Question from Jill
I have severe MCS, but due to rotator cuff problem, I need to purchase a new dishwasher. Would appreciate if people can provide Brand and Model #s of dishwashers that have less toxic components/well tolerated. Has anyone tried GE Profile dishwasher (has Bitumen sound insulation), GE GSD series diswashers (has Polypropylene tub and Mastic/Asphalt sound insulation), Kenmore, or Samsung? Thanks! Jill from New Jersey.
This is a topic that I really hope you’ill be able to research in-depth very soon. I know that you must be very busy with the plethora of issues affecting us every day, but I have to buy a dishwasher this week and I’m wishing that I knew your advice right now!
I’ve decided on a Maytag JetClean (MDB8959SBS) because it is the only dishwasher that I could find with a 90-day return policy. All the others that I looked at are simply listed as “non-returnable,” so you’re stuck with what you choose unless there are actual workmanship or parts problems. With the Maytag, if I smell outgassing for more than a week or so, I’m taking it back.
Debra’s Answer
Readers? Your recommendations?
I’m having health issues & I currently have a kitchenaid dishwasher. I have have been feeling ill not too long after having this dishwasher installed. After much research I read about the bitumen. I’m now waiting to hear if the drawer dishwashers also are coated with this tar like material . If anyone knows of another brand of dishwasher that does not contain bitumen I would appreciate hearing about it
Thank you
Bosche will not identify the source of the odor but claims it will eventually go away. We need a followup on whether that is true.
It’s very likely came from the bitumen layer for sound absorbing insulation, which is explained on this Bosch web page:
http://www.bosch-home.com/us/dishwasher-quiet.html
We just returned a Kenmore made by Bosch. It hurt our throats. We worried that the off-gassing is carcinogenic.
Let us know if there is a made and model of dishwasher with stainless steel tub that is bitumen free.
We will need a new top loader washing machine soon so I’ve been searching for the ones that most likely are not “smart meter ready.” A Sears store person told me that the lower end washers – $400-700 or so – are most likely not equipped with this. Here’s an up to date article telling about the Whirlpool company’s latest efforts in smart appliances – http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/whirlpool-launches-the-wi-fi-smart-appliance.
We bought a KitchenAid dishwasher with a stainless steel tub several years ago. Even after all this time we still get a chemically smell (hot grease?) in the kitchen when we run it. It doesn’t effect the dishes. When we built our house, we put doors everywhere. When we run the dishwasher, we just close the door, turn on the exhaust fan and open a window.
My Bosch dishwasher has a metal tub but it did initially have a plastic smell. Once I started using the quick wash setting, which does not use the extended drying period, it was considerably better.
If you are concerned about Electromagnetic Radiation be aware that new appliances, including dishwashers are now being manufactured with RFID chips that have radio frequency transmitters built in. This is to allow the “Smart Appliance” to connect wirelessly to the Internet through your “Smart Meter” power meter on the side of your house and communicate 24/7. People are becoming sensitized to these man-made frequencies that are now proliferating into our indoor air space and that can affect the health of adults and especially children. To avoid appliances with RF transmitters, check the serial number plates and any labels on the unit for an FCC ID number. The FCC requires all devices with wireless transmitters to display labels with the ID numbers for identification. You can find still find appliances that will not beam microwave radiation signals through your house.
Diana Schultz, BA, BBEC
Certified Building Biologist
I am having a similar problem with a new dishwasher – it reeks of a chemical or plastic smell even when it is not in use. The experiences on this thread validate what is going on with my dishwasher so I thank you all for your posts. The oily kind of chemical smell remains on the “clean” dishes after washing. This particular dishwasher model has a plastic tub. I did not purchase it – it was installed in the home I am living in.
It would seem to me that a stainless steel tub would be healthier. I try to minimize my use of plastics both for health reasons and for the environment and it doesn’t seem like a good idea to heat plastics.
Would love to hear from anyone if they have a non toxic dishwasher that they are happy with or could recommend.
Diana thank you so much!!
This is a topic that I really hope you’ill be able to research in-depth very soon. I know that you must be very busy with the plethora of issues affecting us every day, but I have to buy a dishwasher this week and I’m wishing that I knew your advice right now!
I’ve decided on a Maytag JetClean (MDB8959SBS) because it is the only dishwasher that I could find with a 90-day return policy. All the others that I looked at are simply listed as “non-returnable,” so you’re stuck with what you choose unless there are actual workmanship or parts problems. With the Maytag, if I smell outgassing for more than a week or so, I’m taking it back.