Origins Of Certipur-US
The truth behind CertiPur is not what most people think. CertiPur was created by the foam companies and chemical lobbyist to battle Chinese imports of cheaper polyurethane foams. China manufactures and exports much of the world’s polyurethane foams and even mattresses today cheaper than we can manufacture in the US. So the foam companies put together CertiPur to help American foam manufacturers stand out from foam imports. Certipur certified foam is a healthier option than imported foams as they do not contain toxic flame retardants, heavy metals or formaldehyde, all shown to adversely affect immune function. Although a healthier solution to imported foams, no matter how you cut it, foam is made from bi-products of refining gasoline and most are quite toxic. A piece of foam in a mattress or a futon when new may not emit any fumes, but as the foam ages and crumbles the chemicals in the foam become airborne and toxic to humans.
The Problem With VOC's
Volatile Organic Compounds, VOC's, are a chemicals that are released into the air as gasses from solids and liquids. Some of these VOC’s have both short and long term health effects according to the EPA. One major source for these VOC’s comes from polyurethane foams, which are found in several locations in the home. This includes, under your carpet, in your insulation, in your shoes, in your couch, and in your mattress.
What Are These Health Affects That VOC's Cause
A large part of the VOC problem is that these out-gassed chemicals seep out of your furniture, but then become trapped in other pieces of furniture such as your carpet or drapes. As you move around in your room or open the drapes these chemicals become airborne again. The off-gassed materials can remain inside and be breathed in over the course of several months to years, causing lasting effects. The VOC's in bedroom furniture can been found to be in the glues and paints of bed frames and sofa beds, in pesticides in cotton that is not organic, and in many products used in furnishings. According to the EPA, research has shown VOC's can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, loss of coordination, nausea, damage to the liver, kidney, and central nervous system.
What Are The Long Term Affects Of VOC's?
Prolonged exposure to these petroleum-based VOC’s may affect the nervous and immune system and cause illnesses including cancer, neurological disorders, autoimmune weakness, asthma and allergies, infertility, miscarriage and child behavior disorders. At the very least, this toxic mixture within the foam has been reported to cause cardiac arrhythmias, difficulty breathing, chest discomfort, irritation of mucous membranes, headache, coughing, asthma and allergic reaction, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, nausea, blurred vision, and reduced pulmonary function, as listed on EPA manufacturer material safety data sheets for polyurethane foam. Although chemicals in urethane foam are required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to be tested for major health effects, the tests do not assess subtle neurological damage to the brain or effects on the a developing fetus, according to Chem-Tox.com. Certipur-US Certified Foams do not contain many of these harmful VOC’s.
CertiPUR-US certified foams are:
- ✓ Made without ozone depleters
- ✓ Made without PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP (”Tris”) flame retardants
- ✓ Made without mercury, lead, and other heavy metals
- ✓ Made without formaldehyde
- ✓ Made without phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission
- ✓ Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emissions for indoor air quality (less than 0.5 parts per million)
For more information about Certipur-US Certified Foams, "Click Here"
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