Memory foam mattresses have become commonplace in most homes throughout the world, providing a nice night’s sleep. However, since a NASA scientist’s invention in the 1960s, memory foam has undergone several changes to fit specific purposes. In this article, we’ll look at a memory foam addition that may surprise you: fiberglass.
So, why is there fiberglass in memory foam mattresses? Fiberglass is used as a flame retardant in some memory foam mattresses. Memory foam must contain a fire retardant in the United States, according to federal law. Fiberglass is a low-cost, mostly non-toxic memory foam component that complies with federal fire regulations in the United States.
Now that the quick response is out of the way, the rest of this essay will delve deeper into why many manufacturers worldwide have chosen fiberglass as their fire retardant material of choice.
A Brief History of Memory Foam’s Success
Although it is not the topic of this article, a brief history of memory foam will assist in putting the material that follows into context. Memory foam was created by a scientist working for NASA to develop a material that would make space shuttle takeoffs safer. Memory foam was developed as a result, and it was utilized to make the cushions in space shuttles.
Outside of space shuttles, memory foam was first used in the medical industry and sporting equipment. Memory foam has been incorporated into the mainstream mattress market for years, but adoption has been slow due to the difficult and inconsistent production process. The material was eventually agreed to be manufactured by Tempur World, and the Tempur Pedic mattress was developed.
Memory foam underwent many improvements in the decades after that to try to alleviate some of the negative features of the material. Memory foam’s brittle and heat-retentive qualities, to be specific. As a result, many memory foam variations, with each manufacturer adding their esoteric features and claiming superiority over their competitors. As a result, we now have a plethora of gel-infused memory foam mattresses overwhelming the mattress market.
Fire Retardant Must Be Used In Memory Foam
According to US law, many of the adjustments made to memory foam over the years have been focused on increasing the material’s comfort performance. However, the law has just become engaged. More alterations have been made to memory foam to meet specific legal standards. All mattresses are flammable. However, memory foam is a synthetic material; it can be poisonous and highly explosive if left to burn.
The Federal Law examined memory foam in all of its forms in the United States, and it is found to be insufficient for fire prevention rules. Therefore, according to this regulation, memory foam must now contain a fire retardant chemical or material to meet federal standards.
Which is the lesser of two evils?
Unfortunately, many flame retardant chemicals used in memory foam to achieve this criterion are not safe. A wide range of chemicals are used to meet this, and some could argue that burning up in flames is a better option than absorbing dangerous chemicals while sleeping in your bed every night. Boric acid, antimony, and decabromodiphenyl oxide are three toxic compounds included in fire retardants.
Boric acid is a pesticide that has been connected to reproductive and developmental disorders. Yet, it is used all over the world. Antimony is a potential carcinogen that might harm the heart and lungs. Decabromodiphenyl oxide is a potential carcinogen that causes hair loss and memory loss. As you can see, these chemicals may help prevent your mattress from catching fire. But, after a lifetime of sleeping on these toxins night after night, what other impacts would this have on your health?
I would avoid any memory foam mattresses that contain these potentially dangerous substances. These chemicals are also relatively costly, which may increase the cost of your mattress. As a result, you pay a higher price for a less healthful sleeping experience.
Fiberglass to the Rescue fiberglass-memory-foam Fiberglass is a potential solution to the problems mentioned above. Fiberglass has become the favored material for meeting the US government’s fire retardant criteria since it is inexpensive, easy to use, readily accessible, and relatively non-toxic.
The fiberglass is in the form of a flame-retardant knit fabric barrier woven into the memory foam mattress to operate as a flame-retardant barrier. Nothing, however, is perfect. The same can be said for fiberglass. Fiberglass is made up of several microscopic glass fibers that are knitted together. And, as anyone who works with fiberglass or has been involved in a mishap with the material can attest, it has drawbacks.
Most importantly, skin contact with fiberglass is an extremely unpleasant sensation, especially when fiberglass is in a mattress. The microscopic glass threads cling to your skin and cause a rash that is both painful and annoying. As a result, if you have a memory foam mattress that contains fiberglass or are considering purchasing one, follow these tips.
- Remove the mattress cover only if necessary. It ensures that the microscopic glass fibers remain contained within the cover and away from your skin.
- Handle the mattress with extreme caution if it is torn or damaged. Remove the cover at all costs and consider getting rid of the mattress.
- Before you buy a mattress, read the label carefully. Alternatively, try investing in an organic, non-fiberglass mattress.
That’s all there is to it. You now have all the information you need about fiberglass in memory foam mattresses as part of our mission to help you create the ideal sleeping environment for you and your family. So do your homework and make sure you understand what you’re getting into.
Frequently asked questions:
- Where is the fiberglass located in the mattress?
To protect the foam from being engulfed in a catastrophic surge of flame, a mattress’s fire-retardant layer must surround it. If you purchase a mattress with fiberglass, it will be woven into the inside cover layer. Inside a Zinus mattress, you’ll find it precisely like this.
The stretch knit cover is the surface you sleep on, and the mattress foams are encased in a thinner, internal fabric layer. There is no fiberglass in the outer stretch knit cover, so you’re not lying directly on it. Instead, the fiberglass is woven into the thin layer encasing the foams.
You mustn’t remove any of the covers from a mattress with fiberglass in the inside cover; more on that later in the post.
- Is It Safe To Sleep On A Fiberglass Mattress?
The answer is both yes and no in this case. So let’s take a look at it from both sides.
YES: Fiberglass is a fantastic fire-retardant material. It’s a cost-effective approach that allows manufacturers to make low-cost, fire-resistant mattresses without employing harmful chemicals in their fire barriers.
NO: If the fiberglass escapes from the mattress, you’ll wind up with fine strands of it all over your bed, bedroom, and house. Itching, discomfort, and even minor wounds might result from this. In addition, it will be practically impossible to properly clean up the fibers once they have escaped because they are so fine.
Conclusion
Fiberglass is a composite material made of plastic and glass fiber reinforcement. For various applications, the flexible material is flattened into a sheet or various shapes. Fiberglass is employed in a variety of industries due to its low cost and durability. It is found in various places, including roofing and bathtubs, as well as boats and airplanes.
Fiberglass can also be used to build thermal barriers by insulating the temperature. As a result, mattress makers combine fiberglass with highly flammable materials that make beds more comfortable. So, if you’re asking, “Do memory foam beds include fiberglass?” ” The answer is almost certainly yes. It’s a fire safety precaution.
Leave a Reply