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This post was originally published in 2015 and has received major updates (pretty much an overhaul). And as of this update, there’s a significant 4^th of July sale going on that you may want to know about.

Fact: We spend one third of our lives in bed. And most commercial mattresses contain toxic flame retardants. This is a problem. A big problem.

I get really fired up (no pun intended) about flame retardants. I think they should be categorically banned.

PBDE, polybrominated diphenyl ethers that are the organobromine compounds used as flame retardants, were banned in the EU in 2004. In the U.S., there’s no single ban, but production has ceased somewhat.

That said:

• PBDE can still be present in older mattresses.
• “New” old stock mattresses made years ago can still be sold legally in most states.
• Only some states have restrictions. For example, effective Dec. of 2024, New York started prohibiting any intentionally added organohalogen flame retardants, including PBDEs, in new mattresses.
• Imported mattresses from countries lacking bans may still contain PBDEs.
• PBDE bioaccumulates (sticks around).  
• PBDE has been largely replaced by other potentially hazardous flame retardants, which is under great scrutiny, given that most still contain bromine! We’re talking TBB and TBPH.

Bromine is a toxic halogen. And it binds to iodine receptors and inhibits the utilization of iodine.

The thyroid’s job is to absorb iodine and combine it with the amino acid tyrosine. It then converts this iodine/tyrosine combination into T3 and T4. With bromine exposure (remember, we’re in bed for about 8 hours a day), even if you’re getting adequate iodine, either from your diet or supplementation, your ability to utilize it can become significantly diminished.

And iodine deficiency can have some serious implications, including an increase in breast cancer risk.

I recently updated another post, Bromine and Your Thyroid, where I talk about the importance of a bromine-free mattress. And I’ve been positively inundated with email this last week about what mattress brand I recommend, which largely facilitated the updating of this post.

Keep reading to learn:

• Why a quality, nontoxic mattress matters so much
• What I’ve boiled my research down to and what brand I recommend
• What to do if replacing your mattress isn’t feasible right now
• What to do if you’ve recently purchased a mattress and don’t want to get rid of it

And remember, there’s a big 4^th of July sale going on (that I just found out about this week). 

Why a nontoxic mattress should be prioritized

PBDEs are found in the bodies of nearly every American, can persist in the environment, and bioaccumulate in people (again, it hangs around).

And when it comes to our beds, this doesn’t stop with mattresses. PBDEs are also found in pillows.

Each time you lie down or sit on your mattress, the air inside gets forced out. In other words, you inhale what your mattress exhales. The particles can also be absorbed through your skin.

Now, as I said in my article about bromine, I do NOT take an alarmist, “the sky is falling” approach to anything. Yes, PBDE and bromine exposure is common, but you can:

• Mitigate exposure and risk (keep reading…this post shows you one of THE strongest levers you can pull)
• Take measures to excrete bromine

…which you can learn more about in that post.

In addition to iodine displacement, which again, has can have big consequences for thyroid health, please know that other health implications of brominated flame retardant chemicals are nothing short of staggering. Many studies have linked them to cancer of the kidneys, liver, testes, and breasts; neurodevelopmental delays in children; infertility; birth defects; lower IQ scores; behavioral issues; and endocrine gland disruption (including the thyroid). 

Some studies suggest that exposure to PBDEs lowers TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) during pregnancy, which can have implications for maternal health and fetal development.

Animal studies have shown that even low levels of flame retardant exposure reduces thyroid hormone production and interferes with thyroid signaling.

There’s also a link between flame retardant chemicals and thyroid cancer. (1, 2, 3)

It’s my strong belief that for those with hypothyroidism/Hashimoto’s, taking a good look at your sleeping environment is critical.

Yes, bromine is hell’s element. We want that iodine where it belongs. But any toxin, especially one as intrusive as bromine, is also going to have negative immune implications and given that upwards of 90 percent of people with low thyroid function do have Hashimoto’s (autoimmune hypothyroidism), mitigating bromine exposure is important.

How did we get here?

In the 1970s, the U.S. implemented fire safety standards that’s led to the adoption of PBDEs in more and more products. And as of July 1, 2007, all mattresses manufactured in the U.S. must pass a rigorous open-flame test and thus, have such incredible flame retardant properties that they won’t catch on fire even if exposed to “the equivalent of a blow torch.”

That’s a boatload of chemicals.

On that date in 2007, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) enforced 16 CFR Part 1633—a new federal flammability standard for mattresses that requires prototypes to undergo a controlled open-flame test with propane burners.

So how does an organic, nontoxic, eco mattress brand get around this? Because the CPSC regulation doesn’t mandate the use of these chemicals. It only requires that mattresses pass the flammability test and these companies legally meet fire safety standards without using toxic flame retardants. They’re indeed third-party tested and use natural, nontoxic materials that are inherently flame resistant or that pass the test through construction techniques.

They meet all U.S. fire safety laws and get this…often perform better than synthetics in slowing flame spread!

Watch this mindboggling video (1 min. 20 sec.) created by firefighters. It shows two identical rooms—one with furniture made with natural materials and one with synthetic materials. They start a small fire and you need to see what happens.

The strongest lever you can pull

Over a decade ago, I went on a cross-eyed journey to find the best, most economical, flame retardant-free, organic mattress, not just for my family, but for my readers, too. I spent days researching and it facilitated the original version of this post and included a spreadsheet, with notes, of the 17 companies I reviewed.

Some of those companies are no longer around, some new ones have cropped up, and some have stood the test of time.

Again, we spend one third of our lives in bed. And I want everyone sleeping cleaner and greener. As of this writing, there’s a 4^th of July sale on what I believe to be the single best natural, nontoxic, organic mattress company.

It’s Naturepedic. All of their mattresses and bedding is currently 20% off. And you get free pillows!

Their mattresses contain no flame retardants, formaldehyde, adhesives, vinyl, polyurethane foam, perfluorinated compounds, or any other questionable chemicals. And they do all of this without sacrificing critical features and benefits: comfort, proper support, and breathability.

Yes, I’ve purchased one. And yes, the link to the Naturepedic site is an affiliate link. I’ll never share an affiliate link for something I don’t own or haven’t tried and found to be highly beneficial and worthwhile. I’ve done a ton of research on this and my goal is to save you time.

This family-owned company goes beyond the minimum requirements for organic certification. They manufacture these beds with care and many of their workers are skilled Amish craftspeople who take pride in their work and pay special attention to every last detail. And I don’t know about you, but it’s important to me to support U.S. jobs and industry.

A very reasonable investment

You’re going to spend between $900–$2000 for a conventional queen mattress with decent comfort and longevity. You could spend less, you could spend more. But this is the average. A higher end queen mattress could put you back $3500.

As of this writing, you can get a Traditional mattress from Naturepedic that’s “perfect for most sleepers” for $1119 with the sale. (Yes, they have higher end options.)

I find this to be an incredible deal. And again, you get free pillows.

Keep in mind that most conventional mattresses last a few years, 10 at the most. Yes, many go into premature failure. I call it planned obsolescence, which is a phenomenon with so many products today.

But Naturepedic mattresses have a warranty of a whopping 25 years. So really, you should double or even triple the price of that conventional mattress.

Now, if purchasing a new mattress is out of the question right now OR you’ve recently bought a new one and don’t want to forego your new investment, there’s more than one way to sleep cleaner.

How? Get an organic topper from Naturepedic. While not quite as effective as a new, nontoxic mattress, at least you won’t be in direct contact with flame retardants.

And it’s not just flame retardants that you’re exposed to with a conventional mattress. As Frank Lipman, MD says, “Most people don’t realize that they’re snoozing for hours at a time, in a toxic cloud, upon a mattress that’s likely off-gassing flame retardants, stain-repelling solvents, and pesticides. A rather revolting notion, isn’t it?”

A quick word about mattresses and allergies

For years, I’ve worked with clients with major allergies. Yes, there’s almost always a mast cell component, but the ongoing exposure to allergens and irritants can further destabilize mast cells, creating a true vicious cycle.

Upgrading your mattress can dramatically reduce allergy symptoms by removing triggers like flame retardants and all the other chemicals mentioned here that can irritate the respiratory system, trigger skin reactions, and disrupt immune function, especially during sleep, when the body is most vulnerable.

Additionally, a clean mattress also reduces exposure to dust mites, mold, and mildew—all major allergy inducers that can proliferate in an old or conventional mattress. And yes, organic, nontoxic mattresses are naturally resistant to dust mites, mold, and mildew!

When it comes to allergies, the bottom line is that a cleaner, safer sleeping environment supports healthier breathing and skin. I’ve seen truly incredible things happen for my clients with allergies when they get a nontoxic mattress.

So many are choosing to be safe now rather than sorry later. And I know, this whole bromine/flame retardant topic is a lot to think about. If you want to know more about the risks of flame retardants, you may want to watch the documentary, Toxic Hot Seat.

And let us not forget about the better night’s sleep you’ll get on a nontoxic mattress. The body does a lot of healing and rejuvenation at night and as Dr. Lipman says, “If your body can work on its own vital processes instead of combating toxins while you sleep, you’ll wake more rested.” And we all deserve a good night’s rest.