Tempurpedic Bed and Pillow Warning

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Permalink Reply by 99 on January 31, 2010 at 3:04pm

it is probably antimony

antimony is implicated in sudden infant cot death

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Permalink Reply by 99 on January 31, 2010 at 5:29pm

antimony is a fire retardant used in mattresses

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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on January 31, 2010 at 6:40pm

I know I have purchased some of the tempurpedic items (not specifically a mattress) ie. pillows and a 4 inch Cool-Max mattress topper. Both came with warnings to air out thoroughly prior to use.

Did you set the bed up yourself or did the place where you purchased it do it for you? It could be that they forgot to mention it when they did the set-up.

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Permalink Reply by Jan on January 31, 2010 at 8:20pm

They set it up. They also told me that they would air it out and do some special process to it (rolling it or something) before delivering. This is set up in a second home in FL and I have been gone for nearly two weeks since purchasing it and sleeping with it for not quite a week. I had someone put high velocity fans on it for the last week that I was gone.

Tonight, I am sleeping in a guest room -- just me and my bipap and accessories ;-) (OK, and my adorable dogs) and leaving all kinds of fans on that mattress in my bedroom.

Honestly--I have non asthma symptoms that I think are attributable to this mattress, but won't talk about them unless I am asked... I am afraid that my friends here on SG would think I was a nut case. (I really am not :-), promise.

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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on January 31, 2010 at 8:40pm

Some are really chemical sensitive and you are probably one of those. Some chemicals bother me more than others. My tempurpedic hasn't really bothered me -- but at one time I tried out a latex mattress topper and boy oh boy did that set it off. It was not covered and was just a 4 inch thick piece of latex foam in a king size. I don't have a latex allergy as far as I know and the piece of foam was on display and not wrapped so should have been outgassed.

I purchased a latex mattress last summer and have been fine with it, but have the Cool-Max topper on top of the mattress. The mattress is covered and encased like a regular mattress so don't know if that is why or because it is totally outgassed.

Good luck and hopefully things will settle down before long.

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Permalink Reply by Jan on January 31, 2010 at 9:57pm

Thanks for your thoughts on this. I actually believe that chemical and environmental sensitivities are just a matter of time. There is a virtual epidemic of asthma and respiratory problems in this country (according to two of my doctors)...so whatever it is that I might be suffering from right now as it relates to chemicals and toxins, it is my belief it will affect many more in the future.

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Permalink Reply by 99 on February 1, 2010 at 1:36am

the other chemicals in mattresses are

arsnic (is also used in wood decking to prevent infestation)

phosphorus

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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on February 1, 2010 at 8:06am

I agree Jan. We are in a world of chemical manufactured products, much more so than in years past. I know my asthma is and can be chemically induced. I hate even perfumes and after shave products as they are triggers for me. Many of the cleaning products are triggers, as well as other environmental issues. I know I have been warned about carpet from my doctors since new carpeting is loaded with chemical derivates.

Generations in the past have not had so many "toxins" dumped on them as the present time. I believe it will get worse until they admit what it is doing to our environment.

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Permalink Reply by 99 on February 1, 2010 at 8:25am

tanaline or tanalyn however spelt is a wood treatment with asenic

Tanalised decking correct spelling

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Permalink Reply by Steven on February 2, 2010 at 4:07pm

The Tempur mattress is made up of two types of polyurethane foam. A standard, mid-density material and a visco-elastic poly (visco-elastic or "memory foam" is a polyurethane with a petrochemical slowing agent). Polyurethane foam consists of two main ingredients, Polyol and TDI. TDI stands for Toluene diisocyanate (spell check was no help on that). Both chemicals are known to cause respiratory distress (search "diisocyanate asthma"). The two foams are attached with an adhesive which is also potentially volatile (unknown glue). The cover of the Tempur used to be, and may still be, backed with a PVC coating (polyvinyl chloride) which is also linked to asthma as well as a myriad of other problems (I haven't looked at one of their covers for quite a while but last I knew it was still there). Buying a mattress is hard enough without having to worry about toxins. Sorry to hear about your trouble and apologies if you've already heard all this. I do agree that they should have to warn people with asthma and breathing problems about the potential risks involved with volatile components. They also are not the only ones, however---polyurethane and vinyl are ubiquitous (especially in hospitals!!) and are found in most every conventional mattress, couch or upholstered chair.

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Permalink Reply by Jan on February 2, 2010 at 4:51pm

Steven, thanks for all of that information. Very helpful. I've aired the mattress out thoroughly and I was told by someone that walking on it would help to "push the chemicals" or smells out. I slept on it last night with no ill effects and am airing it out again today (uncovered it and have strong fans blowing on it). Since the notion seems to be that some of these chemicals are ubiquitous-- I'm wondering if at this point I should think of replacing the mattress or if the worst is over. Any thoughts?

Steven said:

The Tempur mattress is made up of two types of polyurethane foam. A standard, mid-density material and a visco-elastic poly (visco-elastic or "memory foam" is a polyurethane with a petrochemical slowing agent). Polyurethane foam consists of two main ingredients, Polyol and TDI. TDI stands for Toluene diisocyanate (spell check was no help on that). Both chemicals are known to cause respiratory distress (search "diisocyanate asthma"). The two foams are attached with an adhesive which is also potentially volatile (unknown glue). The cover of the Tempur used to be, and may still be, backed with a PVC coating (polyvinyl chloride) which is also linked to asthma as well as a myriad of other problems (I haven't looked at one of their covers for quite a while but last I knew it was still there). Buying a mattress is hard enough without having to worry about toxins. Sorry to hear about your trouble and apologies if you've already heard all this. I do agree that they should have to warn people with asthma and breathing problems about the potential risks involved with volatile components. They also are not the only ones, however---polyurethane and vinyl are ubiquitous (especially in hospitals!!) and are found in most every conventional mattress, couch or upholstered chair.

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Permalink Reply by 99 on February 2, 2010 at 6:59pm

some of these chemicals are found in sheepskin

my thought is to purchase a thin mattress to put on top of your new mattress and cover it with a couple of blankets prior to putting on the sheets

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