Pesticides

Wie schädlich sind Pestizide für die Gesundheit?

Pesticides in mattresses and bedding

Every day we come into contact with things that have been chemically treated in some form. Chemical substances are used in agriculture and the food industry. Various products are chemically treated, such as clothing and textiles. The list of industries and products where chemical substances are used is long. And just as long is the list of active ingredients that play a role in manufacturing and production processes and are suspected of causing significant environmental damage. In recent years, the use of pesticides in conventional agriculture and the impact of pesticides on nature and humans have come into the public spotlight. Various types of fruits and vegetables from conventional agriculture have been considered leaders in terms of pesticide contamination for years. And it is not uncommon for legally mandated pesticide limits to be exceeded, making valuable food a threat to health due to pesticide use. Many consumers wonder: What can one still eat? In Germany, about 275 pesticide active ingredients are approved. Food inspections show that about 80% of the fruits and vegetables grown in conventional agriculture have pesticide residues.

What effects do pesticides have on health?

Greenpeace warns of the long-term consequences for humans and their health from foods contaminated with pesticides in the following points:

  • Pesticides harm the environment
  • Pesticides significantly interfere with nature and reduce biodiversity
  • Pesticides make naturally healthy foods a health concern
  • Pesticides have harmful effects on humans and the environment

Greenpeace warns: Pesticides negatively affect health

Various studies have shown that the consumption of foods with high pesticide contamination, such as fruits, vegetables, and eggs, can have negative effects on health. Foods contaminated with pesticides from conventional agriculture promote the development of chronic diseases and generally have a devastating effect on health.

  • Pesticides can disrupt cell division and be carcinogenic
  • Pesticides can alter genetic material
  • Pesticides can trigger allergies
  •  Pesticides can impair the immune system

Meanwhile, there is a wide range of platforms that provide information on the impact of pesticides. The American organization Beyond Pesticides advocates for the protection of consumers and the environment. Among other things, Beyond Pesticides maintains a database of diseases that are demonstrably caused by the use of various pesticides. A pioneer in environmental protection is the international environmental organization Greenpeace. For many people, the international environmental organization Greenpeace is the epitome of environmental protection. Greenpeace also advocates for animals and raises awareness in campaigns on topics such as

  • Environment and society
  •  Nature and forests
  • Agriculture

And provides information on various topics (animals, nature, pesticides, agriculture, etc.).

Pesticides: Danger to the environment

Pesticides not only negatively affect health but also pose a danger to the environment. The extensive use of pesticides and various plant protection products in agriculture negatively impacts the habitats of plants and animals.

  • Pesticides reduce biodiversity
  • Pesticides reduce the soil fertility of arable land
  • Pesticides contaminate water bodies

What pesticides are there?

The term pesticide comes from Latin, from pestis=plague and -cida=killing, and is a collective term for synthetic-chemical substances and compounds used for the control of certain organisms, such as certain living beings and plants. The terms plant protection products and pest control agents are also common. Many people associate the term pesticide with the numerous food scandals of recent years, for example, with pesticide-contaminated fruits, vegetables, and eggs. One distinguishes

  • Plant protection products used in agriculture and forestry
  • Biocides used by pest controllers to combat pests in households

Pesticides can also be divided into the following categories, depending on the target organism that is to be controlled:

  • Herbicides: agents against weeds
  • Insecticides: agents against insects
  • Fungicides: agents against fungi
  • Acaricides: agents against mites

Effects of glyphosate

One of the most sold herbicides worldwide is glyphosate. Glyphosate is a weed killer that is primarily used in agriculture, but also by hobby gardeners. Glyphosate is criticized for having negative effects on humans and the environment. Studies indicate that

  • Glyphosate promotes the development of Alzheimer's, diabetes, and infertility
  • Glyphosate damages genetic material
  • Glyphosate has negative effects on soil fertility
  • Glyphosate has a negative effect on biodiversity

Poison cocktail harms nature

Pesticides and plant protection products are widely used in agriculture. Rarely is only one pesticide used. Pesticides are always applied in many different pesticide combinations in agriculture. The effects of these poisons on nature are severe. Because often, the pesticides are not only targeted against, for example, certain pests that occur in nature, but also affect other animals and insects that were not primarily targeted by the pesticides. These interventions in nature significantly disturb the biological balance.

Avoid pesticides

To avoid exposure to the harmful effects of pesticides, one should

  • Eat fruits and vegetables from organic farming
  • Ask about pesticide treatment before buying textiles, carpets, or mattresses
  • Do not use biocides in the home or garden

Pesticides in textiles

About one third of all produced textiles consists of cotton. No other plants use pesticides as extensively as this crop. The largest group of pesticides used on cotton plants are insecticides. Insecticides are pesticides that are intended to kill or repel insects. The term insect extermination agent or insect eradication agent is also common. Insecticides are also used to inhibit the growth of insects in various developmental stages. The cultivation of cotton heavily depends on the use of plant protection products. Without pesticides, a large part of the plants grown in monocultures would perish due to pests, leading to crop failures. Cotton growers purchase so many pesticides that they are among the main consumers of these plant protection products. On the fields, not only excessive amounts of insecticides are used, but also excessive amounts of fungicides and herbicides.

Testing of textiles for pesticides

In Germany, textiles are regularly tested for pesticide residues. Due to improved methods in plant breeding and the cultivation of these plants, the use of chemical substances and pesticides is tending to decrease. Tests are conducted according to Oeko-Tex Standard 100. This certificate is awarded to textiles where pesticide residues are below the detection limit.

Pesticides in mattresses and bedding

Bedding consists of materials such as cotton (for mattresses, bed linen) or wood (bed frames, slatted frames), where pesticides are also used. Therefore, one should pay attention to certification before purchasing bedding, for example according to Öko-Tex Standard 100. These certificates guarantee that no pesticide residues are present or that they are below the detection limit.

Mister Sandman mattresses are tested for pesticides

Mister Sandman values the safety of his customers. That is why all our products are tested for harmful substances, such as pesticide residues. The items

  • Liara, Latex mattress
  • Anea, cold foam mattress
  • Serena, foam mattress
  • Mister Sandman pillow
  • Mister Sandman topper

have an Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification. Forbidden substances are not found in Mister Sandman mattresses. And legally defined limit values are adhered to or not exceeded in all Mister Sandman products. A prerequisite for an Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification of our items is that all components of the item meet the requirements of the Oeko-Tex testing criteria. This also includes a pesticide test. Another requirement is the existence and adherence to quality assurance measures and the signing of a commitment and conformity declaration.

The Mister Sandman mattress finder

A mattress should not only meet Oeko-Tex Standard criteria and be tested for pesticides, but also fit your individual needs and preferences. With the help of our Mister Sandman mattress finder, you can be sure you have made a good choice. The Mister Sandman mattress finder requires a few details about your sleeping habits, body measurements, and preferences, and then quickly and competently recommends one of our mattress models.

90 days trial sleep

To ensure that you are absolutely certain you have found the right mattress, Mister Sandman offers you the opportunity to test your new mattress for 30 days. Through the trial sleep, you can best assess whether your new mattress suits you. If you have any questions or need additional information, feel free to contact our customer service.