The formaldehyde level of the "three no mattresses" reached 0.46 mg/m³, which was more than four times higher than the standard. The room had a strange smell, and Mr. Yuan, a local citizen, suspected that the furniture was not environmentally friendly. However, after testing, he found that the formaldehyde levels in the furniture were within limits. The real pollution source turned out to be a brown mattress with no manufacturer, production address, or trademark. Its formaldehyde content was over four times the acceptable limit.
**Owner:**
**Anti-pollution children's room decorated in advance**
Mr. Yuan is a civil servant who recently moved into a new home located in Liusha Road, Nanning. The house has three bedrooms and two living areas, covering 120 square meters with medium-level decoration. Concerned about indoor air quality, he participated in a free environmental testing event organized by the newspaper "Home Weekly."
On April 22, the reporter accompanied staff from the Guangxi Analysis and Testing Center to Mr. Yuan’s home. The team tested the air in the living room, master bedroom, elderly room, and children's room. In the living room, they found no strong odors, as it had large windows and good ventilation. Mr. Yuan was more concerned about the children's room.
When asked how old the children were, Mr. Yuan hesitated. He wasn't married yet, but his parents lived with him. He explained that he had renovated the children's room in advance because he planned for future marriage and family life. “I bought the bed early so I wouldn’t have to worry about pollution later,†he said.
**Encounter:**
**A giveaway brown mattress with unknown origin**
During the test, the team collected air samples in all rooms. The results showed low formaldehyde levels in the living room, master bedroom, and elderly room. The children's room, however, was small—only seven or eight square meters—with a single upper and lower bed. Mr. Yuan believed the bed was made of solid wood and therefore eco-friendly, but he still noticed an odd smell.
Testing confirmed that the formaldehyde levels in the children's room were within limits. However, the reporter noticed that the upper and lower mattresses were brown and lacked any branding, manufacturing details, or certifications. Mr. Yuan said the mattresses were given as a gift when he purchased the bed frame. They had never been used, and the packaging film was still intact.
**Detection:**
**Formaldehyde levels in the brown mattress exceed standards**
In past cases, brown mattresses often had high formaldehyde levels. The reporter suggested tearing open the packaging to test the mattress directly. When the probe was inserted between the mattress and the film, the formaldehyde reading jumped from 0.02 mg/m³ to 0.46 mg/m³. Pan Gong, one of the testers, shook his head and said, “This mattress can no longer be used.†A second test on another brown mattress showed the same alarming result—over four times the standard.
“This is really shocking,†Mr. Yuan said, surprised by the findings. He immediately wanted to throw away the “toxic†mattress. Later, he asked the team to check other mattresses in the house.
The master bedroom mattress was from Simmons, a well-known brand, and cost nearly 10,000 yuan. On-site testing showed its formaldehyde levels were normal. Mr. Yuan sighed, “It really is true that cheap isn’t always better. You have to be careful with free gifts from merchants.â€
**Analysis:**
**Using inferior glue is the main cause**
On April 25, after lab analysis, the test results for Mr. Yuan’s home were released. All four sampling points (living room, master bedroom, elderly room, and children's room) met the standard for formaldehyde, TVOC, benzene, and ammonia.
But why did the brown mattress in the children’s room have such high formaldehyde levels while the overall air quality was fine? Pan Gong from the Guangxi Analytical Testing and Research Center explained that formaldehyde is commonly found in wood products and furniture, especially if poor-quality glue or improper sealing is used. Small manufacturers often use low-grade urea-formaldehyde glue, leading to excessive emissions.
These types of brown mattresses are often made with synthetic materials and substandard adhesives. If the outer packaging is intact, it can slow down the release of formaldehyde. But once opened, the levels could rise significantly.
Experts advise: Mattresses are closely related to health, so whether you choose a brown, spring, or latex mattress, always go for a reputable brand that provides a test report and has good market recognition.
Swtich Glass Film,Privacy Protector Film,High Quality Swtich Glass Film
Shenzhen Filmbase Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.globalfilmbase.com