Reference summary — not medical advice or a personal risk estimate.
New mattress
Newly-manufactured mattresses can off-gas VOCs and flame retardants for weeks.
Also known as: memory foam mattress, mattress off-gassing
What this does NOT mean
Finding a factor documented in this product category does not establish that ordinary use of new mattress causes cancer. It means research — through regulatory testing, recall records, or IARC review — has found that chemical present in this category. Whether it matters for you depends on formulation, dose, frequency, and route of exposure.
What has been documented
- FormaldehydeIARC Group 1IARC Group 1Contains · medium confidence
Adhesives in layered mattresses can off-gas formaldehyde during break-in.
Evidence source: US EPA
- Antimony trioxideIARC Group 2BIARC Group 2BContains · medium confidence
Flame retardants meeting fire codes historically used antimony trioxide.
Evidence source: US EPA
How to read this page
A factor appearing on this page means it has been documented in this product category — through EPA / FDA testing, IARC monographs, or regulatory recall records. Whether it presents a meaningful personal risk depends on the specific formulation, dose, and how you're exposed. Click any factor to read what science actually says about it, and where.