Memory foam mattress topper-- hazardous?

[AustinTink]

I bought one of these yesterday on impulse. I'm doing a some research about them now and I don't like what I see. It seems polyurethane foam can be harmful for those with asthma, allergies and eczema. I bought the mattress topper for my son's bed and he has all of the these health problems. Now, I'm worried.

It also had an awful smell when I took it out of the box. I aired in out about 12 hours before putting it on the bed and it still smells slightly. I feel like waking up my son and moving him to another bed.

Have any of you had problems with memory foam?

 

[catgirl]

We have one and love it! DH has allergies and asthma, but the pad has not aggrevate these. We've been using it for about 3 yrs. The smell should be gone anytime now.

 

[SandrA9810]

All foam has a particular smell to it. My aunt was a boss of a company that dealt with wholesale of foam products. It's normal.


Any foam can hold onto dirt and debris. I'd make sure to put on a good mattress cover sheet. And wash it regularly. Foam is a bit tricky to clean up, so if there's any messes, make sure you act fast.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I think you need to call and speak with either an Allergist or Pulmonologist. If the sites say it is bad, and they are backed up by credible organizations then I'd pull it off the bed while you sort it all out. I have 2 asthmatic kids and I wouldn't let something like that go since they'd be breathing it in all night. Even if the Dr said it was fine, personally, I'd air it out in the basement or garage for at least a week before I put it near one of my kids. Even then I'd let my kids lay on it while watching TV for a few days to see if it kicks up any coughing before putting it in the bedroom. I also air out comforters and new pillows, basically anything that goes into their bedrooms.

FYI, lots of those products are treated with formaldehyde, which gives off fumes slowly, which can choke an Asthmatic. Same goes for new carpets and new furniture which can be managed by having it delivered just before a week long vacation.

I think it's better to be safe with Asthma since it can get so bad so fast. If it worries you then act on it. It sounds like you are worried and that's why you posted. Trust yourself.

 

[AustinTink]

Well, I should have trusted my instincts. My poor son woke up this morning with a headache from the stupid fumes. I'm so mad. Why do these companies think they can put out products with such crazy levels of toxicity? I mean, I let my kid sleep on formaldehyde fumes. I feel super guilty.

I stripped the bed and the mattress now stinks. I'm washing all his bedclothes, including pillows. This pad is going back to the store!!!

 

[LuvOrlando]

Don't feel guilty, you didn't know and you thought you were giving him something that would improve his sleep. It's hard to raise a kid with trouble like this especially since every commercial out there swears there is nothing at all wrong with anything ever.

FYI, in the future it's probably a good idea to also air out any new pillows or comforters you can't wash away from his room for at least a week. Lots of that stuff is treated so it doesn't grow mold in storage and it's stored in plastic wrap so the fumes can't escape until you open it up. For most people it's probably not a big deal, but for an Asthmatic all the rules change.

That Mommy guilt is awful, I get it all the time. I hope you & he both feel better soon.

 

[Imzadi]

Well, I should have trusted my instincts. My poor son woke up this morning with a headache from the stupid fumes. I'm so mad. Why do these companies think they can put out products with such crazy levels of toxicity? I mean, I let my kid sleep on formaldehyde fumes. I feel super guilty.

I stripped the bed and the mattress now stinks. I'm washing all his bedclothes, including pillows. This pad is going back to the store!!!

You were told to let the mattress pad air, OFF the mattress for about 3 days before using, weren't you? It has to be allowed to fully expand and the gasses be allowed to air out. ALL foam products, whether the regular foam rubber or the memory foam has gases that need to be aired out. It's called off-gassing.

Also, memory foam is particularly hard to clean. Water cannot be used on it as the cellular structure actually absorbs water. I have a mattress pad on top of my memory foam pad.

 

[jekajekalynn]

I'm not a huge fan..or any sort of fan at all of memory foam mattress pads for other reasons.
Mainly they get super hot in the summer, and after a while they squish down to nothing. We got one of those fancy ones about 3 years, and when we first got it it was 'alright' nothing spectacular . Now it's so squished down we don't even use it anymore.

 

[Imzadi]

I'm on my third, over several years. People should replace bedding every few years anyway as the accumulation of dust mites is a big contributor to respiratory problems.

As for the heat problems, a good mattress pad over the memory solves that.

 

[AustinTink]

You were told to let the mattress pad air, OFF the mattress for about 3 days before using, weren't you?

Nope, the box said a few hours. And, I let it air out OFF the mattress overnight. BTW, it's been about 4 days now and it still stinks. I kept the the thing and will use it on a guest bed eventually.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Nope, the box said a few hours. And, I let it air out OFF the mattress overnight. BTW, it's been about 4 days now and it still stinks. I kept the the thing and will use it on a guest bed eventually.

That's so funny, will you use it to keep people away. Hmmm, I think you may have a brilliant ad campaign, the anti-inlaw bedcover to be sold on QVC or by the Shammy Shine guy right before the holidays

 

[airhead]

I have on of these memory foam toppers,best thing I ever bought! Sorry yours didn't work for ya.

 

[AustinTink]

That's so funny, will you use it to keep people away. Hmmm, I think you may have a brilliant ad campaign, the anti-inlaw bedcover to be sold on QVC or by the Shammy Shine guy right before the holidays

I like the way you think.