The primary filling material used in nearly all baby mattresses today is polyurethane foam. Polyurethane foam is highly flammable because it is essentially a petroleum product. In order to combat this hazard and pass Federal and State flammability standards, polyurethane foam is typically treated with harsh industrial fire retardant chemicals. These chemicals are toxic and dangerous, especially to babies and small children. Some of these chemicals have been associated with thyroid and liver damage, hyperactivity, and changes in motor behavior and other brain functions. These chemicals typically constitute 10-30% of the foam by weight and can easily become airborne.

Naturepedic's Non-Toxic and Safe Fire Protection

Naturepedic takes a different approach. Cotton is a far superior filling material and is significantly less flammable to begin with. Naturepedic's non-toxic fire protection system uses baking soda’s unique fire retardant properties with hydrated silica. It provides unparalleled protection against the spread of fire, without the use of harsh industrial and potentially harmful fire retardant chemicals. This fire protection system was developed by a respected environmental engineer and father who wanted a healthier mattress for his grandchildren.

Naturepedic mattresses pass all Federal and State flammability standards including open flame. You can be confident that your mattress will not go up in flames or release deadly fumes as compared to petroleum based mattresses.

Naturepedic's fire protection contains no PBDEs or any brominated or chlorinated fire retardants.  It contains no antimony, arsenic or phosphorus, no PAN (polyacrylonitrile), modacrylic, no dimethyl sulfate, and no boric acid, and no crystaline silica. All Naturepedic mattresses have been confirmed by strict independent testing to not off-gas harmful substances.

Is Silica Toxic?

The silica used in Naturepedic’s fire protection system is hydrated silica that is bonded to a cellulose fiber from eucalyptus and poplar trees.

Hydrated silica is a gelatinous substance which is chemically inert. It has a long history of safe use as an ingredient in food products. It is listed by the US Food & Drug Administration to be Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) and has no known toxicity or carcinogenicity. It is used in toothpastes by Tom’s of Maine, Weleda, and Jason – all of which are healthier toothpastes. It is also used in vitamin supplements, and likely to be found naturally in wool.

There have been concerns raised about the use of "silica," a term commonly used to describe both hydrated silica and crystalline silica. Crystalline silica in respirable form can be toxic and evidence suggests it is a carcinogen as well. In response to the confusion created by the two ingredients sharing a common name, the Chemical Abstracts Services (CAS) created a new catalog number for hydrated silica to more effectively differentiate it from its toxic cousin, crystalline silica.

All Naturepedic mattresses have been confirmed by strict GREENGUARD independent testing to not release or off-gas harmful substances. GREENGUARD tests for all particulates, and that includes crystalline silica.

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