Toxic Materials in Foam Mattresses? Are We Safe? | Sleep Advisor

The main ingredient of memory foam is polyurethane, which is not safe for use in the U.S. since 2004 due to health concerns.

Polyvinyl chloride, formaldehyde, boric acid, antimony trioxide and different types of petrochemicals are harmful to human health.

Some of the isocyanates found in memory foam mattresses can cause harm to the skin.

During manufacturing process, many compounds mix together to produce flexible memory foam.

Diisocyanates react with polyols to produce the flexible foam.

Polyols are binding compounds that are essential to creating the polyurethane foam.

During the home use, these substances can release their gaseous compound derivatives.

This causes the appearance of bad odors and obnoxious smell.