Re: Class Action... Moldy Mattresses

[Guest guest]

I read this a few weeks ago!!! We have one which we bought about 3 yrs. ago

thinking that it was a wise choice with the air an all. After reading the

story you have never seen any strip a bed so fast in all your life. I had the

thing a part in seconds. All looked okay but now I'm scared to death. It's the

most comfortable mattress I've ever slept on. Now what do we do? I don't

think I can take one more thing to worry about!!

Sue

_http://consumerist.http://consuhttp://conhttp://consumeriht_

(http://consumerist.com/5009326/the-sleep-number-difference-)

is-mold

" A recent class action claims that Select Comfort Sleep

Number beds are nothing more than overactive allergen

mills. According to the suit, the bed's faulty air chambers

allow moisture to form under the mattress foam, providing a

perfect breeding ground for mold spores.

Select Comfort claims to have addressed the rampant mold

problem, a claim that provides little solace to allergy

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[Guest guest]

We bought ours in 2005. I just got off the phone with the customer service.

She said that after 2004 they were sprayed with a micobio spray and that ours

should be fine. She told me to check it from time to time and to call if we

experience ANY problems at all. I checked ours from top to bottom and all

looks good. Talk about a nightmare!!

Sue

_http://consumerist.http://consuhttp://conhttp://consumeriht_

(http://consumerist.com/5009326/the-sleep-number-difference-)

is-mold

" A recent class action claims that Select Comfort Sleep

Number beds are nothing more than overactive allergen

mills. According to the suit, the bed's faulty air chambers

allow moisture to form under the mattress foam, providing

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[Guest guest]

" The Select Comfort system allows mold and/or mildew to form

on the convoluted foam topper and on the air mattresses. "

Most of the mattresses are made with convoluted foam inside and in the

topper. Why then are the Select Comfort beds becoming moldy? Just

curious as to how it's different.

llaci

[Guest guest]

Great, you've got a fungicide that's toxic on foam that's toxic, so

you don't get mold that's toxic, and you're sleeping on it eight hours

a night....

>

>

> We bought ours in 2005. I just got off the phone with the customer

service.

> She said that after 2004 they were sprayed with a micobio spray and

that ours

> should be fine. She told me to check it from time to time and to

call if we

> experience ANY problems at all. I checked ours from top to bottom

and all

> looks good. Talk about a nightmare!!

> Sue

>

>

>

>

>

> _http://consumerist.http://consuhttp://conhttp://consumeriht_

> (http://consumerist.com/5009326/the-sleep-number-difference-)

> is-mold

> " A recent class action claims that Select Comfort Sleep

> Number beds are nothing more than overactive allergen

> mills. According to the suit, the bed's faulty air chambers

> allow moisture to form under the mattress foam, providing

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on

family

> favorites at AOL Food.

> (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

" She said that after 2004 they were sprayed with a micobio spray and

that ours

> should be fine. "

Did she tell you the ingredients/chemicals in that micobio spray?

Guess she forgot.....

llaci

[Guest guest]

maybe that fungicide is playing a role in your anciety.

> >

> >

> > We bought ours in 2005. I just got off the phone with the customer

> service.

> > She said that after 2004 they were sprayed with a micobio spray

and

> that ours

> > should be fine. She told me to check it from time to time and to

> call if we

> > experience ANY problems at all. I checked ours from top to bottom

> and all

> > looks good. Talk about a nightmare!!

> > Sue

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > _http://consumerist.http://consuhttp://conhttp://consumeriht_

> > (http://consumerist.com/5009326/the-sleep-number-difference-)

> > is-mold

> > " A recent class action claims that Select Comfort Sleep

> > Number beds are nothing more than overactive allergen

> > mills. According to the suit, the bed's faulty air chambers

> > allow moisture to form under the mattress foam, providing

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists

on

> family

> > favorites at AOL Food.

> > (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Yep, seems like anything I do I can't get away from it. What do we have to

do, live in a plastic bubble? I swear if it isn't one thing it's another. I do

the best I can to stay well and since I left my moldy school I've been great

unless I go someplace that whacks me. Seeing Dr. S since 2003 and so far so

good. I'll keep checking the mattress to be sure it's not growing anything.

Talk about a panic attack I think it would put me right over the edge!!!!

Think about all the stuff that's in our cars we drive? Very toxic, along with

the

pillows, light bulbs, flooring, soaps, the list is absolutely endless!!

I honestly almost had a nervous breakdown about it all 2 yrs. ago so I'm

doing the very best I can and just try not to over worry. Believe me I STILL

worry but the whole world is killing us so I just try very hard to avoid as much

as possible and not introduce new stuff into my environment. We were even

thinking about window replacements last year but I think I'll leave well enough

alone and let a little air wisp through & not worry about the electric bill.

I think the fresh air leaking through is probably a good thing. Who knows,

it's just my gusss and hopefully it's the right one.

Sue

Great, you've got a fungicide that's toxic on foam that's toxic, so

you don't get mold that's toxic, and you're sleeping on it eight hours

a night....

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[Guest guest]

IGot very sick in Sept.2003 (bought the bed in Jan.05)and didn't develop

the horrible anxiety until last summer. I think it was mostly due to my legal

problems which had me really upset then I just started to worry about anything

and everything!! I can't say for certain but I would think that the anxiety

would have started right away if it was the mattress but who knows. I haven't

done anything new in the house in years except paint a bathroom which we

sealed off, used a fan and the odor free paint.I didn't seem to have any

problems. I need to take some old wallpaper down but I'm afraid to do that. I'd

like to just paint over it so I don't bother anything but I don't know what to

do so it's still on the hallway wall. It's awful that we have to worry so much

about doing anything. I have to keep the house up and not let things go.

What to do is always the question.

Sue

maybe that fungicide is playing a role in your anciety.

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[Guest guest]

You're right we can only minimize our exposure as best we can.

>

>

> Yep, seems like anything I do I can't get away from it. What do we

have to

> do, live in a plastic bubble? I swear if it isn't one thing it's

another. I do

> the best I can to stay well and since I left my moldy school I've

been great

> unless I go someplace that whacks me. Seeing Dr. S since 2003 and

so far so

> good. I'll keep checking the mattress to be sure it's not growing

anything.

> Talk about a panic attack I think it would put me right over the

edge!!!!

> Think about all the stuff that's in our cars we drive? Very toxic,

along with the

> pillows, light bulbs, flooring, soaps, the list is absolutely endless!!

>

> I honestly almost had a nervous breakdown about it all 2 yrs. ago so

I'm

> doing the very best I can and just try not to over worry. Believe me

I STILL

> worry but the whole world is killing us so I just try very hard to

avoid as much

> as possible and not introduce new stuff into my environment. We were

even

> thinking about window replacements last year but I think I'll leave

well enough

> alone and let a little air wisp through & not worry about the

electric bill.

> I think the fresh air leaking through is probably a good thing. Who

knows,

> it's just my gusss and hopefully it's the right one.

> Sue

>

>

>

>

> Great, you've got a fungicide that's toxic on foam that's toxic, so

> you don't get mold that's toxic, and you're sleeping on it eight hours

> a night....

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on

family

> favorites at AOL Food.

> (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Are you on cholestyramine per Dr. S? It can leach vitamins and

minerals. Maybe get a blood workup by a good holistic doc to be sure

you aren't deficient as that could lead to anxiety, just a thought.

>

>

> IGot very sick in Sept.2003 (bought the bed in Jan.05)and didn't

develop

> the horrible anxiety until last summer. I think it was mostly due to

my legal

> problems which had me really upset then I just started to worry

about anything

> and everything!! I can't say for certain but I would think that the

anxiety

> would have started right away if it was the mattress but who knows.

I haven't

> done anything new in the house in years except paint a bathroom

which we

> sealed off, used a fan and the odor free paint.I didn't seem to

have any

> problems. I need to take some old wallpaper down but I'm afraid to

do that. I'd

> like to just paint over it so I don't bother anything but I don't

know what to

> do so it's still on the hallway wall. It's awful that we have to

worry so much

> about doing anything. I have to keep the house up and not let

things go.

> What to do is always the question.

>

> Sue

>

>

>

>

> maybe that fungicide is playing a role in your anciety.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on

family

> favorites at AOL Food.

> (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, I am taking it twice a day and Welchol twice. I wait about an hr.

before eating. A friend of mine just had a vitiman/mineral workup done at a

local

holistic store. I was thinking about doing that.

Thanks for the info.

Sue

Are you on cholestyramine per Dr. S? It can leach vitamins and

minerals. Maybe get a blood workup by a good holistic doc to be sure

you aren't deficient as that could lead to anxiety, just a thought.

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[Guest guest]

There is a medical Dr. there, as well as two holistic Drs. and a pharmacist

who is the owner.That's all I know.

What's a RBC? Just had bunches done with Dr. S.

Thanks, Sue

Sue,

Not sure what the health store test is like. It might be better to get a

blood test like an RBC? I'm no medical expert, but there may even be other

more thorough tests as well.

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[Guest guest]

I have been a patient of Dr. Shoemaker's since Dec.03 and have followed his

directions completely.I know without him I would probably be dead or extremely

sick. I didn't get the anxiety until yrs. later which I really think is from

all that I have learned. Before getting so sick I didn't fear all the little

things I do now. I worked in a water damaged building for over 8 yrs. and

never new what mold could do. Then when I finally started to feel better and

began reading and learning all about it I began to have nightmares about mold

growing in my house and having water leaks. All my blood work from Dr. S was

able to prove that my illness was due to my workplace NOT my home. I was put

in and out of the building, on and off medication at home and at work. All was

well at home but I began to relive the horrible illness from my moldy work

environment which has gotten better over time. I still worry but it's not

quite as bad. I hate rainy days and am always checking our basement which has

always been dry but I still get nervous. I have always felt safe at home and

want it to stay that way!!!! We need to do a few things inside, like paint a

bedroom and remove some wallpaper but I keep putting it off because of fear.

Thanks for you advice I'll check into it. Is hemoglobin the same as RBC

because I did have that checked.

S

Sue, even if you take it an hour apart from meals you will still leach

vitamins and minerals that are fat soluble, since cholestyramine binds

strongly. Over time, 2x day, you might get some nutritional

deficiencies. Are you sure you need to keep taking these binders

daily? Maybe you could pulse them and give your body some off days.

In addition, I will just tell you--I'm waiting for a woolfill " bed "

and it's late (I want a HEALTHY mattress that is dust mite resistant

and without toxic foams and toxic flame retardants). I've been

sleeping on some fancy camping mats which are not bad, but not great

and my back is really aching over time. They don't outgas because the

foam is inside the mat, and the foam fills with air. In any case, I

tried sleeping on some foam " chairs " that unfold to beds last

night--and within 2 hours I woke up feeling a deep depression that I

attribute to the offgassing of the foam (which I can actually

smell--but I've got a very good sense of smell). If I were you I would

have a *good* test of vitamins and minerals including RBC (red blood

cell) *and* I'd try a few nights on the sofa. You can probably find

the cause of your anxiety and it could be either of the above. Good luck.

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[Guest guest]

Sue,

Not sure what the health store test is like. It might be better to get a

blood test like an RBC? I'm no medical expert, but there may even be other more

thorough tests as well.

Sam

> A friend of mine just had a vitiman/mineral workup done at a local

> holistic store. I was thinking about doing that.

>

[Guest guest]

Sue, even if you take it an hour apart from meals you will still leach

vitamins and minerals that are fat soluble, since cholestyramine binds

strongly. Over time, 2x day, you might get some nutritional

deficiencies. Are you sure you need to keep taking these binders

daily? Maybe you could pulse them and give your body some off days.

In addition, I will just tell you--I'm waiting for a woolfill " bed "

and it's late (I want a HEALTHY mattress that is dust mite resistant

and without toxic foams and toxic flame retardants). I've been

sleeping on some fancy camping mats which are not bad, but not great

and my back is really aching over time. They don't outgas because the

foam is inside the mat, and the foam fills with air. In any case, I

tried sleeping on some foam " chairs " that unfold to beds last

night--and within 2 hours I woke up feeling a deep depression that I

attribute to the offgassing of the foam (which I can actually

smell--but I've got a very good sense of smell). If I were you I would

have a *good* test of vitamins and minerals including RBC (red blood

cell) *and* I'd try a few nights on the sofa. You can probably find

the cause of your anxiety and it could be either of the above. Good luck.

>

>

> There is a medical Dr. there, as well as two holistic Drs. and a

pharmacist

> who is the owner.That's all I know.

> What's a RBC? Just had bunches done with Dr. S.

>

> Thanks, Sue

>

> Sue,

> Not sure what the health store test is like. It might be better to

get a

> blood test like an RBC? I'm no medical expert, but there may even

be other

> more thorough tests as well.

>

>

>

>

>

>

> **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on

family

> favorites at AOL Food.

> (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sam, it's called Healthy Options Natural Health Centerin BelAir, MD. Really

a great place with some good Drs. and lots of great products. They even have

fressh gluten free pizza available with very knowledgeable people involved. #

is 410-638-7787 _www.healthyoptionsbelair.com_

(http://www.healthyoptionsbelair.com) I've been to a few free seminars that

have been very interesting

and learned a lot.

Sue

Hi Sue,

I don't know the exact terminology for RBC, but it picked up heavy metals

and also mineral status. Confirmed what minerals I was high and low in. I don't

recall what else it tested for and don't have the tests with me as I'm not

at living at our home right now. But if you've had a bunch of them already,

you should get some copies and check it out. No doubt that there are some

comprehensive labs you can get and may already have had with Shoemaker. What is

the name of this health food store and the docs on hand. It sounds great. I'm

in land like you so would be interested.

Thanks, Sam

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[Guest guest]

Hi Sue,

I don't know the exact terminology for RBC, but it picked up heavy metals and

also mineral status. Confirmed what minerals I was high and low in. I don't

recall what else it tested for and don't have the tests with me as I'm not at

living at our home right now. But if you've had a bunch of them already, you

should get some copies and check it out. No doubt that there are some

comprehensive labs you can get and may already have had with Shoemaker. What is

the name of this health food store and the docs on hand. It sounds great. I'm in

land like you so would be interested.

Thanks, Sam

> What's a RBC? Just had bunches done with Dr. S.

[Guest guest]

Jill,

Please keep us posted about your new non-toxic mattress. We will be looking for

one in the next few months. Good luck with it and I hope you are getting the

good night's sleep you so deserve soon. Is there a web link from where you may

have ordered it from? Thanks,

Sam

> I'm waiting for a woolfill " bed "

>

[Guest guest]

Sue,

With all you've been through it is understandable that stress alone would have a

huge impact. But it is also possible that some of your issues could be related

as earlier mentioned to definciencies. Have you had your adrenals and thyroid

tested as well? That can also involve stress, anxiety and depression issues. I

think RBC is different. Why not try and google it.

Sam

> I have been a patient of Dr. Shoemaker's since Dec.03

[Guest guest]

Hi Sam, I did a lot of research and here is basically my summary of

what I know at this point:

1) Don't get untreated " natural " cotton, it smells bad (to me anyway)

and it wasn't organic. Either get treated cotton or organic cotton. My

nose tells me that untreated cotton was nonetheless grown with

pesticides and fungicides that are still in it.

2) Organic cotton futons are okay but remember that cotton absorbs

moisture so if you are worried about mold and mites your futon will

get those sooner or later. However a good source for organic futons is

white lotus (google: white lotus futon). I went to their store in New

Brunswick and looked around, they are a nice place. However, I didn't

get anything.

3) Some organic cotton futons are wrapped in wool and then have a

cover, that is better, because the wool will keep your moisture away

from the cotton.

4) Latex mattresses call themselves natural but most of them are a

blend of synthetic latex which is made from petroleum just like foam,

and natural latex from the rubber tree. Even so, latex tends to be

much less toxic than foam and it's not a bad choice for a mattress,

however, its up to you. Talia at Organic Grace has the best prices on

the web for latex mattresses (google organic grace).

5) If you want a genuine organic mattress with springs, viviteque

makes them and Talia of Organic Grace also underprices everybody else

on those. I don't know what they'r elike but they're innersprings,

wool and cotton.

6) I ordered a wool filled " mattress " that is in two layers from

, at http://www.kerryhillsfarm.com (Surround Ewe Sleep Systems).

It is supposed to be a total of 10 inches tall. I first tested a wool

filled pillow which I like but I can't comment on the mattress yet as

I don't have it.

I would recommend giving Talia a call--she prefers latex and sleeps on

it herself, and giving a call at Surround Ewe. Shepherd's Dream

also makes wool filled mattresses, but I believe 's prices are

better.

> > I'm waiting for a woolfill " bed "

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks very much Jill for all the great information and recommendations. You

sure did alot of research. I'm very grateful to benefit from that effort. Please

if you can, keep me informed as to how you end up liking your wool mattress once

you get it. Many thanks again, Sam

> Hi Sam, I did a lot of research and here is basically my

> summary of what I know at this point: