A new peer-reviewed study has uncovered a disturbing reality in many children’s bedrooms: toxic chemicals leaking from mattresses, potentially harming kids while they sleep.
Researchers found dangerous levels of phthalates, flame retardants, and UV filters in the air around children’s beds—chemicals linked to serious health issues like cancer, hormonal disruption, reproductive harm, and neurological damage.
And here’s the kicker: these toxins aren’t coming from paint or cleaning products. They’re coming from the mattress itself.
What Did the Study Find?
The research, conducted by scientists from the University of Toronto and the Green Science Policy Institute, examined air quality in the bedrooms of children under four years old. The highest concentrations of these toxic compounds were consistently found right around the mattress area.
An accompanying study also tested 16 common kids’ mattress brands—the kind you’d find online or at major retailers for under $150. Every single one of them contained “concerning levels” of these chemicals.
“We were really shocked to find what was in the mattresses,” said environmental chemist Miriam Diamond. “The kids are getting quite a dose of this stuff.”
One mattress alone was composed of 3% flame retardants by weight, and another contained 1% of TCEP, a chemical banned in some countries due to its toxicity.
Where Are These Chemicals Coming From?
The problem lies in a phenomenon called off-gassing. Many flame retardants and plasticizers are semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), meaning they don’t just sit in the mattress—they slowly escape into the surrounding air.
And it gets worse: the body heat and weight of a sleeping child can accelerate the off-gassing process, increasing a child’s exposure throughout the night.
Phthalates, for instance, are chemicals used to make plastics soft and flexible. They’re often added to mattress covers—even ones that aren’t plastic. These compounds have been linked to early puberty, birth defects, and lowered IQs.
Meanwhile, flame retardants—added to help mattresses meet flammability safety standards—have been shown to do little to slow fires but pose a major health risk, especially for infants and toddlers. Even some firefighters have called for banning them due to the toxic smoke they produce during house fires.
And then there are UV filters, which help preserve color in textiles but have uncertain health effects and are starting to raise red flags in recent studies.
No Rules, No Warnings
Shockingly, in both the U.S. and Canada, there are no federal limits on the levels of these chemicals allowed in mattresses—especially when it comes to flame retardants.
Some types of phthalates are restricted in children’s products, but four of the mattresses tested exceeded those limits. And for other phthalates? There’s no regulation at all.
The researchers didn’t name specific brands but noted that the mattresses tested were widely available in North America, with materials sourced from countries like China, Turkey, Mexico, and others. In other words, this isn’t a single bad actor—it’s a systemic issue.
🧼 Can Parents Do Anything?
While it’s difficult to completely eliminate exposure, there are steps parents can take to reduce the risk:
- Avoid mattresses with flame retardants. Look for certifications like Greenguard Gold or GOTS organic.
- Choose natural materials like latex, cotton, or wool, which are less likely to contain phthalates.
- Air out new mattresses outside for several days—off-gassing can be reduced with exposure to fresh air, though not eliminated entirely.
- Use absorbent barriers like terry cloth mattress pads to trap chemical emissions before they reach the child.
But researchers emphasize: the burden shouldn’t be on parents.
“The onus is on the mattress manufacturers,” Diamond said. “They need to be more vigilant.”
The Bigger Picture
This study adds to growing concern over what some are calling a chemical saturation crisis in consumer goods. From cookware to cosmetics to furniture, toxic compounds often go unregulated, even when their health effects are well-known.
This isn’t just about one toxic mattress—it’s about asking why profit-driven manufacturing is putting vulnerable populations at risk d why regulation is so slow to catch up with the science.
Until that changes, awareness is our first line of defense.
