Brazilian health experts warn about common home hazards and mattress buying mistakes

Sleep health has become a prominent concern in Brazil, with a 2025 Global Sleep Survey by Ipsos for ResMed finding that 73% of Brazilians lose sleep at least once a week due to stress and 41% report frequent difficulty staying asleep. Experts highlighted five frequent errors when purchasing a mattress: testing the product for only a few minutes in a bright store, confusing density with firmness, assuming a firmer bed is always better for the spine, equating height with quality, and misunderstanding warranty terms.

Separate health guidance noted that everyday household items can also affect wellbeing. Kitchen sponges can harbor bacteria if not regularly cleaned or replaced, humidifiers may disperse microbes when water is left stagnant, and plastic containers not designed for high temperatures can leach chemicals into food. Authorities such as Brazil’s ANVISA and the U.S. CDC advise proper cleaning, regular replacement, and use of appropriate materials to reduce these risks.