Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) opens public comment period on new law to flameproof mattresses, this requires known toxic FR chemicals.

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Our exposure to chemical via our mattresses and furniture and carpet's and even walls are increasing on a daily basis. In addition to mattresses, laws require chemicals in bedclothes, mattress pads, sheets, blankets, bedspreads, comforters, and pillows. This new law will be effective nationwide within the year.

Exposure to chemicals in conventional mattresses involves full body and breathing contact eight hours every day. These chemicals are very poisonous and dangerous to life. In spite of warnings from their own Health Sciences Division, the CPSC is rushing this law through. Boric anhydride and Boric Acid are acutely toxic. Boric Acid [Yes, the Roach Killer] falls within the CPSC's chronic toxicity guidelines issued under the FHSA. It is a probable reproductive and developmental toxicant in humans, based upon sufficient animal data." Boric Acid/Antimony flame barrier systems are the least expensive choice, and the most widely used. At least one major brand already puts this system in all their mattresses nationwide. Even though we know infants are unusually susceptible to Boric Acid poisoning, these chemicals are also required in crib mattresses. In the past, boric acid was used as a topical treatment for infants with diaper rash. However, even in diluted (3%) form it caused significant toxicity and two deaths. Most people trust government would do due diligence to be sure the chemicals used to make mattresses flame proof are safe for human exposure. If you look at the facts you too will become alarmed. Besides all California mattresses, Millions of new mattresses nationwide already contain these chemicals in anticipation of the new law. There no labeling requirements and you cannot know what chemicals you are getting. California law effective Jan 1, 2005, and the new federal flammability standards require mattresses to withstand a 12 inch wide open flame on the side for 50 seconds, and a simultaneous 10 inch wide open flame on the top for 70 seconds, and then not ignite for thirty minutes, even though a 1973 law already requires mattresses not ignite from a cigarette burning all the way down. To meet this new standard, new mattresses use a barrier system just under the ticking that is filled with known toxic flame retardant chemicals. The science of toxicology uses high dose short-term chemical exposure on various animals to predict the effect of low dose long-term exposure on humans. Our risk in mattresses is long-term intense exposure. Science considers type and duration of exposure to determine risk, with chronic exposure to even low doses considered most dangerous. Our exposure in mattresses is literally in your face, full body contact of breathing and absorbing through skin, these chemicals eight hours every day for the rest of our lives. No other type of chemical exposure comes close to the intensity and duration of that in mattresses.

The CPSC lists the following chemicals as the primary ones used in mattress surfaces to meet this law: Boric Acid (yes, the Roach Killer), Formaldehyde, Antimony Trioxide, Decabromodiphenyl Oxide (Brominated flame retardant now being found in women's breast milk) , Vinylidiene Chloride, zinc Borate, and Melamine, are the main chemicals being used. The low risk systems our government approves of include a Formaldehyde - Melamine system (Melamine Resins) and a Vinylidiene Chloride system. They say that Exposure data for antimony, boric acid/zinc borate, and Decabromodiphenyl oxide are needed before more definitive conclusions about the potential risk of adverse health effects from these chemicals can be made

The CPSC calls Vinylidiene Chloride with Antimony Trioxide (Modacrylic fibers) Moderate Risk even though they have no data and quoting the CPSC health sciences division draft of this law Antimony is regarded as a possible inhalation carcinogen.

There is limited data to suggest that antimony may be released from a polymer matrix. The results of the limited testing suggest that antimony may be released in measurable quantities from a polymer matrix the amount of antimony found in a barrier is expected to be higher than in the polyester fabrics The amount of antimony migrating from treated barriers is expected to be higher as well . For the Formaldehyde and other systems the CPSC states they expect the mattress pad and sheets to provide some protection from this chemical exposure. Then they announce they are going after bedclothes next to make them flameproof, this will require these chemicals in our mattress pads, sheets, blankets, comforters, and pillows.

Ironically the Vinylidene Chloride system they call low risk will not pass the flame test without Antimony Trioxide added. Thus there is really only one system they consider to be low risk. The CPSC opinion on which barrier systems are low risk is meaningless because most Mattress Manufacturers are actually using the least expensive flame barrier systems that are higher risk, including Boric Acid/Antimony treated cotton barriers, and Modacrylic/Antimony barriers, to flameproof mattresses.

Very few use the system the CPSC considers low risk. Low risk Melamine Resin system is made from the reaction of Melamine and Formaldehyde. It has never been tested for outgassing. It contains free Formaldehyde. The CPSC states Formaldehyde may be released. This may be the highest risk system. It shows there is no safe system. Even melamine gives stones in the urinary bladder and Formaldehyde is known to be very poisonous and cancer causing. The law label tells us the mattress contains: 47% Urethane Foam, 39% Treated Cotton, 13% Polyester Fiber. Boric Acid exists as loose dust mixed with the cotton fibers, it is not chemically bound. There can be more than 1.5 pounds of Boric Acid in the surface of a queen mattress. In addition the cotton batting also contains Modacrylic with Antimony Oxide. There are huge health risks from full body contact and breathing these chemicals eight hours a day for the rest of our lives. Our science warns us many of these chemicals are regarded as carcinogenic. Others are known to be a reproductive and developmental toxin: high prenatal mortality, birth defects, reduced fertility, sterility. Liver, kidney, brain, and heart muscle damage are other effects. Numerous other harmful health effects also exist. Aside from inhalation absorption, some of these chemicals can kill from skin contact alone. People with allergies, asthma, preexisting conditions, fetuses, infants, children, elderly, and other special populations, are probably at even greater risk. Proponents talk about inherently flame retardant fibers. There are no natural fibers that pass this test. The only inherently flame retardant fibers the CPSC mentions, or that I know of, are Para-Aramids (Kevlar) and Fiberglass. Kevlar is a chemical blend that contains some cancer causing chemicals, though at less than .1%, but it is only used in the thread to hold the flame barriers together. Fiberglass is considered to be as bad as Asbestos.

Small particles accumulate in your lungs. Asbestos in buildings is considered safe as long as it is left undisturbed. The chemicals in mattresses are disturbed with every body movement of tossing and turning, pushing chemicals and perhaps glass into our face for us to breathe and absorb. The latency period for Asbestos poisoning is 30 to 40 years. What will it be for mattress poisoning? Benefits of Law Proponents estimate this law will save up to 300 people per year from fire -- after ten to fourteen years when all existing mattresses are replaced. Thus, with 300 million people in the US, your fire death risk from untreated mattresses is one in one million. Your or your children's risk of being slowly poisoned from sleeping in toxic chemicals for the rest of your lives is unknown. According to USA Today, Though the USA has the world's toughest flame retardant standards, 3,000 people die in fires each year. The Chemical Manufacturers Association estimates the number would be up to 960 higher without the [1.2 Billion pounds of] flame-retardant chemicals we now use [annually].

From 1980 to 1998, bedroom fires dropped 68 percent and their related deaths by 52 percent, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Why? A standard that was enacted in 1973 that prevents mattress ignition from cigarettes. Do we need more regulation? It seems unrealistic that these chemicals in mattresses alone will save one-third more people than the current 1.2 billion pounds of flame retardant chemicals we already use annually. If this law eventually saves 50 people it would save one in six million people who are exposed to these chemicals. Your risk of dying in a commercial airline crash is one in fifteen million. We should save every life we can, but what about the risk? Which choice will actually save more lives? Military commanders often have to make life and death decisions. How many would risk one million people to save one? Is this benefit worth the risk? With no off gassing or exposure data of the poisonous chemicals in mattresses, the CPSC guesses and calls one system low risk, and another Moderate risk, and then translates both to Negligible risk .It defies common sense to put 300 million people at even low risk to save 300. What about the millions of unfortunate people who unknowingly get systems in their new mattresses that are considered high risk? The CPSC answers that after we test our entire population other agencies will ban that specific chemical after we find human harm.

At this late stage how many millions of people will we have harmed or killed? Proponents of Law Look at the innerspring mattress industry who asked for, and pushed very hard for this law. It benefits them by increasing prices, revenue, and profits, and protects their turf by hurting smaller competition with high testing and compliance costs. It benefits the chemical industry who also lobbies for this law. Then look at the facts. I spoke with the largest mattress retailer in the US who told me: cannot fight this law. The big innerspring mattress manufacturers are controlled by investment bankers and don't care about people. Plus the chemical companies are multi-billion dollar firms; you cannot win against their lobbing efforts. Opponents of Law I don't try to hide that I am a mattress manufacturer. I have been in business for thirty years and know a lot about my industry. Since investment bankers do not control me, I started and own 100% of the company, I am free to speak my heart on this issue.

Then they state that other government agencies are responsible for banning harmful chemicals. (As the say in the pesticide industry, Other are no safe chemicals, only safe use) Finally they say study will be ongoing, meaning that we are going to test our entire population. Then if we find we have harmed people, that specific chemical will be banned. From what our science knows and tells us about the risks of these chemicals it seems likely we will eventually find human harm. Then it will be too late! How many millions of people will we kill or harm? If it is only 15% of the population it will be 45 million people. This chemical exposure in mattresses literally touches everyone; it has the potential to be our largest public health disaster ever. We don't seem to learn from our toxic legacies of the past. It would be nice, for once, to have the common sense to prevent this potential disaster. The risk outweighs the benefit. Fortunately, the law allows a physician, chiropractor or osteopath licensed or otherwise permitted to practice by any State of the United States, to prescribe a special mattress free of these chemicals and call us and we will explain how to deduct as a health expense. Boric Acid , Antimony Trioxide, Vinylidiene Chloride, Zinc Borate, Melamine, Formaldehyde, Decabromodiphenyl Oxide, and PBDE's are the main chemicals being used by mattress manufacturers to meet state and federal flammability standards. There can be as much or more than 1.5 pounds of these chemicals in the surface of a queen mattress. There are huge health risks from full body contact and breathing these chemicals eight hours a day for the rest of our lives. Our science warns us many of these chemicals are regarded as a carcinogen. Others are known to be a reproductive and developmental toxin: High prenatal mortality, birth defects, reduced fertility, sterility. Liver, kidney, brain, and heart muscle damage are other effects. Plus much more! The consumer products safety commission hopes to save one out of one million people with this law, and state they expect the mattress pad and sheets will provide some protection from this chemical exposure. People with allergies, asthma, preexisting conditions, and other special populations, are probably at greater risk.

We thank Mark for this useful information

CPSC staff has previously provided its opinion that boric anhydride and boric acid are acutely toxic. Moreover, it is staff's opinion that boric acid falls within the CPSC's chronic toxicity guidelines issued under the FHSA. It is a probable reproductive and developmental toxicant in humans, based upon sufficient animal data." Antimony is regarded as a possible inhalation carcinogen. There is limited data to suggest that antimony may be released from a polymer matrix. The results of the limited testing suggest that antimony may be released in measurable quantities from a polymer matrix., The amount of antimony found in a barrier is expected to be higher than in the polyester fabrics. The amount of antimony migrating from treated barriers is expected to be higher as well.

daliya@nontoxic.com