Comments on: More toxic mattress “lies” that boil my blood! http://www.momgoesgreen.com/more-toxic-mattress-%e2%80%9clies%e2%80%9d-that-boil-my-blood/ A Mom's Journey To Green Living Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:33:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: » Toxic mattresses?… What you NEED to know! - Mom Goes Green http://www.momgoesgreen.com/more-toxic-mattress-%e2%80%9clies%e2%80%9d-that-boil-my-blood/comment-page-1/#comment-6485 » Toxic mattresses?… What you NEED to know! - Mom Goes Green Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:08:32 +0000 http://www.momgoesgreen.com/?p=5523#comment-6485 [...] from Natural Bed Co.  They’re the real deal… helpful, reliable and honest (unlike some other mattress companies our friends have had to deal [...] [...] from Natural Bed Co.  They’re the real deal… helpful, reliable and honest (unlike some other mattress companies our friends have had to deal [...]

]]> By: Francesca Azuremare http://www.momgoesgreen.com/more-toxic-mattress-%e2%80%9clies%e2%80%9d-that-boil-my-blood/comment-page-1/#comment-5700 Francesca Azuremare Mon, 01 Nov 2010 00:56:10 +0000 http://www.momgoesgreen.com/?p=5523#comment-5700 ....two years ago I fell asleep on my Futon bed (not organic) having left a candle in a big holder on the wood at the end of the Futon - yes I know stupid. On the bottom of the bed was one of those furry long pillows they STILL SELL at Costco. I woke up in time to see the candle fall onto the pillow. For about 2 seconds nothing happened and then it caught fire and LITERALLY IGNITED AS THOUGH SOMEONE HAD THROWN GAS ON IT - the flames reached the ceiling. I leapt up ran shouting to my daughters and we relayed throwing water on the it. It took several big pans to put it out. It was scary. But most scary was this: the inside of the pillow was a congealed GREEN mess and the air was thick with the most noxious, poisonous smoke imaginable. It filled our entire two bedroom home. We opened all the windows and doors. The Futon, which was billed "natural" when I bought it was mostly wool. That too had been exposed to the fire...but had hardly burned at all,. just blackened and it did not catch fire the way the pillow did/ I was so alarmed by the toxicity of the pillow and the SPEED with which it ignited I called the local fire department the next day. The Assistant Fire Chief told me that the reason it flared up so fast is because THE CHEMICALS SPRAYED ON PILLOWS AND MATTRESSES TODAY TO MAKE THEM FIRE RETARDANT ARE MADE OUT OF PETROLEUM. YES, YOU READ CORRECTLY, THAT WAS NOT A TYPO. What? I asked him to repeat it 3 times in different ways so I could really get a handle on what he said and be sure I hadn't misunderstood. He said that most deaths from fires today are not from the fire but from the toxic smoke. He suggested I contact the State of Hawaii to complain. I did. Nothing much happened. I also called the local Costco who said "gee sorry, so glad no one was hurt but not our responsibiilty" Then I left a message on the voicemail of Costco's Legal Counsel - that got me a phone call very fast. I asked them to stop selling the pillows. They said gosh, you have to speak to the people we buy them from - which is basically the people who supply Walmart and Sam's Club. They assured me the pillows were "totally safe" and they were supposed to get back to me about what exactly was sprayed on the darn pillows but of course never did. Then life took over (I'm a single mom) and I never followed up. However, when I see anyone in Costco with one of those pillows in their cart I tell them what happened!!!! I sometimes think of doing a demonstration with the pillow and posting it on youtube and facebook...maybe that would stop the sales. You would think someone is trying to cause deaths, not prevent them. The truth is that the chemicals sprayed onto mattresses, pillows and furniture is not only toxic to our central nervous system but it is HIGHLY FLAMMABLE. Francesca in Hawaii ….two years ago I fell asleep on my Futon bed (not organic) having left a candle in a big holder on the wood at the end of the Futon – yes I know stupid. On the bottom of the bed was one of those furry long pillows they STILL SELL at Costco.

I woke up in time to see the candle fall onto the pillow. For about 2 seconds nothing happened and then it caught fire and LITERALLY IGNITED AS THOUGH SOMEONE HAD THROWN GAS ON IT – the flames reached the ceiling.

I leapt up ran shouting to my daughters and we relayed throwing water on the it. It took several big pans to put it out.

It was scary. But most scary was this: the inside of the pillow was a congealed GREEN mess and the air was thick with the most noxious, poisonous smoke imaginable. It filled our entire two bedroom home. We opened all the windows and doors. The Futon, which was billed “natural” when I bought it was mostly wool. That too had been exposed to the fire…but had hardly burned at all,. just blackened and it did not catch fire the way the pillow did/

I was so alarmed by the toxicity of the pillow and the SPEED with which it ignited I called the local fire department the next day. The Assistant Fire Chief told me that the reason it flared up so fast is because THE CHEMICALS SPRAYED ON PILLOWS AND MATTRESSES TODAY TO MAKE THEM FIRE RETARDANT ARE MADE OUT OF PETROLEUM. YES, YOU READ CORRECTLY, THAT WAS NOT A TYPO.

What? I asked him to repeat it 3 times in different ways so I could really get a handle on what he said and be sure I hadn’t misunderstood. He said that most deaths from fires today are not from the fire but from the toxic smoke.

He suggested I contact the State of Hawaii to complain. I did. Nothing much happened.

I also called the local Costco who said “gee sorry, so glad no one was hurt but not our responsibiilty” Then I left a message on the voicemail of Costco’s Legal Counsel – that got me a phone call very fast. I asked them to stop selling the pillows. They said gosh, you have to speak to the people we buy them from – which is basically the people who supply Walmart and Sam’s Club. They assured me the pillows were “totally safe” and they were supposed to get back to me about what exactly was sprayed on the darn pillows but of course never did.

Then life took over (I’m a single mom) and I never followed up. However, when I see anyone in Costco with one of those pillows in their cart I tell them what happened!!!!

I sometimes think of doing a demonstration with the pillow and posting it on youtube and facebook…maybe that would stop the sales.

You would think someone is trying to cause deaths, not prevent them. The truth is that the chemicals sprayed onto mattresses, pillows and furniture is not only toxic to our central nervous system but it is HIGHLY FLAMMABLE.

Francesca in Hawaii

]]> By: » Do you know what’s on your new mattress? - Mom Goes Green http://www.momgoesgreen.com/more-toxic-mattress-%e2%80%9clies%e2%80%9d-that-boil-my-blood/comment-page-1/#comment-5633 » Do you know what’s on your new mattress? - Mom Goes Green Thu, 21 Oct 2010 14:30:11 +0000 http://www.momgoesgreen.com/?p=5523#comment-5633 [...] Savvy Rest mattress from Healthy Home Sleep Gallery (and we DIDN’T need a prescription!… more on that here).  Was it more than the common mattress store brands?  Sure, it was… (the cheapest method to [...] [...] Savvy Rest mattress from Healthy Home Sleep Gallery (and we DIDN’T need a prescription!… more on that here).  Was it more than the common mattress store brands?  Sure, it was… (the cheapest method to [...]

]]> By: Taking Organic into the Bedroom http://www.momgoesgreen.com/more-toxic-mattress-%e2%80%9clies%e2%80%9d-that-boil-my-blood/comment-page-1/#comment-4145 Taking Organic into the Bedroom Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:55:45 +0000 http://www.momgoesgreen.com/?p=5523#comment-4145 [...] it being hard for them to get a good night sleep. The reality is that your current mattress may be doing you more harm than you know. Most regular mattresses are sprayed with a chemical flame retardant or stain protector, some of [...] [...] it being hard for them to get a good night sleep. The reality is that your current mattress may be doing you more harm than you know. Most regular mattresses are sprayed with a chemical flame retardant or stain protector, some of [...]

]]> By: Erinne http://www.momgoesgreen.com/more-toxic-mattress-%e2%80%9clies%e2%80%9d-that-boil-my-blood/comment-page-1/#comment-3709 Erinne Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:35:21 +0000 http://www.momgoesgreen.com/?p=5523#comment-3709 I think your friend must have been looking for a mattress that was just cotton without wool for fireproofing. I looked at one for my daughter because they are much cheaper, but they do actually require a prescription. Crazy, but true! I think your friend must have been looking for a mattress that was just cotton without wool for fireproofing. I looked at one for my daughter because they are much cheaper, but they do actually require a prescription. Crazy, but true!

]]> By: Doreen http://www.momgoesgreen.com/more-toxic-mattress-%e2%80%9clies%e2%80%9d-that-boil-my-blood/comment-page-1/#comment-3682 Doreen Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:01:30 +0000 http://www.momgoesgreen.com/?p=5523#comment-3682 Rex - I certainly agree with all of those points (a few being mentioned in my first post). These are certainly benefits to add to the mix, but I still go back to my biggest concern being the DANGERS of conventional mattresses. Those fire retardants are unbelievably toxic! Rex – I certainly agree with all of those points (a few being mentioned in my first post). These are certainly benefits to add to the mix, but I still go back to my biggest concern being the DANGERS of conventional mattresses. Those fire retardants are unbelievably toxic!

]]> By: Rex http://www.momgoesgreen.com/more-toxic-mattress-%e2%80%9clies%e2%80%9d-that-boil-my-blood/comment-page-1/#comment-3681 Rex Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:58:07 +0000 http://www.momgoesgreen.com/?p=5523#comment-3681 There are many other reasons for purchasing an organic mattress aside from the fire retardants. Also consider that an organic mattress made from natural latex, organic cotton and wool is mold, mildew and dust mite resistant. A quality organic, natural latex mattress will last at least 20 years or longer and don't forget about your pillows and comforter. There are many other reasons for purchasing an organic mattress aside from the fire retardants. Also consider that an organic mattress made from natural latex, organic cotton and wool is mold, mildew and dust mite resistant. A quality organic, natural latex mattress will last at least 20 years or longer and don’t forget about your pillows and comforter.

]]> By: Doreen / Mom Goes Green http://www.momgoesgreen.com/more-toxic-mattress-%e2%80%9clies%e2%80%9d-that-boil-my-blood/comment-page-1/#comment-3678 Doreen / Mom Goes Green Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:17:29 +0000 http://www.momgoesgreen.com/?p=5523#comment-3678 OneGreenMommy - I wish I could put your mind at ease, but my understanding is that there is no cover that can block the off-gassing. Some manufacturers have claimed different, but no impartial resource agrees. Sorry! Gus - Oh, that's awful! :) But honestly, our daughter sleeps on a mattress I bought 12 years ago for a spare bedroom. Barely anyone has ever slept on it until she inherited it four years ago. I, too, hope that over that time the off-gassing has ceased! Plus, keep in mind that the big chemical "overdose" happened as of July 1, 2007. Before then they weren't nearly as bad! It's "today's" mattresses that are the major concern. smilinggreenmom - no kidding! I don't want my husband and I, or our children, in danger of bursting into flames either, but lacing mattresses with chemicals is NOT the answer! .-= Doreen / Mom Goes Green´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.momgoesgreen.com/more-toxic-mattress-%E2%80%9Clies%E2%80%9D-that-boil-my-blood/" rel="nofollow">More toxic mattress “lies” that boil my blood!</a> =-. OneGreenMommy – I wish I could put your mind at ease, but my understanding is that there is no cover that can block the off-gassing. Some manufacturers have claimed different, but no impartial resource agrees. Sorry!

Gus – Oh, that’s awful! :) But honestly, our daughter sleeps on a mattress I bought 12 years ago for a spare bedroom. Barely anyone has ever slept on it until she inherited it four years ago. I, too, hope that over that time the off-gassing has ceased! Plus, keep in mind that the big chemical “overdose” happened as of July 1, 2007. Before then they weren’t nearly as bad! It’s “today’s” mattresses that are the major concern.

smilinggreenmom – no kidding! I don’t want my husband and I, or our children, in danger of bursting into flames either, but lacing mattresses with chemicals is NOT the answer!
.-= Doreen / Mom Goes Green´s last blog ..More toxic mattress “lies” that boil my blood! =-.

]]> By: smilinggreenmom http://www.momgoesgreen.com/more-toxic-mattress-%e2%80%9clies%e2%80%9d-that-boil-my-blood/comment-page-1/#comment-3677 smilinggreenmom Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:25:57 +0000 http://www.momgoesgreen.com/?p=5523#comment-3677 First of all, I totally had to a great laugh on Gus's last comment. Oh my. But I just cannot get over the amount of chemicals everywhere. I hope you called that retailer up Doreen and flexed your muscles ;) Good post...I wish we had more money to replace all of ours! .-= smilinggreenmom´s last blog ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Smilinggreenmom/~3/ZuZpDuuUttY/" rel="nofollow">Roasted Pumpkin Seed Meditation</a> =-. First of all, I totally had to a great laugh on Gus’s last comment. Oh my. But I just cannot get over the amount of chemicals everywhere. I hope you called that retailer up Doreen and flexed your muscles ;) Good post…I wish we had more money to replace all of ours!
.-= smilinggreenmom´s last blog ..Roasted Pumpkin Seed Meditation =-.

]]> By: Gus Snarp http://www.momgoesgreen.com/more-toxic-mattress-%e2%80%9clies%e2%80%9d-that-boil-my-blood/comment-page-1/#comment-3675 Gus Snarp Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:25:36 +0000 http://www.momgoesgreen.com/?p=5523#comment-3675 My son's big boy bed mattress is an old hand-me-down, so I content myself with the thought that most of the toxics have already out-gassed and been inhaled by my nephew. My son’s big boy bed mattress is an old hand-me-down, so I content myself with the thought that most of the toxics have already out-gassed and been inhaled by my nephew.

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