The hidden hazardous substances in children's mattresses

A toddler asleep on a soft mattress seems like the safest scene in the world. Yet new research suggests that the very surface meant for rest may be releasing an unseen mix of chemicals, including plasticizers, flame retardants, and even UV filters, into the air children breathe for hours each night.

This finding comes from a study in Environmental Science & Technology by scientists from the University of Toronto and their collaborators. Their question was straightforward: are children being exposed to harmful chemicals directly from their mattresses? The evidence, unfortunately, points to yes.

Why mattresses?

Infants and toddlers spend an astonishing amount of time in their beds, up to 18 hours a day in the so-called “sleeping microenvironment.” This term doesn't describe just the mattress itself, but also the bedding, pillows, toys, and the air immediately around the child. Because children breathe faster than adults, have more permeable skin, and tend to put their hands and toys in their mouths, they are especially vulnerable to whatever chemicals may be present in that micro-zone.

Scientists already knew that furniture and household products can release *semivolatile organic compounds (or SVOCs), a family of chemicals that includes plasticizers, stain repellents, flame retardants, and UV filters. These aren’t tightly bound to the materials they’re added to. Over time, they “migrate” into the surrounding air, dust, and even onto human skin.

That’s worrisome, because SVOCs have been linked to health issues ranging from asthma to impaired learning and memory in children. Regulatory agencies in Canada, the U.S., and Europe have already banned or restricted several of these chemicals in toys and childcare products. But oddly enough, mattresses often slip through the cracks of these safety rules.

To get a clear picture, the team purchased 16 new children’s mattresses from major retailers across North America. These weren’t luxury models, but rather the more affordable foam mattresses that many families buy, typically ranging from 50 to 105 Canadian dollars. They tested the foam and the covers for 45 different SVOCs, spanning phthalates (a common type of plasticizer), organophosphate esters (used as flame retardants and softeners), benzophenones, and salicylates (both used as UV filters in fabrics).

The results were not good: 21 chemicals were detected across the mattresses. Several exceeded Canadian regulatory limits. For instance, one mattress contained more than twice the allowable level of di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), a chemical linked to developmental problems. Also, some mattresses contained flame retardants like TCEP, which has been banned in Canada since 2014. Others had high levels (up to 3% by weight) of organophosphate esters that aren’t even necessary to meet flammability standards.

Perhaps most alarming, the team didn’t just look at what’s in the mattress: they simulated what happens when a child actually lies on it. By heating sections of foam to body temperature and applying the weight of an infant, they found that chemical emissions increased sharply. In other words, the simple act of a baby lying down such as warm, wiggly, and breathing close to the surface, encourages more chemicals to leave the mattress and enter the air.

When the researchers measured the air above and around the mattresses, they confirmed that these chemicals don’t stay locked in the foam. Substances like phthalates and flame retardants showed up in the breathing zone, the exact place where a child’s nose rests during sleep.

The numbers may seem tiny, measured in nanograms per cubic meter, but given that children spend such long hours asleep, night after night, even small amounts can accumulate to become meaningful exposures over time.

One of the most surprising findings was the inconsistency. Mattresses sold under the same brand name but purchased two years apart had completely different chemical profiles. That means even if one batch of a product tested “safe,” later versions might not be.

Green certifications weren’t always reassuring either: one of the “eco-friendly” certified mattresses in the study still contained chemicals that violated its certification promises.

The problem, the authors argue, is that current regulations are piecemeal. Some phthalates are banned in toys but not in mattresses. Flame retardants that aren’t even required for fire safety still show up in children’s products. And manufacturers don’t have to label these chemicals, so parents have no way of making informed choices.

The chemicals detected in these mattresses are not harmless. Phthalates have been tied to asthma and hormone disruption. Flame retardants like TCEP are associated with cancer and neurological effects. UV filters may interfere with hormone signaling.

For young children, whose bodies and brains are still developing, these exposures could shape lifelong health. And unlike adult mattresses, children’s products deserve extra scrutiny, because the smallest, most vulnerable bodies are the ones most exposed.

Reading these findings, it’s natural for parents to feel alarmed. After all, a mattress is supposed to be a place of comfort, not a chemical source. While the researchers emphasize that regulations and manufacturers bear the ultimate responsibility, there are a few steps families can take in the meantime. Choose certified mattresses cautiously and look for certifications that test for phthalates and flame retardants, but recognize that not all certifications are equally rigorous. Ventilate the room, because fresh air circulation can help reduce the buildup of SVOCs in the sleeping microenvironment. Wash bedding often, as fabrics can trap and then release chemicals; regular laundering helps keep levels lower. And, finally, consider older vs. newer mattresses carefully. Ironically, some older mattresses may have already “off-gassed” their chemicals, but they may also contain older flame retardants no longer used today.

Still, as the researchers stress, no amount of consumer choice can solve the issue completely. Clearer regulations and stricter oversight are needed to ensure that children’s mattresses are free from harmful additives in the first place.

The study ends with a strong appeal: manufacturers should stop adding chemicals that aren’t required for safety, regulators should close loopholes that allow toxic substances in mattresses, and product certifications should mean what they promise. As Professor Diamond and her colleagues put it, children deserve mattresses that are safe by design, not ones that quietly emit a chemical soup while they dream.

If you want to learn more, the original article titled "Are Sleeping Children Exposed to Plasticizers, Flame Retardants, and UV-Filters from Their Mattresses?" on Environmental Science & Technology at https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5c03560.