"This is the first mattress ever, to my knowledge, that does not require any flame barrier or any fire retardant chemicals of any kind," said Barry Cik, president of Naturepedic.
Cik explained that the Lullaby Earth mattress is composed primarily of polyethylene (rather than polyurethane) foam, which doesn't have a high heat release, and doesn't burst into a ball of fire the way untreated polyurethane foam does. He compared polyethylene's properties when lit on fire to plastics, which shrivel up.
Cik said the polyethylene also acts similar to wax on a candle, inhibiting the flame rather than spreading it.
"As such, there is no need to add a flame barrier or flame retardant chemicals, etc.," said Cik. "The Lullaby Earth mattresses meet the government requirements as is."
With a sharp retail of $149, the Lullaby Earth weighs in at only seven pounds, and is also Greenguard-certified, features firm surfaces, seamless edges, waterproof edges, edge support and square corners.
The Lullaby Earth is also fully recyclable at the end of its life, though Cik acknowledged that recycling facilities do not exist today that will accept consumer items like mattresses.
"However, we believe that recycling programs will become more widespread over the next decade or two," said Cik. "As such, when these mattresses will reach the end of their useful life, we believe that programs will exist that will easily take these mattresses and recycle them."
Naturepedic is providing consumers a toll free number, attached to the mattress, to advise parents of the best available local recycling program in their area.
Naturepedic will also be promoting the Naturepedic Lightweight, recently rated the #1 Top Pick Crib Mattress by Baby Bargains, at the ABC Kids Expo. The Lightweight is made with certified organic cotton fabric and filling, food-grade polyethylene waterproofing, seamless edges, square corners, and has a 2-stage dual firmness option. It is free of polyurethane foam and latex and is also impenetrable to bedbugs and dust-mites. In addition to organic certification, it is Greenguard certified, and recommended by Healthy Child Healthy World.