Alarming Toxic chemicals linked to serious health problems have been found in popular kids’ mattresses, according to new research — and they’re polluting the air in children’s bedrooms.
The study, published in a peer-reviewed journal, found high levels of harmful substances like phthalates, flame retardants, and UV filters in the air around the beds of kids under four years old. The source? The mattresses themselves.
“These kids are getting quite a dose of this stuff,” said Miriam Diamond, an environmental chemist at the University of Toronto and one of the study’s authors. “We were really shocked to find what was in the mattresses.”
The research team analyzed 16 common mattress brands sold in the U.S. and Canada for under $150. Every single one contained concerning amounts of chemicals. Some were made in China, Turkey, and Mexico, but experts say the country of origin made little difference.
In one case, a mattress was made up of 3% flame retardants by weight. Another had TCEP — a chemical banned in some countries — making up 1% of its weight.
Phthalates, found in plastic and vinyl covers, were also detected in mattresses without any visible plastic. “That surprised us,” Diamond said. These chemicals are used to make plastics soft, but they’re also linked to cancer, hormonal disruption, and reproductive harm. Some flame retardants found in the mattresses are associated with lower IQ in children.
The study showed these chemicals don’t just stay inside the mattress — they slowly seep out, especially when heated by the body of a sleeping child. Kids then breathe them in, absorb them through the skin, or swallow them when the chemicals settle into household dust.
Researchers were “very surprised” by just how much chemical exposure kids were getting, Diamond said.
There are no federal limits in the U.S. or Canada for how much flame retardant can be in a mattress. Some types are banned or restricted in children’s products — but the study found them anyway.
Most companies add flame retardants to meet flammability laws, but public health experts and even firefighters say these chemicals aren’t worth the risk. They say flame retardants don’t do much to stop fires, and instead add dangerous toxins into homes and into the smoke firefighters breathe.
UV filters, which are added to fabrics to keep colors from fading, are also under growing scrutiny for potential health effects.
Irene Jacz, an economist at Iowa State and co-author of the study, warned: “The findings highlight the importance of careful scrutiny of novel chemicals.”
So what can parents do?
Experts suggest buying mattresses made with natural materials like cotton, latex, or wool — though they admit these tend to be more expensive. Another tip: let a new mattress air out outside before bringing it indoors. That can reduce some of the chemical release, though it won’t eliminate it completely.
You can also use a terry cloth towel or similar barrier between the child and the mattress to help absorb some of the toxins.
But Diamond says the real fix isn’t up to parents.
“The onus is on the mattress manufacturers,” she said. “The mattress manufacturers need to be more vigilant.”
