Playground Mulch
A reader recently asked me to look into a playground mulch product to determine its toxicity. I’d like to share the results with you because I think it will be helpful to anyone trying to decide what material to use for their outdoor playsets but also because it is a...Sunscreen Product Review
Take a look at my latest Sunscreen Product...Replacing Silicone Bakeware
Last week I wrote about the toxicity of silicone and revealed that while research is still limited, studies show that silicone does leach potentially harmful chemicals into food, particularly at temperatures above 300°. Following the precautionary principle, I...The Toxicity of Silicone
Silicones are made from silicon, a naturally-occurring element that is abundant in sand. However, in order to make silicon available for industrial processes, it’s heated to very high temperatures and reacted with fossil-fuel derived hydrocarbons.1 This may...The Toxicity of Polyethylene
Polyethylene is the most widely produced commodity plastic and it is primarily used for packaging. Some common forms of polyethylene are: Low-density polyethylene LDPE is a flexible material that is used in food storage bags, trash and grocery bags, toys, and...The Toxicity of Polypropylene
Polypropylene is the second-most widely produced commodity plastic (after polyethylene) and it is often used in packaging and labeling. Polypropylene is very similar to polyethylene but has greater resistance to heat, which is why it is often used for food packaging...Do Plants Really Remove VOCs from Indoor Air?
I regularly see healthy-living experts touting the use of houseplants to clean indoor air. Unfortunately, most research does not support this claim. I have a lot of plants in my home because I appreciate their aesthetic value. I hope that they contribute some small...How to Minimize Odor and Off-Gassing from Paint
A reader submitted a question to Toxic Free Q&A about how to minimize lingering odor from zero-VOC paint. Andy Pace, from The Green Design Center, wrote in with a comment that was so helpful I want to share it with everyone. According to Andy, “Lingering...Wet Room Floor
Question from Marilyn I’m planning to redo a bathroom with an open shower. The contractor tells me it involves some kind of hot tar layer to make the floor water proof before laying tile. Do you know of a non-toxic option that meets California code? Lisa’s...
