Sleep & Beyond FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions - page 10
Disclaimer: All reasonable efforts have been made by the presenter to put all facts and figures in the above information to be true, correct and accurate. However,
the consumers or other interested parties are advised to make their own independent enquiry or research for the same, as the presenter does not assume any risk
or liability with regard to such facts and figures.
61. What are the volatile organic compounds (VOC’s)?
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic solvents that easily evaporate into the air. VOC’s are emitted
by thousands of products including paints, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings
and they may cause immediate and long-term health problems.
62. What is formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde is a flammable reactive gas belonging to the VOC (volatile organic compound) family of
chemicals. It is widely used in personal care products, building materials, insulation, and home furnishings.
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) notes that formaldehyde, which off-gases in the home—
can cause nasopharyngeal cancer, cancer of the nose and throat.
It is classified as a Class 1 carcinogen by IARC, meaning it is highly toxic to humans.
63. What is antimony?
Antimony is a silvery-white metal that is found in the earth's crust. Antimony oxide is added to textiles and
plastics to prevent them from catching fire. It is also used in paints, ceramics, and fireworks, and as enamels
for plastics, metal, and glass. Breathing high levels of antimony for a long time can irritate your eyes and
lungs and can cause heart and lung problems, stomach pain, diarrhea and vomiting.
Antimony is classified as a Class 2B carcinogen by IARC.
64. What is arsenic?
Arsenic is a highly toxic and poisonous chemical element and its compounds are added to mattresses to
combat microorganism growth such as mold and mildew.
Arsenic is also used in manufacturing glass and as a pesticide (rat poison!) and weed killer.
According to the EPA, ―arsenic has been linked to cancer of the bladder, lungs, skin, kidney, nasal passages,
liver, and prostate‖. Other side effects of consuming arsenic can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, partial
paralysis and blindness.
It is classified as a Class 1 carcinogen by IARC, meaning it is highly toxic to humans.
65. Is arsenic found in sheepskin products?
Tests on New Zealand sheepskins (including new skins, used skins and skins on which babies had died of cot
death) revealed that all samples tested contained significant amounts of arsenic. They also contained
phosphorus and antimony and were the only bedding products of about 70 samples tested which contained
all three elements.
New Zealand sheepskins sold for baby mattresses contain from 50 to 200 milligrams of arsenic per kilogram
of sheepskin. The weight of a sheepskin intended for use in a baby's cot is about 1 kilogram, so that such a
skin would contain 50 to 200 milligrams of arsenic.
66. What is lead?
Lead is a soft metal and one of the four metals that have the most damaging effects on human health.
It has been used widely since 5000 BC for application in metal products, cables and pipelines, but also in
paints and pesticides. It can enter the human body through uptake of food, water and air. It is classified as a
Class 2A carcinogen by IARC.
Lead can cause several unwanted effects, such as:
Disruption of the biosynthesis of hemoglobin
and anemia
A rise in blood pressure
Kidney and damage
Miscarriages and subtle abortions
Disruption of nervous systems
Declined fertility of men through sperm damage
Diminished learning abilities of children
67. What is SIDS?
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant
remaining unexplained after an autopsy, death scene investigation, and a medical history review. SIDS
continues to be one of the leading causes of infant death.
SIDS Facts:
Each year 3,000 - 4,000 infants in the U.S. die of SIDS
Infants appear healthy; death is rapid and silent, usually occurring while the baby is sleeping
Infants between two and four months are the most frequent victims