Is it safe to use conventional mattress toppers with memory foam?

What's actually in it

Memory foam is made from polyurethane, a petroleum-based polymer. During and after manufacturing, memory foam releases VOCs through a process called off-gassing. These include isocyanates, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, methylene chloride, toluene, and benzene. Many memory foam products also contain added flame retardants, typically organophosphate compounds.

Off-gassing is most intense when the product is new and diminishes over time, but chemical release continues throughout the product's life. People sleep on mattress toppers 7-9 hours daily in close face proximity to the foam surface.

What the research says

A 2026 study on organophosphate flame retardants in household products found that furniture and bedding foam continues to release flame retardant chemicals into room air and dust over time. Researchers found that residents sleeping on treated foam products had higher urinary metabolites of these compounds than those using untreated natural materials.

If you choose memory foam, look for CertiPUR-US certification, which limits but doesn't eliminate VOC emissions. Natural latex or wool mattress toppers are alternatives that don't require chemical flame retardants and have significantly lower VOC emissions.