Killer Beds, Toxic Cheese and Other Fun With PBDEs!

A friend recently sent me some articles about PDBE (PolyBrominated Diphenyl Ethers) in memory foam products. PBDEs are synthetic materials that release toxic cancer-causing chemicals. Several countries have already banned their use in a variety of household products, such as beds, sheets, furniture fabric, as well as food products, such as butter, salmon and cheese.

Here's a good story about it from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
PBDEs: They are everywhere, they accumulate and they spread

She warned me that my Tempur-Pedic might be killing me, so I asked them directly and here's their response:

"Dear Ms. Drechsler,

Thank you for your interest in Tempur-Pedic® products.

While Tempur-Pedic® product formulas are a trade secret; I can assure you that our products adhere to all local, state and federal health requirements.

Tempur-Pedic products do not contain PBDE (Polybrominated diphenylethers) chemicals or any other chemicals that are harmful to consumers. Our products meet fire safety requirements without using PDBE chemicals. TEMPUR® material is, “open celled” and polyurethane-based. It is not latex or conventional foam. Our products are also CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) and formaldehyde free.

Our products have been on the market for over 15 years and have been shown not only that they provide the best sleep surface, but have also been proven to be completely safe. They are sold in more than 50 counties around the world, which means they have been approved by governments in each individual country. In the US , our products conform to all state and federal regulations. While we can't discuss how we make our proprietary products, we can assure you that they are completely safe."

It could be a line a B.S., but all I can do is take them for their word...so I'm not ditching the Tempur-Pedic yet Layla ;)

Following are some links my friend sent, which are helpful in learning more about PBDEs as well as how to find stores with latex or organic beds and bedding:

WikiPedia
National Geographic Green Guide