How2Day: Mattress Fumigation Hazards

Many house bug pests like to hide on the side or between mattress seams only to come out at night to feed. Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
Finding out there are bugs or pests in a bedroom involves a number of steps to remove them. One of these issues for some involves fumigating the mattress. However, mattresses by the nature of their construction are prone to being flammable and will soak up chemicals as easy as a sponge, making them dangerous to sleep on after the fact. As a result, fumigation needs to follow some safety steps to avoid these problems below.

Fumigation frequently involves hazards to breathing health. Due to the chemicals involved all persons, children and pets should be removed from the area where the mattress will be fumigated to avoid breathing in any of the related poisons. The breathing area should not be entered until the fumigation is ended and has become inert.

Anything that may be ingested or worn should be removed from the fumigation area as the fumes dust will settle on the items and remain poisonous if ingested.

Placing a fumigation can too close to a mattress can possibly result in a fire as the pressure from the can could result in a flame source. Since a mattress is primarily made of fiber, foam and fabric, a hot enough temperature can start a fire quickly.

Using a fumigated mattress too soon can expose a person to strong poisons. A fumigated mattress frequently takes as much as 15 to 30 hours to air out once it has been treated. All windows in a room should be opened to allow fresh air to carry out remaining fumes. If possible, leaving the mattress outside is a better approach.

Using the mattress too soon can expose the user to higher than allowable levels of residue chemicals which can cause skin irritation, breathing problems, and possibly significant allergy reactions depending on the person affected.

Direct exposure can result in internal reactions depending on the fumigation poison used. Symptoms can include throwing up, headache, inability to breathe properly, loss of proper vision and exhaustion.

Skin irritation and rashes can occur from direct skin contact to mattress areas that may have fumigation residue or dust that has not yet been cleaned off.

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