Zzzzzzzzzzzzz Futons/Latex Foam

[jmjm530]

Anyone have any good sources/experiences?

I'm looking for more of a traditional Japanese Futon which are I believe only 2-3" thick as opposed to the 6" or more lumpy American Futon that often doubles as a couch, OR....

Alternatively, I"m also considering a very thin (again 2-3") natural latex foam mattress, sometimes referred to as "toppers". A friend of mine from Brazil says they are used there a lot and I imagine in Europe as well. Apparently much firmer than the thicker 6" latex foam mattresses. High density means an ILD rating of 38 or more.

-- Jim

[jmjm530]

I'll try and answer some of the questions but currently have outgassing foam fog so please repeat if I miss anyway, now where was I?

Yes, latex foam was on my list but I stumbled on the memory foam first and was desperate for a good night's sleep so grabbed it. It is returnable so may try a few other things while I give it a chance. Yes, on the shipping, cause it expands once it's outta it's cage and I'm sure it would take an elephant to compress it back. But actually I hve something that weighs about as much as an elephant -- my sandwich bed -- so maybe all I have to do is plop my sandwich bed on it for a few hours. Anyway, it's more or less local so I would return it by car. Not sure what the "cold" thing is all about, hopefully not about PA and her husband's different sleeping arrangments, y' know I had hoped we could keep this thread clean but then FLGuy and GoofyDad saw the thread and as usual downhill from there.

-- Jim

[GreatBird]

Wow that sounds cold. I bet it wouldn't go well with an electric blanket either. Melted bed by morning.

[lalapple]

i hear they put anti-flammable materials in the foam as gov safety regulations.  maybe that's why it smells bad.  good thing it's 80% gone, would be even better if it's 100% gone.

[Rockerforlife]

Theoretically, a fully reacted polyurethane polymer should be chemically inert. But any chemist will tell you that even fully reacted polyurethane can produce dust inducing mechanical irritation to the eyes and lungs. And, as there are no industrial processes 100 % complete, you should expect the polyurethane to expel its chemical load. Only the resin blends can expel isocyanates, which were proven to be skin and respiratory sensitizers, causing asthma. This is just a short list of toxins found in an analyzed type of memory foam: TDI (Toluene Di-Isocyanate), Polyol (Poly Ether Gycol), Silicone Surfactant, Tertiary Amine, Stannous Octoate, Flame Retardant, Pigments/Dyes. TDI is an aromatic hydrocarbon (it is really smelly) causing asthma. Tertiary amines have strong odors and are allergenic. No need to comment on the dyes... You can read here how the "technology chemicals" can impact your health.


http://news.softpedia.com/news/Can-Your-Mattress-Kill-You-76887.shtml



sorry for posting so much...but i thought you should know

[Rockerforlife]

Some memory foam has worse odor than others. Why this is true, in terms of the exact chemical makeup of the foam, I'm not sure. But even products with a strong initial odor don't retain that smell permenantly. Of the memory foam I've tested, from 15-20 different suppliers, the odor will dissipate to a very minimal, unnoticeable level somewhere between 3-8 weeks. I hope that helps.

[portann]

N.B. I meant I agreed with Rocker's second of his most recent five posts, which by now may have evolved into dozens more. :)