Study Finds Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals in Children’s Mattresses

May 8, 2025 - 10:02 Updated: May 7, 2025 - 19:52

Study Finds Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals in Children’s Mattresses

A recent study links children’s mattresses to chemical exposure—but parents can take simple steps to help lower the risk.

Babies and young children spend much of their early life asleep, with infants needing up to 17 hours a day and toddlers and preschoolers up to 14. During those critical hours of rest, however, recent research suggests they may also be breathing in harmful chemicals from their mattresses.

There are a few things parents can do to reduce exposure and support their children’s resilience to these effects.

Mattress Chemicals and Children

The findings come from two studies conducted at the University of Toronto and published in Ecotoxicology and Public Health. In the first study, researchers measured levels of concerning chemicals in the bedrooms of children between 6 months and 4 years old. They found elevated levels of more than two dozen potentially dangerous flame retardants, phthalates, which are chemicals used to increase the durability and flexibility of plastics—in bedroom air, with the highest concentrations around the beds.

In the companion study, researchers tested 16 newly bought children’s mattresses and found that they were likely the main source of the chemicals. When they simulated the effects of a child’s weight and body temperature on the mattresses, chemical emissions increased substantially. Chemicals in the mattresses can also migrate to other items in children’s sleeping environment, including pillows, bedding, and toys. Although the mattresses were bought in Canada, the results likely apply to mattresses purchased throughout North America, since the materials come from the United States, Mexico, and other countries.

Hormone disruptors are substances that interfere with growth, mood, reproduction, and other vital bodily functions. The flame retardants and phthalates measured in the study fall into this category and have been linked to impaired memory, learning disorders, behavioral issues, and lower IQ scores. Some are also linked to childhood cancer and asthma. Several of the UV filters identified are hormone disruptors as well.

“Sleep is vital for brain development, particularly for infants and toddlers. However, our research suggests that many mattresses contain chemicals that can harm kids’ brains,” said senior author Miriam Diamond, professor at the University of Toronto, in a press statement.

Vulnerability of Children

While the chemicals in question can negatively affect adults, children are uniquely vulnerable due to several factors, the researchers noted. Their breathing rate is 10 times higher, and their skin surface relative to body weight is three times higher. Behaviors such as frequent hand-to-mouth contact also increase risk.

A review published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences sheds additional light on why children are at higher risk of harm. Their blood-brain barrier—a filter that blocks certain substances from reaching the brain—is still maturing, which makes them more susceptible to neurological damage. Additionally, children’s detoxification systems are also not fully developed, making it harder to eliminate toxins. In addition, infants’ skin is more permeable.

Fiberglass in Mattresses

The California Department of Public Health has warned that some children’s mattresses contain fiberglass—thin glass fibers sometimes woven into a cloth. Some manufacturers use it to prevent fires in place of chemical flame retardants. Inhaling the tiny fibers can irritate the nose, throat, and lungs, potentially causing breathing problems.

Since not all mattress manufacturers list fiberglass as an ingredient, there is no way to know for sure if a mattress contains it. To help prevent exposure, parents are advised to keep the outer mattress cover sealed.

Reducing Mattress Chemical Exposure

The Canadian researchers offer several recommendations to help reduce exposure:

Wash a child’s bedding and sleepwear frequently, as these serve as a protective barrier.
Remove unneeded blankets, pillows, mattress protectors, and toys, which may contribute to exposure.
Choose undyed or neutral-colored fabrics, as strong colors often require UV filters and other potentially harmful chemicals.

It may also help to place a freshly washed sheet or towel between the mattress and final fitted sheet, Diamond told The Epoch Times in an email. She doesn’t recommend using waterproof mattress covers, as they may also contain harmful chemicals.

When asked whether an air purifier could help, Diamond said a HEPA filter might reduce some chemical levels in the bedroom air. However, she noted that the highest concentrations were found immediately above the mattress, so it’s unclear whether a HEPA filter would significantly reduce those exposures.

Reducing Toxic Load in General

While it’s helpful to reduce children’s exposure to chemicals in their sleeping environment, lowering their overall toxic load is also important, said Christy Nault, a root cause health practitioner, cellular health coach, and plant medicine expert. A root cause health practitioner aims to identify and address the underlying causes of illness, rather than treating symptoms alone.

The toxic load that children carry isn’t about one product in isolation but is cumulative, she told The Epoch Times in an email. “Although that can feel overwhelming, it’s also empowering.”

Nault emphasized that bedrooms serve as the foundation of our homes. By prioritizing clean air, natural materials, and nontoxic products in children’s sleep environments, parents can do more than reduce exposure—they can foster long-term resilience and vitality.

Nault advised starting with healthier items that children are in contact with every night. These include organic cotton or bamboo pajamas and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)-certified sheets. GOTS certification indicates a product is made from natural organic fibers.

She also recommends choosing fragrance-free body and laundry products and installing a bathtub filter to reduce chlorine and heavy metals in the water.

“Remember that whatever touches your child’s skin is absorbed directly into their bloodstream, from synthetic clothing dyes to lotion ingredients to water,” Nault said.

Detoxification includes the energetic and electrical environment as well, she added. “While reducing electronics in the bedroom is essential, turning off the Wi-Fi at night is another simple but powerful step that can dramatically support a child’s nervous system and quality of sleep.”

Shopping for Nontoxic Mattresses

“Even small, intentional shifts, like upgrading a mattress, can significantly reduce the burden on a child’s developing immune, hormonal, and neurological systems,” Nault said.

She recommends looking for mattresses made from certified organic, natural materials such as GOTS-certified organic cotton, Global Organic Latex Standard latex, and organic wool, which act as a natural flame retardant.

Certifications matter, so prioritize third-party verified standards such as GREENGUARD Gold, OEKO-TEX, and MADE SAFE, which indicate the product has been screened for known toxicants and harmful emissions.

“Avoid mattresses that use polyurethane foam, synthetic latex, or those that don’t clearly disclose flame retardant treatments,” Nault said. “If transparency is lacking, that’s a red flag. Reputable nontoxic mattress brands will be proud to list exactly what’s inside, and more importantly, what’s not,” she added.

If you’re unsure about a product, Nault recommends contacting the company directly, noting that responsible brands are typically transparent and open to questions.

Boosting Resilience to Toxins

It’s impossible to avoid all environmental toxins, but we can take meaningful steps to support a child’s resilience, said Jennifer Habashy, a naturopathic doctor and assistant medical director at Claya.

In this context, resilience means the child’s general health offers some protection against the effects of harmful chemical exposure.

“A nutrient-dense diet plays a big role here,” she told The Epoch Times in an email. Foods rich in antioxidants—such as leafy greens, berries, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower—help promote the body’s detoxification process. Healthy fats, including those from avocados and olive oil, nourish the brain and nervous system.

Gut health is also essential for resilience, Habashy said. A strong, diverse microbiome helps regulate the immune system and supports detoxification. Probiotics and prebiotic-rich foods—like yogurt, kefir, bananas, and fiber-rich vegetables—can make a significant difference.

Staying hydrated and exercising regularly also help keep detox pathways functioning optimally, she said, adding that time outdoors in fresh air and sunlight is another underrated way to support both physical detox and emotional well-being.

The body does its deepest repair, growth, and cellular detoxification during sleep, which is why the sleep environment is one of the most powerful places to reduce toxic load—especially for children, said Nault.

“In a world filled with daily exposures we can’t always control, creating a clean and calm sleep space is one of the most impactful steps parents can take to protect and support their child’s long-term health.”