Across the mattress industry, fire retardants are used as a preventative to reduce flammability in the event of a fire. Conventional mattresses often contain chemical flame retardants and toxic chemicals like mercury, pesticides, silica, phthalates, and formaldehyde, some of which create off-gassing emissions. (You’ll find these in polyurethane foam and memory foam applications.)
Be mindful when you’re researching mattress brands, because even outside of traditional mattress manufacturers, not all new "Bed in a Box" mattress companies take care to avoid unnecessary chemical treatments.
Because Birch’s FR layers are made from organic wool and natural rayon, two naturally flame resistant materials, you can rest easy, knowing that your mattress is environmentally sound, non-toxic, made of natural materials, and free of needless chemical retardants.