Response to ISPA's defending Boric Acid and other chemicals in mattresses
The Consumer Products Safety Commission also disagrees with ISPA and warns
Boric Acid and Antimony Oxide are not safe to use in mattresses. Please also see
Quotes-CPSC.htm
Millions of People are already sleeping in
new mattresses with a pound or more of a poisonous pesticide, Boric Acid, in the
surface of the mattress, to make it flameproof. A new law will soon have all of
us sleeping in poison.
Background: On
Monday Nov. 8, Mark Strobel, faxed and emailed, a letter to 17,192 furniture retailers warning
of the health dangers of chemicals being added to the surface of new mattresses
to make them flameproof.
They are using
Antimony Oxide (linked to cancer, liver, and heart damage) and Boric Acid (a
pesticide that is poison to humans, and the EPA links it to sterility, fetal
death, and birth defects). This letter got a lot of response with many
retailers voting at our website and making comments against this chemical use
and new law. Many more retailers asked their mattress suppliers what is going
on? By Friday Nov. 12, ISPA (Innerspring Mattress Manufacturers Association)
issued a Special Edition Newsletter in response to Mark’s letter. This
newsletter glossed over, omitted, and misstated the key issues of public health
dangers. They do admit they use Antimony Oxide and Boric Acid to flameproof
mattresses and defend this use. Please see the letter I sent
retailers, the whole story, a cutaway photo of how over a pound of Boric Acid is
being used in mattresses, retailer and leading doctor quotes on this issue at
www.Strobel.com/vote.htm This law is effective Jan 1 in California and is
being enacted nationwide by the CPSC.
Mark Strobel's response to: ISPA (International Sleep
Products Association), Special Edition Newsletter, November 12, 2004 written by
Richard M. Doyle, President.
Doyle:
“What about the recent questions regarding the safety and toxicity of some
materials being used to meet the new flammability standards? These
statements are irresponsible, and are based on reports that are outdated … “
Strobel:
Doyle should read my report before he accuses me of making irresponsible
statements based on outdated reports. A cotton-batting manufacturer wrote me
they rely on reports from 1968-1972 to justify their use of Boric Acid in cotton
batting. They admit the safety question comes up regularly every year. Perhaps
Doyle is not fully informed on these issues.
I quoted: A June 2004 report by the EPA, ‘Toxicological
Review of Boron and Compounds,’ and, The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR) a division of the Center for Disease Control (CDC), [Health
Effects of Boric Acid] (this report is quoted by the EPA 2004 report) a July
1992 report. An MSDS on Antimony Oxide dated 5-8-03. Boric Acid Material Safety
Data Sheet (MSDS) dated 3-3-2004. And more. I was very careful to be truthful in
my report. It is well documented with links to my quotes where you can easily
see the dates. These reports never anticipated we would put a pound or more of
Boric Acid in the surface of our mattresses. Please read my report and check
references at
www.strobel.com/newsrelease.htm
Doyle:
“What about the specific materials that the critics have attacked?
Modacrylic Fiber: Some mattress manufacturers use
materials made from Modacrylic fiber, which contains Antimony Oxide …”
Strobel:
Here are some quotes from the MSDS on Antimony Oxide:
“Potential Health Effects
... May cause heart to beat irregularly or stop. …
Chronic Exposure:
Prolonged or repeated exposure may damage the liver and the heart muscle.
Prolonged skin contact may cause irritation, dermatitis, itching, and pimple
eruptions. There is an association between antimony trioxide production and an
increased incidence of lung cancer.” see it yourself at:
http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/a7236.htm
The CPSC reports Antimony Oxide is not chemically bound and
is released from Modacrylic fibers. Please also see
Quotes-CPSC.htm
Doyle:
Boric Acid-Treated Cotton Fiber: Another popular fire retardant material
that has been safely used for years is cotton treated with boric acid.”
Strobel:
“In the past, boric acid was used as a topical treatment for infants with
diaper rash. However, even in diluted (3%) form it caused significant toxicity
and two deaths.”
Doyle omits many things: Inhalation, Boric Acid is
absorbed through inhalation. Inhalation and Ingestion are considered synonymous
in toxic research, except less chemical is required to reach toxic levels than
through ingestion. We breathe at the surface of our mattress eight hours per day
for the rest of our lives. It is also “Readily absorbed through damaged or
burned skin.” We don’t have to eat our mattress to absorb Boric Acid.
"EPA has determined, ... use of the substance without dermal protection
may result in serious chronic and developmental effects." (EPA)
We know Boric Acid is poison to
humans and now we know even more. Here are a few quotes from the conclusions of
an EPA document (real science, not speculation):
www.epa.gov/ncea/pdfs/boron/tox_review_boron.pdf
“6.1. HUMAN HAZARD POTENTIAL, June 2004
Studies in laboratory animals conducted by oral exposure
have identified the developing fetus and the testes as the two most sensitive
targets of boron toxicity in multiple species
(Weir and Fisher, 1972; Seal and Weeth, 1980; NTP, 1987; Fail et al., 1991;
Price et al., 1996a,b; Field et al., 1989).
The developmental effects
that have been reported following boron exposure include high prenatal
mortality, reduced fetal body weight and malformations and variations of the
eyes, central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and axial skeleton
(Price et al., 1996a,b; Field et al., 1989).
The testicular effects that
have been reported include reduced organ weight and organ:body weight ratio,
atrophy, degeneration of the spermatogenic epithelium, impaired
spermatogenesis, reduced fertility and sterility
(Weir and Fisher, 1972; Seal and Weeth, 1980; NTP,
1987; Fail et al., 1991; Dixon et al., 1979; Linder et al., 1990; Treinen and
Chapin, 1991; Ku et al., 1993 ). [The EPA reports they have high confidence in
these studies]
http://www.epa.gov/iris/toxreviews/0410-tr.pdf
Doyle:
[Boric Acid] “wears off through use only in harmless miniscule amounts.”
Strobel:
We know the developing fetus is unusually susceptible to this toxin. Exactly
how miniscule an amount would a pregnant mother have to breathe eight hours
every night to harm her unborn child?
A cotton batting manufacturer told me they rely on reports
from 1968-1972 to justify their use of Boric Acid in cotton batting. They admit
the safety issue comes up regularly every year. I am shocked we ever justified
this use; even thirty years ago we knew Boric Acid is poison to humans. This
treated cotton has been used in a relatively limited number of mattresses so
far. I saw where it is used in some prison mattresses. Our science of the last
30-years warns Boric Acid can do damage to humans with no external symptoms:
Liver, Kidney, and Neurological damage, “Demonstrated injury to the gonads and
to the developing fetus,” High prenatal mortality, birth defects, reduced
fertility, and sterility. We may have already harmed people and not know it.
The science of toxicology uses high dose short-term
exposure on various animals to predict the affect of low dose long-term exposure
on humans. This is exactly the risk in mattresses, close, low dose, and
long-term exposure.
From the MSDS:
http://www.rosemill.com/html/msds/chem_boric_acid_msds.pdf “Inhalation:
Causes irritation to the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. … Could
result in the development of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, rash,
headache, fall in body temperature, low blood pressure, renal injury, cyanosis,
coma, and death. … Skin Contact: Causes skin irritation. Not
significantly absorbed through the intact skin. Readily absorbed through damaged
or burned skin. … Chronic Exposure: Prolonged absorption causes weight
loss, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash, convulsions and anemia. Liver and
particularly the kidneys may be susceptible.” Persons with pre-existing
conditions may be more susceptible to this poison.
From other sources including EPA and CDC: “Does
cause health effects following acute dermal exposure.” Linked to dermatitis. “Has been shown to cause
irritation of the upper respiratory tract in humans.” “Demonstrated injury to
the gonads and to the developing fetus.” “Neonatal children are unusually
susceptible to boron exposure.” Children are more susceptible to toxic agents
and pesticide residues. Pesticides have been linked to stillbirths. “Boron does
accumulate in bone.” EPA is concerned our exposure could already be excessive
through food, cosmetics, medicines (eyewash?), and insecticides. (They have not
considered exposure in mattresses) EPA is concerned about environmental damage
in concentrations as low as 300 parts per billion. “Elemental boron is not found
in nature.” Boric Acid exists as loose dust mixed in with the cotton fibers.
I disagree that a pound and a half or more of Boric Acid dust in the surface of
a Queen mattress is a small amount. It’s true we don’t know of killing
anyone yet from this use. But we may soon find damage as this issue is raised.
At least one asthma suffer has reported he can’t sleep on a Boric Acid
mattresses because it causes difficulty for his breathing. The real issue is not
killing healthy adults. Boric Acid can do damage with no external symptoms.
Recent science gives strong warnings of Reproductive, Neurological, and
Developmental damage. It is very clear Boric Acid is poison. People have
suffered all sorts of ill effects and permanent damage, including death. Why do
we want to sleep in poison?
Doyle Concludes:
“While Boric Acid is an effective and preferred pesticide because it
interferes with an insect’s digestive abilities, it does not have this same
effect on humans or mammals and does not harm the environment.”
Strobel:
Doyle tries to infer it’s not poison for humans. Boric Acid does not kill
humans and mammals the same way it kills insects. Our science knows how it harms
us. The EPA and CDC say the developing fetus and the testicles are the most
sensitive targets of Boric Acid. It results in high prenatal mortality and birth
defects. Boric Acid exposure attacks and shrinks the male genitals. Infertility,
Sterility, Neurological (Brain) damage, we also know it attacks the liver and
particularly the kidneys. All of these things can happen with no external
symptoms and we would never know it is related to Boric Acid.
It's time for ISPA to quit
arguing we have always done it that way. There is a ton of new science in the
last thirty years that warns of huge risks from sleeping in Boric Acid. We knew
it was poison 30-years ago. We should have had the common sense to have never
used it in the first place.
Doyle:
“What kind of safety “due diligence” has the industry performed in meeting the
new standard? … In developing mattresses to meet the new flammability rules,
mattress manufacturers and component suppliers have researched various types of
human exposure, including skin contact and absorption, inhalation and
ingestion.”
Strobel:
This is a very broad statement that they have done all this testing. Did
they use laboratory animals or humans? Are there chronic exposure studies of six
months or more? Is this research adequate to predict it is safe for all of us to
sleep in these chemicals with full body and breathing contact eight hours a day
for the next thirty years or more? Where is this research? I can’t find any. I
have poured over ISPA’s web site and all I find is tests of burning mattresses,
nothing on human exposure. I can’t find anything anywhere that supports this as
safe use. I don’t think this research exists! If Mr. Doyle can produce it I
would love to see it. I question the industry’s “Due Diligence” I question if
they have even read a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) on the chemicals they
choose. The only North American Modacrylic fiber supplier admits -- There is no
toxicological research! I did find a National Cotton Batting Institute (NCBI)
web page that makes a weak case for Boric Acid exposure in cotton. (see Boric
Acid Rebuttals in my full report) They do admit, “the question of Boric Acid
safety comes up regularly every year.” It should! Perhaps we can finally resolve
this question. Modern science gives us strong warnings this is not safe use.
I have leading doctors, MD’s, who specialize in environmental medicine. This
type of chemical exposure in mattresses is their field; they oppose these
chemicals in mattresses. What doctors does ISPA have who say these systems
to fireproof mattresses are safe for our entire population to sleep in for the
rest of our lives?
A 'Society of Toxicology' News Release reports:
… However, more
must be known about the toxicology of these chemicals before manufacturers use
them to meet new fire safety standards. ... Some scientists report that the
chlorinated phosphate esters may be carcinogenic, and that boric acid may be
a reproductive toxicant for male children. The manufacturers of these
chemicals state that their products are safe when used as intended.
To date,
none of these claims has been thoroughly assessed by credible, independent
scientists.
In spite of the
above warnings, the innerspring mattress industry is charging ahead and already
putting these chemicals in millions of mattresses nationwide, even though they
have been warned it may not be safe for human exposure. The above news release
was reported in Furniture Today, the leading trade magazine. International Sleep
Products Association (ISPA) has not even done a simple independent risk
assessment that reviews known science and factors in amount and duration of
exposure, on any of the chemicals they are putting in mattresses, even though
one could be had for ten to twelve thousand dollars. I don’t think any of the
chemicals they are choosing would pass a risk assessment.
Doyle:
“Why does the industry support new mattresses flammability standards?
Strobel:
A little more than a year ago I had a conversation with Mr.
Doyle. I was shocked to hear him tell me they went to the CPSC and asked for
this law. Why I asked? He gave me the standard answer and added "it will help to
keep imports out" and "this is what the members wanted." While I am no
fan of imports either, I quickly realized it would do more than just hurt
imports. It would also hurt the smaller manufacturers and particularly the Mom &
Pop factory direct manufacturers who sell directly to the public out of a
storefront. It would also put specialty sleep products at a disadvantage to
comply since many use thin non-quilted covers to attain maximum comfort and most
use zippered covers for access to components. ISPA
members pay dues based on their sales volume. So it should be easy to see who
controls ISPA. It is not unusual for industry groups to ask for regulations that
protect their turf and restrain competition.
ISPA has pushed very hard for this law. Why would an
industry group ask for more government regulation? I can only speculate. Perhaps
their interests are pure and they are only concerned about public safety. Or, do
they have other reasons that serve their self-interest? The innerspring mattress
industry has seen their market share decline as specialty, newer technology,
beds have recently grown to over twenty to thirty percent of the market. It
might be easier and less costly to protect metal wire coil spring mattresses
from fire than it is for other types of mattresses such as Visco-Elastic, Foam,
Air, or Latex mattresses. Are they thinking that testing costs to comply will
drive many of their smaller competitors out of business? Are they thinking that
since everyone’s costs and prices will go up that they will earn more revenue
and profit on the same number of unit sales? Do they see this as a win-win-win
for themselves that keeps people sleeping on metal wire innerspring mattresses
that were invented in 1871, increases profits, and squashes specialty and
smaller competition? As Doctor Rapp said: “Follow the money trail to see the
real reason for this law.”
Retailers and Manufacturers should be very careful which
chemicals they choose for the mattress surface. While we know the most about
boric acid right now, one of these other chemicals might turn out to be worse.
The human risk parallels the legal risk. Most businesspeople are happy it they
can make the right decisions 51% of the time. If we make the wrong decisions now
on this choice, we
may regret it later. If we find years from now we have done human damage,
lawyers will be advertising on television looking for victims. Retailers and
Manufacturers may be sued by millions of people.
How Millions of People are already sleeping in poison,
and how to know
Some mattresses manufacturers are putting these chemical systems, and
particularly Boric Acid, in all their mattresses nationwide in anticipation of
the new law. A cotton-batting manufacturer who is supplying 'Treaded Cotton' to
mattress manufacturers to meet the new law told me, it contains both Modacrylic
fibers (with Antimony Oxide) and Boric Acid! Other systems use Modacrylics with
Polyester quilted into the surface. Retailers and Consumers can at least avoid Boric Acid
systems. Check the law label, the
little white tag that says do not remove under penalty of law. If the tag says
the mattress contains 'Treated Cotton', it's likely Boric Acid.
If retailers and consumers oppose this law we are
going to have to fight this ourselves.
Conclusion
Most people don’t want to sleep in chemicals. They have
learned commonsense from the toxic legacies of the past. PCB flame-retardants
were banned in the 70’s after much environmental and human damage that continues
to this day. Some researchers believe today’s ADHD children are the result of
PCB’s. We learn to late the lessons of Asbestos. Another flame retardant was
banned from children’s sleepwear. We are told the new PBDE’s are safe; only to
recently find them in women’s bodies and breast milk in dangerous amounts. Our
science doesn’t even know how these chemicals enter the body. In 2004 we find
still another flame retardant, Deca, should be banned. What is next?
There are many impaired, sensitive, and allergic people in
the US. These people will likely have reactions and be unable to get away from
these chemicals once they are in all mattresses. Does this alone harm more
people than we save?
Three thousand people die in fires each year. ISPA
estimates up to 300 people will be saved annually under the new law, after all
existing mattresses are replaced, after ten or more years. These estimates are
debatable. For now, the chemical
industry estimates that up to 960 people are saved with the 1.2 billon pounds of
flame retardant chemicals the US uses annually. Have we already harmed more
people than we have saved? Now we want to rush in and save more people by
putting known toxic and untested chemicals in our mattresses of all places. This
is close and chronic exposure unparalleled in any other use. What will be the
affect on a child who spends their whole life sleeping in poison? It seems
likely we will find out too late! What if, history repeats itself, and we later
find we have harmed millions of people?
Hippocrates left us with the admonition:
"First do no harm.”
Is the benefit worth the risk of exposing our entire
population?
As one retailer wrote: “Why doesn't the media expose
the truths for our safety!!”
Sincerely,
Mark Strobel
President
Strobel Technologies
3131 Industrial Parkway
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
health@strobel.com,
www.Strobel.com, Phone: 812-280-6000, 800-457-6442, Fax: 812-282-6528,
Please feel free to contact me with questions. Please learn
more, find links to your legislators, see retailer comments, and vote on this
issue at
www.strobel.com/vote.htm
Here is a link to ISPA’s response to my letter to
retailers, to which I responded above:
http://www.sleepproducts.org/Content/ContentGroups/Advocacy/Flammability2/CPSCLegtalkingpoints.pdf
Notice: The statements and questions contained in this
notice are not intended to convey allegations regarding any particular company,
person, or association. Readers should conduct their own investigation of a
company or association or person to ascertain the particular policies,
practices, and motivations of that entity. I have reported what I believe to be
true and correct to the best of my knowledge and opinion at the time of its
writing in a free speech effort to avert a public health disaster.
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