Is Memory Foam safe?

Updated 2020: You may already unknowingly have a number of man-made mattress foams, not too dissimilar to memory foam, already in your home. These can be found in a whole host of household products. From sofas, cushion fillings, seat fillings and more.  These foams are made from a plethora of synthetic compounds and chemicals which in the minute amounts present are classed as harmless.

This is in part due to the variety of densities, firmnesses and sizes that can be created. They are relatively resilient when covered and are lightweight. Is memory foam any different though? Is it safe or hazardous?

What’s inside a Memory Foam mattress?

Memory foam mattresses are made by gluing layers of synthetic foam together to create both a support and comfort layer in a mattress. These mattresses are nearly always one-sided and are made by cooking and processing various chemicals together to create the foams.

There are chemicals used in foam which have been a hotly debated subject in relation to safety and chemical volatility. Especially when they are present in a mattress. So should you be worried or rush to the bin with your memory foam mattress?

We’re not sure that some of the online concerns about memory foam are as serious as some writers claim. The evidence seems to be a bit stark and no clear government guidance against memory foam.

Given that synthetic foams have been used and approved for decades in the UK and memory foam is not that dissimilar in its manufacture method. In fact, the chances are your soft furnishings, sofa cushions and car already contain a number of these chemical foams.

Is Memory Foam making you sick?

A number of claims single out specific chemicals that are toxic to humans. Referencing health issues due to these chemical compounds being present in memory foam mattresses.

However, these toxicity claims are when these chemicals are used in far greater volumes than foam manufacture. When found in high levels it’s true these chemicals can be highly toxic.

However, the amounts used in foams are very low in some cases which obviously reduces the risk. A number of the online claims give no reference to the percentage or volume of the chemicals used in foam production, which really are needed to make a fair assessment.

It’s a tricky balancing act given the manufacturers won’t give the exact quantities and measurements. It’s a bit of a trade secret with the different blends to make foams which are incredibly frustrating for you the customer. The following are frequently cited.

What chemicals are in memory foam?

The following chemicals are frequently found in memory foam mattresses:

• Acetone
• Dimethylformamide
• Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate
• Methyl chloroform
• Methylenedianiline
• Vinilideine chloride
• Trichloroethane

An excellent resource for a more detailed explanation can be found here on the exacting contents of some types of memory foam.  There is a class lawsuit in the USA being brought against Tempur for the effects of off-gassing which has yet to be decided on in a court of law. Off-gassing, however, is a process found with a variety of household furnishings from paint to sofas. We have written more extensively here about off-gassing and why ventilation is the answer.

With everything, you need to be careful to measure up the risks, the chances of those risks affecting you when making decisions.  If you are overly concerned we would always advise a more natural material for your mattress rather than a man-made foam.

Alternatives if you’re worried about the safety of Memory Foam mattresses

Alternatives to Memory Foam mattresses if you’re concerned about their impact on your health would be to opt for a Natural Fibre mattress instead. Moving away from synthetic chemicals and into Natural Organic fibres such as Wool, Horse Hair, Coir or Flax instead.

The following mattresses in our range are 100% Natural Fibre with no chemical foams at all:

• Artisan Bespoke 004
• Artisan Latex
• Artisan Bespoke
• Artisan Luxury
• Artisan Bespoke 002
• Artisan Sublime
• Artisan Bespoke 003