Very concerned mom of a toddler who ended up sitting on the FR sock part of a thick memory foam mattress. Story is we are visiting in-laws and staying at their place. Kid peed thru his diapers and onto the bed. Husband wants to clean up the mess so he stripped the bed to wash everything. Our kid went back on the stripped bed. Started crying and spitting up white fibers in his mouth (I think he went face first in the mattress and licked it?)
I was alarmed and started doing some research what this substance is. Confirmed substance has fiber glass thru the flash light test (lots of sparkles in dark room with flash light). I called poison control and they were not impressed. Said it’s non-toxic and kid should be fine (from the fiber glass).
Even though poison control said there’s nothing to do now from medical standpoint. I am looking for information on exactly what chemicals my kid has been exposed to and monitor for potential future health issues. Would appreciate any information regarding what the FR sock is manufactured with, and if anyone has info on dose/ toxicity, potential health implications.
Hi there littleredtroll,
Welcome to the Mattress UnderGround and thank you for this important question.
It’s understandable that you’re concerned about your child’s exposure to fiberglass in the mattress. Given that the material is confirmed to contain fiberglass, the best advice is to discard the mattress and replace it with one that does not contain fiberglass. Simply placing the cover back on is really not an option that should be followed.
The risk of continued exposure remains with the current mattress, as fiberglass can be irritating to the skin, lungs, and eyes, and it’s difficult to completely remove once it’s been introduced into the environment. Additionally, the mattress cover should also be discarded, as it likely contains fiberglass fibers that can cause irritation, and washing it may not remove all the fibers.
If replacing the mattress immediately is not feasible, a temporary solution would be to encase the mattress in a cheap plastic shipping cover, which is available at stores like Home Depot. This would help seal in the fiberglass and prevent further exposure to the fibers. But refrain from using the mattress regardless of where it is stored.
Although poison control did not express immediate concern, it’s still important to consult with a pediatrician for a professional evaluation. While they may not need to intervene immediately, it’s better to be cautious and ensure your child is monitored for any adverse reactions. The ingestion of fibers could have respiratory implications or cause irritation, so a pediatrician will provide the proper guidance for monitoring your child’s health.
As for the fiberglass and chemicals used in flame retardant fabrics, they are often designed to meet safety standards, but they can have long-term health effects.
However, it is irresponsible for anyone outside of the medical field to make specific diagnoses regarding the potential health effects or toxicity of such exposure.
A pediatrician will be able to offer appropriate guidance.
I will reiterate replacing the mattress and taking steps to prevent further exposure to fiberglass would be the most responsible course of action, and consulting with a pediatrician will ensure that your child’s health is properly monitored.
I am so sorry that this happened, ultimately this short exposure may not have any permanent repercussions, but continued monitoring by a pediatric medical profession will be better served under these circumstances.