Wool in Crib Mattresses
Wool is a natural fire retardant material used in some organic mattresses. It is generally "non-toxic".
So Why Doesn't Naturepedic Use Wool?
The use of wool in crib mattresses is questionable. Even though wool is a natural material, wool naturally contains phosphorus and may also contain antimony and arsenic. A fungus that commonly grows in bedding can interact with these substances to create poisonous gases (see article, Has the Cause of Crib Death Been Found?). So even though wool is natural, it may not be completely non-toxic. It really depends on where and how the sheep are raised and how the wool is cleaned and processed.
The amount of phosphine gas generated from wool may be very tiny and may not even be an issue - we simply do not know. According to Dr. Sprott, it's very difficult and expensive to test for so it's not tested. But we think it's important to let parents know that there may be a small risk in using wool in a crib environment.
NaturePedic has taken the extra precautionary step of designing the No-Compromise™ Organic Baby Crib Mattress without the use
of wool. Wool is completely eliminated and replaced with Flamebreaker™, a non-toxic fire barrier system developed by Naturepedic based on baking soda. This meets all stringent fire retardant laws.
The Naturepedic No-Compromise mattress is also fully waterproof using a safe, non-toxic cover. Wool does absorb moisture very well and is considered "water-resistant", but will not completely waterproof a mattress.
What about allergies to wool?
A true allergy to wool is very uncommon. Most people who experience an allergic reaction from wearing wool are actually reacting to the chemicals in the wool. It's difficult to know if your baby will react to a mattress with natural, unprocessed wool. But since it is a possibility, Naturepedic does not use wool.
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Use the information provided on this site as an educational resource for determining your options and making your own informed choices. It is not intended as medical advice or to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any specific illness.