When the sap is heated with a small amount of gelling agent (sodium silicofluoride) a minimal amount of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are formed. VOCs are carbon-based compounds, found both naturally and in many household products and most are washed out of the mattress during the rinsing process before testing and packaging. They are carbon-based chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature and can combine with other molecules in the atmosphere to create new compounds – some harmless, others not so. This is often described as the smell from fresh paint, new furniture, new cars, etc. which arises from VOCs breaking down – a process known as off-gassing (this typically occurs when a product is first made and when a product nears the end of its life).
When there is a high level of VOCs, we find chemically sensitive people can get headaches, itchy eyes, feel nauseous or have issues breathing. Consequently, high levels of VOCs can have adverse health effects as off-gassing may persist for years after a product is made. The more natural a product is, and the more stable its make-up, the lower the level of VOCs and the safer it is. We care deeply about creating a healthy sleeping environment so we strive to ensure our Organic Latex has as little off-gassing as possible. Our latex is tested and certified to ensure it has a low toxicity.