GSA Shuts Down Moonda Mattress Factory for Using Unsafe Polystyrene Materials
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has shut down Moonda Mattress, a factory located in Afienya, for producing mattresses with unapproved materials. Authorities discovered that the company was using polystyrene, a rigid foam typically used for packaging, instead of polyurethane, the certified and approved material for mattresses in Ghana.
According to reports, the decision followed a phone conversation between a GSA representative and an official of the factory after a market survey and inspection confirmed the safety breach.
What Makes Polystyrene Unsafe?
Polystyrene, the substitute material found in the Moonda mattresses, poses several risks:
Releases harmful chemicals that may cause skin and respiratory irritation.
Highly flammable and produces dangerous toxic fumes when exposed to fire.
Not suitable for sleeping use — offers poor support and degrades quickly, causing discomfort and possible body pains.
Environmental hazard, contributing to plastic pollution and microplastics.
GSA’s Regulatory Action
GSA enforces strict standards requiring mattress manufacturers to:
Use approved polyurethane foam
Register products and display certification labels
Comply with safety and fire-resistance regulations
The shutdown prevents further distribution of the unsafe Moonda mattresses until full compliance is ensured.