Vanillin in Latex and Rubber Mattresses

Some non organic rubber mattresses use vanillin. We regard this as a potential health hazard, so true organic crib mattresses don't contain this substance.

Vanillin is used to mainly to give a 'vanilla' flavor to foods, and a vanilla smell to mattresses.

Originally the vanilla flavor came from the vanilla bean. However, natural vanilla beans can supply only a tiny fraction of the huge demand for vanilla flavoring.

So artificial vanilla flavoring, or vanillin is used. The problem with artificial vanillin is that it is made using toxic petroleum based chemicals. One particular chemical used in the process is a carcinogen called dimethyl sulfate.

Natural latex has a 'rubbery' smell. This is natural, as it comes from the rubber tree. However in order to make mattresses smell like vanilla, vanillin is added.

This is a potential hazard. Dimethyl sulphate is toxic even in very small ammounts. While Vanillin is a separate chemical from Dimethyl Sulphate, it is still a petrochemical.

Petrochemicals may be carcinogens - cancer causing substances.

So it is not advisable to use vanillin in mattresses, especially infant mattresses.

A study of Dimethyl Sulphate.