Special Reports

by Paula Ebben
BOSTON (WBZ) ― We spend one third of our lives in bed so it makes sense to make mattresses as safe as possible.

But are you risking your long-term health?

It's a question that has some environmentalists and consumers questioning a new federal standard.

A burning mattress can eat through an entire room in minutes. Every year hundreds of people die that way.

As of July 1, new mattresses must meet tough new flammability standards. To test the difference, WBZ went to the State Fire Academy and set two mattresses on fire -- an old mattress and a new one that meets the new flammability standards.

The difference is dramatic.

State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan says the new mattresses will save lives.

"In the last five years there have been 821 fires that initiated in either a mattress or in bedding," he said. "There were 16 civilian deaths and 130 injuries."

The mattresses could give more time to get out of a burning building and maybe even save lives. But some environmentalists are concerned that chemicals used to make the mattress so flame resistant could eventually make people sick.

"Our concern is that there are toxic flame retardants that may be included as ingredients in mattresses," said environmental advocate Cindy Luppi.

Luppi, of the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow, says consumers are in the dark because mattresses are treated in a variety of ways to meet the new standard, including the use of flame retardant chemicals.

"Mattresses aren't labeled so consumers have no way of knowing whether they are being exposed to toxic chemicals," Luppi said.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has approved several chemicals for use in mattresses.

They include boric acid, which experts say poses little risk.

Decabromodiphenyl oxide is a chemical considered toxic by many but is not used by the mattress industry.

However, antimony trioxide is a chemical WBZ has learned is used by manufacturers.

"Antimony is a possible human carcinogen," said Liz Harriman.

Harriman, of the Toxic Use Reduction Institute at UMass Lowell, is concerned that over time antimony could reach out of a mattress.

"I would want to know in 15 or 20 years how much dust is coming off from my mattress, and is that carrying antimony trioxide, and am I inhaling it?" Harriman said.

"We believe there is no exposure," said Ryan Trainer.

Trainer is the spokesman for the International Sleep Products Association. He says antimony has been thoroughly tested by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

He said the industry also did a test that simulated 10 years of wear on a mattress.

"We have found no amounts of antimony trioxide to be given off in this way," Trainer said.

Trainer also said antimony is used in other products like water bottles. When we asked about babies sleeping on these mattresses, trainer admitted adding a waterproof mattress cover isn't a bad idea.

"To the extent that the consumer has any concerns about the safety of this product, which we don't believe are present, this will add one more level of reassurance that the product is safe for the infant," he said.

"There's nothing more important than our health," said Gwendolyn Atwood, of Lincoln.

Atwood said she isn't happy about the new standards.

"I don't want to expose our kids to anymore chemicals than we have to," she said.

Atwood says she would rather put her kids to bed without worrying about what they could be breathing.

(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)