Death by pillow

Even though the title may be

a little leading when we are looking at our personal living environment (our homes), it may not be that far from the truth. And when we are searching for answers for ailments such as migraine headaches we sometimes pass up things that seem to be benign. Although some doctors may suggest that migraine headaches may be the result of allergies, few if any will tell you the plausible cause is a polyurethane pillow. This may be due to the fact that there has been very little research published in regards to seemingly benign toxins such as plastics in the home environment. The truth is plastics give the appearance as being a solid stable safe product, but even wood, as it decomposes gives off CO2 gases. With research studies indicating that the air we breathe in our own homes is more toxic than the air outside your home. There still seems to be little interest in studying the effects of chemical vapors from plastics or other in-home products. As our homes become more energy efficient and less fresh air, we may find ourselves living in an extremely toxic environment with ailments as yet to be discovered. It was only a few short decades ago that lead paint and asbestos insulation was touted as safe products to use.

                A polyurethane pillow may not seem like something that you should be concerned about but if you think about it, you are sleeping with your face in close proximity to polyurethane plastic. And if that were not enough, some beds are made with high-density polyurethane (memory foam). The point I’m trying to make is, even when the pillow is brand-new, polyurethane is giving off fumes and in addition as polyurethane is flammable, it is treated with chemical flame retardant’s which also give off chemical vapors.  Interestingly enough these products have not been tested for long-term exposure to humans inhaling these chemicals. To make matters worse as these pillows decompose, they give off additional chemical vapors from the decomposing plastic. Although seemingly few studies have been done on the toxic effects from pillows or bedding, medical patients have reported headaches, eye irritations and sinus problems.

                The problem I have been having though is in finding a suitable replacement. And although down and cotton pillows should have less chemical exposure, you are still dealing with dust mites and other allergens that can trigger migraine headaches. Not to mention chemical treatments these products go through to make them flame retardant. The truth is I’m not sure there is an acceptable substitute and once again I find myself being a guinea pig, trying out different products in the hopes of finding one that does not make me sick, or at least finding a lesser evil that I can live with. So now I have one more item I can add to my list as a plausible cause for migraine headaches.