What’s in Foam?
Click on bolded statements for links to research.
Video script:
The first step in making foam started millions of years ago, and it was kind of cute! The fossils of tiny plants were buried under layers of sand and rock. But with pressure and time, they got way less cute and turned into petroleum, or crude oil, which is a mixture of methane, benzene and other hydrocarbons.
People remove the oil and send it off to refineries, where it’s processed into mostly gasoline and jet fuel -- but a little bit becomes diisocyanates and polyols.
These are mixed together, and the chemical reaction between them makes foam! But, the texture of it is *not quite* what you’d want to sleep on or sit on, so other chemicals are added to change that.
Tin octoate is used to make softer, airier foam. Phthalates and other plasticizers make it more flexible. Phase change chemicals turn it into a cooling gel. And dozens of other chemicals can be added, too.
I might theoretically be OK with all this from a health perspective IF all of these additives minded their own business and stayed locked up inside the foam.
But, of course they don’t. The bond between diisocyanates and polyols is super strong, and the additives never truly integrate into those bonds. Instead, they fall out over time, making their way into our environment and bodies, where they cause harm.
I trust my liver will take care of it all for the most part. But, this is why I go for natural alternatives whenever I can.
Why is polyurethane foam toxic?
Theoretically, polyols and isocyanates are mixed together in a perfect ratio so they become chemically cured. This means they stop reacting together, and the final product is an inert piece of polyurethane foam. If it were truly inert, it would be considered safe to humans because no off-gassing or further reacting is happening. However, this ratio is not always achieved, and the EPA is concerned that foam products being sold to consumers are not fully cured. Read about it here.
In addition, many chemicals are mixed into polyurethane foam to change its reaction speed, density, smell, fire resistance, or other properties.
One such chemical is stannous octoate, a catalyst, that is a Reprotoxic 1B chemical that may damage unborn children (fetuses).
This can include antimicrobials and flame retardants, which are endocrine disruptors. This can also include synthetic fragrances to mask any off-gassing smells, among many other harmful chemicals.
What chemicals are used to make regular mattress foam?
Pollyurethane foam is made of 6 main chemicals. The first two, diisocyanates and polyols, combine to make the basic structure of foam. Then, a blowing agent is added to make it fluffier. Finally, surfactants and curatives are added to keep it stable. Catalysis are the sixth class of chemical used, and they are helpful in timing the above reactions. Read this very detailed explanation here.
What are isocyanates?
Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is one of the two main chemicals that are combined to make polyurethane foam. Diisocyanates are well known to result in skin and lung sensitization among workers and are documented to cause asthma, lung damage, and in severe cases, fatal reactions. Read about the EPA’s concerns with TDI here.