Organic latex mattresses don't actually technically exist, despite them being a well marketed product.
The new big thing on the mattress market is latex. It's comfortable, durable, supportive and best of all its good for a bad back.
Yet it's not organic? This is a question that many ask but only get a confusing answer in return.
Two Types Of Latex
First of all to clarify the difference between latex and rubber. Latex is the milky white sap that comes from the Hevea Brasiliensis tree. That sap is then taken and turned into rubber during processing. In the mattress industry the terms rubber and latex are used interchangeably.
The first type of latex you can get is the one that comes out of the tree. The second is the kind you get in the lab.
Most of the world's rubber trees were under Japanese control during WWII. So to cope with the shortage the Americans produced chemical synthetic latex. This latex is derived from petrochemicals and is incredibly toxic.
Toxicity and environmental concerns weren't really on the radar in the 40s the way they are now. But at the moment we are still using that same toxic product that we were back then.
Natural Or Organic?
As a reaction to the heavy use of synthetic latex many people are moving back to products that come from real latex - the stuff that comes out of the tree.
The question is however - is this product organic? If not why do I see organic latex mattresses advertised?
In most people's minds organic means something is produced and manufactured without toxic chemicals or artificial enhancements.
However organic actually means something subtly different. It means that an independent third party has certified that a product has been produced according to certain organic standards - which includes no toxic chemicals or artificial enhancements.
So a product might be completely natural and toxin free but if there is no independent third party that is authorized to give certification then the term "organic" cannot be used.
This is the position latex finds itself in. Many companies are manufacturing without toxins and adhering to exemplary environmental practices but they cannot market their product as organic latex mattresses because no third party has authorized it.
So instead these latex mattresses are called "natural latex mattresses." This is to distinguish them from latex created in the lab.
If a company uses the phrase "organic latex mattresses" in its marketing read closely. They will be referring to the wool or cotton padding as organic, not the latex. Many companies call their products an "organic natural latex mattress" to get around this.
The new big thing on the mattress market is latex. It's comfortable, durable, supportive and best of all its good for a bad back.
Yet it's not organic? This is a question that many ask but only get a confusing answer in return.
Two Types Of Latex
First of all to clarify the difference between latex and rubber. Latex is the milky white sap that comes from the Hevea Brasiliensis tree. That sap is then taken and turned into rubber during processing. In the mattress industry the terms rubber and latex are used interchangeably.
The first type of latex you can get is the one that comes out of the tree. The second is the kind you get in the lab.
Most of the world's rubber trees were under Japanese control during WWII. So to cope with the shortage the Americans produced chemical synthetic latex. This latex is derived from petrochemicals and is incredibly toxic.
Toxicity and environmental concerns weren't really on the radar in the 40s the way they are now. But at the moment we are still using that same toxic product that we were back then.
Natural Or Organic?
As a reaction to the heavy use of synthetic latex many people are moving back to products that come from real latex - the stuff that comes out of the tree.
The question is however - is this product organic? If not why do I see organic latex mattresses advertised?
In most people's minds organic means something is produced and manufactured without toxic chemicals or artificial enhancements.
However organic actually means something subtly different. It means that an independent third party has certified that a product has been produced according to certain organic standards - which includes no toxic chemicals or artificial enhancements.
So a product might be completely natural and toxin free but if there is no independent third party that is authorized to give certification then the term "organic" cannot be used.
This is the position latex finds itself in. Many companies are manufacturing without toxins and adhering to exemplary environmental practices but they cannot market their product as organic latex mattresses because no third party has authorized it.
So instead these latex mattresses are called "natural latex mattresses." This is to distinguish them from latex created in the lab.
If a company uses the phrase "organic latex mattresses" in its marketing read closely. They will be referring to the wool or cotton padding as organic, not the latex. Many companies call their products an "organic natural latex mattress" to get around this.
Thomas is committed to helping you make an informed choice when you purchase an organic mattress. So learn about the environmental qualities of latex and find out whether natural latex is a safe product.
Also visit his website for further information about why there is no such thing as an organic latex mattress.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_MaurerAlso visit his website for further information about why there is no such thing as an organic latex mattress.
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