• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Experts warn to throw out this one item in millions of bedrooms as fears grow it could cause brain damage

Home> News> Health

Published 20:06 15 Apr 2025 GMT+1

Experts warn to throw out this one item in millions of bedrooms as fears grow it could cause brain damage

This item could cause significant health and mental issues for children

Gerrard Kaonga

Gerrard Kaonga

A new study is calling for significant changes to happen in an industry for the health of babies and young children due to serious dangers.

Two studies published by the University of Toronto in Environmental Science & Technology and Environmental Science & Technology Letters have recently made a concerning discovery.

Babies and children could be exposed to dangerous chemicals that could harm their mental and physical development.

Due to these very real dangers, the study also hopes to raise awareness to the importance of children being able to have safe areas within their bedrooms.

Advert

According to the studies, children, on a regular basis, could be inhaling plasticizers called phthalates, flame retardants, and other harmful chemicals while they sleep.

These chemicals have been linked to neurological and reproductive problems, asthma, hormone disruption, and cancer.

The item that could be causing these health issues is crucial (Getty Stock Image)
The item that could be causing these health issues is crucial (Getty Stock Image)

The culprit, according to the study? The mattress that they are sleeping on.

Advert

Miriam Diamond, professor at the University of Toronto and senior author of the study said: “Sleep is vital for brain development, particularly for infants and toddlers. However, our research suggests that many mattresses contain chemicals that can harm kids' brains.

“This is a wake-up call for manufacturers and policymakers to ensure our children's beds are safe and support healthy brain development."

In the study researchers measured chemical concentrations in 25 bedrooms of children aged 6 months to 4 years.

They detected concerning levels of more than two dozen phthalates, flame retardants, and UV-filters in bedroom air, with the highest levels lurking around the beds.

Advert

To make matters even more concerning, when the researchers simulated a child's body temperature and weight on the mattresses, chemical emissions increased substantially.

The mattresses were purchased in Canada, but most contained materials originating from other countries, including the U.S. and Mexico. Because of integrated mattress markets and supply chains, the results are likely to apply to mattresses purchased throughout North America.

The researchers are calling for manufacturers to remove the dangerous chemicals that could be impacting children(Green Science Policy Institute)
The researchers are calling for manufacturers to remove the dangerous chemicals that could be impacting children(Green Science Policy Institute)

The co-author Arlene Blum, Executive Director of the Green Science Policy Institute, hoped that these findings would help force the hand of manufacturers to remove any and all unnecessary and potentially dangerous chemicals in mattresses.

Advert

He said: “Parents should be able to lay their children down for sleep knowing they are safe and snug.

“Flame retardants have a long history of harming our children's cognitive function and ability to learn. It's concerning that these chemicals are still being found in children's mattresses even though we know they have no proven fire-safety benefit, and aren't needed to comply with flammability standards."

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Tim Kitchen

Topics: News, Health

Gerrard Kaonga
Gerrard Kaonga

Gerrard is a Journalist at UNILAD and has dived headfirst into covering everything from breaking global stories to trending entertainment news. He has a bachelors in English Literature from Brunel University and has written across a number of different national and international publications. Most notably the Financial Times, Daily Express, Evening Standard and Newsweek.

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • FDA issues urgent blueberry recall over fears they ‘could cause death’ following tests
  • Scientists warn this one daily habit could be quietly shrinking your brain
  • Experts issue urgent warning against popular new tanning 'drug' that could cause brain swelling and cancer
  • Lay’s potato chip recall upgraded over fears they ‘could cause death’

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Trump sends scathing warning to Canada as he announces 35% tariffs on imports in shocking new statement

    He said if Canada did one thing, he might 'consider an adjustment'

    News
  • an hour ago

    Hailey Bieber gives savage message to critics amid news on Justin’s new album release

    Justin Bieber surprised fans with the announcement of his new album, Swag

    Celebrity
  • 2 hours ago

    Lawyers of death row inmate set to die by gruelling execution method object for one specific reason

    The death row inmate's execution date has been set by a judge in Utah

    News
  • 2 hours ago

    Why 'Ozempic sex' has emerged as a side-effect of the drug as people share their experiences

    People taking GLP-1 medications have reported mixed reactions when it comes to their libido

    News