Video - Could there be mold in your mattress?

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Could there be mold in your mattress?

KATU - Portland,OR*

By Shellie -Shah and KATU Web Staff

http://www.katu.com/news/16367616.html

LONGVIEW, Wash. - Your bed may be the last place you would expect to

find mold but it can happen.

Dan and Cheryl Stokes were shocked to find mold growing inside their

bed when they unzipped the mattress and flipped the foam pad.

The Stokes never thought to look until Cheryl's co-worker found mold

in her mattress. Both happen to have Sleep Number beds by Select

Comfort, one of the only beds on the market that you can actually

open up and look inside.

When KATU asked about the problem, the company said:

Mold can develop in any upholstered product, including mattresses,

particularly in humid climates such as Portland. But, it is rare.

There is absolutely no evidence that mold occurs more frequently in

a Sleep Number bed than other mattresses and upholstered products.

In addition, Select Comfort said it improved the anti-microbial

agent used to treat Sleep Number beds in 2005 and has not had any

complaints since.

Dr. Fred Berman with Oregon Health & Science University said it is

true that mold can occur in any mattress if the conditions are right.

" There's moisture and there's humidity coming out of your body when

you're sleeping, " he said. " If it's maintained in there, you'll get

mold growth. "

Of course, you can't see inside a traditional mattress. Without

cutting it open, the best you can do is give it the sniff test. If

it smells musty, you could have mold.

Berman said another hint is if you have unexplained health problems

like headaches or a runny nose.

If you have an older Sleep Number bed and find mold inside, Select

Comfort told KATU News they would issue replacement parts or give a

full refund. Just call (800) 472-7185.