NASA envisioned a need for astronauts to sleep during extended space missions and the foam was thought to the answer. It was disqualified for use in space because the chemical compounds used to produce the foam was found to be out-gassing. The chemical out-gassing could have posed a significant risk in the clean room environment of a manned spacecraft.

It was not long before another application was discovered and that was as a material for mattresses. Several manufacturers began to incorporate visco elastic foam into their mattress designs. The mattresses became so popular that consumers with conventional mattresses began looking for a way to upgrade to memory foam without the expense of new bedding. This demand was met by the introduction of inexpensive memory foam toppers that could be placed on top of a conventional bed. The addition of these pads allowed consumers to experience the benefits of memory foam without the added expense.

There was a drawback to some of the foam toppers being produced. Just as with the original foam developed for NASA, consumers began to experience what came to be described as memory foam topper odor. Memory foam topper odor comes from the out-gassing of the chemicals used to produce the foam. Some consumers found the odor objectionable at first though the process of out-gassing slows as the foam ages.

Cotton sleeves are now available to enclose the foam and help keep the tell tale odor to minimum. In response to the concerns of consumers and to changes in indoor air quality regulations, manufacturers have changed the formulation of the foam to help reduce out-gassing.

So if you are looking to upgrade your existing mattress it may be wise to consider a memory foam mattress topper. Investing in a mattress topper may be an inexpensive way to determine if a visco elastic sleep system is right for you before you buy. As with the purchase of a memory foam mattress, there is a difference in the density of the foam.

As a general rule, the heavier the foam, the more dense and supportive it is when used as the top layer of a mattress. The density or weight of the foam is calculated in terms of weight per cubic foot. Think of a box one foot square and imagine the box shape to be a piece of memory foam. The weight per cubic foot of foam can range anywhere from 2.5 to 4.0 pounds per cubic foot.

Memory foam mattress toppers can be an economical alternative to investing a new memory foam sleep system. There is another advantage of buying a foam mattress topper. Using a foam mattress pad can be a good way to test drive memory foam and help you decide whether to invest in a new sleep system. As with any bedding purchase, it is always wise to buy quality goods.

Getting good sleep is a very important part of everyday life. Making sure we get enough sleep is important and getting enough quality sleep is even more so. Quality sleep helps to refresh us physically as well as mentally. Poor sleeping habits may lead to short-term memory loss and even physical maladies that can adversely affect cardiac and circulatory health.

Foam mattress pads can be purchased at many retail outlets including department, furniture and sleep stores. Websites that feature quality sleep products are a convenient way to shop from home.