Thursday, November 22, 2007

Short Summary Response to Trevor Butterworth attacks.doc

Short Summary Response to Trevor Butterworth attacks on PeopleForCleanBeds.org and Mark Strobel. See Mr. Butterworth’s article at:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/trevor-butterworth/panic-in-the-bedroom-act_b_71654.html

http://www.stats.org/stories/2007/attack_killer_mattresses_nov6_07.htm

Also see a more detailed response in the previous post below.

 

Here are some key facts you will see in the highlights of the flawed government risk assessment. http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/CPSC_Risk_Assessment_Selected_Pages_Highlighted_4.pdf

 

They excluded and did not study children under five. A proper risk assessment always includes young children. This one should because even crib mattresses must be flame proof and now often contain both Boric Acid and Antimony. The European study may not have conclusive proof of a link to SIDS, but it did prove Antimony leaches through vinyl on crib mattresses.

 

They studied only 3 of the 8 main chemicals used to flameproof mattresses.

 

They proved these three chemicals leach to the surface of mattresses and measured significant amounts of toxins contacting our bodies.

 

They made ridiculously low skin absorption assumptions of only 2/1,000’s for Antimony, 1/1,000’s for DBDPO, and 1/10,000’s for Boric Acid.

 

The risk assessment basically failed independent review.

 

The reviewer complained strongly they changed the rules of the “Child Sucking Test” and then did not even apply it to young children who the test was designed to protect.

 

The reviewer complained many times their assumptions of safe levels of toxin absorption do not agree with other agencies.

 

Indeed, what the CPSC assumes is safe is 320 times more for DBDPO, and 5,750 times more for Antimony, than what the EPA says is safe to absorb.

 

Even with low absorption assumptions the CPSC says we will absorb .8 mg Antimony every night. Even .8 mg is 27 times more than the EPA says is safe.

 

Proper assumptions of absorption rates and/or safe levels would have proven all three chemicals toxic, with their own calculations. In other words the government cheated to make this appear safe.

 

See more at Strobel’s blog http://poisonbeds.blogspot.com/ and a lot of detail with links to references at www.PeopleForCleanBeds.org

 

 

Response to Trevor Butterworth attacks

This is a response to a Trevor Butterworth article posted on The Huffington Post. Mr Butterworth severely attacked everything about People For Clean Beds, the flameproof mattress chemical risks, and Mark Strobel. You can see Mr. Butterworth’s article at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/trevor-butterworth/panic-in-the-bedroom-act_b_71654.html

http://www.stats.org/stories/2007/attack_killer_mattresses_nov6_07.htm

 

 

 

 

Dear Mr Butterworth,

 

It is easy to be a skeptic because it is hard to believe the chemicals in mattresses could be that bad, until you look at the facts. I ask that you read the government report used to justify the regulation that you cite as “extensive testing” or at least read the lines and notes highlighted of the report at: http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/CPSC_Risk_Assessment_Selected_Pages_Highlighted_4.pdf

 

Also please read Strobel’s ‘fight history’ at: http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/fight_history.htm and the Washington Post article linked from: http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/making-news.htm. You will see Strobel fought the regulation for 2.5 years before the US Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) commissioners voted 3-0 to enact it into law, only 38 days after the flawed risk assessment was completed. The Washington Post article points out Strobel generated over 500 public comments sent to the CPSC in an effort to stop the regulation before it passed. All for no financial gain, only a sincere effort to stop the regulation.

 

At the “making-news” link you will see many more news stories you failed to cite. You did mention news we received from “CBS Philadelphia, CBS Phoenix, CBS Sacramento, NBC Missoula, and NBC Butte/Bozeman.” You failed to mention the other news we have received from affiliates of all the networks including CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, in New York, Boston, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Denver, San Diego, Indianapolis, Evansville, Austin, Charleston, Minneapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Boise, and Milwaukee. Nor do you mention the print stories in many magazines and newspapers including the Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, and American Chiropractic Association to name a few. The Chicago Tribune did a great job of exposing the risks of the regulation. These reporters saw the facts firsthand by reading the lines highlighted in the risk assessment.

 

If you will take a moment to read the highlights you will see the government report is not “extensive testing”, but rather a report designed to reach a pre-existing conclusion. Here are some quotes you will see highlighted:

 

“CPSC staff has chosen to examine older children (5 year olds) because younger children's mattresses are more likely to be waterproofed due to their higher likelihood of bedwetting. This waterproofing, either with fluid-resistant ticking or mattress covers, is expected to reduce contact with FR chemicals.”

 

A proper risk assessment always includes young children. This one should too since the regulation also requires all crib mattresses to be flameproof and contain toxic chemicals including Boric Acid and Antimony. In the CPSC assumption that all children’s mattresses will be covered with vinyl cites “Midgett’, a CPSC employee whose report says only 20% of young children have bedwetting problems.

 

The European study that linked Antimony from crib mattresses to SIDS may not have proven that point conclusively for all cases of SIDS, but the study did prove Antimony leaches through vinyl on crib mattresses.

 

“As with any risk assessment, there are assumptions, limitations, and sources of uncertainty. These are discussed below. Risk assessment is an iterative process. Data on carcinogenicity, developmental and reproductive toxicity, or neurotoxicity were not available for all chemicals. Furthermore, it should be noted that percutaneous [skin] absorption data were not available for antimony.”

 

The CPSC measured the amount of toxic chemicals that leach from mattresses and contacts out skin. In CPSC Table 8 you will see they assumed we would absorb only 2/1,000’s  of the Antimony, 1/1,000’s of the BDBPO, and 1/10,000’s of the Boric Acid that has leached from the mattress and contacts our skin. We know we absorb medicines through our skin from small patches. These absorption assumptions seem very low.

 

The Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/  disagrees with many of the assumptions in the CPSC report. Antimony is contained in their 2005 CERCLA Priority List of Hazardous Substances, “which are determined to pose the most significant potential threat to human health due to their known or suspected toxicity and potential for human exposure.”

 

Here are some quotes from the ATSDR document regarding Antimony from: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp23-c2.pdf

 

“Death was observed in rabbits following a single [dermal] application of Antimony.” p 22

 

“Two out of four rabbits died after 6-8 topical applications of antimony trioxide paste. The antimony trioxide was combined with a mixture formulated to resemble acidic sweat.”

 

Antimony seems to absorb readily through our skin and the CPSC assumptions could be very wrong. See: http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/antimony-risks.htm

 

Even with low absorption assumptions the CPSC says in Table 16 that the average adult will absorb .802 mg Antimony, .081 mg Boric Acid, and .073 mg DBDPO, every night for our entire lives.

 

Even the predicted absorption of .802 mg of Antimony is 27 times more that the EPA says is safe. http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/cdc-doctor.htm

 

The ATSDR can not determine a safe level of Antimony absorption and says, “At the lowest exposure levels tested, the adversity of the effects was considered to be serious.”

 

The CPSC internal risk assessment was reviewed by an independent group called Toxicology Excellence for Risk Assessment (TERA, www.tera.com). This review found significant problems, errors, and omissions with the CPSC report. Seven of TERA’s comments related to CPSC ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) assumptions being inaccurate. The CPSC refused to change their ADI assumptions saying they were obligated by law to use data from a Hazard Guideline from 1992. Perhaps we should consider newer science before we put our entire population at risk?

 

The independent reviewer complained strongly that the CPSC changed the rules of the “child sucking test” from the “National Academy of Sciences' (NAS) National Research Council (NRC) study of flame retardant chemicals (2000) for use in upholstered furniture.” Then the CPSC did not even apply the test to one year old children who the test was designed to protect. The CPSC choose to exclude children under age five from their analysis. We believe flameproof mattresses would fail this test and Strobel had previously urged the CPSC to apply this test before the regulation passed. See Child Sucking Test: http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/sucking_test.htm

 

Here are some of the independent reviewer’s comments, and the CPSC answers:

 

“Comment 11. CPSC staff should consider harmonizing methods of calculating ADI's [Acceptable Daily Intake] with other organizations.

 

Answer. CPSC staff is obligated to assess the potential hazards of chemicals using the methodology outlined in the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA) and the supporting Chronic Hazard Guidelines (CPSC, 1992). … does not result in substantial differences in risk as compared to that used by other organizations.

 

Comment 12a. Derivation of the ADI for decabromodiphenyl oxide (DBDPO) should consider new studies.

 

Answer. CPSC staff reviewed the new studies on DBDPO. The new studies did not alter the DBDPO ADI

.

Comment 12b. The possible carcinogenicity of DBDPO should be discussed.

 

Answer. CPSC staff previously determined that DBDPO is a possible carcinogen.”

 

The CPSC assumptions of ADI safe levels is 320 times more than what the EPA says is safe for DBDPO, and the CPSC assumption of acceptable daily intake for Antimony is 5,750 times more than the EPA says is safe.

 

We think differences in safe levels between government agencies of 320 times for one chemical, and 5,750 times for Antimony is substantial and cause for concern.

 

When pressed by the independent reviewer about the cancer risks from Antimony the CPSC admitted: “The cancer effects are cumulative. Every exposure contributes to the overall lifetime risk of developing cancer.”

 

Here is the response of the CPSC to some of the more than 500 public comments Strobel generated and were sent to the CPSC before the regulation passed:

 

“Comment

Some individuals commented that the "precautionary principle" should be applied to FR chemicals, that is, they should not be used until proven safe (7,26,44,47, and 51).”

 

“Response

All of the statues that provide regulatory authority to the CPSC explicitly require risk-based decision making, thus precluding application of the "precautionary principle."”

 

These chemicals are not proven safe to sleep in.

 

There are no labeling requirements and manufacturers are free to use any chemicals they choose. The CPSC choose not to study many of these chemicals. The CPSC risk assessment authors had previously stated “Formaldehyde is a known sensitizer, and is also regarded as a carcinogen. If melamine-containing products release formaldehyde, sensitization (induction and elicitation of symptoms) may result in some susceptible individuals. Data are needed to determine the conditions for, and potential releases of, formaldehyde from barriers made with melamine/formaldehyde resin fibers.” But the latest risk assessment made no mention of formaldehyde.

 

A widely used system contains Silicon which is Silica Glass and other chemicals, often Antimony. Silicon release or absorption is another not studied. “Several epidemiological studies have reported statistically significant numbers of excess deaths or cases of immunologic disorders and autoimmune diseases in silica-exposed workers. These diseases and disorders include scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and sarcoidosis. … renal diseases and subclinical renal changes. Crystalline silica may affect the immune system, leading to mycobacterial infections (tuberculous and nontuberculous) or fungal, …Occupational exposure to breathable crystalline silica is associated with bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema. … Lung cancer.”

 

Like Asbestos the Silica Glass may be what is causing health problems for the mattress factory workers or the many individual sleepers, and couples, who also complain of health problems from flameproof mattresses. But it is hard to pinpoint because so many different chemicals are used and they are all acutely toxic.

 

The CPSC studied only three of the many chemicals used to flameproof mattresses and concludes Antimony, Boric Acid, and DBSPO are safe. Proper assumptions of absorption rates and/or safe levels would have proven all three toxic, with their own calculations.

 

The CPSC says DBDPO is safe. Many scientists are reporting that even very low amounts of this chemical are toxic to children. Sweden and two states, Maine and Washington state have already banned DBDPO and 11 other states are considering bans.

 

We have made toxic mistakes in the past with flame retardants including PCB, Tris, Asbestos, and PBDE. All are now banned after we found human harm.

 

All of these were initially thought to be non-toxic because test animals could consume large amounts without harm. Later scientists found these chemicals defied traditional toxicology that dose is everything and found even very small amounts were harmful to children. A lot of research over the last thirty years is showing the same thing. http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/new_research_march_2005.htm

 

We already know the chemicals used to flameproof mattresses are acutely toxic and cancer causing. While many try to say Boric Acid is safe, The American Association of Poison Control Centers reports an average of 6,463 cases of Boric Acid Poisoning each year.

 

The EPA says Antimony is 500 times more poisonous than Boric Acid. Antimony is a heavy metal almost identical to Arsenic and just as poisonous. Antimony is known to attack the liver and heart muscle and may cause the heart to beat irregularly or stop. Antimony is also known to cause cancer.

 

Many MD’s side with Strobel, they agree the chemicals are very dangerous, that there is insufficient study to justify the regulation, and that the risk outweighs the benefit.

 

According to USA Today, “Even though the USA has the world’s toughest flame retardency standards 3,000 people die in fires each year. The Chemical Manufacturers Association estimates the [1.2 Billion pounds of] flame retardants we use every year might save up to 960 people.” We think it is unrealistic to assume we will save a third more people from the flameproof mattress regulation alone.

 

By comparison, the National Safety Council says 16.337 people die in car accidents each year, and 17,550 people die each year from “Accidental poisoning by and exposure to noxious substances.”

 

We need to pay more attention to the chemical risks in our lives, not force every American to unknowingly sleep in and absorb toxic chemicals to avoid a one in 1.111 million mattress fire risk

 

Yes, as part of leading the fight Strobel now offers toxin-free prescription mattresses. This could create a control group for a later epidemiological study that could prove flameproof mattresses toxic. A relatively small percentage of our population was exposed to Asbestos. Everyone sleeps on a mattress. Asbestos workers complained early on of health problems but no one listened. It took 40 years and half a million deaths to prove toxic. Now mattress factory workers and sleepers are complaining and again no one is listening. How many toxic mistakes do we have to make to develop common sense? The CPSC will soon require all upholstered furniture and our filled top of the bed items including mattress pads, comforter, bedspreads, and pillows to also be flame proof and contain the same chemical systems. There are millions of chemically sensitive people, millions of health impaired, and millions of Asthma suffers. Most people don’t realize many people die from Asthma attacks. How many deadly Asthma attacks will occur from these mattresses alone? Will it be more than we save from fire? Putting 300 million Americans at any level of risk becomes a huge risk. What will we learn in the next 40 years? If only 15% of our mattresses prove toxic it will be 45 million people harmed.

 

As a recent newspaper article conclusion pointed out: “Fortunately, there is an escape hatch for consumers. Doctors, including chiropractors, can prescribe toxin-free mattresses and avoid the regulation. The prescription will also save people the sales tax, make the purchase tax deductible, and they can use their health savings account. … Consumers can hope that if enough prescription mattresses are sold, the regulation may eventually be reversed.”

 

We applaud previous and future journalists who have the foresight to look at the facts and report this story. You can see a few recent news releases at Strobel’s blog http://poisonbeds.blogspot.com/ and a lot of detail with links to references at www.PeopleForCleanBeds.org

Sunday, November 11, 2007

FW: CBS Chicago - Toxic Mattresses, Employees Sick

 

 


From: News@PeopleForCleanBeds.org [mailto:News@PeopleForCleanBeds.org]
Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2007 6:51 PM
To: mark@strobel.com
Subject: CBS Chicago - Toxic Mattresses, Employees Sick

 

 

News Release: CBS Chicago -- Toxic Mattresses, Employees Sick

CBS News in Chicago ran a story on 9/24/07 titled: "What Might Be In Your Mattress? Could Mattress Safety Measures Make You Sick?

The national fireproof mattress regulation became effective Jul-07. The CBS story interviewed Dr. Doris Rapp, MD, who says unsafe, several Simmons mattress factory employees who are getting sick just from handling the new flame retardant materials, Serta who admits using Boric Acid (Roach Killer), Simmons who won’t disclose the chemicals, and Mark Strobel who has campaigned and generated news against the new flameproof mattress regulation for four years. The story concludes by telling people the only way to get a chemical free mattress is with a doctor’s prescription.

The CBS story quotes several Simmons mattress factory employees complaining of "Breathing Problems, Sharp Chest Pains, Sinus Problems, Irritated Eyes, Chronic Sore Throats, Bloody Noses, and Painful Skin Rashes." In one scene a Simmons executive says they offer employees protective equipment as the reporter picks up a dust mask/respirator.

For four years Strobel has led the fight against the regulation and generated major news recently from all the networks including CBS, NBC, ABC, and FOX in cities across the country from New York to San Diego. Plus print news coverage from the American Chiropractic Association, Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, Washington Post, and more. The Chicago Tribune exposed many risks of the regulation. It got admissions from industry and top manufacturers that they really are using toxic chemicals to flameproof mattresses including, Antimony (Arsenic), Boric Acid (Roach Killer), Silica Glass, and Ammonium Polyphosphate. Plus it quoted several top scientists and doctors who say this is unsafe. As a result of exercising free speech to expose government wrongdoing, Strobel, also a mattress manufacturer, is now being audited by the CPSC for compliance with the new fireproof bed regulation.


It is not just Simmons, in addition to many individuals reporting getting sick from new mattresses we have heard from employees at another different top brand large mattress factory who are also complaining of all the above health problems. It appears both companies are using a popular system everyone tries to say contain no chemicals and is rayon based. It appears both contain Silica Glass as well as other chemicals, probably Antimony (Arsenic). Like Asbestos it may be the tiny glass particles causing the problems from only a few months of exposure. Asbestos workers complained early on of problems but it took 40 years and half a million deaths to prove harmful. (Everyone sleeps on a mattress)

As a recent ABC news story points out: "Many manufacturers are predicting a backlash once consumers start to investigate what's really lying under their sheets with them."

We hope you will do a story so more people will learn the truth about the toxic and cancer causing chemicals now being used to flameproof mattresses with no labeling requirements. Please visit our websites to learn more, see links to all the news stories, watch the news videos (especially CBS Chicago), and call me.

Photo of Mark StrobelMark Strobel,
President, Strobel Technologies, www.Strobel.com ,
Director, People For Clean Beds, www.PeopleForCleanBeds.org ,

3131 Industrial Pkwy, Jeffersonville IN 47130,
email: Mark@CleanBeds.org ,
fax: 812-282-6528,
phone: 812-280-6000

 

 


Additional Links:


TV news video clips, CBS Chicago, ABC Denver, FOX New York, NBC, more TV cities, Magazine, and Newspaper Stories about us including Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, and more
http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/making-news.htm
 

CPSC Table 1 of Chemicals really used to fireproof mattresses:
http://www.strobel.com/chemicals-in-beds.htm
 

Photo of bottle of Boric Acid Roach Killer
Proof of Claims: See these facts and more firsthand in government documents at:
http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/CPSC_Risk_Assessment_Highlights_w-notes_v2.pdf

Doctor, Public, and Retailer Comments:Photo of Cut-Away Crib Mattress Containing Boric Acid (Roach Killer) and Antimony (Arsenic)
http://www.strobel.com/retailer-comments.htm   

Boric Acid Health Risks:
http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/boric_acid_risks.htm

Antimony Health Risks:
http://www.strobel.com/antimony_risks.htm  

Pounds of Poison in Crib and Adult Mattresses:
http://www.strobel.com/Pounds%20Boric%20Acid.htm 

Proponents Say and Rebuttals:
http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/Proponents-Say.htm


Comments of People Sick from fireproof mattresses:
http://www.strobel.com/people_sick.htm  

Strobel's History of Fighting the Regulation
http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/fight_history.htm





Mark Strobel, President, Strobel Technologies, www.Strobel.com , Director, People For Clean Beds, www.PeopleForCleanBeds.org , 3131 Industrial Pkwy, Jeffersonville IN 47130, email: Mark@CleanBeds.org , fax: 812-282-6528, phone: 812-280-6000

This email intended for news media only. To be removed from list reply to this message with the word "REMOVE" in the
subject line.

FW: Chicago Tribune article and TV news nationwide on toxic mattresses

 

 


From: News@PeopleForCleanBeds.org [mailto:News@PeopleForCleanBeds.org]
Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2007 7:42 PM
To: mark@strobel.com
Subject: Chicago Tribune article and TV news nationwide on toxic mattresses

 


 

Chicago Tribune 7/1/07 & TV Nationwide about Toxic Beds

With the July 1 fireproof (toxic) mattress deadline we have received some major news from newspapers and TV stations across the country.

The Chicago Tribune did a great 2200 word investigative feature article article on Sunday July 1. Karen Klages (who we hope you will nominate for awards) exposed many risks of the regulation. She got admissions from industry and top manufacturers that they really are using toxic chemicals to flameproof mattresses including, Antimony Trioxide, Boric Acid (Roach Killer), Silica Glass, and Ammonium Polyphosphate. Plus she quoted several top scientists and doctors who say this is unsafe. Karen also told people there is an alternative in prescription mattresses that are toxin free and avoid the regulation.

TV news stories have run so far on CBS, NBC, and FOX in about twenty cities including New York NY, Tampa FL, Denver CO, Indianapolis IN, Minneapolis MN, Milwaukee WI, and Louisville KY (3 networks) to name a few. These stories include video interviews of me (Mark Strobel), people sick, mattress manufacturer employees sick, and Dr. Doris Rapp, MD who warns this chemical use is very risky. (Links to these video clips and newspaper stories below)



From Chicago Tribune, Selected Quotes from their article titled:

New flammability regulation for mattresses, renewed concerns about chemicals

By Karen Klages
Chicago Tribune staff reporter

July 1, 2007


"Where there is fire, though, there is haze.

The development is not without debate.

Some doctors, scientists and at least one mattress manufacturer see red flags in introducing to the home front yet another usage of flame-retardant chemicals, which already are in a range of consumer products, from electronics to paint and furniture.

Some of them believe it could be the tipping point for people who are chemically sensitive. Others think it's unfair to expose all Americans to these chemicals and materials when a small percentage of people actually die in fires that start with a mattress.

For its part, the mattress industry (which didn't fight the regulation; many manufacturers view the new flame retardancy as a major product improvement -- and as a significant bit of protection for themselves from liability suits) ...

Some troublesome FR chemicals have been identified as bioaccumulators, which means they persist in the environment. Or: suspected developmental toxicants, which means they could harm developing fetuses. And even: suspected carcinogens. ...

... this new regulation, which will affect all Americans buying mattresses, except those who get a doctor's prescription. With that, a consumer can have a one-of-a-kind mattress made, minus the flame retardants. ...


How mattress manufacturers achieve this feat of fire performance is largely left up to them. ...

"Nobody can really find out what's in their mattress. That's one of the big issues." For someone who is chemically sensitive, this is critical information, Heine says.

Trainer said some mattress-makers may be using antimony trioxide in their fire barriers ... (Antimony trioxide has been identified as a probable carcinogen.)

Representatives from Sealy, Serta, Simmons and Spring Air -- four of the five largest bedding makers in the country -- are tight-lipped about the exact nature of their fire barriers. (Tempur-Pedic, rounding out the Top 5, would not reveal any information about its flame-retardant program. Those five manufacturers represent about 60 percent of all mattresses sold in the U.S.) ...

Sealy, Serta and Spring Air (Simmons would not offer specifics) all are using one (or more) of three fire barrier technologies or some variation of them.

They involve: barriers made from mainly cotton that has been bonded with boric acid; barriers made of rayon that has been extruded with silica (tiny fragments of glass or clay); and barriers made from rayon that has been treated with ammonium polyphosphate.

...  it may be missing the point with chemically sensitive people. According to Dr. William Rea, a Dallas-based surgeon-turned-environmental medicine doctor, the concept of "total load" is key.

"Total load means that the body has a capacity to hold [only] so many incitants -- any substance that can cause disease," says Rea, who notes that the number of chemically sensitive people not just in the U.S., but around the world, is growing and attributes that to the rise of toxic chemicals in our air, food and water. "More and more people are getting overloaded."

He goes on: "Picture a barrel. Each person is a barrel. Once the barrel gets full, that's the essence of total load. One more drop [one more chemical exposure], and it spills over into trouble."

That trouble could be problems with the immune system, the non-immune enzyme detoxification system and the autonomic nervous system, says Rea, noting that he has not studied the new flame-retardant mattresses or what's in them.

But, Rea calls the home "probably the most contaminated of any place in our environment." He notes "gas stoves, pesticides, synthetic carpets, synthetic mattresses and cleaning products" -- and the fact that many homes are made to be so airtight that they don't breathe.

Rea sees several thousand patients from around the world annually at his Environmental Health Center in Dallas, where he puts chemically overloaded patients through a detox program that includes exercise, sauna, a special nutrition program and sleeping in "environmentally less polluted" rooms, which have ceramic tile floors and (sometimes) walls, organic cotton mattresses and organic cotton bed linens.

Chemically sensitive people aren't the only ones at risk from chemical overload, according to Dr. Doris Rapp, a pediatrician, allergist and environmental medicine doctor based in Arizona. Children, pregnant women and the elderly are other high-risk groups -- and product testing is rarely done on them, Rapp says.

What else can you do?

Consumers who want to purchase a mattress without the new flame retardants are left with few choices.

Mark Strobel, a small mattress-maker in southern Indiana who has launched an Internet campaign (www.peopleforcleanbeds.org ) against the new federal regulation also has launched a new Internet-based business, www.prescriptionbeds.com . He will make consumers a bed without the new flame retardants, with a doctor's prescription, as the regulation allows. Consumers can purchase online or through a network of furniture and bedding stores around the country, as well as through chiropractors.

<End of Chicago Tribune quotes>



Industry and US Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) Doubletalk

There are two, and only two, ways to make a fiber fire resistant. 1) You coat it with chemical. 2) You use an inherently fire resistant fiber that contains fire retardant chemicals blended into the fiber itself.

Industry doubletalk's this issue by saying, “We don’t spray on or apply chemicals, we use inherently fire resistant fibers.” CPSC admits chemicals are used but says many manufacturers use chemical free systems (inherently fire resistant fibers).

Cutaway photo of Boric Acid and Antimony Mattress
The cotton system uses boric acid [Roach Killer] and inherently fire resistant fibers (Modacrylic, that contains Antimony Trioxide blended into the fiber itself) blended with the cotton to form the fire barrier. CPSC Table 1, item 1.

Another popular system they usually call Rayon and say it is inherently fire resistant fibers without chemical treatment. In fact it contains chemicals in the fiber. At the very least these fibers also called Visil contain Silicon (Silica Glass), PVDC, and probably Ammonium Polyphosphate as well. You can see these fiber systems and chemical content in CPSC Table 1, items 3, 4, 5.

Like Asbestos chronically breathing tiny particles of Silica Glass may also be a health risk.

Most likely the Rayon systems being used also contain Modacrylic fibers that contain Antimony Trioxide, CPSC Table 1, items 2 and 6. You can see in the table these barrier systems contain 3.8% or 4.5% Antimony Trioxide. This is a lot of poison.

The 20 Simmons employees who are complaining of respiratory problems and skin rashes are handling one of these systems the manufacturers try to claim is inherently fire resistant fibers and chemical free.

The CPSC measured the amount of Antimony that leaches to the surface of mattresses from these inherently fire resistant fibers.

The CPSC assumed without data that we would only absorb 2/1,000’s of the Antimony that has leached to the surface and contacts our skin. Using this low assumption the CPSC says we will absorb .8 mg of Antimony every night. Even .8 mg of Antimony is 27 times more that the EPA says is safe to absorb.

Antimony absorbs readily through the skin as demonstrated by research showing 6 to 8 skin applications of Antimony Trioxide in a mixture resembling sweat killed half the rabbits studied. Studies also showed Antimony oral absorption caused lung cancer. Another inherently fire resistant fiber, Melamine Resin, contains free Formaldehyde. Formaldehyde concentrations of only 10 to 15 parts per million has been shown to cause nasal cancer in rats chronically exposed. What will these chemicals do to humans with many years of exposure?

Boric Acid (Roach Killer) is simply mixed as loose dust with the cotton fibers. The CPSC assumed we would absorb only less than 1/10,000's of the Boric Acid they measured leached to the surface and contacts our skin to predict we will absorb .081 mg every night. The CPSC also measured DBDPO leaching and says we will absorb .073 mg with a 1/1,000's skin absorption assumption. These assumptions seem very low and show this study was designed to reach a preexisting conclusion. There is a lot of toxic chemical on the surface of mattresses.

Photo of Cut-Away Crib Mattress Containing Boric Acid (Roach Killer) and Antimony (Arsenic)
Even Crib Mattresses now contain Antimony and Boric Acid to meet the regulation. European scientists proved Antimony leaches through vinyl on crib mattresses.

You can see from the above there are no magic fire barrier systems that are chemical free. They all contain toxic chemicals including the inherently fire resistant fibers, and it is proven we will absorb these chemicals every night.

If mattresses alone aren’t bad enough the CPSC will soon enact a national rule that all upholstered furniture be flameproof and require the same chemical barrier systems used in mattresses shown in CPSC Table 1. Plus California has already passed a law that requires bed clothes also be flameproof and is waiting on the bureaucracy to finalize the rule. The CPSC is already working on a new regulation that will require our bed clothes, filled items including mattress pads, comforters, and pillows, to also be flameproof. This will again require the same chemicals used to flameproof mattresses be used. This regulation is expected to pass within a short time. By then the only time we won’t be absorbing toxic chemicals is when we are standing up.

We pollute the environment, now we are polluting our beds.

We hope you will do a story.

Feel free to call me at 800-457-6442, or email mark@strobel.com .


Sincerely,

Photo of Mark Strobel
Mark Strobel, Director, www.PeopleForCleanBeds.org , President, Strobel Mfg. www.Strobel.com , www.PrescriptionBeds.com , 3131 Industrial Pkwy, Jeffersonville IN 47130, email: Mark@Strobel.com , fax: 812-282-6528, phone: 812-280-6000


If you are not the right person please forward this email to the people in your organization who might do a story.








Additional Links:


TV news video clips, Magazine, and Newspaper Stories about us including Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, and more
http://www.prescriptionbeds.com/making_news.htm

CPSC Table 1 of Chemicals really used to fireproof mattresses:
http://www.prescriptionbeds.com/chemicals-in-beds.htm

Photo of bottle of Boric Acid Roach Killer
Proof of Claims: See these facts and more firsthand in government documents at:
http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/CPSC_Risk_Assessment_Highlights_w-notes_v2.pdf

Doctor, Public, and Retailer Comments:
http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/retailer-comments.htm  

Boric Acid Health Risks:
http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/boric_acid_risks.htm

Antimony Health Risks:
http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/antimony-risks.htm 

Pounds of Poison in Crib and Adult Mattresses:
http://www.prescriptionbeds.com/Pounds%20Boric%20Acid.htm

Proponents Say and Rebuttals:
http://www.prescriptionbeds.com/Proponents-Say.htm 

Strobel's History of Fighting the Regulation
http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/fight_history.htm


Comments of People Sick from fireproof mattresses:
http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/People-Sick.htm







Photo of blowtorch open flame test mattresses must withstand for 70 seconds

 

 


Mark Strobel, Director, www.PeopleForCleanBeds.org , President, Strobel Mfg. www.Strobel.com , www.PrescriptionBeds.com , 3131 Industrial Pkwy, Jeffersonville IN 47130, email: Mark@Strobel.com , fax: 812-282-6528, phone: 812-280-6000



If you are not the right person please forward this email to the people in your organization who might do a story.


This email news release is intended for news media and writers only. If you received in error or wish to be removed from list, please reply to this message with the word "Remove" in the subject line.



 

 

 

 

NewsRelease 6-13-07, Mattress Employees Sick

20 Simmons Employees Sick, July 1 requires prescription for a clean bed, 3 TV news stories, States ban FRC used in mattresses

As of July 1 All mattresses, including crib, must now withstand a two-foot wide blowtorch open flame test for 70 seconds. This requires acutely toxic and cancer causing chemicals to be used in the surface of new mattresses.

The most widely used chemicals to fireproof mattresses include: Boric Acid (Roach Killer), Antimony (Arsenic), Decabromodiphenyl Oxide (DBDPO, Fiberglass, Silicon, Ammonium Polyphosphate, Melamine, and Formaldehyde. Even what they call inherently fire resistant fibers have Antimony or Formaldehyde blended into the fiber itself.

Many people have already reported getting sick from sleeping on new flameproof mattresses. We have previously received two other complaints from mattress manufacturer employees that the fire proofing materials are making them sick, plus we received this email on 6/10/07:

"I work at a Simmons mattress factory. The employees here are having difficulty's health wise. Mostly respiratory. About 20 people called OSHA and complained which only angered our CEO and upper management. They held a meeting a few days ago saying "A handful of people are having problems" which they continued to repeat through out the meeting. Well 20 people may be a handful if we are talking about a huge population of people but only about 90 people work in our plant per shift and only a handful (about 20) people handle the FR material. Anyways they told us "If anyone complains about any reaction to the FR material they will be required to use the extra safety equipment ( Air tight goggles, respirators, full body smocks etc.) for the eternity of their employment". They also told us there is no roach killer or any dangerous chemicals in this material. After the meeting a man approached one speaker and asked if they would tell him what is in the stuff, since they never said what was actually in it, only what is not in it. They just gave him a list of lengthy undefined chemicals. She also said that only Sealy and Serta include the Boric Acid in their mattress and Simmons has discontinued it's use."
Any single one of the eight toxic chemicals used to flame proof mattresses could cause respiratory problems.

The US Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) proved these chemicals leach to the surface of mattresses, and proved we will absorb Antimony, Boric Acid, and DBDPO from flameproof mattresses every night for entire lives. But says the amount of poisons they predict we will absorb is safe. Many MD's disagree and say unsafe. Two states also disagree.
Maine and Washington recently banned one of the above chemicals used in mattresses, DBDPO (Deca), because many scientific organizations have found even very low amounts are harmful to humans. California, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana and New York are currently working on bans.

We have made toxic mistakes in the past. We have repeatedly banned flame retardant chemicals including PCB, Tris, Asbestos, PBDE, and now DBDPO (Deca), after we find human harm. Now government is literally in our beds requiring we sleep in and absorb toxic chemicals to protect us from a one in 1.111 million mattress fire risk.

See Video of 3 new TV news stories from Louisville, Kentucky on 6/12/07, Indianapolis IN 6/13/07, and Boise ID 6/7/07 at: http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/news6.htm

See the facts first hand in government documents at: http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/CPSC_Risk_Assessment_Highlights_w-notes_v2.pdfYou may find the tone of the CPSC responses to the independent reviewer and public comments interesting. You might also find some good quotes.

And a quote from a newspaper article:

“But Dr. Doris J. Rapp, a certified environmental medical specialist and pediatric allergist in Scottsdale, Ariz., sides with Strobel.”
'The fire retardants are very bad,' she said, adding that boric acid is highly poisonous. 'They tell you if you're going to use it around your house for cockroaches, to be careful to wear gloves and mask and keep your pets away from it.'
'I hardly think that that is something that should be put in the top of mattresses that children and adults bounce up and down on.'"

No Labeling Requirements for the fire-proofing chemicals in mattresses. You will never know what you are sleeping in and absorbing every night. Manufacturers are free to use any chemicals they choose, and almost all deny using chemicals. We have even seen the major brand who admitted using Boric Acid and other toxic chemicals to the Washington Post, later deny it to customers who got sick.

As you will see in the government documents the CPSC studied only 3 of the 8 fireproofing chemicals used in mattresses, and excluded children under five. Plus they did not study small particle release and inhalation risks from fiberglass or silicon (silica glass) systems. Silicon is known to cause silicosis and lung cancer.

Fortunately, Doctors, including Chiropractors, can prescribe toxin-free mattresses and avoid the regulation. The prescription will also save people the sales tax, make the purchase tax deductible, and they can use their health savings account.

More TV and newspaper stories are in progress. We hope you will also do a story. Please call Mark Strobel at 800-457-6442

More Details:
Many MD’s say Unsafe: “Many people do not tolerate treated mattresses. And how many are intolerant who don't know why they can't sleep or feel bad?” Lawrence A. Plumlee, MD.

“I am absolutely opposed.” Allan D. Lieberman, MD.

“The world has gone completely crazy.” Doris Rapp, MD.

“The least we can ask for is a safe bedroom.” Elizabeth Vaughan, MD.

“This is ethically unacceptable.” Jesus R. Marante, MD.

“I have yet to find a single scientific study that supports the use of these chemicals in mattresses, and labels them as ‘safe.’ It is another example of ignorance beyond reason and one begins to questions the true motivation of the individuals pushing for a national law to include these chemical in all mattresses. Maybe one should start to ask who would financially benefit from such a law to get the true motivation?” Dr. Margo Mayer-Proschel, University of Rochester Medical School. (Dr. Mayer-Proschel has published 18 scientific studies in neurotoxicology.)

Four of these doctors are leaders in their field of environmental medicine, and Dr. Plumlee has testified before congress on chemical injury. These doctors see first hand the pain, suffering, and agonizing slow death of people poisoned by the chemicals in our modern environment.

There are already 6,463 US cases of Boric Acid poisoning each year. The National Safety Council says 17,550 Americans die each year from “Accidental poisoning by and exposure to noxious substances." This exceeds deaths in car accidents.Boric Acid, also known as the best Roach Killer, is a known reproductive and developmental toxin, a known respiratory irritant, "Demonstrated injury to the gonads and to the developing fetus. high prenatal mortality," "Neonatal children are unusually susceptible." One human exposure study showed reduced sperm counts and reduced sexual activity in humans. "Prolonged absorption causes weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash, convulsions and anemia. Liver and particularly the kidneys may be susceptible." Fatal human single dose reported at: 2g Child, 5g Adult. "Depending on the amount of exposure 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."

Antimony is 250 times more Poisonous than Boric Acid: Quote from College Chemistry Textbook: “Antimony resembles Arsenic very closely; the difference in its behavior being almost entirely accounted for by the fact that antimony is slightly more metallic.” This helps explain why it is so poisonous. Quotes from ATSDR a division of the CDC on Antimony: “An increase in the number of spontaneous abortions, disturbances in menstruation, failure to conceive, May cause heart to beat irregularly or stop. … Chronic Exposure: Prolonged or repeated exposure may damage the liver and the heart muscle." “In long-term studies, animals that breathed very low levels of antimony had eye irritation, hair loss, lung damage, and heart problems. Problems with fertility were also noted.” "Two studies reported lung tumors in rats exposed to relatively low levels of antimony trioxide." "Antimony tends to accumulate in the liver and gastrointestinal tract.” “Death was observed in rabbits following a single [dermal] application of Antimony.” “Two out of four rabbits died after 6-8 topical applications of antimony trioxide paste. The antimony trioxide was combined with a mixture formulated to resemble acidic sweat.” Antimony seems to absorb readily through our skin and the CPSC assumptions could be very wrong. The CDC cannot determine a safe level of Antimony exposure because: “At the lowest exposure levels tested, the adversity of the effects was considered to be serious.” On cancer risks of Antimony the CPSC admits: “The cancer effects are cumulative. Every exposure contributes to the overall lifetime risk of developing cancer.”

Many people have already reported getting sick from fireproof mattresses: "I watch the effects of this to our workforce daily. I work at Simmons Mattress in Janesville WI. We are concerned that the chemicals are harmful. All we hear is FR is government mandated. What is wrong with our government?" (I can privately give you her name and phone)

I am currently suffering severe allergic reactions to my new Sealy mattress. The store, Slumberland and its rep deny any problems from the Boric acid. … Thank you for your work. Ann Natale, BS, 1690 Rowntree Lane, Rockford IL 61107,

I work at Simmons Mattresses. Please DO NOT ENDORSE THE FR BEDS! … I work at Simmons and am currently making FR beds. Since this new line has come out I have been having coughing fits. I am convinced this new FR fiber we are using is the cause. Beloit WI 53551

"The new Serta I bought at Costco this spring is giving me huge headaches and joint pain. I went back to a 8 yr old bed and immediately felt better." Phil Fleming, Seattle WA 98166

"Bought a chemical treated mattress, broke out in a rash/itchy skin, have sore throat and increased frequency of my migraines and sinus problems." Kirsten Surratt, Peoria IL 61615,
"I have had a new mattress for 20 days and have been sick since it arrived. Manufacturer and dealer will not admit that the mattress is causing my symptoms and will not refund my money - nearly $1500." Marjorie Trudel, Fitchburg MA 01420

"I have my life back now but how many other people will suffer from this unnecessary exposure to added chemicals. …. I feel sorry for the infants who are placed on these infected mattresses." Sandra Dorsey, Fallbrook, CA 92028

Close, chronic, lifetime full-body and breathing exposure to these poisons in mattresses is especially risky.

Before assuming our government used due diligence to prove it safe to sleep in fireproofing chemicals, please, please, look at the facts in a few highlighted pages of government documents on our websites, or I will send them to you. You will see, the CPSC admits it is NOT proven safe to sleep in these chemicals, and they excluded children under age five from their analysis by assuming all these children will sleep on vinyl sheets due to bedwetting problems, and that this will protect them from the toxic chemicals in their mattresses. European scientists proved Antimony leaches through vinyl on crib mattresses, and linked it to SIDS.

The only analysis justifying the regulation is a short CPSC internal review designed to reach a preexisting conclusion that has many errors and omissions. It failed independent review as the reviewer complained their assumptions of safe levels of toxin absorption do not agree with other agencies, and that they changed the rules of National Academes of Sciences “child sucking test” and then did not even apply it to one- year-old children whom the test was designed to protect. Our calculations show mattresses would clearly fail this test. Of several omissions, they did not test for Formaldehyde release or absorption from a popular system. Formaldehyde is already known to cause up to 69,300 cancer cases.

From flame-proof mattresses the CPSC predicts we will absorb every night, .081 mg Boric Acid (Roach Killer), .073 mg DBDPO (Deca), and .802 mg Antimony (an ancient poison used since Egyptian times, and a heavy metal almost identical to Arsenic). Even this amount of Antimony is 27 times more than the EPA says is safe (.03 mg).

Even Crib Mattresses often contain .5 pounds of these poisons, and a queen size, 1.5 pounds. To make their predictions, the CPSC assumed, without data, we would absorb only 1/10,000’s, 1/1,000’s, 2/1,000’s respectively of the above chemicals that have leached to the surface and contact our bodies. If we make more reasonable absorption assumptions of only 2% it proves Boric Acid and DBDPO toxic by twice the safe level, and Antimony toxic by 280 times. We know we absorb medicines through our skin from small patches. We may absorb much more poison than they predict, and there is also a cancer risk.

The CPSC hopes to save up to 270 from fire after all existing mattresses are replaced. Many say the risk of 300 Million Americans sleeping in poison outweighs the benefit. These numbers put your individual mattress fire risk at one in 1.111 Million.

According to USA Today, Though the USA has the worlds toughest flame retardancy standards, 3000 people die in fires each year. The chemical manufacturers association says up to 960 are saved by the 1.2 Billion pounds of flame retardant chemicals we already use annually. We doubt this one regulation will save a third more. But any amount of lives saved is a wonderful thing. However if we accidentally kill or harm more than we save it becomes clearly wrong. Putting 300 million people at any level of risk becomes a big risk.

Many mattress manufacturers and retailers privately believe it is unsafe, but can't speak up for fear it will hurt their business. A TV reporter who is currently doing a story told me they wanted to interview a local mattress retailer to tell the safe side of the story. I suggested my friend who owns 20 mattress stores in their market. When the reporter called he declined the interview even though the publicity would help his business. He told me, "I am too honest, I don't lie well, I agree with you, this regulation is bullshit." He said he would quietly offer toxin-free prescription beds in his stores to customers concerned about the chemicals, and added he definitely wanted a toxin-free prescription crib mattress for his new grandchild due soon.
Of people informed of this chemical use, 91% say they would prefer a toxin free mattress.

Here are a few of our 800 public comments we received: "This is terrifying legislation. I can't imagine putting my child to sleep on poison every night!"; "This chemical soup is deadly."; "The toxic load on our bodies is high enough without purposefully increasing the load."; "When will this senseless over use of chemicals be stopped?"; "This is an incredibly irrational and dangerous concept."; "This is an outrage."; "Forced inclusion of these chemicals constitutes a human experiment without consent."

We hope you agree that Americans want to know about this chemical use and be given freedom of choice to be part of the control group, not the test group. We hope you will run a story. Please call me at 800-457-6442

Mark Strobel, President, Strobel Mfg. www.Strobel.com, www.PrescriptionBeds.com, Director, www.PeopleForCleanBeds.org, 3131 Industrial Pkwy, Jeffersonville IN 47130, email: Mark@Strobel.com, fax: 812-282-6528, phone: 812-280-6000





Additional Links:
Government Table of Chemicals really used to fireproof mattresses:http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/chemicals-in-beds.htm
See the facts first hand in government documents at: http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/CPSC_Risk_Assessment_Highlights_w-notes_v2.pdf
Children Vulnerablehttp://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/new_research_march_2005.htm
Doctor, Retailer, and Public Comments:http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/retailer-comments.htm
Boric Acid Health Risks:http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/boric_acid_risks.htm
Antimony Health Risks:http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/antimony-risks.htm
Pounds of Poison in Crib and Adult Mattresses:http://www.prescriptionbeds.com/Pounds%20Boric%20Acid.htm
Proponents Say and Rebuttals:http://www.prescriptionbeds.com/Proponents-Say.htm
Comments of people sick from fireproof mattresses:http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/People-Sick.htm
Strobel's history of fighting the regulation before it passed: The mattress industry accuses me of fighting the issue because I benefit by selling prescription beds. Before the regulation passed they said I opposed it because I did not want to spend the money to meet the regulation. I mistakenly thought I had a chance to stop the regulation and started offering prescription beds only after the regulation passed. If you read the fight history you may come to agree my intentions are sincere: http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/fight_history.htm After verifying the facts, two leading independent Chiropractic medical journals published published my articles. One journal's article is titled "EPA Proves Flameproof Mattresses Toxic," and the other journal's article is titled, "New federal standards, new health hazards -- How you can protect your patients." Please see these and more at www.PrescriptionBeds.com/news-articles.htm.
See the facts firsthand that prove my claims in a few highlighted pages of government documents: This collection includes selected highlighted pages from the CPSC risk assessment that prove the chemicals really used in mattresses, that we will absorb toxins, that they excluded children under age five, the problems and omissions in the report and how their conclusions are invalid from a report designed to reach a preexisting conclusion. (click on the "Bookmarks" tab at left for an index that jumps to pages)http://www.prescriptionbeds.com/Proof-pages-for-media.pdf
And a shorter printer friendly version that will print highlights and notes: You may find the tone of the CPSC responses to the independent reviewer and public comments interesting. You might also find some good quotes.http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/CPSC_Risk_Assessment_Highlights_w-notes_v2.pdf
See Video of 3 new TV news stories from Louisville, Kentucky on 6/12/07, Indianapolis IN 6/13/07, and Boise ID 6/7/07 at: http://www.peopleforcleanbeds.org/news6.htm

Mark Strobel, President, Strobel Mfg. www.Strobel.com, www.PrescriptionBeds.com, Director, www.PeopleForCleanBeds.org, 3131 Industrial Pkwy, Jeffersonville IN 47130, email: Mark@Strobel.com, fax: 812-282-6528, phone: 812-280-6000

If you are not the right person please forward this email to the people in your organization who might do a story.
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.

This email news release is intended for news media and writers only. If you received in error or wish to be removed from list, please reply to this message with the word "Remove" in the subject line.