The information below was
provided by our suppliers. Please note that Pure-Rest™
and the manufacturer of our
exclusive private label NBD-Organic™ Latex
Mattress disagree with most particulars of Natura's argument about the
benefits of Talalay latex.
The Dunlop process used for the Pure-Rest™
and NBD-Organic™ Latex
Mattresses, according to these manufacturers, assures a high standard of
product consistency and quality because the natural rubber is drawn from
grafted trees for identical chemical composition across batches and
processed within five hours of harvest from the trees. There is no
synthetic latex used in the Pure-Rest™
or NBD-Organic™ Latex Mattress -- something true also of the Natura Eco-Rest
and Eco-Haven Mattresses and the Royal-Pedic Organic Latex Mattresses.
All of these products contain 97% pure rubber, and only around 3% zinc and
soda ash (non-toxic foaming agents), according to the manufacturers.
Pure-Rest™
Latex Mattresses, per the
manufacturer, are tested for the presence of harmful chemicals -- and the results are in:
No benzene
derivatives, toluene, or other volatile organic chemicals indicated. These derivatives have reportedly shown up in trace
amounts in natural Talalay latex, used as sulfur accelerators in the
manufacturing process.
According to the Pure-Rest™
manufacturer, lab tests on Talalay latex indicate that it contains
approximately 1% benzene, toluene, and other VOC's. Pure-Rest™
and NBD-Organic™
latex is not Talalay, but latex manufactured using the Dunlop process.
For the education of our customers, we include some
information below on the blended latex found in most latex mattresses.
This is 40% natural rubber and 60% synthetic latex. The only
mattresses we sell that contain this 40-60 blend are the Royal-Pedic
non-organics. All other latex mattresses sold here are 97% natural
latex, made with either the Dunlop or Talalay processes (see above).
The following information was provided by
Natura about the 40-60 blended latex:
It is important to understand that a high natural
rubber content does not always result in a high quality product. A
100% synthetic Talalay product is superior to a 100% natural standard
product. The process is the decisive factor, not the natural
content. Many latex manufacturers use natural latex and the standard
process because it is cheaper and easier to obtain. Talalay latex,
created with an open-cell structure, provides superior resilience and
durability. It springs back quicker than standard process latex,
which has less bounce and is, therefore, less resilient.
According to Natura, the uniform, interconnecting
cell structure of Talalay latex leads to enhanced ventilation and
breathability. Body heat and moisture vapor are quickly drawn
through the mattress and away from the body. The pores in standard
latex are isolated, and, during the process, a skin forms on the surface
of the product, greatly hindering heat and moisture transfer.
Eliminating harmful proteins: Natura informs us that synthetic latex has almost
an identical molecular structure to that of natural latex. The
difference is that it is lighter in color. Natural latex is more
yellow in color and contains a stronger rubber odor. In addition,
synthetic latex does not contain any of the proteins that natural latex
contains (those with latex allergies are usually allergic to the latex
proteins that are not washed away.) On average, a synthetic latex
mattress will be approximately 20% lighter than a natural latex mattress.
Creating a consistent product: As natural latex is a natural product, there will
always be variation in each batch of latex, depending upon the climate,
weather and growing conditions. The manufacturer states that the
protein and water content can vary greatly from batch to batch, creating
an overall inconsistent product. If this natural latex is mixed with
synthetic latex in its liquid form, these variations can be leveled out
and production and supply of a consistent product is possible. If
only natural latex is used in the process, the achievement of consistency
is extremely difficult. The cell structure of Talalay latex has a
superior consistency, and allows for a wider range of firmness. It
is one of the most environmentally friendly processes available to produce
latex, according to Natura, and no shortcuts are ever used in the Talalay
process or material.
Dunlop vs. Talalay Processes