Does Casper mattress have fiberglass?

Mattress technology has enhanced with the emergence of the new era. Many companies use various materials to make their products more reliable, budget-friendly, and long-lasting (check the top rated mattresses). One of those materials is fiberglass, primarily used beneath the mattress cover as a fire retardant. However, in recent times, Casper has been in the spotlight with their lack of disclosure of fiberglass in their mattresses and the removable cover advertisement. As a result, numerous customers of Casper have faced the detrimental effects of fiberglass contamination.

In this article, we will elaborate on the cause and effects of fiberglass and whether Casper indeed uses fiberglass. We will outline a few mattress makers who don’t use fiberglass.

Read till the end to know more.

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Does Casper Add Fiberglass To Their Mattress?

There are many conspiracies about this subject over the internet, but the best way to unshackle it is first to understand what fiberglass is, and if it’s dangerous, then why is that? The fact is, fiberglass, as the name suggests, is a huge collection of highly precise and finest fibers of glass that are usually used as insulators. They have heat resistance features, so numerous mattress manufacturers use fiberglass as fire extinguishing mechanisms.

This may seem quite useful and might have been proven that way; however, that is not always the case. Fiberglass contamination causes skin reactions through rashes, respiratory issues, and eye infections.

Comprehending whether or not Casper uses fiberglass. An independent researcher investigated this extensively and proved that Casper uses fiberglass in its mattresses as a fire extinguishing mechanism. The individual reviews and their suffering are the backup data to confirm this hypothesis. According to them, the fiberglass is in a sock-like patch between the cover and the core foam layer.

As far as fire resistance is concerned, the initiative by Casper is commendable; however, the cost and benefit analysis has a steep downward trend. First, the way it is concealed from the end user creates alarm bells. Secondly, the way Casper delivers its mattress (in a box) creates more risk of fiberglass contamination.

The strange thing about all this is Casper’s neutral behavior, which might be a short-term remedy to avoid the legal cost, but it may backfire at the company in the long run.

Are Silica And Fiberglass The Same Material?

These materials consist of complex chemical formulations and often confuse with being the same. The reason behind this is their look-alike features and usage. For instance, both are tested at low thermal conductivity, i.e., low chance of getting destroyed by fire; both are mechanically strong, that’s why they are fine for fire-resistant barriers, etc. The difference between silica and fiberglass is quite distinctive if we talk about their composition.

Silica is one of the natural chemicals formed from two elements, oxygen and silicon.

On the other hand, fiberglass is a purely human-made material that requires different chemical compounds to form. The most common elements in creating fiberglass are sodium carbonate, silica sand, and limestone. These materials create glass after mixing.

From the initial discussion, we can comprehend that both of these materials are not the same. Although fiberglass contains more than 65% of silica in its composition, both materials are not the same. Although their usage and beneficial qualities are almost identical, they are still different. The same point is endorsed by McNeil USA.

For the topic of discussion, many mattress makers, including Casper, use silica and fiberglass in their mattresses.

Safety Concerns of Silica Casper Mattresses

If you go to Casper mattress’s official website, you will find that the company uses silica core in its fire-extinguishing knit sock. We already know that silica can naturally resist fire, so the company uses it as a flame retardant.

It is quite possible that silica itself might not be harmful; it is the least toxic natural element that will cause any health issues, keeping in mind the specific use of silica in Casper Mattresses. But still, there are some cases where people with a sensitive respiratory system or who have asthma feel nasal irritation if the fire retardant sock of their Casper mattress has eroded one way or the other.

The major concern with silica is its compounding impact with other chemicals used in making most of the foams used in mattresses. Since the mattress-in-a-box trend has emerged, polyurethane has become the heart ingredient for many mattress makers. Although we have come a long way from using petroleum as polyols, organic polyols are a major concern within the regulated safety standards.

As many incidents are reported regarding the fire extinguishing sack being torn in Casper mattresses while handling or removing the cover, the chemical reaction of polyurethane and silica might result in hazards relating to fiberglass contamination.

Since silica and fiberglass have resembling features, their possible impact on health is the same. However, considering Casper’s perspective on using silica and not fiberglass might not harm the end user.

Which Mattress Brands Don’t Use Fiberglass?

Using polyurethane foams and fiberglass as fire retardants have created a grave concern among end users. Many sustainable mattress makers have abandoned synthetic chemicals in their products and shifted to more organic and plant-based materials sustainably.

Following are some brands for a safe and healthy sleeping experience for the end users (check 10 amazing mattresses without fiberglass).

Saatva

Saatva mattresses are among the top American mattress brands with their green initiatives and the use of non-toxic chemical ingredients in making their top-of-the-line products. The company has reigned for its best comfort and durable features in all mattresses.

Staying to the topic, the company refrains from using synthetic material as the main ingredient in its mattresses. The main forming agents are authentic and all-natural fibers such as cotton (check the top rating organic cotton mattresses).

Following the safety standards of the American Mattress Association, the materials of choice for flame retardant are wood pulp, organic wool, paladin, and rayon mixed with polyester fiber. These materials cause no harm in any situation.

Puffy

It does not just sound puffy, but it also feels puffy. Organic materials blend with coils for extreme comfort and support. The best part of their materials is that there are no hints of fiberglass in the mix.

Not only will you feel comfortable, but you will also get cool and breezy sleep, keeping you dry throughout the night (check the best selling cooling mattresses for hot sleepers). This means no moisture retention and bad odor resulting in healthy sleep for everyone.

Amerisleep

No one defines the quality of American mattresses more than Amerisleep and its arsenal of mattresses. You will get top-notch comfort and support with a clean and healthy sleeping experience. The company kept the ergonomics and overall construction simple yet impressive.

The generic choice of materials is 100% organic components which are fiberglass-free (check 10 great organic mattresses). Their products are for people with sensitive skin or prone to early allergic reactions. Since it is fiberglass free, all the mattresses by Amerisleep are also for elder customers with chronic conditions like body pains, allergic reactions, or breathing issues.

Type of Fiberglass

Although fiberglass is not a suitable material to add to a mattress, especially if it consists of polyurethane foam, its chemical composition makes it the best fire-resistant and insulator. Based on that, the following are some categories of fiberglass, which are briefly defined.

C-Glass

Chemical-Glass is the best source of chemical impact resistance. It is primarily used as an outer protective layer in tanks and pipes made to store water or chemicals

A-Glass

This is the most common type of fiberglass, also famous as Alkali-Glass. Glass is a crucial ingredient in making quality glass containers like bottles and jars to store food and beverages. It is also used in windowpanes.

AR-Glass

This is a more refined version of A-glass. The AR stands for Alkali-Resistant, specifically to enhance concrete life. Due to its non-soluble and rust-free properties, it gives ideal strength and flexibility to concrete.

E-Glass

E-glass or Electric Glass is created to make the best electricity insulator. It is one of the most common materials in marine, aerospace, and industrial application. It is lightweight, durable, and budget-friendly.

S-Glass

A.K.A Structural-Glass is an efficient and more effective version of E-glass. This is most common in the defence and aerospace industries. Due to its high performance and cost, it is produced in lower quantities and used by specific industries.

Are There Any Health Hazards of Using Fiberglass in Mattresses?

In general, fiberglass keeps your mattress resistant to fire. Moreover, because of its chemical properties, it can create minimal to devastating impacts on the body. However, it depends on the overall health condition of the end user.

According to the Washington State Department of Health, the first area of contact with fiberglass is usually through nasal cavities and enters the respiratory tract through inhalation. Most of the fiberglass particles will exit the body through sneezing or coughing. Our body’s natural defense mechanism will deal with the rest.

In extreme cases, it might irritate the throat, nose, skin, and eyes. These symptoms are often temporary and will go by in a few days. Furthermore, fiberglass exposure to asthmatic or elderly patients will elevate their symptoms.

The problem with using fiberglass in a mattress is its quality and quantity. If a large amount of fiberglass is in a mattress, slight damage will create fiberglass contamination which will be hard to control and clean. This will affect your living as well as your health.

Conclusion

Fiberglass inclusion inside the mattress is a great fire retardant. However, damage to the mattress cover can harm the user and his environment. Casper mattresses have been criticized for their use of fiberglass without disclosure.

The company needs to come forward with full disclosure and apology and to revolutionize its products because a neutral response is a short-term tactic that can create a long-term legal impact.

References

https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/air-quality/indoor-air/fiberglass

https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/air-quality/indoor air/fiberglass#:~:text=Fiberglass%20can%20enter%20the%20environment,as%20a%20part%20of%20dust.