We all know that a good night’s sleep is so important for us all. We think that in order for our children to sleep well, they should have a clean, comfortable, and attractive bedroom. But did you ever think about what they might be breathing during the eight or nine hours of sleep they are getting each night? Or even during play or study hours that are spent in the bedroom?

Good indoor air quality is one of the important elements of a healthy, green home.

So much of the ‘stuff’ in our lives is made from materials created from vinyl, plastics, and toxic chemicals that off-gas into our indoor environments. This includes furnishings, flooring, fabrics, paint, your kid’s toys, and yes, even the mattress on their bed. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other off-gassing chemicals have been linked to many health concerns: respiratory issues, headaches, learning disorders, and even cancer. As we insulate and tighten our homes, creating a ‘tight envelope’ for better energy efficiency, it becomes even more important to be careful about what we put into that ‘tight envelope’—because if it is toxic to breath, it’s not going to be diluted very easily by any fresh air.

Recently, a concerned mom posted on the U. S. Green Building Council’s Green Home Guide, asking what to do about the memory foam mattress on her child’s bed that was giving off an odor. Her concern was well founded, since the most common ‘memory foam’ products do indeed contain chemicals that off-gas and are unhealthy to breath. While memory foam may be comfortable, it’s not the best choice for children or for anyone with chemical sensitivities or concerns about healthy indoor air quality.

Are there ‘greener’ choices for comfortable mattresses? Yes there are, and the good news is that several options are manufactured locally, within five hundred miles from your home, adding yet another dimension to the ‘greenness’ by reducing the carbon footprint of the mattress.

Like with so many other products, think natural and organic when looking for healthy mattresses. Also, watch out for added fire retardant chemicals, and chemicals in the bedding you use. The chemicals used for fire retardants are highly toxic, and it’s not a good idea for young children to be in close contact with them.

Some great options are the OMI Organic Mattresses where absolutely no synthetic raw materials ever contaminate the OMI factory (or products). Organic Mattresses, Inc. (OMI) mattresses and bedding are produced in the nations only large-scale 100% organic factory. Their commitment to maintaining a chemical-free, smoke-free, fragrance-free, and cruelty-free environment runs so deep that employees don’t smoke, wear fragrances, or use fabric softeners on their clothing. These safe and healthy mattresses are made in Northern California and you can find OMI mattresses in several Bay Area locations (www. omimattress.com).

Another wonderful option, with a great informative Web site, is Lifekind Mattresses—also made in Northern California (www.lifekind.com). The Lifekind Web site offers several products beyond mattresses including organic bedding, pet beds, and all natural laundry and cleaning products that are safe and healthy for your family and the environment.

And there’s The McCroskey Mattress Co. in San Francisco, a family-owned business since 1899—we’re talking ‘heirloom’ mattresses! While not totally organic, these mattresses are artisan-made the old fashioned way with hand-tied steel springs and fiber filling, not foam. The company has a strong commitment to community service, and this aspect of social responsibility is an important piece of holistic sustainability and being green (http://mcroskey.com).

And, yes, there are also safe, non-toxic, biodegradable memory foam mattresses!

Essentia in Montreal makes the world’s only natural memory foam. You can purchase online at http://Essentia.com, but the closest Essentia store is in Santa Monica, if you want to try out the mattress before purchasing.

These mattresses may cost a little more, but good health for your children is priceless! A well-made mattress will last for many years and thousands of hours of healthy sleep. If you have the space in your children’s rooms, consider a queen size that they can take with them when they leave home. A good mattress can last a long, long, time—and that’s sustainable!