Report Summary
34 YOM was cleaning mattress and discovered fiberglass below the mattress cover. The fiberglass was in the deteriorated fire sock. The fiberglass contaminated multiple household items. The family scheduled doctor's appointments.
Product Details
- Product Description: Product Name: The Mattress
Size: Full-size
Material: Premium foam
Color: White and Gray
- Manufacturer/Importer/Private Labeler Name: Casper Sleep, Inc.
- Brand Name: Casper
- Model Name or Number: CAS10A-C-MFR-A
- Serial Number:
- UPC Code:
- SKU#:
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Date Manufactured:
11/1/2016
- Retailer: https://www.casper.com
- Retailer State:
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Purchase Date:
11/6/2016
- Product Category: Furniture, Furnishings & Decorations
- Product Type: Bedroom, Bedding & Bath
- Product Code: Nonbaby Mattresses (4009)
Incident Details
- Incident Description: Fiberglass Contamination in Casper Mattresses: A Call for Consumer Protection
Introduction:
On Saturday, June 16th, 2023, an alarming incident occurred when an attempt to clean one of our Casper mattresses led to the discovery of fiberglass contamination in our home. The fiberglass emerged from the deteriorated fire sock situated below the mattress cover, unbeknownst to us, as no mention of such material was provided in the product description at the time of purchase. This report details the events that unfolded, the adverse effects we experienced, and the subsequent actions taken to address the contamination, with a specific focus on the concerning emergence of fiberglass from the deteriorated fire sock. Furthermore, it raises concerns about the safety implications and the need for proper consumer protection in the bedding industry.
Background:
Our Casper mattress was purchased on November 7th, 2016, and had been used by both our family members and guests. Little did we know that the mattress contained fiberglass, which was only discovered during the attempted cleaning process.
Discovery of Fiberglass Contamination:
Upon following the mattress tag's instructions for hand washing the mattress cover, fiberglass particles began to emanate from the fire sock beneath it. These particles were found to be widespread in the air and had settled on various surfaces, resembling sparkling fibers.
Adverse Effects and Health Impact:
The fiberglass contamination affected not only our household items but also had adverse effects on our beloved pets. One of our dogs experienced a severe skin reaction, leading to intense scratching and now has large scabs on both sides of his neck. Consequently, it became evident that urgent measures were required to mitigate the contamination's impact on our living environment and health. Additionally, we have scheduled doctor’s visits for our family to see what potential risks we can possibly face down the road from inhaling these fibers in the air. Furthermore, this has affected our mental health as we are now hyper-vigilant of any kind of fiber lingering in the air or on any surface. This is an experience that will forever impact us.
Response from Casper:
Despite promptly reporting the issue to Casper and their quality assurance team, we received no satisfactory response or appropriate action to address the contamination. The lack of accountability and responsibility necessitated us to take matters into our own hands and develop a cleanup plan.
Cleanup Measures Taken:
To minimize further contamination, we employed plastic bags to store our clothes and remove all other items such as rugs, curtains, lamps, bedding, dog beds, porous furniture, and basically anything that can’t be cleaned. Additionally, we hired a professional carpet cleaning company to clean the affected carpets. However, it soon became evident that these measures were insufficient, and the contamination persisted. As a result, we had no choice but to replace the entire carpet, which was also impacting our family’s and pets’ well-being.
HVAC and Air Ducts Cleaning:
Recognizing the extent of the contamination, we took the additional step of renting and purchasing air scrubbers to contain the spread of fiberglass particles in the air. Furthermore, we have scheduled an HVAC and air duct cleaning to ensure the elimination of any remaining contaminants.
Concerns Regarding Product Safety and Recalls:
Despite, Casper’s knowledge of this problem with mattresses that have tags that offer instructions for removing and how to wash the mattress cover Casper has not issued a recall for their mattresses. Consumers with these tags will not know of the presence of fiberglass until they have removed the mattress cover and thus exposed this material. Although they claim that the Consumer Product Safety Commission deems the "continuous filament" fiberglass used in textiles and fire-resistant barriers as non-hazardous, we firmly believe that such material should not be placed directly below a mattress cover. This issue poses risks to consumers' quality of life and potentially threatens their health and safety.
Conclusion:
The incident involving fiberglass contamination in our Casper mattress raises significant concerns about consumer protection and the need for stringent safety measures in the bedding industry. We advocate for a thorough investigation into the presence of fiberglass in Casper mattresses and a proactive recall process to safeguard consumers from potential health risks with these tags that offer washing instructions for the mattress cover. It is our hope that this report will contribute to ensuring safer products and responsible practices within the mattress manufacturing industry.
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Incident Date:
7/15/2023
- Incident Location: Home/Apartment/Condominium
Victims Involved
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- Injury Information: Injury - Seen by Medical Professional
- My Relationship to the Victim: Self
- Sex: Male
- Victim's Age When Incident Occurred: 34 years
Comments from the Manufacturer/Private Labeler
Additional Details
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Submitter has product?:
Yes
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Product was damaged before incident?:
No
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Product was modified before incident?:
- If yes to any, explanation:
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Have you contacted the manufacturer?:
Yes
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If Not, Do you plan to?:
- Report Number: 20230724-8B4F8-2147346242
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Report Date:
7/24/2023
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Sent to Manufacturer/Importer/Private Labeler:
7/27/2023
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Report First Publication Date:
8/10/2023
- Category of Submitter: Consumer
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