It is well known that there are numerous toxic substances in our homes, cars, and workplaces that can endanger our health. The ability of the unnatural structures we live and work in harbor harmful substances and encourage the growth of deadly molds is also widely accepted. Some might argue that the average person started to become aware of these issues when the cancer crisis caused by asbestos poisoning in older homes became well known.
Now we are constantly hearing about dangerous things that we live with every day. While it doesn’t please us to add to the cacophony, there is yet another danger of which few people are aware: foam pillows.
Yes, at first it does sound funny. How can a foam pillow hurt anyone? Sadly, the answer to that question is not funny at all. The fact is foam pillows and mattresses are much more dangerous than anyone had expected.
Toxic glue has been discovered in mattresses and pillows that have been being manufactured and sold to the public in the early 1990s. The same glue has been used in a number of furniture products. But in mattresses and pillows, the glue adheres to structures that flex, bend, and crush. That means microscopic airborne particles of this glue get into the air we breathe- and because we are literally right on top of the source of these particles- there is no way to protect ourselves from them- no way other than not using foam pillows and mattresses.
The foam in these products is not the main concern, but it is believed to be unhealthy as well. Foam is a plasticized material that the body cannot process. In older mattresses and pillows the foam padding does begin to dry out and flake away- sending out those microscopic particles that we inhale while we sleep. When these plasticized particles get into our lungs, the body has to treat them like a foreign body- but it cannot break them down. That means the immune system has to form a protective microbial cyst. Then it is either moved into the elimination system, or it is held in place within a protective shell. Over time, this can build up into dangerous blockages in the lungs that can cause respiratory problems and cancer.
And the story gets even worse. Due to the porous nature of foam, the fact that bedrooms are warm and cozy, and the fact that we impregnate our pillows with skin cells and moisture every time we use them- that means toxic fungus and mold are able to grow inside the foam our pillows are made from. Every night, when we move, dangerous mold and fungus spores can make their ways directly into our lungs where they can cause- you guessed it- cancer and respiratory problems.
Yet another danger posed by the pillows many people use are toxic flame retardants. These have been a standard component of furniture for many years. But in pillows, they are a significant toxin. If you read the tag on your pillows, you’ll see a label that says something like; “This article meets all flammability requirements of California Bureau of Home Furnishings technical bulletin 117.” This is based on a law that passed in 1975 to help prevent deaths from fires resulting from people smoking in bed. Today, most people are aware of the dangers of smoking, and bed fires are quite rare indeed.
These chemicals have been linked not only to lung disease and cancer, which we mentioned, but also endocrine disruption and neurological damage.
Unfortunately, because the manufacturers of these products employ powerful lobbying groups to help them stay in business- you’re unlikely to hear much about toxic foam pillows anywhere else.
As awareness of this and similar issues have begun to catch the attention of the public, more people are returning to traditional pillows made with down, cotton, buckwheat or some other natural materials.
These nontoxic pillows can be expensive, which means that you want to invest in quality. Our recommendation is that you spend the money for a high-quality natural pillow that is well made and will last for many years. Hold on to your high-quality pillows and treat them well.
It is yet another example of how we have to change the way we live in order to cope with the perils of modern life. However, these high quality, natural pillows, and mattresses are arguably superior to their foam counterparts- and if you’re getting better sleep, you will be healthier overall. So really, it’s a win-win.
~ Health Scams Exposed
