Q: What is the difference between an organic mattress and a conventional mattress? Is organic really important?

A: The average person spends a third of their life sleeping. It's vital that the time for healing during sleep is optimized by a healthy and chemical-free sleep environment. People interested in a healthy sleep should first visit www.epa.gov and read the list of chemicals found in conventional mattresses. Chemicals such as formaldehyde (OSHA classifies formaldehyde as a human carcinogen linked to lung cancer and possibly leukemia and brain cancer), PBDEs (flame retardants), toluene, TDI, antimony, boric acid, styrene, butadiene and insecticides are commonly found in conventional mattresses.

Health warnings about off-gassing chemicals are out there, but the public can be lulled into a feeling of safety when an industry remains unregulated. Of grave concern are children's mattresses, constructed of polyurethane foam and enclosed in vinyl covers. During sleep, the child's every breath pulls in air that is inches away from the petroleum chemical material used in the manufacturing of the bed itself. Some studies have linked gases emitted from toxic mattresses and children's health (see sources on next page for more information). Because of children's weight and fast metabolism, they are vulnerable to these toxins and should be the first that are protected during sleep.

An organic mattress is free of these health-harming chemical components and protects the health of the individual. But how can you be sure that chemical-free claims are really true? Unless materials are certified organic, they can still be processed with harsh chemicals, dyes and pesticides. The terms "pure," "natural," "eco," "all natural" and "100 percent natural" do not mean organic. "Certified organic cotton" and "organic wool" labels indicate that the materials are grown and processed without pesticides or toxic chemicals. Certification includes inspections of farm fields and processing facilities, detailed record keeping, and periodic testing of soil and water to ensure that growers and handlers are meeting established standards.

The best organic mattress is comprised of a 100-percent natural latex (rubber) core with a quilted cover made from certified organic wool and certified organic cotton. Natural latex (there is no organic certification for latex) is hypoallergenic, dust mite resistant, antibacterial and nontoxic. The natural latex core starts as liquid from the sap of the rubber tree.

The sap contains an antibacterial substance that is a natural dust mite repellent. Because natural latex resists dust mites, people with allergies sleeping on a natural latex mattress can relieve many of their symptoms. It breathes, is not temperature sensitive, and is also an excellent heat and moisture regulator; that superior air circulation prevents mold and mildew growth.

To create the mattress, the latex core is encased in two layers of organic cotton with a thick layer of organic wool quilted in between. As the outer layer, organic cotton is an appropriate material because it is soft, breathable, nontoxic and comfortable to the skin.

The layer of organic wool that is quilted inside the cotton is also free of all synthetic chemicals throughout its processing. The sheep are fed in organic pastures, the cleaning process involves no bleach or solvents, and the garneting and carding processes are done without chemical additives. Wool is a natural flame retardant; therefore, no chemical flame retardants are necessary. Like natural latex, wool is also temperature regulating and dust mite resistant. Each strand of wool has a coating of lanolin that naturally repels dust mites. The microscopic scales on each strand create an arid environment that dust mites can't live in.

Organic mattresses aren't just good for you, they're good for our planet, too. Conventional cotton makes up only three percent of the world's crops yet uses twenty-five percent of the world's pesticides annually.

Because organic agriculture doesn't use toxic and persistent pesticides, choosing organic products-mattresses and beyond-is an easy way to help protect yourself and the environment at the same time.

Sources: www.epa.gov; Study of Respiratory Toxicity of Mattress Emissions, Archives of Environmental Health, January/February 2000.

Mother and daughter Truly Ball and Sarah Easterling spent two years researching organic products before opening Nest Organics at 51 N. Lexington Avenue in Asheville. For more information on Nest and their products, call 828- 258-1901 or email nestorganics@gmail.com.

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