Disclosure: This post is sponsored by PlushBeds.
Getting enough sleep each night is important for your health. But what if your sleeping environment is not very healthy?
You may sleep with your cell phone within your reach – yet the phone’s mobile electromagnetic radiation will actually interfere with your sleep. Not only are you exposed to the radiation, but a study also shows that the phones cause less deep sleep.
The easy solution? Turn your phone completely off when you hit the hay. Or, keep your phone in another room.
Another source of unhealthy sleep may be found in your mattress.
Mattresses – both crib mattresses and standard sized mattresses are covered in flame retardants. The flame retardants used on mattresses are PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers), that were invented to slow the spread of fires. PBDEs don’t attach to polymers in products and they end up spreading in the environment – either during the manufacturing process, or afterwards when the flame retarded product degrades or is disposed.
PBDEs aren’t only found in mattresses. These toxic remnants from flame retardants are all around us:
– When you lie on a mattress or sit on a couch, PBDEs are released into the air as dust.
– When you turn on a television and it heats up from use, more PBDEs are released. Infant car seats have PBDEs in the foam.
– Appliances like refrigerators, water heaters, hair dryers, and dishwashers are made of PBDEs to prevent the spread of fire.
– The plastic casing on electronics like cell phones, computers, TVs, and remote controls are covered in PBDEs.
– Upholstered furniture, foam carpet padding, foam cushions, and pillows contain PBDEs, too.
What’s the big deal?
PBDEs end up being a big deal, because they build up in humans as a body burden and disrupt hormones.
Americans have more PBDEs in their bloodstream than Europeans – and American mothers have 10 to 100 times higher concentrations in their breast milk than European or Japanese mothers.
Studies have linked human infertility to the level of flame retardants in women’s blood: women who are exposed to more PBDEs and thus have higher levels of PBDEs are half as likely to get pregnant as women with lower levels. For mothers, this increased level transfers to breastfed babies through breastmilk and can create pregnancy problems.
Image courtesy of Jules in KY
For babies and children, PBDEs are particularly dangerous. They harm brain development, disrupt hormones, are linked to cancer, and cause hyperactivity, memory deficits, learning disabilities, and a delay in motor functioning. When you combine the exposure from riding in a car seat, breastfeeding, and having an oral fixation with someone who has a smaller body size – like an infant or toddler – a higher percentage of PBDEs will accumulate. Since the brains of infants and toddlers develop so quickly at these early stages of life, PBDEs have the potential to profoundly affect a child.
Reducing exposure
To reduce exposure to flame retardants, it’s important to:
- Wash your hands before eating.
- Dust often since chemicals gather in dust.
- Avoid buying flame retardant clothing.
- Use a HEPA filter when vacuuming to properly remove dust.
- Avoid buying new electronics from manufacturers that still use PBDEs.
- Replace items containing foam that’s breaking down.
Flame retardants aren’t the only concern when it comes to traditional mattresses, as this infographic from PlushBeds shows:
Mattress options
Instead of willingly exposing yourself to toxins, you can choose a safe, latex mattress.
PlushBeds’ organic latex mattresses are GreenGuard Gold Certified. Through rigorous testing, UL Environment certifies PlushBeds’ mattresses meet some of the world’s most rigorous, third-party chemical emissions standards with strict low emission limits for over 360 volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
PlushBeds is offering a Black Friday sale Nov. 28 through Dec. 1. The sale includes:
$1,200 off all latex mattresses.
Each purchase of a latex mattress also includes:
- 2 free organic latex pillows,
- Free Egyptian sheet set, and
- Free mattress protector (a $376 value for the 3 free gifts).
$600 off all memory foam mattresses.
Each purchase of a memory foam mattress also includes:
- 2 free organic latex pillows,
- Free Egyptian sheet set, and a
- Free mattress protector (a $376 value for the 3 free gifts).
Every adjustable bed purchase includes a free 10-year extended warranty (valued at $349), as well as free white glove delivery (a $299 value).
To take advantage of the Black Friday Sale, visit PlushBeds’ website.
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