Organic Playmat
Question from Stacey Hi Debra, I am looking for an organic playmat for my baby. I found one by Nook Sleep Systems. The fabric is made from eucalytus and organic cotton. The interior of the playmat is made from PETE (recycled water bottles). Supposedly, the eucalyptus...Hair Color Ingredient
Question from HairCare I understand the chemicals in standard hair dyes are not great to use. However, while pregnant the colorist put in TCA drops into the dye mixture to reduce free radicals. It looks like the TCA drops are all natural (they contain Mineral Oil,...Cyanotype on a T-shirt
Question from Cecilia Dear Debra, My daughter participated in a Photography class recently and they used a technique called “cyanotype”. In this case I am talking about a t-shirt. Would it be toxic for my daughter to wear a t-shirt with a design made using...Fabulon Floor Finish
Question from HG I recently read an article about a 2008 study conducted by the Silent Spring organization suggesting that floor finishes, particularly one called Fabulon, used in the 1950’s and 1960’s contained high levels of PCBs that continue to out-gas...Trisodium Phosphate
Question from Irene Hi Debra, Is trisodium phosphate a natural additive? Is it safe? I see it listed as an ingredient in cereal. Thank you very much for your help! Debra’s Answer It’s natural in that it is a naturally occurring mineral, it’s not...Is this Water Filter as Good as a Berkey?
Question from Matthew Hi Debra, I am wanting to buy a Berkey water filtration system, but won’t be able to afford one for a while. I found this one online: http://www.homespunenvironmental.com/Bucket_Drip_Filtration_System_p/sk-1001.htm. Could this work as an...Doctor’s Warn Against Flu Shots
Flu shots are still being heavily promoted here in Clearwater, Florida. But it wasn’t difficult for me to find articles from doctors recommending that we NOT get flu shots. FYI, I have never gotten a flu shot in my life. For one thing, they don’t seem to...Removing Paint Odor
Question from Betty We had our stippled ceiling painted in May with a ultra flat alkyd calcimine recoater and I am still smelling gaseous fumes. Would repainting with AFM Safecoat transitional primer solve this problem. We have tried baking soda, vinegar, lemons,...Worried About Toxic Chemicals in Furniture
Question from Anonymous Dear Debra, We recently ordered a lot of new furniture from Ashley Furniture store (bought in CA, made in China) and I am nervous about all the chemicals that may be in my air. We got a dining room table and hutch, and kitchen table that have a...
