You can help ensure a mattress is non-toxic by looking for certifications that model has earned. Some of the most common certifications for mattresses include: - Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS): These certifications indicate certain materials used in mattresses are mostly organic. The GOTS certification typically applies to natural fibers used in mattress covers, such as cotton, wool, or linen. GOLS exclusively applies to latex in the comfort layers and support cores of mattresses. - OEKO-TEX: OEKO-TEX issues several different certifications. For mattresses, the most common of these is the The OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification. This informs you the mattress has been evaluated for emissions of toxic chemicals that pose risks to both human health and the environment. - Greenguard: Similar to the OEKO-TEX Standard 100, Greenguard certifications test mattresses for emissions of toxic chemicals. - CertiPUR-US: This certification applies to the memory foam and polyfoam used to construct mattress layers. It tests for chemicals that have been deemed harmful to human health. You should keep in mind that most mattresses emit some initial odor when you unbox them. This is especially true for mattresses with foam layers. These smells – known as off-gassing – are caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that carry a distinct chemical odor many liken to plastic. We recommend placing your new mattress in a well-ventilated room for 1 to 2 days after unboxing your new mattress. This will help air out the VOCs and rid the mattress of its initial off-gassing smells.