Can a mattress topper protect you from foam?
A mattress topper may help in two ways:
First, by reducing mattress foam breakdown, by reducing the amount of friction on the foam. Foam degradation releases semi-volatile organic compounds (sVOCs), which are relatively heavy molecules, meaning they don’t readily vaporize or off-gas into the air like VOCs do. An example of sVOCs are Flame Retardants, a very common foam additive in mattresses, which settle into dust. Having an organic and safe mattress topper between your body’s movements at night and the mattress containing sVOCs may help.
Decreasing body heat in contact with the foam. Body heat in contact with mattresses is known to speed up the off-gassing of VOCs. A mattress topper can reduce the amount of heat transfer between your body and the polyurethane foam.
It can also provide a level of added comfort on an older mattress, and is a more affordable, accessible solution for those not in the market for a full new mattress.
Brands for healthy, organic mattress toppers I recommend are here.