Question from Sue P.
Hi Debra,
I am trying to figure out if a commercially made quilt would typically contain flame retardants or any other harmful chemicals. I have found a quilt online that says the cover is 100% cotton, but the filling is 100% polyester. Are there flame retardants in 100% polyester? Would washing this several times, remove any harmful chemicals? Thanks for your great website and research.
Debra’s Answer
It’s unlikely that polyester fill would contain flame retardants. Furniture manufacturers use layers of polyester to help them pass the flammability tests. It doesn’t burn, it melts.
Many many years ago I was wearing a polyester nightgown. I took it off and threw it on the floor—right on top of my hot curling iron. And I saw that polyester melt right before my eyes. So it passes the flame test, but I wouldn’t want molten polyester on my skin.
Polyester itself is not particularly toxic, it’s usually the finishes that are the toxic part.
But again, polyester is plastic, so if you want to avoid plastic for other reasons, then that’s something to consider. But it’s not toxic.
I’m getting a few conflicting messages on polyester.. It isn’t ‘strictly’ toxic.. But is made with petrochemicals and obviously not the best material to use.
I’m very lost at the minute as I’m looking for a ‘safe’ mattress and pillows.. I have chemical sensitivities and mast cell activation syndrome. In pollen season especially I become “hyper-allergic” and react to everything including my dog and wool etc etc. I am very nervous about the possibility of a mattress or pillows with a large quantity of wool or another animal fibre as i am extremely likely to become very reactive to them in summer. I have tried kapok today but felt very fluey after being in contact with it so I’m not sure this is the right option either. I’m also in the UK, allergic to latex and have limited options because of these factors. My current duvet and pillows are polyester.. I am not sure if I have problems with them or not, as everything in my current environment seems to effect me. I am moving into what will hopefully be a ‘safe’ home hopefully within the next month.
There is a mattress option, made from cotton and polyester, metal springs, a thin layer of wool and a polyester cover.. Which on the allergy side of things is probably my best option.. Here is the link.. https://cottonsafenaturalmattress.co.uk/natural-mattresses/pure-choice-bed-mattress/
I could then possibly get an organic cotton/hemp mattress topper that would give me a little space between the polyester and my skin. But I’m still not convinced.. I know there isn’t enough information on polyester out there and I know in most of your posts you say to avoid it.. But i was just wondering if you had any suggestions?
(I’m also going to test alpaca soon.. But I think any animal fibres right next to my face for pillows would likely be a bad idea… But is polyester just as bad in the long run…?)
I understand your confusion.
The thing to keep in mind about materials being toxic is that “toxic” is a very broad gradient scale, from not toxic at all to very toxic. If you look at toxicological data, polyester is way down on the low end of toxic. However, many polyester fabrics come with more toxic finishes, such as permanent press, which emits formaldehyde.
Polyester fill in a pillow or comforter, or as a mattress cover would be less toxic because it wouldn’t have the permanent press finish.
In my mind, anything that is natural (plant or animal) is better than anything made from petroleum. People with MCS often react to anything made from petroleum regardless of any other degree of toxicity.
However, for you, if you also have reactions to natural materials, polyester may be more tolerable.
My suggestion to you in general would be to do more things to lower the toxic overload in your body so you can tolerate more materials. Things like breathe clean air in outdoor environments such as a beach or in the mountains, drink enough water, eat more vegetables and take Touchstone Essentials PureBody Zeolite to remove heavy metals.