Chemicals In Mattresses - "They are, in fact, using boric acid, which is roach killer"

[Kadie]

Nov 2, 2007 5:44 pm US/Pacific

Call Kurtis: Chemicals In Mattresses

Kurtis Ming
Reporting

(CBS13) SACRAMENTO New standards have made mattresses more fire resistant. They'll still burn, just not as fast, because they contain more fire resistant materials.

But we've learned that some workers who handle these materials at a Simmons Mattress Plant claimed that the chemicals were causing them health problems.

Employees reported irritated eyes, bloody noses, respiratory problems, and painful skin rashes.

A report by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration says that there is no proof that these illnesses were caused by fire resistant materials. No hazards were detected in the workplace.

snip...
Dr. Dawe suspects that employees might be reacting to soaps and detergents in fabrics, and provides protective gear to any worker who requests it.

snip...
Mark Strobel makes mattresses with minimal flame retardants. Since 2003, he has campaigned against what he considers dangerous toxic overload.

"They are, in fact, using boric acid, which is roach killer," Strobel says.

more...
http://cbs13.com/topstories/local_story_307171659.html

[postulater]

1. We used to use Boric Acid

to flush the tear gas out of our eyes during VietNam war demonstrations. It was about the only thing that helped.

Or if you were close to the cannister you could just throw it back at the guardsman.

[karlrschneider]

2. Boric acid isn't toxic to humans.

...

[knitter4democracy]

3. It's Borax, right?

Isn't that good for laundry (though it rinses out) and cleaning?

[charlie]

5. Yeah. And as far as I know

it's only "poisonous" to roaches because it's an abrasive and a dessicant. It wears off their chitin and they dry out.

[Elspeth]

6. Oooo. Dried roaches

Very exciting.

:puke:

[bicentennial_baby]

4. Exactly...

Much ado about nothing...

[Gormy Cuss]

9. If boric acid is all they're using, I have no fear.

Other flame retardants, like PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ether) are a different story.

[bicentennial_baby]

12. I agree!

It's just that Boric Acid, as used in the title, doesn't scare me much, as I've used it repeatedly and know about its toxicity. The other crap, hell yes! :puke:

:hi:

[jgraz]

7. I just had boric acid for lunch

Washed down with a nice glass of Lemon Pledge.

[Mike03]

8. The Fire Retardants I worry about

They have been associated with cancer.

We are surrounded by chemicals that are killing us.

[uppityperson]

10. we used boric acid for vag yeast infections, but too much exposure can hurt you.

put it in capsules, stuff it up, back before decent OTC meds. However, too much exposure to anything is bad. Even dihydrogen monoxide. That stuff can kill a lot of things.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4534017/

updated 12:05 p.m. PT, Mon., March. 15, 2004 AP

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. - City officials were so concerned about the potentially dangerous properties of dihydrogen monoxide that they considered banning foam cups after they learned the chemical was used in their production.

(clip)

The paralegal apparently fell victim to one of the many official looking Web sites that have been put up by pranksters to describe dihydrogen monoxide as "an odorless, tasteless chemical" that can be deadly if accidentally inhaled.

As a result, the City Council of this Orange County suburb had been scheduled to vote next week on a proposed law that would have banned the use of foam containers at city-sponsored events. Among the reasons given for the ban were that they were made with a substance that could "threaten human health and safety."(clip)

[Generic Brad]

11. Does this mean we can now eat crackers in bed?

Because if our mattresses are filled with boric acid we should not have to worry about roaches. Right?

Which would you rather experience? Irritated eyes, bloody noses, respiratory problems, and painful skin rashes or cockroaches crawling on your in your sleep?