Submitted by Armen Hareyan on Apr 24th, 2008
More people than ever before are buying bedding products that meet established scientific standards -- especially people with asthma and allergies -- in search of a better night's sleep.
Many bedding items such as pillows, comforters and mattress pads contain unwanted chemical ingredients and finishes from manufacturing or packaging, and most bedding also accumulates household allergens during everyday use. For people with asthma and allergies, it can be difficult to sleep through the night without having symptoms triggered by these allergens and irritants.
In the United States alone, there are an estimated 20 million people with asthma and 50 million with allergies. Many triggers such as chemicals and household allergens can aggravate both diseases. Medical experts advise that reducing exposure to allergens and irritants, such as dust mites, pet dander, and formaldehyde should be a critical part of patient's asthma and allergy management plan.
So, for the past 3 years, the asthma & allergy friendly Certification Program, administered by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) in partnership with the international research organization, Allergy Standards Limited (ASL), has been introducing scientific standards for bedding and other types of products. They have also been putting products to the test in independent, accredited laboratories around the world to determine which products are truly more suitable.
Recently, the rapidly expanding asthma & allergy friendly Certification Program, certified SmartSilk silk-filled Pillow Protectors and Duvets, adding to the long list of other existing certified pillows, encasements, mattress pads, comforters and more.
Only those bedding items that pass the rigorous scientific testing protocols and meet the strict standards adopted by AAFA are certified asthma & allergy friendly. The distinctive certification mark found on packaging informs consumers that products are more suitable for individuals with asthma, allergies or both. The standards are designed to ensure that products do not contain harmful chemicals, can withstand routine machine wash and dry instructions, and under normal use and care, will not allow household allergens to accumulate at high levels. Each product is labeled to inform the consumer why it has been certified. Bedding products include specific detailed cleaning and care instructions for maintaining them in a low allergen state.
Source:
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America 