The potential danger to life from chemicals created by humans is unpredictable . How safe is the bedding that covers your body while you sleep?  

 

1. Sick building syndrome caused by chemicals

Sick building syndrome causes poor health, such as eye irritation, in newly built or renovated homes. Symptoms include headache, sore throat, rhinitis, nausea, dizziness, and dermatitis. It seems that there are cases in which children attending not only ordinary houses but also newly built kindergartens and schools have been diagnosed as suffering from sick school syndrome .  

　 The cause is volatile chemicals emitted from building materials. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare provides guideline values ​​for hazardous substances such as formaldehyde and toluene, and disseminates information on prevention and countermeasures .  

 

2. Chemicals used in textile products and their safety 

It is said that 25% of the world's chemical substances are used in textile production , and many chemical substances are used in textile products. A variety of processes are performed during the stages of pulling the thread from the material, weaving the cloth, dyeing it, and making it into a product before it is available in stores.  

For example, formaldehyde also has uses as a fixing agent for pigment prints. In addition to synthetic fibers, chemicals are also used in the processing of natural fibers such as cotton and wool. Before the cotton is harvested, large amounts of chemicals are sprayed to kill the branches.  

 　In Europe, where the environment is strict, textile products that have been certified as safe by certification bodies are becoming popular. The most prestigious certification body is Oeko-Tex International Community . 

The Oeko-Tex International Community, which includes testing and research institutes from Europe, Japan, and other countries, sets safety standards not only for apparel and bedding, but also for textile products in general. We prohibit the use of substances that are harmful to the human body or set limits , and only those that pass the standards are allowed to use certification labels .  

 

3. Oeko-Tex certified bedding

Test items include carcinogenic and allergenic dyes, formaldehyde, pesticides, chlorinated phenols, extractable heavy metals, and volatile substance emissions. In order for a bedding product to receive Oeko-Tex certification, all materials, including the fabric, filling, sewing thread, quality label, and woven label, must pass inspection and be safe down to the single thread. Masu . 

The sleeping climate is the condition of the small space created by the comforter and bedding. It is said that a comfortable temperature in the bed is 33±1℃ and humidity of 50±5% throughout the year. As well as temperature and humidity, what you want to check is the safety of the bed against chemicals . An important point when choosing bedding is that bedding such as comforters , mattresses, and sheets are safe.