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March 10, 2011 - The
International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) has
begun a new campaign to protect consumers from
preventable fire and health risks, including the growing
bed bug epidemic. ISPA is leading efforts in several key
states to enact new and tougher laws that address the
spread of bed bugs in used and renovated mattresses.
Florida is one state that has been hit hard with bed
bug infestation and a growing mattress renovation
problem. As the Florida Legislature convenes this week,
it will consider ISPA-supported legislation that offers
new tools to combat the spread of bed bugs. The
legislation would require renovators of used mattresses
to sanitize their products prior to resale. Currently,
no such requirement exists in the state.
ISPA and the mattress industry have long supported
efforts to combat bed bugs and educate consumers on how
they can avoid a bed bug contamination. As bed bugs have
remerged as a pest control issue in recent years, the
risk that consumers buying used and renovated mattresses
will inadvertently bring these creatures into their
homes has also increased. Oftentimes, used mattresses
are not disposed of properly and are instead sold to
unscrupulous mattress renovators who sew a new cover on
the old, and frequently filthy used mattress without
sanitizing the mattress or disclosing that it is made
from used materials.
“Though bed bugs are the most visibly recognizable
threat from used mattresses, these beds may contain
other hidden risks,” noted ISPA Vice President of
Government Relations and Policy, Christopher Hudgins.
“In addition to the public health risks of sleeping on a
used mattress, too often these mattresses don’t meet
federal flammability requirements meaning that renovated
mattresses needlessly expose families to fire risks.”
ISPA is also working with legislators in Connecticut,
Tennessee, New York and other states to enact tougher
safeguards for used mattresses.
Established in 1915, the International Sleep Products
Association (ISPA) is dedicated to protecting and
enhancing the growth, profitability and stature of the
mattress industry. As the industry’s trade organization,
ISPA represents over 600 mattress manufacturers and
suppliers throughout the world.
ISPA provides a wide range of services that benefit
its membership. These include exclusive industry surveys
and statistics, advocacy support, educational offerings,
the industry’s ISPA EXPO trade show, safety research
through its Sleep Products Safety Council, consumer
research and education through its Better Sleep Council,
BedTimes and Sleep Savvy publications, the ISPAEarth™
Industry Sustainability Initiative, and more.
To learn more, visit
www.sleepproducts.org or contact
info@sleepproducts.org. |
