Safety at Sleep-Safe Technologies


Recently, there has been much attention to the potential of hazardous chemicals being contained in Fire Retardants used to make mattresses safer from the risk of fire. As with any technological development, making an extremely combustible mattress fire resistant creates understandable concern about the safety of the compounds used to protect the bed from fire.

In the course of developing our Sleep-SafeŽ products, great care has been taken by Felters and our partner companies to assure a safe product. Early in the development process, independent laboratory testing at accredited labs was begun to verify that not only were these barriers effective, they were also completely non-toxic and ecologically-friendly. In testing that was performed for skin irritation, Sleep-SafeŽ was deemed totally non skin-irritating. Similarly, tests based on accepted testing protocols for acute oral (ingestion) toxicity again demonstrated that the chemistry was completely safe, with absolutely no ill effects. We continue to scrutinize our products for safety, not only from human contact, but also to make sure that they are safe for the environment.

While the ingredients of Sleep-SafeŽ are considered proprietary, it can be stated that none of the ingredients are considered hazardous by the EPA’s Toxic Substances Control Act. Additionally, no components of any of our Fire Retardant compounds are listed either within California Proposition 65, or the EU Prohibited Chemicals List. Sleep-SafeŽ products are also environmentally responsible – they are completely biodegradable, and pose no disposal issues when the product reaches the end of its life cycle.

Felters and our technology partner, Synalloy, served as active members of the U.S. EPA Furniture Flammability Partnership, a consortium of industry professionals, government officials, and environmental “watchdog” groups, whose purpose was to define and bring to market alternative products to certain Brominated fire retardant chemicals. As of January 1, 2005 the sole US manufacturer of the Penta and Octa versions of these PBDE chemicals ceased production. Deca-PBDE continues to be under investigation by various government and independent agencies. We maintain an active role in finding solutions to this important environmental and health issue, and are formally listed by the EPA Design for Environment (DfE) group as a partner company.