Building a toxin-free nursery: These nontoxic crib mattresses offer healthier solutions

When you bring your new bundle of joy home, you know that keeping your little one safe is your No. 1 job. You have your pediatrician on speed dial, a baby thermometer stocked in your medicine cabinet and all the supplies necessary to ensure your home and family are prepared (as much as you can be) for the adventure that's to come.

And naturally, you assume the products you've purchased are safe for your growing child — after all, why would they be available if they weren't safe? Well ... an unfortunate truth is that many consumer goods are largely unregulated and baby supplies, even those you rely on like crib mattresses, diapers and wet wipes, don't get the proper vetting that you or your baby deserve. To this point, two new 2025 studies found that harmful chemicals are released from baby mattresses and hover in the air where babies can breathe them in.

Studies indicate many crib mattresses contain toxic chemicals

The studies, published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, found the foam inside many baby mattresses contains potentially harmful chemicals, including a fire retardant (TCEP), which has been banned in Canada since 2014 and was identified by the EPA in 2024 as posing "an unreasonable risk of injury to human health and the environment." The agency specifically noted that the highest risk comes when people "breathe or ingest dust from TCEP that comes off of fabrics, textiles, foam and wood products." The studies further found that the air surrounding babies as they sleep contains high levels of similar compounds, which babies can breathe while sleeping.

The chemicals researchers identified include one that is a suspected cancer-causing agent (carcinogen), others that are proven endocrine disruptors (chemicals that can interfere with hormone production and the reproductive system) and phthalates that increase asthma risk.

"They found these chemicals in every child's mattress they tested across a range of brands, across cost and country of origin," says Jane Houlihan, research director at Healthy Babies, Bright Futures. "What was new about this study was adding in the fact that a child's body is warm and compressing the mattress. The research showed that these combinations of chemicals are off-gassing [being released into the air] at even higher levels when a child is on the mattress, exactly when you don't want them to be doing that."

"The significance of these chemicals being in the air," says lead author of the studies, Miriam Diamond, professor in the School of the Environment at the University of Toronto, "is that you sleep there up to 18 hours a day, and babies have an inhalation rate that's 10 times higher than that of adults."

How concerned should you be?

It's important to note that no studies to date have found a connection between crib mattresses and harmful health effects in babies, but the fact that crib mattresses are largely unregulated means that babies can be exposed to toxins. Both Diamond and Houlihan hope this kind of research will increase regulations so that safer products are made.

Until then, what is a concerned parent to do? The good news is: lots of things.

Easy ways to lower toxin levels in your baby’s bedroom

• Declutter: "The bedrooms where kids were sleeping with more stuff in the crib tended to have higher concentrations of several of the chemicals," says Diamond. That means it's time to eighty-six the stuffies, any blanketing or baby bumpers. "I recommend decluttering the bedroom as a whole," says Diamond, "because we know other baby products contain these chemicals and can release them."

• Wash linens and sleep clothing often. The sheet and the fabric your baby sleeps on are really helpful barriers that can protect them. "If you frequently wash bedding and your children's sleepwear, that can help because those layers can absorb some of the chemicals that are coming off of the mattress and keep them out of your child's body," says Houlihan. Just check your laundry detergents to make sure you're using baby-safe options that have been third-party approved by organizations like the EPA's Safer Choice Standard or the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

• Avoid plastic mattress covers. Though they were not a part of the study, both Diamond and Houlihan recommend choosing cotton mattress covers over plastic ones. "Plastic and waterproof mattress covers are often coated with or contain chemicals that are harmful to health," says Houlihan.

• Add other barriers instead. Diamond recommends an old trick her mother did to handle accidents — place an absorbent towel in between the sheet and the mattress cover. "Terry cloth has a very high surface area," says Diamond, "which is why it absorbs so well. And then, add a second or third sheet to create more barriers."

• Choose light-colored linens. Any material that has a bright color to it often contains UV filters to keep the color from fading. Some UV filters have been found to be endocrine disruptors, so Diamond suggests getting a plain white sheet instead.

• Let new products off-gas. "If you have a sheltered, well-ventilated place, put the products there for a few days, to let the first flush of chemicals out of the product," suggests Houlihan.

How to choose safer products

Given the lack of regulation and the fact that the researchers found a banned chemical in all of the mattresses they tested, Houlihan says, "It's really tricky to shop your way out of this problem." But, the EWG, a nonprofit that conducts independent testing of many consumer products to make recommendations on which ones have the least potential to harm humans or the environment, offers these tips:

"Look for mattresses from brands that are transparent in the materials they use," recommends Sydney Swanson, a healthy living science analyst in consumer safety science at EWG. She says you should avoid mattresses made with polyurethane foam (including 'memory foam'), fragrance or waterproofing materials including PVC/vinyl chloride or PFAS. "When possible, choose mattresses that use wool or polylactic acid (PLA) as safer flame barriers," says Swanson.

Use these same guidelines for choosing mattress covers too. "If you are looking for a waterproof cover, opt for those made from polyethylene or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), as these are safer alternatives to PVCs and vinyl chloride," says Swanson.

Since mattresses aren't required to list ingredients and these chemicals can go under a number of different names, one way to know you're making a healthier choice is to choose mattresses that have been certified by independent agencies looking for certain materials.

EWG has just begun adding crib mattresses to their list of EWG Verified products. The mattresses must be made with transparency and disclose all ingredients, with safer materials and lower-emitting volatile organic compounds, and are prohibited from using harmful chemical flame retardants and fiberglass and PVCs and PFAS chemicals.

Other certifications include OEKO-TEX, "which can provide reassurance that certain harmful chemicals are restricted in the textiles used," says Swanson. "[Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)] certifies that the textiles used are organic, made with transparency, with all ingredients and materials used."

EWG-verified mattresses

Lullaby Earth Breathe Safe Breathable Mini Crib Mattress

$199

This is the only EWG-verified mattress for a mini crib. It has a removable, washable GOTS-certified cover (bonus!) and a breathable design that is supposed to keep your baby's body cooler, which could help decrease the ability to take up toxins into their skin.

$199 at Lullaby Earth

Lullaby Earth Healthy Support 2-Stage Crib Mattress

$199

This waterproof, double-sided mattress (firm for babies and a more cushiony side for toddlers) is EWG-verified and "is free of all fire retardant chemicals," according to the manufacturer.

$199 at Lullaby Earth

Naturepedic Waterproof Organic Crib Mattress Protector Pad

$59

This light-colored, soft mattress cover has a top layer of GOTS-certified cotton and a waterproof layer made with TPU, the alternative chemical that Swanson recommends. The manufacturer says it contains no vinyl, PVC or phthalates. It's also machine washable and comes in mini crib sizes, including ovals.

$59 at Naturepedic

Naturepedic Breathable Crib Mattress Cover

$69

This simpler, washable mattress cover also has a GOTS-certified cotton top layer and is made to be breathable to reduce overheating in babies. You can also buy this cover in a mini crib size or oval shape.

$69 at Naturepedic

Burt’s Bees Solid Organic Cotton Beesnug Fitted Crib Sheet

$20

These incredibly soft, 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton sheets come in very light colors, can go in the washer and dryer and stand up well to many washings.

$20 at Burt's Bees

Honest Baby Organic Cotton Fitted Crib Sheet

$10

These GOTS-certified 100% organic cotton sheets come at a lower price point but still get high marks for ease of use and softness.

$10 at Target

Safer crib mattress covers

Safer crib sheets

Meet the experts

• Jane Houlihan, research director at Healthy Babies, Bright Futures

• Miriam Diamond, professor at the School of the Environment at the University of Toronto

• Sydney Swanson, a healthy living science analyst in consumer safety science at EWG

Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.