Can my mattress make me sick?

Q: I bought a new mattress online a few months ago, and a friend told me it probably has fiberglass in it. Should I be concerned? A: Not necessarily. It’s fairly common to find fiberglass in mattresses nowadays because it’s used as a fire retardant, which is required by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. But it’s also why your mattress cover may have a “do not remove” tag, since fiberglass can irritate your skin, eyes and throat and cause symptoms like coughing and itching when released into the air. The good news: Keeping your mattress cover on will contain any fiberglass, and the strategies below can help put your mind at ease. First, check the tag that lists the materials used in the mattress: Fiberglass can be listed as glass fiber, glass wool or glass-reinforced plastic. If you don’t have the original mattress tag or are unsure, you can contact the manufacturer, who can tell you what materials were used. Other signs that a mattress may contain fiberglass: It cost less than $400 (for a full size), is made of polyfoam (an inexpensive memory foam alternative) or it was compressed into a box to ship to your door. If your mattress does contain fiberglass, I suggest using a second mattress cover or two fitted sheets. This reduces the wear and tear on the original mattress cover, so fiberglass is less likely to slip through. If you do notice any damage to the cover, use a mattress bag or patch the damaged area with duct tape, then remove it from your home—the small particles are difficult to eliminate, so it’s best to limit how much is released into the air. After removing the mattress, use a vacuum to clean up any visible pieces, then use a lint roller to pick up any particles left behind.