Inspecting Your Home for Mattress Fiberglass
If you suspect your mattress may be leaking fiberglass, follow these steps to inspect your home and identify potential contamination.
Check Your Mattress First
Inspect your mattress for any visible damage, such as tears, holes, or exposed areas. Fiberglass may be present if the mattress cover or inner layers are compromised.
Use the Flashlight Test
Use a flashlight to look around for shiny, translucent fibers on or around the mattress and on dark materials and clothing. The fibers will shine and may resemble white cat hair.
Inspect Surrounding Areas
Inspect nearby surfaces, such as floors, walls, or furniture, for any visible traces of fiberglass particles. Fibers can become airborne and settle on surrounding areas.
Pay Attention to Pets
Your animals will usually be the first to display symptoms such as sneezing, scratching, excessive blinking, whining, strange behavior, rubbing against things, or choking.
Monitor Physical Symptoms
Sometimes the first signs of contamination aren't visible fibers, but physical reactions.
Skin Irritation
- Unusual itching, irritation, or stinging sensations when contacting your mattress or bed.
- Clingy or prickly sensations on your sheets and clothing.
Respiratory Issues
- Increase in respiratory issues such as coughing, sneezing, or difficulty breathing.
- Air quality changes due to airborne fiberglass particles circulating in the environment.
What If You Find Contamination?
If you find a few individual fibers here and there, you most likely do not have a major problem, but you should check your mattress for tears. If you own a mattress with fiberglass, it is best to remove it or completely encapsulate it.
If you are finding tons of fibers in one area, on clothing, or your home is heavily contaminated:
Go to Cleanup Guide