Fiberglass-Free Mattress: Everything You Need to Know!
Do you know that the state of California has signed a law to ban the state-wide sale of mattresses and upholstered furniture that contain fiberglass? That’s great news, isn’t it? However, though signed in October 2023, the law will not take effect until January 2027. Most importantly, it will not magically remove fiberglass from our homes. Therefore, buying a mattress without fiberglass in the first place seems to be important. In this post, you will learn why it’s a good idea to avoid fiberglass in mattresses, how to determine whether your mattress contains fiberglass, and how to buy a fiberglass-free mattress that also boasts a balance of comfort and support.
What Are Fiberglass-Free Mattresses?
To begin with, fiberglass-free mattresses are those that do not contain any fiberglass in them. Specifically, you don’t want fiberglass either in the filling or in the cover of the mattress. Read on to find out why!
On average, you spend a third of your life on a mattress. If there are potentially harmful chemicals in your mattress, you can be exposed to them through inhalation and ingestion.
For instance, both volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) off-gassing from your mattress can be easily inhaled. While VOC emissions tend to decrease with time, SVOC emissions, on the contrary, tend to increase with time. The chemicals settle into the dust which can be ingested and/or inhaled. Fiberglass belongs to the group of SVOCs.
The least you can do to reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals is to wash your hands (especially before cooking or eating) and clean your home regularly. In fact, this study found that even one week of increased hand washing or one week of house cleaning reduces your exposure to some chemicals by half. On the other hand, the study was clear about the fact that these behaviors cannot entirely protect you from being exposed to all chemicals in your house.
Let’s talk about fiberglass, in particular.
What Is Fiberglass?
In short, fiberglass:
- is a type of very small glass fibers that vary in diameter, length, and chemical composition (source).
- is made of silica sand, limestone, recycled glass, and soda ash (source).
- can be made with and without carcinogenic formaldehyde adhesives.
- may contain plastic resins.
- has many uses, including building insulation and fire-retardant purposes.
Why Is Fiberglass In Mattresses?
In foam mattresses, fiberglass is used as a flame retardant (or fire retardant). Thus, following The Federal Open Flame Mattress Flammability Standard, 16 CFR 1633, mattresses must pass an open-flame test. In other words, mattresses must contain enough flame retardants to resist catching fire from a two-foot-wide blowtorch flame for at least 70 seconds.
Also, because the test is so severe, adding flame retardant chemicals to the mattress foam is not enough. To be able to pass the test, manufacturers build a flame-retardant barrier that would prevent the foam from igniting from flames on top of the mattress.
One of the materials most widely used to meet this requirement is fiberglass, a glass-reinforced plastic. Allegedly, fiberglass is inexpensive and helps avoid using flame-retardant chemicals.
Keep in mind that, first, mattress manufacturers are not required to disclose the presence or absence of flame-retardant chemicals in their products. Second, generally, flame retardants are not intentionally used in foam fillings in adult mattresses in the US. However, in 2016, Duke University researchers reported that they had detected flame retardants in 22 out of 71 mattress foam samples tested.
Furthermore, Californian researchers found 50% fiberglass in the inner sock layers of mattresses advertised as “chemical-free.” They also discovered that fiberglass can escape the mattress and, thus, pose a health threat.
In fact, in California and Texas, class action lawsuits have been filed against the Green Tea Mattress company regarding their Zinus mattress model. Allegedly, the users experienced serious health issues due to fiberglass escaping the mattress (source and source).
Reasons For Buying A Mattress Without Fiberglass
As it follows from the previous section, fiberglass can escape the mattress covers. And the mattress users can be exposed to it. Hence, it is important to talk about potential threats to health that include:
- visual changes
- skin irritation
- lung irritation and inflammation
- lung disease, and potentially
- cancer.
Visual Changes
First, exposure to fiberglass can cause visual changes. On top of that, its fibers can become embedded within the eye and may cause bleeding and scarring (source).
Skin Irritation
Second, short-term skin contact with fiberglass can cause skin irritation, including rashes, itching, and blisters (source).
Indeed, in the class action lawsuit filed in California against the Green Tea Mattress company, the plaintiff stated that her five-month-old daughter had “sores and rashes” after, allegedly, being exposed to fiberglass in the mattress. The plaintiff emphasized that they had to “take her infant daughter to multiple medical appointments to obtain treatment” (source).
Lung Irritation And Inflammation
Third, short-term exposure to fiberglass via inhalation may cause lung inflammation and bronchiolitis (source).
Thus, in the above-mentioned class action lawsuit filed in California against the Green Tea Mattress company, the plaintiff alleged that their nine-year-old child “experienced asthma flare-ups” after being exposed to fiberglass in the mattress (source).
Lung Disease
Next, when a person inhales fiberglass, larger fibers may be trapped in the upper airway while smaller fibers may reach the lungs and remain in the lungs or the thoracic region (source). It’s great if the inhaled fibers are removed from the body through sneezing, coughing, and other body’s defense mechanisms. Yet, long-term exposure to fiberglass may lead to lung disease, including pulmonary fibrosis (source).
Fiberglass And Cancer Risks
Lastly, based on a review of the medical literature, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has placed fiberglass in Group 3 as “unclassifiable as to human carcinogenicity” (source and source). This means that there is no evidence at present that it causes cancer in humans (source).
On the other hand, based on animal studies that showed an increased risk of cancer when fiberglass fibers were implanted in the lung tissue of rats, reportedly the IARC has classified some fibers used in fiberglass as “possible human carcinogens” (source).
How To Buy A Fiberglass-Free Mattress
Seemingly, the easiest way to find out whether a mattress contains fiberglass is to ask the mattress company about that. However, based on my experience of contacting mattress companies, they don’t always respond or provide accurate information.
Additionally, they might craft their answer to make you believe that there is no fiberglass. But what they might mean is that there is no fiberglass in the mattress foam. In the meantime, it can be present as a layer under the mattress cover.
Therefore, as consumers we must resort to other methods that will help us buy mattresses without fiberglass. Some of these methods include:
- looking for fiberglass clues
- avoiding memory foam mattresses
- asking for GOTS certification for the entire mattress.
Look For Fiberglass Clues
Normally, fiberglass is layered right underneath a mattress cover. Hence, if the mattress label states “do not remove cover,” it may be a clue that fiberglass is present.
In addition, words like “glass fiber,” “glass wool,” or “silica” can be an indication that there is fiberglass in the mattress.
Avoid Memory Foam Mattresses
The reason to avoid memory foam mattresses is that they are made with polyurethane foam that is highly flammable because it is a petroleum-based material. It is a common practice to add a layer pf fiberglass to a polyurethane-foam mattress to meet the Federal Open Flame Mattress Flammability Standard requirements.
Plus, it is a good idea to avoid mattresses made with Biofoam, soybean foam, and CertiPUR-certified foam. Note that CertiPUR is a foam industry–based certification program. While it prohibits PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP (“Tris”) flame retardants in the polyurethane foam, it does not appear to include the mattress covers (source). In other words, mattresses whose memory foam was certified by CertiPUR do not equal “safe” mattresses because they may still have flame retardants.
Look For GOTS Certification For The Entire Mattress
To begin, you can find a company’s Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification by typing the company’s name in the GOTS certified suppliers database. Be sure to click on “details” to see which products or materials offered and used by the company are GOTS-certified.
In my opinion as a product researcher and manufacturer advisor with a decade of experience, the GOTS certification is the best a mattress can get. I emphasize that it is the entire mattress that should be certified, Not just the materials it is allegedly made with.
Indeed, as consumers we cannot verify the fact that the mattress we intend to buy is really made with “natural,” “organic,” and “non-toxic” materials as the company may describe. We can only rely on the company’s words.
Alternatively, the GOTS is an independent third-party organic certification that verifies the companies’ claims. Specifically, GOTS prohibits potentially harmful chemicals in the sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution of GOTS-certified products. These prohibited substances and materials include:
- aromatic solvents
- harmful flame retardants (e.g., fiberglass)
- formaldehyde
- GMOs
- heavy metals
- nanoparticles, and
- polyurethane foam.
So, if you want to eliminate the odds of buying a mattress with fiberglass, buying a mattress that is GOTS-certified as an entire mattress is a good idea.
Best Fiberglass-Free Mattresses
My two most recommended GOTS-certified mattresses without fiberglass are made in the US (specifically, in Ohio) by Naturepedic (IREAD15 for 15% off) and Happsy (IRL225 for $225 off). They are made with GOTS-certified organic and GOTS-approved materials, and each holds a GOTS certification for the entire mattress.
Most importantly, I have had multiple interviews with the founder of these companies, Barry Cik. And trust his vision and commitment to sustainable organic practices. I dwell on the importance of this in my blog post Best Organic Mattress.
Bottom line, in my opinion, Naturepedic (IREAD15 for 15% off) and Happsy (IRL225 for $225 off) mattresses are as safe as organic mattresses can be.
Naturepedic Organic Mattresses Without Fiberglass
All Naturepedic mattresses are made with GOTS-certified organic cotton, GOTS-certified organic wool, and GOTS-approved natural latex. We have owned our Naturepedic EOS Classic organic mattress for several years now. And it has proven to be a balance of comfort and support. It has a layer of individually wrapped coils, and edge support. And has worked out well for our sleeping positions – we are both side sleepers.
It’s super comfortable and has dual firmness for combination sleepers – softer on my side and firmer on my husband’s side. Yes, that’s a unique feature offered by Naturepedic – you can customize the level of comfort for your mattress. You can also customize your mattress with cooling features and comfort layers.
There are many models of mattresses (and pillows) at Naturepedic. And you can find the one that will work best for you both comfort-wise and money-wise. As a matter of fact, I have a whole blog post dedicated to Naturepedic mattress models – check it out! Also, if you are looking for a non-toxic crib mattress or a non-latex mattress, be sure to read my blog posts first.
Happsy Organic Mattress Without Fiberglass
My second-best pick for a GOTS-certified organic fiberglass-free mattress made with GOTS-certified and GOTS-approved materials is Happsy (IRL225 for $225 off). It’s a more budget-conscious version of Naturepedic, but it comes only in medium firmness. If you are okay with a medium-firm mattress, Happsy is a good option for you. Based on my experience working with mattress customers, however, many people wish they had purchased a softer mattress than the one they did. So, keep this in mind. But if you are confident that you want a firm mattress, the Happsy mattress is right for you.
Summary Of The Fiberglass-Free Mattresses Post
To Be Sure That You Are Buying A Mattress Without Fiberglass, Look For A Mattress That Is GOTS-Certified Organic As An Entire Mattress.
To sum up, fiberglass may be used as a fire-retardant in mattresses, particularly those made with polyurethane foam. If fiberglass fibers escape the mattress, your exposure to them may cause various health issues, ranging from visual changes to lung disease.
In my opinion, the easiest way to buy a fiberglass-free mattress is to choose a GOTS-certified organic mattress. Specifically, as a third-party certification, the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) verifies that the materials in the mattress are indeed non-toxic and organic, and the entire mattress is safe.
My recommendations for fiberglass-free mattress options are GOTS-certified organic Naturepedic mattresses (IREAD15 for 15% off) and GOTS-certified organic Happsy mattress (IRL225 for $225 off). These mattresses are made with GOTS-certified organic cotton, GOTS-certified organic wool, and GOTS-approved natural latex. They both boast GOTS certifications for the entire mattresses.
To learn my opinions on such mattresses as Avocado Green, Awara, Birch, Eco Terra, Essentia, Latex For Less, My Green Mattress, Organic Mattresses Inc. (OMI), and Plush Beds, refer to my blog post Are Organic Mattresses Worth It?.
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