PLA Fibers in Organic Mattress

August 15, 2013, by Debra Lynn Dadd

Question from Lana

Dear Debra. I am researching a mattress for my daughter. I wanted cotton or wool or both, and the most affordable so far for me is Naturepedic organic cotton quilted deluxe. 

The only problem - it contains PLA fibers somewhere in the mattress. I know it is polyester derived from plants, but is it ok to have it inside the organic mattress? They said that it was tested for off-gassing. 

They also said they don't use any fire retardants and are able to comply with the law due to this mattresses design. 

Is this possible? Can I trust this statement? I also liked White lotus green cotton wrapped in wool mattress, but since green cotton is not organic I thought it didn't make sense. The organic option of it is double the $. Thank you so much. Lana 

Debra's Answer

Yes, it's all true. I don't see that PLA fibers are a problem. It's a plant fiber. It doesn't offgas.

You can trust the statement about no fire retardants. Here is an explanation from the owner of Naturepedic.

Hi, this is Barry A. Cik from Naturepedic, and I’m happy to comment on the above (but I’m only speaking for Naturepedic and no other manufacturer).

1. Regarding PLA, yes, it’s plant based (non-GMO potatoes – we don’t use the usual corn PLA because that’s generally GMO). This material is a good (and sustainable) alternative to petroleum, etc. and, while generally a smaller item within a mattress compared to organic cotton/wool/latex, etc., it helps make the product pass the government flammability standards without needing any flame retardant chemicals or chemical barriers. And, yes, we test it with GREENGUARD Gold for off-gassing and it passes with flying colors. The way we use it is also approved by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).

2. Regarding flame retardants, we have no flame retardants in any of our products. We also don’t have any chemical flame barriers, etc.

3. Regarding doctors “prescriptions” in order to be able to get a mattress without flame retardants, that would apply to mattresses that can’t pass government flammability regulations without flame retardants. For those mattress designs, the manufacturer is not permitted to sell the bed unless you get a doctors “prescription” to remove the flame retardants. However, if the mattress is designed to pass all government flammability regulations without having to use any flame retardants in the first place (as is the case with our mattresses), then this is not an issue because it passes the government flammability standards without any flame retardants and you don’t need to get a “prescription” from a doctor.

4. Organic cotton and organic wool usually does not have any odor, but sometimes it does. And some people can sense and even react to a minor odor. At our company, we’re happy to send people (especially if you think that you might be sensitive or allergenic) a sample of our materials to test.

5. When designing a mattress (like many other items), the objective should be to optimize a number of objectives: (a) eliminate any possible toxic chemicals, certainly including flame retardants, (b) eliminate (or at least minimize) the possibility of any allergenic issues, (c) make sure the mattress articulates well so that there is no pressure issues when lying on it, (d) make sure the feel is highly comfortable and smooth, (e) make sure there is no partner disturbance, i.e. when one partner gets in and out of bed, the other partner doesn’t feel anything, and (f) design the mattress so it cannot make you feel hot and sweaty, but rather is more breathable. 

6. For our mattresses, we do not use any of the following common mattress materials – polyurethane foam (including so-called soybean foam, eco-foam, plant-based foam, etc., all of which is really polyurethane foam with some soybean oil or castor oil mixed in), flame retardants, vinyl, phthalates, formaldehyde, perfluorinated compounds, pesticides, glues/adhesives, or GMOs. 

7. It is a good thing to have third-party independent certifications. For example, in our case, our products are certified per GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard), Rainforest Alliance, GREENGUARD Gold, UL Formaldehyde Free, and MADESAFE. Our products are recommended by Debra Lynn Dadd, The Ecology Center, Environmental Media Association, American Sustainable Business Council, and others. We participate in the new BedFax program of the Specialty Sleep Association. We’re part of the advocacy program of Women’s Voices for the Earth and 1% For the Planet – and more! At the end of the day (literally), you will be on your mattress for approximately one-third of your life. Make it as healthy and non-toxic (and comfortable) as possible!