Studies Link Crib Death To Toxic Mold In Mattresses And Bedding

[Guest guest]

April 08, 2009

Studies Link Crib Death To Toxic Mold In Mattresses And Bedding

-- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is something all new parents worry about

and while numerous risk factors have been cited by the medical community,

there may be one not making headlines in the United States. --

GAINESVILLE, FL, April 08, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Sudden Infant Death

Syndrome is one of the leading causes of death among infants in the United

States and there are a number of different things that are speculated to

lead to its occurrence, including sleeping positions, low birth weight,

tobacco smoke exposure, and premature birth. While these have all been

identified as being risk factors, there is one thing that many parents are not

aware

of that could also be a risk: the baby's mattress.

Statistically, according to Dr. Jim Sprott, scientist and chemist from New

Zealand, the risk for SIDS rises from the first child to the second and

again to the third and so on. Many families with more than one child use the

same baby mattress over and over and some families who cannot afford a new

mattress for their first child will purchase a used mattress or acquire a

used one from close family. And the reason for this being significant is

startling, since it involves the very chemicals added to those mattresses

designed to keep our children safe from fire.

Dr. Sprott states that SIDS most certainly is caused by toxic gases that

are produced by mold growth within a baby's mattress. Mold growth is caused

in these mattresses when liquids such as milk, juice, and urine are spilled

onto them, bedding, and stuffed animals and even though mold is a health

risk around infants by itself, it gets worse. Since the 1950's, the

government has mandated that there be fire retardant chemicals such as

phosphorus,

arsenic, and antimony added to the mattresses and when the mold begins to

feed on wet mattress material, it releases toxic gases through the sheets

for the infant to inhale.

The crib death prevention campaign in New Zealand continues to this day,

because parents have been encouraged throughout that country to wrap their

baby mattresses in a specially made polyethylene cover. They have also been

encouraged to not use bedding that is made with fire retardant additives

and to be aware that new baby mattresses are safer by default because they

have not been exposed to water and other liquids that cause mold growth.

Since the mattress-wrapping campaign began, New Zealand has gone from having

one of the highest SIDS rates in the world in 1994 (2 in every 1,000 live

births) to having that rate reduced by 70%. According to Dr. Sprott, the only

change in New Zealand's stance on SIDS since 1994 has been to warn parents

to wrap their infant's mattresses and as such, the decline in SIDS

occurrences throughout New Zealand cannot be due to mainstream SIDS prevention

advice.

So, why aren't parents being told to wrap their mattresses in the United

States? Stating that the very chemicals added to mattresses to keep us safe

from fire could be a risk would be the government admitting a huge

responsibility in the deaths of thousands of infants. For the medical research

community in the United States, SIDS is a large source of funding. In New

Zealand, however, funding for SIDS research has screeched to almost a halt

since

parents are discovering just how inexpensive wrapping a baby's mattress

and investing in organic bedding materials can be when compared to the

heartbreak of losing a child.

While mainstream SIDS research organizations are denying that mold and

toxic gases could be the cause, there are many parents who are more than

willing to stand the inconvenience of spending $30 to $40 on a specialized

mattress cover in exchange for a little more peace of mind.

" If there's even remotely a chance this could be the cause, how could I

live with myself if I didn't spend the money on a mattress cover? " says

Newton, father of a 12 month old girl. " It doesn't make any sense not to

get one; it's like buying any other safety product for my daughter, like a

gate to keep her from falling down the stairs... it's just a smart

investment. "

# # #

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[Guest guest]

All:

While the causes of SIDS are still being debated, this press release a

self-serving sales tool.

Most infant mattresses in the US are already covered in plastic and

therefore do not get moldy.

I have taken samples from hundreds of beds and mattresses. It is very

rare to find any kind of mold. Stachybotrys could never grow on a

mattress unless it were constantly wet for many days and contained

cellulose.

I would certainly agree that is is not a good idea to buy a used

mattress and certainly not one that has been stored in a basement.

(unfortunately, some companies are selling mattresses from the rubbish

that have been covered in new ticking!)

The biggest exposure of successive siblings to mold is probably from

car baby seats that are covered with food and stored in damp basements

between children. It's sad to see what gets brought up for the next

child to sit in.

May

May Indoor Air Investigations LLC

www.mayindoorair.com

> Wed Apr 8, 2009 5:43 am (PDT)

>

> All Press Releases for April 08, 2009

> 24-7PressRelease.com (press release) - USA

>

>

http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/studies-link-crib-death-to-toxic-m\

old-in-mattresses-and-bedding-95471.php[47]

>

> Studies Link Crib Death To Toxic Mold In Mattresses And Bedding

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jeff,

I'm just trying to wrap my head around this; so please forgive me if i've

misunderstood or taken any of your comments out of context. But based on what

you said about what it would take for a mattress to get moldy; if there has been

mold in an hvac system circulating through the house resulting from water

damage, does that mean that you wouldn't need to worry about the mold or

possible residual mycotoxins? How does this in your experience relate to all the

issues for clothes and other belongings getting dosed. Or is something like a

mattress, clothing and other items needing to be removed primarily for those of

us who are toxic from mold exposure and generally speaking, for other people

this kind of total removal of belongings would not be neccesary if there were no

actual water or moisture issues that would trigger mold on them?

Thanks very much,

Sam

 

I have taken samples from hundreds of beds and mattresses. It is very

rare to find any kind of mold. Stachybotrys could never grow on a

mattress unless it were constantly wet for many days and contained

cellulose.

[Guest guest]

I disagree to certin extent. Granted, Stachybotrys probably will not grow on a

mattress. However, this is not true for less water requiring genera, e.g.

Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. I recently took samples from a one bedroom

trailer in Skagit County, Washington. The samples were taken from the ceilings

in the bedroom, livingroom, kitchen, clothes closet, queen size mattress, pillow

and clothing of the victim. There was visible mold in all samples. Cultures

revealed several species of Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Trichoderman

viridae among others. The mattress pillow cultures grew out Aspergillus and

Penicillium cultures. In addition, aflatoxins, ochratoxins and trichothecenes

were identified in the bulk samples. Attached is a photo of the mattress with

visible mold growth.

Jack D. Thrasher, Ph.D.

Toxicologist/Immunotoxicologist/Fetaltoxicologist

www.drthrasher.org

toxicologist1@...

Off: 916-745-4703

Cell: 575-937-1150

L. Crawley, M.ED., LADC

Trauma Specialist

sandracrawley@...

916-745-4703 - Off

775-309-3994 - Cell

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[Guest guest]

Sam,

I was referring specifically to a plastic (usually vinyl) covered crib

mattress; a mattress like this would have to be in a damp environment

for a long time to get moldy. I have seen all kinds of vinyl items get

moldy in basements for example. My point is that anyone taking care of

a baby is unlikely to let a crib mattress remain damp for so long and

get so moldy.

Of course, anything in a moldy environment (clothing, couches,

mattresses) whether the mold is from an AC system or basement can get

contaminated with mold spores and byproducts of mold growth. These

settled particles can often be readily eliminated from solid surfaces

but can rarely be eliminated entirely from cushioned surfaces and

someone who is very reactive probably could never use such an item

(although treatment with steam vapor might help to eliminate some

allergens).

If mold has actually grown on a surface of a solid object, often the

surface can be cleaned however if the mold has grown in a cushioned

surface, obviously this contamination is impossible to remove entirely

to the satisfaction of someone who is sensitized.

A mattress or cushioned item from a basement will almost always be

contaminated with mold growth. Similarly, anything from a very damp

above grade environment (such as the one Dr. Thrasher referred to)

will have also have mold growth.

I have seen 3 very moldy mattresses: two were moldy (Aspergillus) from

body moisture due to partially disabled home occupants who spent most

of the day on the same mattress; the other was a mattress in a

partially below grade bedroom. Most of the couches I sample from

finished basements are also full of mold (Aspergillus).

May

May Indoor Air Investigations LLC

www.mayindoorair.com

> RE: STUDIES LINK CRIB DEATH TO TOXIC MOLD IN MATTRESSES AND BEDDING

>

>

> POSTED BY: \ " SAM\ " YADDAYADDA53@...

> YADDAYADDA53

>

> Sat Apr 11, 2009 5:12 am (PDT)

>

> Jeff,

>

> I'm just trying to wrap my head around this; so please forgive me if

> i've misunderstood or taken any of your comments out of context. But

> based on what you said about what it would take for a mattress to get

>

[Guest guest]

Jeff,

Thank you very much for taking the time for such an informative and helpful

reply. I really appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Sam

Sam,

I was referring specifically to a plastic (usually vinyl) covered crib

mattress; a mattress like this would have to be in a damp environment

for a long time to get moldy.

[Guest guest]

Hi all--I suppose you know that Dr Dorr Dearborn of Cleveland has identified the

fact that hemorrhagic pulmonitis (lungs) occurs in infants , exposed to toxic

mold.  I think it was stachybotrys, but I don't remember right now.....go

figure!

Take care, all.

Sam,

I was referring specifically to a plastic (usually vinyl) covered crib

mattress; a mattress like this would have to be in a damp environment

for a long time to get moldy. I have seen all kinds of vinyl items get

moldy in basements for example. My point is that anyone taking care of

a baby is unlikely to let a crib mattress remain damp for so long and

get so moldy.