted from certified organic, natural materials, like GOTS-certified organic cotton, Global Organic Latex Standard latex, and organic wool, which functions as a natural flame retardant.
Certifications hold significance, so prioritize third-party verified standards such as GREENGUARD Gold, OEKO-TEX, and MADE SAFE, indicating the product has been screened for known toxicants and harmful emissions.
“Avoid mattresses that utilize polyurethane foam, synthetic latex, or those that do not clearly specify flame retardant treatments,” Nault recommended. “If there’s a lack of transparency, that should raise a red flag. Reputable nontoxic mattress brands will willingly disclose what’s inside and, more importantly, what’s not,” she added.
If unsure about a product, Nault suggests contacting the company directly, noting that responsible brands are usually transparent and receptive to inquiries.
Boosting Resilience to Toxins
While it is impossible to avoid every environmental toxin, taking meaningful actions to bolster a child’s resilience is achievable, stated Jennifer Habashy, a naturopathic doctor and assistant medical director at Claya.
In this context, resilience refers to the child’s general health offering some protection against the detrimental effects of harmful chemical exposure.
“A nutrient-dense diet plays a significant role here,” she told The Epoch Times in an email. Foods high in antioxidants—like leafy greens, berries, and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower—assist in promoting the body’s detoxification process. Healthy fats, including those from avocados and olive oil, nourish the brain and nervous system.
Gut health is pivotal for resilience, Habashy emphasized. A robust and diverse microbiome helps regulate the immune system and supports detoxification. Probiotics and prebiotic-rich foods—such as yogurt, kefir, bananas, and fiber-rich vegetables—can create a significant impact.
Maintaining hydration and engaging in regular exercise also support optimal detox pathways, she added, noting that outdoor time in fresh air and natural light is another underrated method to enhance both physical detoxification and emotional well-being.
Deep cellular repair, growth, and detoxification predominantly occur during sleep, making the sleep environment one of the most effective aspects for minimizing toxic load—especially for children, noted Nault.
“In a world filled with unavoidable exposures, creating a clean and calming sleep space is one of the most impactful actions parents can take to protect and promote their child’s long-term health.”
