Children ‘breathe in chemicals linked to cancer from their MATTRESSES’ while they sleep
- Volatile organic compounds (VCOs) are emitted by household items
- A study reveals mattresses also release the compounds under body heat
- VCOs are toxic to health over long periods of time, research shows
- Some compounds could be inhaled at a ‘concerning level’, the study reports
Children’s mattresses could be a health hazard after research found they emit dangerous pollutants which have been linked to cancer.
Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be toxic and has been associated with headaches, feeling sick, liver and kidney damage, nerve problems and cancer.
The tiny particles can cloud the home when released by hundreds of household items, including furniture, candles, incense and carpets.
Researchers found the materials used to make mattresses release higher amounts of VOC when heated to body temperature.
And they said people may breathe in ‘concerning’ levels of the chemicals when they sleep because their faces are right next to the fabric.
Children’s mattresses could be a health hazard after being found to emit dangerous pollutants (VCOs) by Isreali researchers
The study did not look at the possible adverse health outcomes of VCOs from mattresses.
But previously, they have been blamed in numerous studies for triggering asthma in children and worsening it in adults.
Researchers at The Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, used eight different child mattresses in their study.
They measured how temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide concentration – all of which are increased when people lie on a mattress for a few hours – could affect the levels of several VOCs.
The team, led by Dr Yael Dubowski, reported in the journal Environmental Science and Technology that children spend up to half their lives in this sleep environment.
They did this by placing pieces of the mattress in a chamber that they were able to take samples of air from.
The eight mattresses released quite similar amounts of 18 studied VOCs, except for a flame retardant compound emitted only by an infant mattress.
Temperatures matching body heat were a major contributer to a higher level of VOCs released compared to humidity and carbon dioxide.
Infants and young children inhaling some compounds, for example, acetaldehyde, formaldehyde and benzene, could reach levels of concern, the researchers said.
However, the findings were well below the cancer and non-cancer risk reference levels.
VOCs can act as powerful irritants. Breathing them can inflame the eyes, nose and throat, cause difficulty breathing and nausea and damage the central nervous system.
Exposure is unavoidable because of the vast number of emission sources, including vinyl flooring, cleaning products, cosmetics, hairsprays, paint, aerosols, heating and cooking fuel.
The particles are also released by burning petrol, wood, coal or gas.
The researchers said further studies on possible health effects of low-level exposure to VOCs was needed.