Babies and young children could breathe chemicals While they sleep, according to new research from the University of Toronto.
Two studies, published Tuesday in the journal Environmental sciences and technologynoted that the mattresses of common children release toxic substances such as phthalates and flame delayers – chemicals linked to hormonal disturbance, asthma, lower IQ scores, behavioral problems and even cancer.
“Sleep is vital for brain development, especially for infants and toddlers. However, our research suggests that many mattresses contain chemicals that can harm the brain of children, “said Miriam Diamond, principal author of the two studies and professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Toronto and the Environment School.
“Children can spend up to 18 hours a day over their mattresses, and children are more sensitive to exposure and more vulnerable to the effects of exposure,” she said.
Studies did not disclose brand names, but Diamond said that mattresses were ordered online from the main Canadian retailers and generally cost $ 50 and $ 150. Many have been made with materials from other countries, such as the United States and Mexico.
Infants mattresses are often made with different materials, such as waterproof covers, plastic layers and firmer foam, which may contain more additives and chemical treatments than those made for older children or adults, said Diamond.
This is part of the reason why she and her team wanted to study the chemical exposure potential in these products.
Health Canada told Global News in an email that he was aware of studies and carefully examined the results and other information available to identify human health risks or non-compliance with legislative or regulatory requirements.
“The ministry will take the appropriate measures to protect people in Canada,” a spokesperson said on Tuesday. “Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) prohibits the manufacture, import, advertising or sale of any consumer product which constitutes a” danger to health or human safety “.
“Twice the regulatory limit”
In the first studyThe researchers examined air quality in 25 children’s rooms between six months and four years old, located in Toronto and Ottawa between 2022 and 2023.
In total, they found 28 different chemicals in the air of the room, 31 in the sleeping area and 30 out of the mattresses. Chemicals include phthalates, flame delayers and UV filters, with the highest concentrations just around the beds.
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Phthalates are added to make plastics more flexible, flame delayers help slow the spread of fire and UV filters protect the materials from damage to the sun.
But Health Canada has linked these chemicals to reproductive and development problems and even restricted their use In the soft vinyl used in children’s toys.
Flame delayers have been linked to hormonal disturbances, reproductive problems and even cancer, According to Health Canada.
But under Canada Safety StandardsThey are not required to respect the inflammability rules. The mattresses only need to pass a “flowing cigarette test” – something that can be done without using these chemicals, the study said.
In a follow -up study, the researchers tested 16 mattresses for new children bought from well -known retailers in 2024.
The study revealed that a particular mattress exceeded the Canada regulation limit at 0.1% for chemical DNBP, which is a type of phthalate.
“We were particularly surprised that a mattress has exceeded the regulatory limit in Canada. It is a particular plasticizer that Health Canada said that it should not be higher than 0.1%,” said Diamond. “And one of the mattresses had this at 0.22, so twice the regulatory limit.”
One of the mattresses had high levels of a flame delay called TCEP – a chemical that has been prohibited in Canada since 2014 due to health problems, such as cancer and breeding effects.
In addition to this, five of the mattresses counted between one and three percent of other similar chemicals called organophosphores, flame delayers and plasticizers, which are also linked to health problems.
Five of the mattresses also had phthalates – including DIBP, DNOP and DINP – which are prohibited in children’s toys but not in mattresses.
The researchers also wanted to understand how chemical emissions had changed when a child used the mattress, with body weight and heat.
When they simulated the heat and pressure of the body of a child, the amount of released chemicals has increased significantly – in some cases, several times higher than at room temperature.
Karl Jobst, an associate professor of chemistry at Memorial University of Newfoundland, said that this study represents “even more evidence that there are chemicals potentially harmful to consumer products that do not really need to be”.
“The study argues that there are certain flame delayers that are present at high concentrations in a mattress, but are not necessary,” he said. “There must be more logical solutions to protect a child from fire rather than making them inspire for a great fraction of the day.”
Why children are so vulnerable to toxins
What makes all these chemicals in mattresses in particular concerning the vulneration of young children, said Diamond.
Their bodies are still developing, they breathe much faster than adults (about 10 times more) and they constantly put things in their mouths, she said.
Their skin is also thinner and more absorbing, with much more surface compared to their body weight, which means that they can absorb more anything around them, including harmful chemicals.
“Then they sleep on a mattress and just against that … So the skin is just against a mattress,” she said.
In addition, chemicals found in the study are carcinogens known and also known to cause behavioral problems, she said.
“So, effects like ADHD, difficulties with social circumstances, a drop in IQ, there is a whole range of behavioral results,” said Diamond. “This is why we were worried, and that is why we looked at these chemicals.”
“And some phthalates have been known to endocrine disruptors. Some of them are linked to the abnormal development of the male reproductive system, but also have implications for the female reproductive system,” she added.
At the end of the study, researchers call on manufacturers to do better when it comes to testing harmful chemicals in children’s mattresses.
They also say that it is time for stronger regulations, especially around flame delayers and plasticizers. In Canada, they recommend extending existing prohibitions on certain chemicals in toys to include mattresses and bedding, because several mattresses still contain prohibited or limited substances.
Meanwhile, Diamond said there were actions that parents can take to reduce their children’s exposure.
It recommends unlock your child’s sleep area by reducing the number of pillows, covers and toys. She also advises to wash and frequently refresh your child’s bedding and bed clothes, as they act as a protective barrier to reduce exposure.
An effective way to add a protective layer between the sheet and the mattress is to use a Terry fabric towel or a wool blanket-both can help absorb some of the chemical emissions, she said.
“The Terry fabric is very intelligent … This increases the effectiveness of the towel that sucks water and chemicals,” she said.
Finally, Diamond said that unorporated or neutral tissues are probably more safe to use because the maintenance of strong colors requires the addition of UV filters and other additives that can be harmful.