The pillow I bought for more than 1,000 yuan became as hard as a rock after less than half a year of use. The merchant actually explained that it was due to poor sleeping posture. Recently, some citizens reported to this newspaper’s 114 hotline that memory pillows purchased at high prices not only failed to improve the cervical vertebrae, but caused multiple stiff necks.

During the investigation, the reporter found that there are many types of memory pillows on the Shanghai market, claiming to "prevent cervical spondylitis, high blood pressure, reduce snoring, regulate endocrine…", and the efficacy column alone is full of them. Twenty or so. However, due to the lack of relevant evaluation standards, consumers cannot identify the quality when purchasing. They often spend a lot of money to buy sponge pillows that cost only a few dozen yuan.

■Reader’s experience

The memory pillow is as hard as a stone

During the eight hours of work, at least six hours are spent in front of the computer. at every turn. Ms. Shen, who has been in the industry for more than eight years, always feels dizzy and has a tingling sensation in her neck from time to time. After going to the hospital for an examination, the doctor's diagnosis was "cervical spondylitis."

In order to strengthen daily maintenance, Ms. Shen plans to buy a pair of memory pillows. In the mall, a pillow that claims to use space nanotechnology looks ordinary at first glance, but is only slightly harder than a sponge when pressed. Ms. Shen was hesitant to spend 1,288 yuan on a pair of pillows. The clerk repeatedly emphasized that it has miraculous effects on cervical spondylitis, so Ms. Shen gritted her teeth and bought it.

Unexpectedly, after less than half a year of use, the pillow began to become hard. The pillow that originally had a spongy texture when pressed is now only slightly dented even if pressed hard, and it cannot function as a so-called memory pillow at all. "Cervical spondylitis has not improved much, but the number of stiff necks has increased." Holding the pair of stone-hard pillows, Ms. Shen said sadly.

When Ms. Shen found the merchant who originally sold pillows, the clerk said in an understatement, "Maybe your sleeping posture is bad, which has damaged your memory function." Sleeping is of course casual, should there be regulations? Maintain a certain posture? The merchant's explanation was difficult for Ms. Shen to accept. After many communications, Ms. Shen changed to a new pair of memory pillows, but she had lost confidence in this "high-tech" product.

"I don’t know how many days it will take for the smell to disappear." Mr. Liu, who bought a bamboo fiber memory pillow in a store known as ecological products last week, told reporters with considerable trepidation that his wife She recently found out she was pregnant, and Mr. Liu bought her a memory pillow that claimed to have multiple functions.

Unexpectedly, after the pillow was delivered, as soon as I opened the box, I smelled a strong rubber smell. The seller explained that all new products are like this. Because they are placed in the warehouse, there will be no problem after blowing for two days.

But after two days of blowing on the windowsill, the smell of the pillow still had not completely dissipated. Considering his wife's health, Mr. Liu finally gave up the idea of letting her use this pillow.

■Market survey

The price difference is dozens of times

What are the benefits of such a high-priced pillow? The reporter visited multiple shopping malls and found that almost all home furnishing stores sell such "high-tech" pillows.

"Miss, our pillow is patented and can prevent many diseases." In a shopping mall on Nanjing East Road, a clerk saw a reporter looking at various memory pillows placed on the bed. , immediately came forward and said. According to the clerk, his pillow uses nanotechnology and can automatically adjust according to a person's neck condition. Seeing that the reporter was very interested in pillows, the clerk took out an advertisement and introduced enthusiastically: "Our pillows have obtained multiple national patents. They not only prevent mites, cervical spondylitis, and asthma, but also regulate endocrine and have beauty benefits." Effective." The clerk said that this kind of pillow is on sale recently. The original price was 1,688 yuan a pair, but now it is only 788 yuan.

The reporter visited many stores and found that almost all the introductions related to memory pillows are miraculous. It seems that just using this pillow while sleeping can cure all diseases. In order to promote memory pillows, some businesses even claim to be "for astronauts only."

The reporter saw in the Cao'an Road Textile Market that there are also many merchants selling memory pillows. The appearance is no different from the pillows in large shopping malls, but the price is several times or even dozens of times different. Boss Yang here has been in the pillow business for more than ten years. He told reporters that memory pillows use a material called memory foam, but not all sponges can be called memory foam, and certain standards are required. Some of the memory pillows sold on the market now are ordinary sponges, but their quality varies. As for the price, just refer to the sponge.

■ Industry opinions
, he introduced that memory foam was first developed in the 1960s by a company affiliated with NASA. It is an open cell structure with temperature-sensing and pressure-reducing properties. When the human body comes into contact with this material, it senses the body's temperature, gradually becomes soft, and absorbs pressure, thereby adjusting the human body to the most comfortable posture.

At first, memory foam was mostly used in the aviation industry. Later, it was gradually popularized and used in homes, and memory pillows came into being. “A good memory pillow has the characteristics of reducing head and neck pressure, reducing the possibility of stiff neck, preventing air leakage on the shoulders, and inhibiting the growth of mold.” Mr. Sun said, “However, many domestic manufacturers use materials other than memory foam, and most of them are sponges with chemical additives. Not only does it not play a role in health care, but it is harmful to the human body."

A very important criterion for judging whether a memory pillow is a high-quality product is its rebound time. The better rebound time is About 3 to 5 seconds. Rebound time is determined by the material, and density is the basic criterion for slow rebound materials. Generally speaking, the density of memory pillows should be between 70D and 100D (that is, the weight of one cubic meter of memory foamat 70-100 kg). There are densities of 130D-150D on the market, which is almost unrealistic for pure polyurethane manufacturers. The only possibility is to add other things, such as talc powder, etc.

"If it is pure imported memory foam, its service life should be more than 5 years. However, if talcum powder and other raw materials are added to increase density and weight, the quality of the pillow is poor, and usually only 1 to 2 years." Mr. Sun said, "Moreover, most chemical additives have odors and are harmful to the human body when used for a long time.

■Doctors remind you to use memory pillows appropriately

Dr. Yu Kaiming, who has been engaged in traditional Chinese medicine research for more than ten years, told reporters that most memory pillows adopt the shape of a neck protector, which plays a buffering role in the seventh cervical vertebra, thereby making the user feel that the cervical vertebra is protected. However, due to The shape of the memory pillow usually requires the neck to be cushioned 2 to 3 centimeters higher than the head, and the elevated position is close to the base of the head and neck. The height of this part is relatively sensitive to the user and has a great impact on the base of the neck. This level will vary more or less due to the user's body shape, sleeping posture, mattress softness and hardness, etc.

"Even if there is only a 1 cm deviation, the user will feel uncomfortable. Even produce side effects. "Yu Kaiming said that he once treated a patient with cervical stiffness. The reason was probably because the memory pillow was too high. "When using a memory pillow in the shape of a neck support, you must carefully examine the height of the pillow. "Yu Kaiming suggested that when users choose a memory pillow, they must pay attention to making it fully match the height of their head and neck.