Latex mattress flame retardant qualities

  • Natural and chemical-free: A natural latex mattress does not contain any harmful chemicals that are commonly used in fire retardants, such as PBDEs, TDCPP, or boric acid. These chemicals can cause health problems such as cancer, reproductive issues, and neurological disorders. A natural latex mattress is made from organic materials such as latex sap, cotton, and wool, which are safer for the environment and human health.
  • Wool layer provides flame resistance: A natural latex mattress has a layer of wool that acts as a natural fire barrier. Wool can hold up to 30 percent of its weight in moisture, which makes it very difficult to ignite. Wool also has a tight, tangled structure that limits oxygen supply and slows burning. Wool can withstand temperatures up to 600°C, much higher than most synthetic materials’ ignition point.
  • Meets flammability standards: A natural latex mattress with a wool layer can meet the flammability standards set by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which requires that mattresses not exceed a specific heat release rate when exposed to a flame. A natural latex mattress can pass the flammability test without chemical additives or treatments.
  • Comfortable and durable: A natural latex mattress offers many benefits besides flame resistance. It is comfortable, supportive, breathable, and hypoallergenic. It can also last for many years without sagging or losing its shape, providing a healthy and restful sleep experience.

Wool: A Natural and Breathable Top Layer for Latex Mattresses

Wool is a cozy and soft material and a natural and effective way to regulate temperature and moisture in your sleep environment. Wool fibers’ unique structure allows them to absorb and release moisture without feeling damp or clammy. This helps to keep you dry and comfortable throughout the night, especially if you sweat or have hot flashes. Wool can also create micro-climates of air between its fibers, which act as natural insulators. This means that wool can keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer, adapting to your body’s changing needs. Using wool as a top layer in a latex mattress, you can enjoy the benefits of a breathable, moisture-wicking, and hypoallergenic material that enhances your comfort and well-being.

Latex Mattress UL flammability certification

An organic latex mattress can pass the UL flammability test by using natural materials that are resistant to fire, such as latex and wool. According to UL, a flammability test measures how a mattress reacts to heat, a small flame, radiant heaters, a burning cigarette, and a burning match. An organic latex mattress contains no chemical fire retardants that can harm health and the environment. Instead, it relies on the properties of latex and wool to prevent and slow down the combustion process.

Latex is a natural rubber with a high ignition temperature and a low heat release rate, making it difficult to catch fire and burn. Latex also forms a protective char layer when exposed to flame, which reduces the oxygen supply and the flame spread. Wool is a natural fiber that can hold up to 30 percent of its weight in moisture, which lowers its flammability. Wool also has a tight and tangled structure that limits oxygen availability and slows the burning process. Wool can withstand temperatures up to 600°C, much higher than most synthetic materials’ ignition point. Wool acts as a natural fire barrier and can self-extinguish when the flame source is removed2.

By using latex and wool as the main components of an organic mattress, a manufacturer can meet the flammability standards set by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which requires that mattresses do not exceed a specific heat release rate when exposed to a flame. An organic latex mattress can pass the flammability test without chemical additives or treatments.

Common Fire Retardants Found in Polyurethane Foam Mattresses

(includes gel foam, memory foam, gel foam, etc.)

Some of the chemicals that are found in conventional mattress fire retardants are:

  • Organohalogens and brominated flame retardants: These chemicals contain chlorine or bromine bound to carbon. They can disrupt the endocrine system, affect thyroid function, and impair neurological development.
  • Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs): These are a type of brominated flame retardant widely used in mattresses and other consumer products until they were banned or phased out in the U.S. and Europe. They can accumulate in the environment and human tissues and have been linked to cancer, reproductive problems, and cognitive impairment.
  • Organophosphates (OPs): These compounds contain phosphorus surrounded by oxygen atoms bound to carbon. They are often used as alternatives to PBDEs, but they may also have adverse effects on health, such as neurotoxicity, hormone disruption, and obesity.
  • Antimony trioxide: This metal oxide is used as a synergist with halogenated flame retardants, enhancing their effectiveness. It can cause respiratory irritation, skin rashes, and eye damage. It is also classified as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
  • Melamine: This is an organic compound that is used as a flame retardant additive in some mattresses. When burned, it can release toxic gases, such as cyanide and nitrogen oxides. It can also cause kidney damage and bladder cancer, as evidenced by the 2008 Chinese milk scandal, where melamine-contaminated milk killed six infants and sickened thousands more.
  • Boric Acid and Borate Compounds: Some mattresses use Boron and oxygen as flame retardants and insecticides. They can cause skin irritation, eye damage, and respiratory problems. They can also interfere with fertility, fetal development, and hormone function.

Commercially available fire retardants for mattress manufacturers

Some of the companies that produce commercially available fire retardant chemicals for mattresses are:

  • Albemarle Corporation: This is a global specialty chemicals company that offers a range of brominated flame retardants, such as Saytex, GreenArmor, and Firemaster.
  • ICL Industrial Products: Israel Chemicals Ltd.’s business unit manufactures and markets bromine and phosphorus-based flame retardants, such as FR-122P, Fyrol, and Levagard.
  • Lanxess AG: This German specialty chemicals company produces phosphorus, nitrogen, and metal-based flame retardants, such as Disflamoll, Levagard, and Reofos.
  • Clariant AG: This Swiss specialty chemicals company offers halogen-free flame retardants, such as Exolit, Licocene, and Hostaflam.

Some major companies produce fire retardant chemicals for mattresses, but there may be others. Due to their potential health and environmental risks, some of these chemicals have been restricted or banned in some countries. Therefore, it is essential to check the labels and certifications of mattresses before buying them and to look for natural and organic alternatives that do not contain harmful chemicals.

Wool Certification Labels And What They Mean

Here is a point form list about the following certifications for sustainable wool production:

  • Joma wool
    • A high-quality natural fiber grown in New Zealand and used worldwide by some of the most esteemed bedding manufacturers.
    • Features a proprietary crimping process that adds 40%-50% to wool’s volume without adding any weight while also enhancing its levels of springiness and resilience
    • It provides better airflow, efficiently wicks away moisture, and is a natural fire barrier for the mattress.
    • It feels incredibly soft and bouncy, retaining its shape even after prolonged use.
  • Eco Wool
    • A term used to describe wool that is produced in an environmentally and socially responsible way, from animal welfare to the processing and labeling
    • Eco Wool does not use pesticides, herbicides, hormones, or antibiotics on the sheep or the land.
    • Eco Wool avoids harsh chemicals, bleaches, or dyes in scouring or carding.
    • Meets the standards of the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) and the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
  • GOTS
    • The worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibers, including ecological and social criteria, backed up by independent certification of the entire textile supply chain
    • Certified final products may include fiber, yarns, fabrics, clothes, home textiles, mattresses, personal hygiene products, food contact textiles, and more.
    • Ensures that the wool is 100% organic, meaning it comes from animals that are treated humanely and graze on organic pastures free of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides
    • Prohibits the use of toxic and harmful substances in the processing stages, such as heavy metals, formaldehyde, aromatic solvents, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
    • Requires compliance with social criteria based on the fundamental norms of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), such as fair wages, safe working conditions, and no child or forced labor