Memory foam mattresses contain carcinogenic chemicals?

[psteng19]

I'm doing some research before buying a memory foam mattress and I came across some info that discloses some of the chemicals used to treat the mattresses.

Of notable interest is toluene di-isocyanate, a registered carcinogen.
Text
EPA site on the chemical

Anybody knowledgeable on the subject?

 

[KB]

Don't eat it and don't sniff it in powdered form and you will be OK.

If it so bad wouldn't it be recalled?

 

[gsellis]

Funny, that EPA reports says it isn't.

"Information is not adequate to determine the carcinogenic effects of 2,4-toluene diisocyanate in humans. Three epidemiology studies did not find an increased occurrence of cancer among exposed workers.

Animal studies, via inhalation, did not report an increased incidence of tumors. (1,6)

EPA has not classified 2,4-toluene diisocyanate for carcinogenicity. "

Don't eat it as KB notes.

 

[psteng19]

Originally posted by: gsellis
Funny, that EPA reports says it isn't.

Don't eat it as KB notes.

Well, it appears as if inhaling (and injecting) the stuff is worse than eating:

- Acute exposure to high levels of 2,4-toluene diisocyanate in humans, via inhalation, results in severe irritation of the skin, eyes, and nose, and causes nausea and vomiting. (2,3)

- Acute animal tests in rats have shown 2,4-toluene diisocyanate to have moderate to extreme acute toxicity from inhalation exposure and low acute toxicity from oral exposure. (1,4)

- Chronic inhalation exposure to 2,4-toluene diisocyanate in workers has caused significant decreases in lung function, an asthma-like reaction characterized by wheezing, dyspnea, and bronchial constriction. (2,3)

- Animal studies have reported irritation of respiratory tissues, bronchopneumonia, and weight loss from chronic exposure to 2,4-toluene diisocyanate. (1,2)

- Animal studies have reported significantly increased incidences of tumors of the pancreas, liver, and mammary glands from exposure to 2,4-toluene diisocyanate via gavage. Animal studies, via inhalation, did not report an increased incidence of tumors.

Now I just need them to define "high levels".
Either way, this stuff can't be good for health.

 

[steppinthrax]

I'm sure they will 5 years down the road come out with a study showing how mem foam breaks down and as you sleep you breath it in. I's going to be like teflon/sacrain/breast implants

 

[Jahee]

Great! And i just got a new memory foam matress.

That quote contradicts itself.

 

[OutHouse]

what chemicals are in a spring coil mattress?

 

[psteng19]

Originally posted by: Citrix
what chemicals are in a spring coil mattress?

None? We would've definitely heard something by now, don't ya think?

I guess I'm going to be safe and get a anti-allergy mattress cover and wrap it around the mattress.

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: psteng19

Originally posted by: Citrix
what chemicals are in a spring coil mattress?

None? We would've definitely heard something by now, don't ya think?

I guess I'm going to be safe and get a anti-allergy mattress cover and wrap it around the mattress.

You are kidding, right? You have fire retardants, polyesters, acetates, FOAM, etc. Shoot, you could even get wool with all sorts of beasties. Sleep on a stone floor.

You worry too much about junk science.

 

[da loser]

not sure what you mean by chemicals used to treat mattresses

but di-isocyanates are usually used to form polyurethane which is what the mattress is made of. only during production should you worry.

 

[0]

This just in: the sun causes cancer.

 

[FreshPrince]

Originally posted by: gsellis

Originally posted by: psteng19

Originally posted by: Citrix
what chemicals are in a spring coil mattress?

None? We would've definitely heard something by now, don't ya think?

I guess I'm going to be safe and get a anti-allergy mattress cover and wrap it around the mattress.

You are kidding, right? You have fire retardants, polyesters, acetates, FOAM, etc. Shoot, you could even get wool with all sorts of beasties. Sleep on a stone floor.

You worry too much about junk science.

I like hard mattresses

 

[Fenixgoon]

have you touched anything made from polyurethane?

congratulations, it's made from toluene diisocyanate (TDI)

 

[the DRIZZLE]

I hope you don't have polyurothane coated wood floors in your house.

 

[Ichinisan]

I don't eat my mattresses.

 

[JulesMaximus]

You are kidding, right? You have fire retardants, polyesters, acetates, FOAM, etc. Shoot, you could even get wool with all sorts of beasties. Sleep on a stone floor.

You worry too much about junk science.

Stone has all kinds of micro organisms, molds and fungus living in it...better treat it with chemicals first.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I don't eat my mattresses.

Try it with some fava beans and a nice chianti.

 

[Imp]

My mouthguard/nightguard is carcinogenic...

Just believe that they'll have a cure for cancer in 20 years, or just plan to check out by then and you'll be all smiles.

 

[uclaLabrat]

Di-isocyanates are potentially very carcinogenic because they're pod electrophiles...they react with amines to form polyurethanes, but they can also react with DNA and cross link it, which can lead to cancer. Toluene diisocyanate should have an extremely low vapor pressure. At any rate, I have a tempurpedic knock off

 

[Newbian]

have you touched anything made from polyurethane?

congratulations, it's made from toluene diisocyanate (TDI)

Nice 4 year old bump.

 

[foghorn67]

Damn. I've heard of pillow biting. But this takes it to a whole new level.

 

[Matthiasa]

This just in: the sun causes cancer.

And oxygen last I checked.

 

[Lifted]

Does OP have cancer yet? 4 years of licking his mattress should have given him something by now.

 

[dsfunk]

Just wrap it up in plastic wrap like I do

 

[Newbian]

Just wrap it up in plastic wrap like I do

Still having that bed wetting problem?