If you’re lucky enough to be in Portland on the weekend of June 26th, you’ll have the opportunity to check out all the fun and excitement of the North American Organic Brewers Festival. The 7th annual NAOBFevent is being held at Overlook Park and will be host to a number of organic beers and beverages from around the country.

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Being the epitome of uncommon knowledge, it’s really amazing how many toxins are put into mattresses during production. The Futon Shop would like everyone to be able to sleep on a bed without being exposed to toxic chemicals during the night. Many Americans are now moving over to organic mattresses because of the use of these chemicals in typical mattress production. Let’s break it down:

Polyurethane
If there is one material that is more or less ubiquitous in most mattresses today it would be polyurethane foam. Polymers and urethane chemicals, which contain an Isocyanate compound, seep out of polyurethane foam. Isocyanate compounds have been known to cause a host of diseases and complications, including asthma. Some isocyanates are known for their carcinogenic effects, as well as the havoc they can wreak on the immune and nervous systems.

Polybrominated Diphenyl Esthers (PBDE)
PBDE was the chemical that, until very recently, was added to the production process of every mattress in the United States. Reason being: it’s a fire retardant. As of now, this substance is banned in the U.S., but if your mattress was made prior to 2005, it could still be in there. PBDE is bad because it’s been known to have detrimental effects on brain development. If a company imports their furniture from China, PBDE is most assuredly an added ingredient.  (more…)