| We all know about the benefits of eating | | | | |
| organic foods and using eco-friendly free | | | | - Formaldehyde, a chemical which is used in |
| cleaners and other household items, but now | | | | many adhesives and can cause eye and throat |
| this toxin-free existence has extended into | | | | irritation and headaches. |
| other areas of the house. Apparently a tidy, | | | | |
| relatively dust-free bedroom just doesn't cut | | | | - Carcinogenic flame-retardants (known as |
| it anymore in today's chemical ridden | | | | PBDE’s), many of which are banned in |
| society. | | | | Europe and some U.S. States. |
| | | | |
| How green is your rug? Natural products such | | | | - Decabromodiphenyl Oxide, a brominated flame |
| as jute or wool are the most desirable. | | | | retardant now being found in women's breast |
| | | | milk. |
| Your bedroom furniture may be oozing toxic | | | | |
| gases. Anything composed of particle board or | | | | Here are a few of the green features in |
| panelling and left unsealed, can emit | | | | organic bedding and mattresses: |
| formaldehyde and has the potential to cause | | | | |
| difficulty in breathing, watery eyes, or | | | | - Natural latex cores wrapped in a natural |
| allergies. Extreme levels have been known to | | | | flame retardant such as cotton or wool |
| cause cancer in animals and humans. | | | | |
| | | | - Emission-free mattresses that contain |
| When you're painting your walls, look for a | | | | neither glue nor adhesives (these can emit |
| low VOC brand that contains less toxins. A | | | | toxic fumes for the first 2-3 years) |
| good rule of thumb is, the stronger the paint | | | | |
| smell after you put it on the wall, the | | | | - Natural fiber bedding that not only |
| higher the level of toxicity. | | | | breathes, but naturally resists dust mites |
| | | | |
| How many of us are sleeping on an organic | | | | - Any cotton material used in the production |
| bed? An organic bed emits no toxic chemicals | | | | of the bedding should be unbleached. |
| and provides a healthy sleep environment. | | | | Traditional cotton is not an acceptable |
| | | | choice due to its exposure to large amounts |
| Most traditional mattresses are made with | | | | of pesticides and fertilizers prior to |
| fire retardant chemicals which seep out, only | | | | harvesting. |
| to be absorbed by our pores and lungs while | | | | |
| we are sleeping. After ingesting various | | | | - No PBDE’s (fire retardants) |
| chemicals throughout our average day, it | | | | |
| gives our bodies a much needed rest if we | | | | - Hypo-allergenic |
| omit these toxins from our sleeping hours. | | | | |
| This is especially true when you consider | | | | - Made in a chemical-free manufacturing plant |
| that people spend about one third of their | | | | |
| life in bed. | | | | Various affordable green mattress retailers |
| | | | include IKEA, Cozypure, Gaiam Greensleep |
| Some of the common toxins emitted during | | | | Vimala and EcoChoices. |
| sleep include: | | | | |