One of the most common concerns for new owners of memory foam products, especially ones you end up spending a large amount of time in contact with such as the memory foam mattress, or memory foam pillow, or indeed both, is the smell.
In the past mattresses were made of relatively natural fibres and to a large degree were not treated with any chemicals. This has now changed significantly due to both safety requirements, most especially the fire hazard, but also due to the proliferation of different mattress products which has substantially been led by consumer demand for more comfort. This move has been spearheaded in the main by the introduction of memory foam and the development of the memory foam mattress and associated memory foam bedroom products.
Why Does Memory Foam Smell?
Memory foam smell, especially when the foam is new is perhaps the most significant external sign that memory foam mattresses are not made from natural components. Indeed, the foam itself is created from petroleum-based chemical reactions and incorporates in the manufacturing process flame retardents to reduce the fire risk and viscosity inducing agents so that the memory foam behaves as expected. It is these chemicals that give off the memory foam smell when the mattress or other product is first introduced into your home.
Does The Memory Foam Smell Cause Harm?
In general, no. The chemical fumes are strongest when the product is new and consequently if there is any concern about whether the memory foam smell or fumes is harmful simply leave the mattress or other item in a well ventilated room for a few days until the smell diminishes to an acceptable level. For the vast majority of people this initial action is all that is necessary to undertake before using the product and getting the full advantages of memory foam for hopefully many, many years. It would be wrong to say however that the fumes or memory foam smell, even when it has degraded to low levels, have no effect on every person. Some people are definitely more sensitive to the fumes than others. Symptoms that have been reported include, predominantly headaches, but also bad dreams and sometimes nausea and faintness.
Is The Memory Foam Smell Cause For Concern?
Clearly such symptoms as described above are unpleasant side effects and if you have a memory foam mattress and are suffering from these symptoms then you would do well both to seek medical attention and / or try sleeping for a period of time away from the memory foam product to see if that has an impact. If the symptoms are relieved then you have a strong indication that the memory foam and the memory foam smells and / or chemical composition are in some way responsible.
However, it should be noted that the vast majority of users of memory foam products simply do not experience these adverse side effects and enjoy the use of memory foam products unimpeded. Such is the nature of the internet however, it is the ones who have cause for complaint who are most likely to record their experiences on the internet for all to see. It is easy therefore to undertake some internet based research and conclude that memory foam smell is a problem. Be warned about drawning such early conclusions. Remember, the majority of owners of memory foam products experience very few if any side effects at all and are extremely satisfied customers. Don’t allow yourself to be frightened into drawing the wrong conclusions by paying too much attention to the vocal minority.
In the end the decision to purchase your memory foam mattress, or memory foam pillow, or whatever, is yours and yours alone. Memory foam can cause some people to experience unpleasant symptoms but in the main the simple fact that it has been used by so many for as long as it has suggests that the problem of memory foam smell is unlikely to be a significant one for most people.
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