Question from Abby Rebecca

I’ve just recently been given a yogurt maker and I am excited to have fresh yogurt on a daily basis! The only catch is that I live in Hawaii on the big island and can’t find yogurt starter at the few health food stores we have here. Does anyone have any recommendations for an eco-friendly site that does not have an incredibly high shipping rate?

Debra’s Answer

You can just buy a carton of yogurt and use that as your starter. Make sure though, that the carton says “contains live cultures.” Many yogurts do not and therefore will not create new yogurt.

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Question from Priscilla

I’m wondering if I can make your scrumptious sounding pumpkin muffins into bars instead. Would I have to change the recipe at all? I’m not much of a baker so I’m not sure….

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

You can make them into bars. Just put the batter into a cake pan and bake.

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Question from Linda

Hi Debra, i love your website, there is so much great info here for people living a green, healthy life. My question is can you give me any info on how to clean unfinished raw wood floors. We are putting wood floors in our whole house one room at a time. In our master bedroom we used zinsser shellac to seal the floor. In our girls room and our hallway we used diamond floor finish, water based. We are now starting our living room area and i and thinking of leaving the floor natural without any finishes and putting down organic cotton and organic hemp rugs. What would be your advise on keeping them clean naturally. Thank you

Debra’s Answer

I’ve never had an unsealed floor, so I have no experience with this. One of the reasons to seal a floor is that unsealed wood is difficult to clean.

Readers, your experience?

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Question from Linda

Hi Debra. I want to use a floating row cover for my garden next year. This is a description of it from care2.com

Using a physical barrier like a floating row cover will prevent insect pests from reaching your plants and chewing them or laying their eggs on them. Floating row cover is a fabric made of spun polypropelene fibres. The fabric itself is very lightweight and will sit on top of your plants without causing any damage. The fabric allows both light and water to penetrate it but prevents even the smallest insects like flea beetles from getting to your plants.

The fabric is sold at most garden centers under many names like Reemay, Agrofabric and Agribon and comes in a variety of different weights.

My question is, will any toxins leach from this fabric into my garden, since this is obviously not a “natural” fabric. Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

Polyproylene is not toxic. It is used for many food containers. It is commonly recycled, (look for the number “5” recycling symbol.

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Question from Marcia

Hi Debra:

I was wondering if you are familiar with Kevlar Fibers being used for flame retardant in Sterns and Foster Mattresses instead of Antimony or PBDE’s which are very toxic. Supposedly Kevlar Fibers are what Bullet-proof materials are made from and these are woven into the mattress coverings.

Thanks, Marcia California USA

Debra’s Answer

Kevlar is a plastic, made by DuPont from petroleum. It is not toxic or carcinogenic, according to the MSDS for Kevlar.

While searching for data on Kevlar, I came across this article from Dr. Mercola: Is Your Mattress Making You Sick?, which states that he bought a Stearns and Foster mattress because it was fireproofed with Kevlar instead of antimony or PBDEs.

I don’t agree with Dr. Mercola. These mattresses may not have antimony or PBDEs, but they are still made from other toxic plastics. They are LESS toxic, but can’t compare to the benefits of sleeping on a natural bed.

Question from Dana

Hello:

I am just starting the search for the best way to have clean, healthy water. Currently I am using Pur- until I find and can afford a better alternative. It seems to me that it is contradictory to purify water using a partly plastic filter into a plastic pitcher. What do you think? Are the plastic chemicals just going to leach into my “purified water”? If I was to have the water run thru the filter and then immediately pour it into a glass pitcher would that suffice? I was planning to get a whole house water purifier next year- but of course my husband has replumbed our basement using pex tubing so I don’t think that will do much good-purified water running through stupid plastic pex- you can see this is a touchy subject. Now I will have to purify at our most used locations- Shower and kitchen sink I guess. It is just so overwhelming- all the garbage we have to come into contact with nowadays. I wish the best to all who are trying to make changes in their lives to be green. Thanks for this awesome site, Debra!!

Debra’s Answer

Yes, it is contradictory to purify water using a partly plastic filter into a plastic pitcher. The plastic will leach into the water.

If you can’t afford a whole house filter, at least get an undersink filter for your kitchen sink and a shower filter–big enough to actually do a good job at filtering the water.

Pur doesn’t do much.

There’s a whole chapter in my book Home Safe Home on how to choose a water filter.

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Question from DJ Brow

I need to store some clothing. The only space I have (free)will have no temperature control and tends to be damp. Will charcoal to absorb some of the moisture and help keep things from being damp and moldy?

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know how damp the space is, but you may need to do more than set out charcoal, such as use a dehumidifier.

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Question from Jane

I’ve read over all the questions and answers currently posted on interior paints and haven’t seen this exact issue covered, so I’ll ask it here.

Our very good painter has recently finished doing some interior painting for us, during which I discovered I had sensitivities and bad reactions I’ve never experienced before in my entire life! In the course of his work, he had to repair a damaged area in our dining room ceiling, and after completing the repair, used oil-based paint to paint over the entire ceiling. He said it was needed in order to cover up the repaired area. If I had had any idea, in advance, of the suffering that would cause me, I would have stopped the process before it started.

The smell was initially very strong from the paint, and, unfortunately for me, our workman was storing his supplies, paints and so forth in our garage! Never again! The paint has dried, my symptoms (horribly exacerbated postnasal rhinitis)have abated to at least the manageable level, but I’m still worried. Certainly after the painter removed all of his materials from the garage, my symptoms abated immediately, though they’re not gone completely.

Are there still chemicals in the air from that paint, though it appears to have dried and the room has been heated? (The work was finished three weeks ago.) I see many comments about paint smell, and that is no doubt horrible in many cases. But my concern is the chemicals in the air, whether they have any discernible smell or not.

For example, when people walk over a golf course with grass that has been treated with chemicals, they do not necessarily smell anything. But they are still stirring up the chemicals that have been used with every step. Does something similar happen with oil-based paint?

I’m ready to insist on watercolors from now on if I have to!

Debra’s Answer

Oil based paints contain different chemicals from water based paints. They are much more toxic and take MUCH longer to cure.

Even if a paint is dry to the touch, it is still not completely dry through and through. It continues to outgas until it is completely dry. Oil based paints can take months to cure. There are still chemicals in the air.

Oil based paints are so toxic that they are not allowed to be sold in some states.

I would continue to heat the room until the paint is completely cured. You’ll know it’s cured because you won’t smell the paint and you won’t have symptoms. It might take a week of heating the room.

I’ll say this again: never use oil based paint.

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Question from Laura

I live in a household in which toxic chemicals are used.Some changes have been made,but it is rare for me to be able to stay in the house throughout the night because the fumes of products(some oil paints, some “personal care” products) come in around the bedroom door. Is there some way to prevent the fumes from coming into the bedroom so at least I could sleep? Right now I have a towel at the bottom and a double cloth hung over it.

I haven’t any means to move,and it’s 20 degrees outside.

Debra’s Answer

You could also add felt weatherstripping around the edges.

Readers, any ideas?

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Question from Elena Goss

Are knit products made with a wool/acrylic blend toxic?

Debra’s Answer

Acrylic is made from acrylonitrile, a special group of vinyl compounds. In my book Home Safe Home I noted that acrylonitrile is included on the Environmental Protection Agency’s list of sixty-five “priority pollutants” recognized as being hazardous to human health. Scorecard: Chemical Profiles: Acrylonitrile notes that it is a carcinogen.

That said, I don’t think you’ll get cancer from a wool/acrylic sweater. But I wouldn’t wear it next to my skin.

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Question from P.Wicks

Have you heard of a fruit sweetener called Fruit Sweet? It is made from pear, apple and pineapple juices boiled down into a syrup and used in baking. I found it at a place called Wax Orchards on Vashon Island in WA state. I can’t use any of the sweeteners without some problems but this one seems to be fine for me. The ratio is 2/3 to 1 cup of sugar and reduce the liquids by 1/3. So far all the sweet yummy things I have made have been wonderful.They also have fruit sweetened chocolate fudge sauces made from this syrup that are to die for. I also bought a cookbook written by Mani Niall, who has a bakery in CA, that uses Fruit Sweet in his baking. So far all the recipes I have tried have been terrific. At last my sweet tooth has been satisfied and my blood sugar is enjoying a nice rest!!!

In the sugar section you said you had used fruit sweet by wax orchards and were going to try it again, but isn’t that just fructose which is supposidly not healthy for you?

Debra’s Answer

I have heard of Fruit Sweet and was using it some years ago. Then I wasn’t able to find it.

I agree with you, it does work well. I need to add it to my list.

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Question from B

Hi Debra,

I am searching for ideas on a non toxic food steamer but cannot seem to find anything. Can you please suggest one or point me to the post that can? I have a one year old and I am desperate to start steaming organic broccoli for her but not in our old plastic steamer (that I confirmed with Oster is a #6.)

Anyhow, thanks in advance.

Debra’s Answer

There are two simple nontoxic steamers.

One is a stainless steel folding rack that coils up and then opens to fit most size pots. You can get it practically anywhere cookware is sold.

The other is a covered bamboo steamer that is used to make Chinese food. You can buy these online if you don’t find one locally. Try an oriental food store, if you have one where you live. Just search on “bamboo steamer”. They come in different sizes.

I have both and far prefer the bamboo steamer. In fact, I don’t use the stainless steel one at all any more. It’s going in my upcoming garage sale.

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Question from RN

I only dress my baby in 100% cotton clothing, and can’t afford organic cotton. I’ve read on your website that cotton clothing can be considered as safe as organic clothing as far as pesticides go. However, I’m concerned about this year’s news that children’s clothing imported from China had many times the safe levels of formaldehyde. Can I assume that the formaldehyde was used on non-cotton clothing or poly/cotton blends only, and that all 100% cotton clothes are safe?

Thank you. I love your site!

Debra’s Answer

As far as I can determine, anything coming from China could be a wild card in terms of what is in it, unless you can contact the manufacturer and find out how careful they are about manufacturing. I think I should say that there seem to be wild variables about what you might get from China, but don’t assume everything from China is bad.

Regarding formaldehyde, the standard practice is that formaldehyde is used on cotton if it is permanent press, and on all polyester/cotton woven fabrics. They may add formaldehyde on 100% cotton for some reason unbeknownst to me, but if it is not a permanent press resin finish, it should wash right out as it is very volatile.

I read an article on this at WorldNetDaily: Poison PJs from China, but it didn’t mention if the garments were permanent press or not. It sounded like garments labeled “100% cotton” were found to be contaminated.

I would be wary of products from China unless you can contact the manufacturer and find out about their safety. I don’t want to make assumptions about all products manufactured in China based on bad practices of a few.

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Question from Ms. S.

I am looking for green cleaning products for my preschool. After hours and days of research, I think I’m more confused than ever. Do you have any recommendations of green commercial products. I am leaning toward a product called HydrOxiPro? I found it on a website called www.cleaningPro.com. I originally thought that as long as I choose a green seal product I would be good, but from what I have read there are different degrees of green. I was sorta suprised that some green seal approvd products have Petrochemicals(If I understand correctly, watered down is O.K.?). I just want to provide the best environment for my students, and want to make the best informed choice. Any advice would be great.

Thanks

Debra’s Answer

You bring up several important points here.

First, there are several commercial cleaning product lines on the Cleaning page of Debra’s List.

Yes, there are different degrees of green. So if you are choosing a product that is certified to meet a standard, you need to know what that standard is. As you found out, not all “green” standards are natural.

I coudn’t find HydrOxiPro on the website URL you gave, so I can’t comment on it.

Readers, do you have experience with cleaning products in this setting?

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Question from Beverly

Although we live in the country with pretty good air, seemingly healthy land, and a quiet environment(we used to live next to a freeway and much noise), we live in a toxic prefab home. Most every surface has chemicals or is synthetic. The toilets and sinks are the exception.

I was thinking that we could get a Yurt and sleep outside for that third of our life without chemicals, but every Yurt I looked up was polyester and vinyl, and treated with more chemicals. I am wondering if you or any readers are familiar with natural canvas yurts or with natural canvas tents and such and can refer me to a link or name of a business.

Beverly

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Beverly

Hi again,

What is spandex from, and is it toxic or offgassing?

I’m going through clothes, deciding what to keep and what to do without.

Thanks,

Beverly

Debra’s Answer

Spandex, also called lycra, is a synthetic fabric with a plastic base. It has the unique ability to expand up to 600% and spring back to the same size. Spandex is a polyurethane plastic, which is also used to make foam for furniture cushions and mattresses.

Spandex is used in bathing suits, cycling shorts, surgical compression garments, and brassieres, where its ability to wick moisture and stretch is is a benefit to the wearer.

But spandex can irritate sensitive skin, because it contains some harmful chemicals.

Question from Beverly

Hi Debra and Readers,

What is nylon made from, and is it toxic?

It is in a few clothing items I have.

Some people have windbreakers made of nylon, and nylon leggings.

There are bags for making nut milk that are made from nylon.

Any information would be great.

Debra’s Answer

Nylon is a plastic, made from petroleum. However, it is one of the least toxic plastics and outgasses little, if at all. I have a raincoat made from nylon, but only choose it as a material when it is the best material for the use, and there are no workable natural materials. I also wear nylon swimsuits.

The downside is that they are made from petroleum, a nonrenewable resource, and they will not biodegrade.

Also, some nylon is treated to make it more waterproof.  Look for untreated nylon.

Question from mclark

My husband and I need to replace our mattress. I am planning on purchasing an organic mattress, but wanted to know what the best recommendation would be for a person with dust allergies. I do not want to buy an organic mattress and then turn around and buy a synthetic cover to avoid dust mites getting into the mattress. Are their organic mattress covers or is there a type of mattress material that is less likely to support dust mites?

Debra’s Answer

Wool and latex do not harbor dust mites.

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Question from ME

I need to replace the caulk around my bathroom and kitchen sinks and am trying to find the least toxic choice. Any experience with or thoughts about AFM Safecoat caulking compound?

www.afmsafecoat.com/downloads/
xvjtbc7130%20Caulking%20Compund%20msds.pdf

Debra’s Answer

I personally have no experience with this product. Readers?

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Question from chris

We live in a traditional colonial – 2 stories with a basement. We live in Maryland which means we generally use central Air Conditioning in the summer (so the humidity in the house is not a problem during this season). However, from September through early November and in the early spring, we are often not using Air Conditioning or heating. I run two dehumidifiers in the basement in an effort to keep the relative humidity at about 40 percent. I have noticed that the humidity in our bedroom (2nd floor) is between 55-65 percent. Is this level considered too high?

I am concerned as my son has asthma and I want to make sure that he is living in a healthy environment. Running another dehumidifier on the second floor seems to be excessive.

What are your recommendations on safe indoor humidity levels? Thanks, Chris

Debra’s Answer

From my book Home Safe Home…

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Question from Daniel

Is it safe for a preganant woman to be exposed to a nursery where the paint job was completed 2 months ago?

Debra’s Answer

Probably. But it depends on the type of paint used. If oil-based, maybe not. If water-based probably fine.

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Question from Eric Foster

Debra,

My family and I have been experiencing low grade fevers, headaches, sore throats, red eys, and sinus colds since last winter (2007)anytime we ran our gas furnace. Upon inspection of our furnace, we noticed there were several small cracks in the exchange. We replaced the furnace, as well as added an electric filter and humidifier. Approximately $8k out the door.

Not even 1 week later, the symptoms started again. I am not sure they ever really went away. However, the heater tech did notice problems with our gas line and fixed the outside where it connected to the meter. My wife said she is sure he said he also tested the pipes in the crawl space. All was fine.

I am very concerned for my family’s health. This has been going on for 2 winters now. Anytime we cut the furnace on, these symptoms start. As soon as we turn the heater off and open windows, everyhting goes away to include the low grade fever. Your help would be so appreciated!!

Debra’s Answer

I would say it is the gas furnace, too, but given everything you’ve said, the only thing I can think of is that there may still be residues of gas in the vents that are being released when the heater is on. I don’t even know if this is possible.

Readers, any similar experiences?

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Question from evelyn

It seems my mcs is triggered by organic cotton. Have people had luck with washing organic cotton products to get the oils/ or whatever causes the smells- out?

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from f. Lyle

My daughter has asked for an electric blanket for Christmas. I have never used one because I was told that they were not healthy. Is it possible that they make one that is not harmful. I would appreciate any information that anyone has about this subject.

Thanks

Debra’s Answer

I don’t think there is one, but I may be wrong. The problem is excessive electromagnetic fields and the synthetic material.

My husband and I sleep under a wool comforter in the winter and love it. Perhaps your daughter would be willing to sleep under something more healthy if she knew the dangers and alternatives.

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Question from GC

Hi Debra,

I love your site – it has such useful information!

I don’t know if this question has been asked already, but I was wondering if you could recommend some natural moisturizers to prevent stretch marks. I love Dr. Hauschka and some people have recommended the Buckthorn Oil from that line, but St.John’s Wort extract is listed as an ingredient and I’ve heard that that is not safe during pregnancy. Also along those lines, how safe would it be for me to continue to use Dr. Hauschka products (I know there are tons of herbs + essential oils in them) while I’m pregnant? Would rose oil products be a better alternative? (I have acne prone skin and I would like to use something natural — if not Dr. H, then something like rose oil to prevent blemishes).

I know natural is the way to go, but there is so little information out there about the potential dangers of some ingredients of natural products during pregnancy.

Thanks in advance!

Debra’s Answer

These are good questions. I know I have some readers who know more about herbals than I do, so let’s see what they have to say.

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Question from Kelly

I’m looking for something to take off calcium deposits in the tub and around the sink faucents. I’m wondering if using CLR poses many hazards? It’s touted as “natural”, but I’m always cautious. I chemical sensitive, but could have my cleaning lady use and I stay out. I’ve tried some of the lime sprays and pumice stone without luck. Any advice would be welcome.

Debra’s Answer

The CLR MSDS states that it contains Propylene Glycol Normal Butyl Ether, which is a pretty toxic chemical.

Potential Health Effects

Routes Of Exposure: Eyes. Skin. Inhalation. Ingestion.

Target Organs: No data.

Eye Contact: Severe irritation and blurred vision. Effects may vary depending on length of exposure, solution concentration, and first aid measures. Prolonged contact may cause permanent damage.

Skin Contact: Causes skin irritation. Prolonged contact may cause dermatitis, and itching.

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Question from Ethel

I’ve read your blogs on Organic Clothing and am still a little confused.

I am looking into baby clothing and accessories.I am seeing plenty of items made in China labeled organic in Toys-r-Us and TJ-Maxx. Are these trustworthy although they were made in China? I don’t see any certification on the items.

Also just to be clear buying 100% cotton and washing the items a few times is a safe second correct?

I’d like mention I appreciate all the advice I receive from you and all your readers!

Thanks Everyone!

I am wondering if you recommend organic clothing for infants/toddlers. I do buy my children mostly organic clothing, or at least try to dress them in 100% cotton. I shop at Hanna Andersson, although a lot of their clothing is not organic and is made in China. How important is organic clothing for children? What about adults?

I was looking for organic dancewear (I coudn’t find much of that) and I stumbled onto this:

www.faeriesdance.com

I would really appreciate your input about the place.

Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

Again, non-organic cotton fabric has been lab tested in Germany and found not to contain pesticide residues. Still it is best to choose organic cotton when it is available and you can afford it because growing non-organic cotton puts pesticides into the environment, where we are exposed to them.

If a non-organic cotton item does not have a permanent press finish, you can wash it a few times and any temporary sizing finishes will come out.

Anything labeled “organic” should have a certification indicated on the label.

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Question from Sadie

I use my dishwasher about once a week with natural products to clean, but not a rinse aid. The Ecover dishsoap tablets I recently bought recommend using one. I was wondering if I can use vinegar or if it would damage it. Any suggestions? I see Ecover makes one.

Debra’s Answer

I don’t have any personal experience with this, as I don’t have a dishwasher (actually, I do..his name is Larry).

Readers?

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Question from ANNIQUE

I thought I’d recently seen something here re electric washers, but I’ve searched & can’t find anything now. Our safe washer died and can not be resurrected.

Any suggestions on a new one?

Debra’s Answer

Personally, I always buy used washers so the plastic has had a chance to outgas.

Readers?

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Question from Marie

Here’s a wierd one. Has anyone had the problem of new clothes getting holes in them with Dr. Bronner’s soap?? We were using it (only a capful per load) for months and every so often a hole or two, up to dime size, appeared in a shirt or pants. I have a large stack of items waiting for repair! Many are unusable (ex: a hole right in front of a solid dress shirt). It could be that many are from a discount store (poorer quality?, but includes defective/unsold name brands). No rough places in washer/dryer or on clothes. We’ve tried to think of every possibility. It’s my mom’s washer and all her items are fine (she uses different soap).

I’ve switched soaps, bought new clothes, and haven’t had a problem.

Though I occasionally use a mixture of half Dr. Bronner’s and half water for stain removal (it is the best – even on dried blood!) These treated items have not gotten holes.

Debra’s Answer

I haven’t heard of this before.

Readers?

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Question from Mary

Hi Debra,

We recently purchased a video monitor for our baby. I really didn’t think much of it until my husband said that it emits infrared light shined on our baby so that it can see in dark/low light conditions. Is there any danger/risk to infrared light on our baby?

Debra’s Answer

Actually, infrared light has health BENEFITS. Search on “infrared light health effects” to find articles on this subject.

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Question from Joan Ablon

Dear Debra, Is there a personal air filter which can be hung around the neck and which you could recommend? A friend of mine got a Wein ionizer. Do you have a opinion of this? Thank you,

Debra’s Answer

I personally don’t have any experience with this.

Readers?

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Question from L.A.

My shower head has soft rubbery plastic where the water comes out. I don’t know the correct terms, but it’s the face of the shower head including the little holes where the jets of water come out.

I use a good shower filter but wonder whether the water could be picking up any chemicals from the shower head’s plastic after going through the filter.

I like this shower head but would it be safer to replace it with a chromed brass one?

Debra’s Answer

I’m not worried about this. The water is moving by so fast that any amount of plastic that would get into it would be negligible.

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Question from L.A.

All the natural beds and sofas sound wonderful, but all contain things that would be a problem for me. I have never noticed having a reaction of any type to synthetics like foam or polyester etc., but I’m trying to reduce toxic chemicals in my environment.

Wool makes me very itchy so I avoid it, and even if covered and not in contact with my skin, my area is prone to little bugs that gravitate to wool and silk (my building sprays – unfortunately – but even that doesn’t stop those little critters, and the thought of lots of bugs crawling in my bed is too unpleasant). I have developed a latex allergy. I have had bad reactions after eating soy for a very long time, and even reading newspaper made with soy inks seems to make my eyes burn badly, even though most fumes don’t bother me, so I’m leery of natural foams containing soy. I think I get skin reactions to organic cotton, though I’m fine with most smooth or flannel cottons as long as they don’t have stiff, itchy sizings.

I sleep on a 100% cotton futon (probably has fire retardant – I bought it used so don’t know), but it developed deep indentations where my body is so due to chronic back problems I have to put a (polyester fill) pillow lengthwise under my back, which defeats my trying to avoid breathing chemicals.

I don’t have a sofa and need one. Someone offered me a nice one that’s about ten years old or so and has hardly been used, but it contains urethane and I’m trying to keep chemicals out of my environement.

I am allergic to almost everything natural, unfortunately. Countless food allergies, and lifelong severe pollen allergies to trees, flowers, etc. Am I doomed to using synthetics, and if that’s the best option can I seal them off so I don’t poison myself with chemicals even though I don’t have any reactions while using them that I’m aware of? With a bad back (I’ve managed to avoid surgery on both back of neck and lower back), I really need to sit and lie on soft materials.

Thanks for any help you can give me!

I understand your dilemma. It’s important to keep in mind the difference between a reaction and a toxic exposure. Toxic exposures cause damage to the body, reactions are unpleasant, but the material isn’t toxic and is not damaging the body. In the long run it is better to be around nontoxic materials even if they cause reactions, as eventually your body will heal. You need to make your own decision. I know it’s a difficult one.

Debra’s Answer

I understand your dilemma. It’s important to keep in mind the difference between a reaction and a toxic exposure. Toxic exposures cause damage to the body, reactions are unpleasant, but the material isn’t toxic and is not damaging the body. In the long run it is better to be around nontoxic materials even if they cause reactions, as eventually your body will heal. You need to make your own decision. I know it’s a difficult one.

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Question from YH

How do you know if a textile is permanent press or rayon? They seem similar to me. Does rayon emit formaldehyde?

Debra’s Answer

Permanent press is a finish and rayon is a fabric.

Rayon is made from natural cellulose and chemicals. It usually doesn’t have a formaldehyde finish. It is noted on the fabric content tag sewn into the garment.

That a fabric has a permanent press finish is usually stated on the label of cotton fabrics. However, all polyester/cotton blend fabrics have this finish and it is not on the label.

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Question from YH

Does steam cleaning makes the carpet outgas even more? I think hot temperature makes plastic outgas, right?

Debra’s Answer

Hot temperature does make plastic outgas more, however, steam cleaning is the best way to clean a carpet. It would only outgas more while you are cleaning it, and it would be a negligible amount.

Again, best to not have carpets.

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Question from Rita

Hi Debra,

My husband and I live in New York City and find ourselves ordering takeout all the time. The piping hot food often arrives in plastic containers. Should we be concerned about the plastic leaching into the food?

Many thanks,

Rita

Debra’s Answer

YES. It depends on the type of container. Styrofoam is the worst.

Heat in general makes plastic outgas. Hot food really makes it leach.

If you are putting leftovers in plastic containers, you should always wait until the food cools.

See if you can find out what types of plastics are used in the take-out containers you most frequently get. Then at least you will know what you are eating and can look for better alternatives.

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Question from Ruth Ruddock

Recently the Landlady in my building said she was having the hall carpets professionally cleaned…I requested that they not use fragrance if possible. She said that they were going to use a dry method and she explained my issue to the man who will provide the cleaning. I am hoping for the best, since I am having so many flare-ups of MCS symptoms lately as it is. Does anyone have ideas for safer cleaning products for carpets? I have used baking soda sprinkled and then vacuum it up, in the past, but it took a ton of baking soda to do the whole carpet!

Thanks!

Ruth/Wisc.

Debra’s Answer

It works very well to simply steam clean the carpet using a “rug doctor” type machine without the rug shampoo.

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Question from nelly

Hello,

Does anyone have any first hand experience w/ the Gaia Hotel in Napa, or any of the “eco friendly” hotels in the San Francisco Bay area?

www.gaianapavalleyhotel.com

Thanks

Debra’s Answer

I’ve stayed at the Hotel Triton in San Francisco, which says it is green, but the best one I’ve found in San Francisco is the Orchard Garden Hotel. I had a long talk with the manager and have stayed there several times. I took pages and pages of notes of all the sustainable things they did there.

If you stay at the Orchard Garden, make sure to get a room on the street side. They are beautiful and bright with big windows. The back side rooms are dark and smaller.

A couple of years ago when I went to a conference, I went around and checked out all the “green” hotels on their list. Some were not at all green. The Orchard Garden is really the best. Organic food in the restaurant too.

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Question from P

I must admit. I’ve been looking like a bit scruffy lately, but I refuse to use toxic makeups and threw mine all away this year when I learned the dangers. I have been frustrated b/c even the natural makeups have stuff that I can’t pronounce. I’m just wary of everything at this point!

Online I found a few sites with DYI makeup, and figured out that beet juice is a colorant used in some industrial makeups. In a tiny jar I mixed beet juice with cornstarch until it reached a firm consistency. Let it dry overnight. It now is just as packed and caked down as regular blush in my little jar. I can sweep my brush over it, and it looks very natural on. It dyes my cheeks for a good while.

The big bottle of beet juice cost 3.50, and the cornstarch cost 1.50, for a grand total of $5. And this is enough to make it for everyone I know, and still have leftovers. Stocking stuffers, here I come! I am super excited, and wanted to share with you, Debra and any other of us girls reading!

Debra’s Answer

Thank you! Feel free to post more DIY makeups as you discover them.

I’ve found that you can just rub a cut beet on your lips for a nice red…

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Question from Marcia

Here is an excellent article on what cars are more toxic than others – regarding the various materials they used in different cars that are rated: it’s Toxic Cars: Is your car making you sick?.

Marcia California USA

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Melissa

I have successfully used Oxyclean laundry spray for years with no reaction. Today I used a new bottle and the fragrance was so overpowering that I had to rewash the entire load. I called the company and the customer service rep told me that she was unaware of a change in the formula. I am positive it’s different. Has anyone else encountered this situation? Apparently Oxyclean makes a baby version that’s fragrance free and colorless, but it’s hard to find. Does anyone know of a similar product in a spray?

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from CJStewart

Before I get started let me just say that yes, I know that if I was a tough girl I would just put my compost in the corner and turn it with a pitchfork. Yeah, that’s just not going to happen right now. That being said, I really need some input on the composting options available. We want one that we can add to continuously. We tried the NatureMill Pro, but we’re not going to keep using it. Long tiring story… We need one that we can use for kitchen scraps, etc. We want it to be outside and making mulch year-round. Suggestions?

Debra’s Answer

We just put our kitchen scraps out under the banana trees, but we used to have a worm compost box, which I loved.

Readers, your suggestions and experience with composting?

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Question from john

is there any safe non toxic solution to eliminate bad breath? what should i be aware of?

thanks

Debra’s Answer

Bad breath, like other unpleasant body symptoms, is an indicator of some kind of imbalance in the body that needs to be addressed. It could be a need to improve dental hygiene, a need to improve digestion, or other imbalances. It’s important to find the cause and correct the problem, not just use a mouthwash or mints to freshen breath. A healthy body has little odor.

Standard mouthwashes contain alcohol and may contain formaldehyde, artificial colors, ammonia, and hydrogen peroxide.

I’d start with making sure you have good oral hygiene, including flossing and brushing, and if that doesn’t take care of it, visit your dentist to see if you have any infections or any other problems in your mouth. If that doesn’t take care of it, visit a natural oriented health practitioner to help identify the problem and get a solution.

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Question from KA

It seems as it there are 2 major sources of chemicals surrounding non-organic cotton: the chemicals (pesticides) used in the fields and the chemicals used in processing. If & when you use non-organic cotton products- particularly clothing-can BOTH types of chemicals be removed by washing? Does this take several washings?

Debra’s Answer

It depends on what’s on the cotton.

Cotton FABRIC does not have pesticide residues even if pesticides have been used in growing. This has been lab tested in Germany. Cotton batting does have pesticide residues.

All cotton fabric has a cornstarch based finish called sizing. This will wash right out.

Permanent press cotton has a formaldehyde finish that emits formaldehyde. It is so difficult to remove that I recommend not using permanent press cotton.

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Question from YH

Most houses around where I live have carpet. It is really hard to find houses that have hardwood floor. I am looking for a 4-month sublet, and was wondering if it is worth it to remove carpet for 4 months and then put it back. Can I do it all by myself? How much time does it take to pull out the carpet, and then put it back? If it is cement underneath, will it get very cold in the winter? I live in Michigan. Will the carpet be damaged while I do that? I want to preserve it so that I can install it back.

My current lease in a house that has carpet even in the bathroom and kitchen end in 2 months. Do you think it is worth it to put carpet seal just to use the carpet for 2 more months? It says on the website that I have to use carpet shampoo before using the carpet seal, and I thought that it is a lot of work, so I didn’t buy the carpet seal. Also, there are lots of things on the floor in my room. I didn’t want to move anything to put the carpet seal on. Or can I just put the seal on areas where I am not putting anything on?

If I move to a house that has hardwood floor, would it be safer to put a layer of natural linoleum on top to make sure that it is less toxic? If you recommend so, I will do that.

Debra’s Answer

I wouldn’t remove a carpet from a sublet or short term lease and expect to reinstall it. I did remove carpet from a rental once, but it was an old carpet, I had a 2 year lease and I promised to pay for the reinstallation. When we moved out, however, the landlord didn’t charge me anything because he decided to install a new carpet.

I advise you to use the AFM Carpet Seal on any of these carpets. But you need to move everything out of the room and apply it to the whole carpet.

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Question from YH

Do they outgass some kind of chemicals? I don’t really know what they are made of. Is latex a toxic plastic? Buying latex matress is an easy way to get rid of dust mites.

Debra’s Answer

Dust mite pillow and mattress covers made from polyethylene are not harmful to health, however, polyethylene is a nonrenewable, nonbiodegradable plastic.

Latex is not toxic, however, some latex does contain some toxic chemicals. Some people are allergic to latex, and some people cannot tolerate the natural odor of latex.

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Question from Bud

My wife and I are shopping for a new stove, we are trying to find the best interior, does anyone make a manual clean oven with out non-stick interior. I may be ok with ths self cleaning models that use steam (Samsung) but was still wondering about the toxicity of non-stick interior. I hope this has not been too obtuse, we just want the best non-toxic stove without paying an arm and a leg.

Debra’s Answer

I haven’t looked at new stoves recently. The Tappan self-cleaning oven that came with my house has a regular enamel interior. You might want to consider a used stove if you can’t find a new one you like.

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Question from Donna

Hi! I’m not sure if my previous post of this question made it through (computer glitches here lately). I saw a borosilicate glass tea kettle for sale in the Lehmans catalog. Do you think this is safe? Is this just regular glass, or something different? What kind of tea kettle is the safest for my family?Thanks so much!

Debra’s Answer

This is a tempered glass. It is nontoxic.

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Question from Ben Jones

Hello Debra,

I was thinking of buying a metal shed for the garden. All of the commericaly available ones are painted with polyester enamel paint? Would this paint be likely to offgas much after purchase? Would this be suitable for a person with moderate chemical sensitivity?

Id appreciate any advice you could give me, Many thanks in advance.

Debra’s Answer

This should be fine for you.

One thing to understand about plastics is that they come in many different forms. An “enamel” actually is pretty toxic during application, but when it dries, it is quite inert. Enamel paints are heat-cured to metal surfaces, which takes care of most of the outgassing.

I say “most” because enamel paint applied to a heater, for example, will continue to outgass when exposed to the heat of the heater. It actually takes a year or two of use for it to completely dry. Therefore, this shed will probably be fine, except if the sun is shining on it on a very hot day, there may be additional emissions from the heat.

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Question from Dafna

I found out I have dry wood termite infestation in my attic. I shudder at the thought of having to fumigate, so I searched on this site but found no natural alternatives. Then I heard of orange oil, offered for example by this company www.planetorangetermite.com.

However, I am afraid it’s too good to be true. Is it effective? is it really just natural ingredients or is it the case that some horrible chemical are hiding in the 8% of the material they do not disclose in the description? the site just says XT-2000 is 92% pure d-limonene.

Thank you and your readers for any feedback/experience they can provide

Debra’s Answer

You need to ask them for their Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). That will list the hazardous ingredients required to be disclosed by law. They are required by law to give it to you.

My preferred and very effective termite treatment is Timbor, which you can read about at Q&A: How do I get rid of carpenter ants?

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Question from Dalia

Moringa is a a bottle made of red ceramic that holds and keeps the water cool through the summer months and gives a nice , rain water and earthy taste to it. I am afraid of contaminants leaching into the water. Do you know anything about it?

Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

I’ve never heard of this.

In general, with ceramic pieces, you want to make sure it is not finished with a glaze that contains lead. The most suspect of leaded ceramics are imported pieces that are brightly colored.

Where do you get a MORINGA?

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Question from Dalia

My neighbor wants to seal our fence saying that arsenic can leach from treated wood chemicals .Is this a problem ? And the chemicals from the sealing the wood?

Thank you so much

I love your site.

dalia

Debra’s Answer

Actually, your fence may not have any arsenic in the preservative. How old is it?

Wood used to be preserved with Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA), which contained arsenic. As of December 31, 2003, wood with this preservative was no longer allowed by the EPA for residential applications, and is no longer sold (However, see entry 10/24/08 at Q&A: Safety of ACQ Pressure-Treated Wood). Today, wood is generally treated with Alkaline Copper Quaternary (ACQ), which is considered much safer (but not entirely safe — see Safe Handling Information at http://www.ufpi.com/literature/acqsafe-59.pdf)

ACQ IS safer than CCA, however, there is such a thing as copper toxicity. If you have high copper in your body, it can cause a wide variety of problems. So keep in mind that this is a source of copper, and you should minimize your exposure to it for that reason.

US Forest Service: Forest Products Laboratory has some good background material on wood preservatives.

If your neighbor wants to seal the fence, they should use at least a water-based sealant, and preferably one that contains few or no VOCs.

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Question from jenbooks

Debra, many MCSers are sensitive to mold–or got that way because of mold. Can you post this info about detergents incl. Seventh Generation?

I was reacting to it and didn’t know why (I’m sensitive to mold).

This explains why I was “reacting” to some of my clothing. Felt like moldish but wasn’t mold. I think I am going to demand a refund from the company.

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Rita

Debra,

Thank you so much for the tremendous service this blog provides. My husband’s doctor told him that he’s Vitamin D3 and Vitamin C deficient. I’m trying to find the best, non-toxic, organic vitamins available, but I’m totally overwhelmed by what’s out there. Are there any brands of vitamins that you recommend?

Many thanks,

Rita

Debra’s Answer

In general, I look for vitamins made from whole foods. Some brands I recommend are listed at Debra’s List: Food: Supplements.

I think it’s always best to get vitamins from natural sources, if it is at all possible to get enough. Most vitamins are made synthetically from petroleum, the chemical structure is the same as the vitamin in nature, but it isn’t made organically with all the co-factors.

Sunlight is the best source of vitamin D3, and fish and eggs.

Cranberries and citrus, which are in season now, are good sources of Vitamin C. You can just buy the raw cranberries now (in October-November-December) and whiz them up in a blender with water to make fresh cranberry juice. If you buy vitamin C tablets, be sure to get ones that say on the label that they are from a food source, such as oranges or acerola cherries. Otherwise, it’s synthetic.

Buy organic if you can and make sure the vitamins do not contain additives such as artificial colors and flavors.

See these other posts for more on vitamins:

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Question from mjr

I have noticed that the caulk in my shower has been deteriorating much faster than I think that it should, needing replacement in a matter of a very few months. It actually bubbles up and spreads out from the caulk line in places. My husband likes to use Tilex Fresh Shower daily cleaner, and I sus pect this is the culprit. I am trying to get away from harsh chemicals. Do you have any suggestions for a safer product that would not “eat” my caulk and would still make him happy in keeping a clean shower?

Debra’s Answer

This product is made from alkyl polyglycoside, isopropyl alcohol, and some other nonhazardous ingredients not listed on the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

Alkyl polyglycoside is a new biodegradable mold-killer and surfactant, manufactured from fatty acids derived from corn or sugar beets. Though I could find no negative health effects for it, it is listed as a hazardous ingredient on the MSDS.

Isopropyl alcohol is just regular household alcohol that you would buy at the drug store.

I wouldn’t use this in a small, unventilated area like an enclosed shower.

There are some ideas for cleaning mold in showers at Q&A: How Do I Remove Mold from the Shower Floor Tile?.

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Question from CC

Trying to conserve water, I had a cakepan with a plastic lid on it, (believe me i dont like plastic, and i have thrown almost all my plastic items away, but this was just a cakepan to use on occassion).

I cant believe i did this but I stuck it in the oven to save from washing it because it has some cake left in it. Ok, so i went to make a pizza and preheated my oven. I didn’t smell anything but i started seeing flames, so me not being a cook, or knowing much about this stuff, i had my mom take it out of the oven for me, and she threw it outside, and opened the oven door and then we opened the doors and windows and left for about an hour, and i came back home when it was not smelly anymore.

So we decided to catch a warm day to clean it out. My mom took a spatula and scraped the plastic out. It looked like all of it was gone, so she said we need to burn the stove out, so we turned it on and left. So when i came back it smelled AGAIN, and we turned it up and left again. Ok, now this time when i came home it didnt smell so i thought great i can use my oven again, so i put it on the self cleaning one more time to make sure and it STILL smelled like plastic.

You cant even see hardly any plastic in there, just maybe a spot, not even enough that can be got up, just looks like a water spot, Did i inhale toxic fumes? Is there any hope for my oven? Is there any safe cleaner that will help?

Debra’s Answer

Melting plastic definitely gives off toxic fumes. Sounds like you did all the right things, to open doors and windows and get out of there.

I have no experience with this, having never put plastic in my oven. Readers, any suggestions?

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Question from Jody

We have hard water, (possibly lime?) build up in our shower head. Any ideas how to clean it out?

Debra’s Answer

Soak it in vinegar.

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Question from Cathy

Debra,

We are looking to put in porcelain tile in our dining room and kitchen. My husband is interested in a new product called Snapstone, which is porcelain tile attached to a grid of plastic and rubber underneath. The tiles snap together and you use a grout specifically made for this tile for flexibility. I am sure the grout probably has some chemicals. I have had MCS for many years, and therefore, I am extremely sensitive. In the past we have used tile with the cement board, old fashioned mortar and grout. Do you think that the plastic grid attached to the underside of the tile be a long term problem? I have tried to research this out, but have not been successful. Thank you for any help you can give me.

Debra’s Answer

I don’t think the plastic grid under the tiles will be a problem, but I am concerned about this flexible grout. Since, as you know, grout is NOT flexible, they would have to add some kind of rubber or soft plastic to make it so.

I was not able to find a manufacturer for this product or an Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), which makes me a little suspicious.

I wouldn’t use this product without first getting the MSDS from whoever you are thinking of purchasing this from. Post it here and I’ll take a look at it and give you my opinion.

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Question from Sandy

My husband and I decided to switch our office and guest room. The office (which is now the guest room) had one of those plastic things you put on the floor so your chair can roll easily. It has been in the room for several years and had no plastic smell. When we picked it up off the floor the odor was horrendous and won’t go away. It has been about 6 weeks and we have tried airing out the room, running a fan, putting baking soda down and have now cleaned the carpet with Mystical carpet stain remover. The plastic smell now seems worse, altho the carpet may still be damp. Is there a way to get the plastic smell out once and for all w/o adding any chemicals to the mix? I have MCS.

Debra’s Answer

None of the things you list do anything to remove an odor from carpet. Airing the room, for example, will remove the pollutants released from the carpet from the room, but will not stop them from being released from the carpet.

I suggest using a space heater to heat the room, especially if you think the carpet is still damp. This will help the odor outgas and dry the carpet.

If this does not eliminate the odor, you can contain it with AFM Carpet Seal. This is a nontoxic product that smells like nothing. I used it many years ago on a carpet in an office and it was very effective.

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Question from SVE

Older relatives have given us various decorative collector china plates, tea cups and saucers (some “chintz” patterns) through the years. I’ve been wondering if “lead” could be on the surfaces of some or most of these lovely pieces. If a person only touches these when they are dry, would the lead transfer to the fingers? Only very occasionally would they be washed. Does water release the lead from the surfaces onto the fingers? In short, can a person become exposed to lead from old china (that is never used for food or drink) by simply touching them?

Debra’s Answer

IF there is lead in the finish, yes, it could get into your body by simply touching them.

You can verify if there is lead by testing with LeadCheck swabs.

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Question from APril

Hi Debra,

My 2 yr old niece has pneumonia. She and her brother actually get sick about every 2-3 months. What are some natural health ways to prevent sickness besides taking probiotics. I know my sister cleans with safe cleaners. Any helpful tips on treating pneumonia too?

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

Pneumonia is one of those illnesses that requires having a strong immune system to recover from. There are many toxic chemicals classified as “immunotoxicants” (see the link to the list on my Toxic Chemicals Contribute to Catching Colds and Flu page). Most of the toxic chemicals discussed in my book Home Safe Home harm the immune system, and you can find out how to eliminate them from your home in this book. Children do not yet have developed immune systems so it is even more difficult for them to fight pneumonia.

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs, so it is particularly important to eliminate the toxic chemicals that are air pollutants, as these irritate the lungs and make it harder to breathe.

There is a good article about how to take a natural approach to healing pneumonia at Pneumonia–How To Help Heal It Without Drugs, Surgery Nor Treatments. Suggested are fasting, breathing fresh air, and other simple steps that support the body’s own ability to heal.

I would suggest that you get a good natural-oriented doctor to help with an supervise treatment. Pneumonia is a serious illness and can be fatal. Not a time to experiment.

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Question from Mom

My son has pinworm and the eggs are hard to kill. Every site I’ve seen says to use bleach, but I’m sensitive to it, plus I don’t use toxic cleaners like these.

I’ve been using white vinegar. Will this kill the eggs while cleaning? Do I need to use it full strength?

I’ve also read that sunlight will kill the eggs, but no mention of how long items need to be in sunlight. Any idea?

And I’ve also read that heating the house to 95 degrees can kill the eggs, but also no mention of the amount of time necessary.

Any other ideas you have are appreciated.

Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

I have no experience with this. Readers?

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Question from CJStewart

I have a recipe for Amish Friendship Bread that I have successfully reduced the sugar in, but it calls for a large box of instant vanilla pudding (which makes me question that it originated as an Amish recipe…). What would you suggest using instead of a large box of instant pudding. Even my 4-year-old son says “Mommy, we can’t buy that…it has artificial flavorings!

Debra’s Answer

Vanilla pudding mix is basically cornstarch, sugar, and artificial flavorings and coloring.

So to replace it in a recipe, you need cornstarch and sweetener and vanilla flavor.

A standard vanilla pudding recipe contains:

So thats 1 part cornstarch to 2 parts sugar. Find out how the amount of mix is in one package of dry vanilla pudding mix and mix that amount of cornstarch and sweetener with a 2:1 ratio. Then try to estimate the amount of vanilla to add.

This should work.

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Question from CJStewart

We recently replaced our old dishes with white Fiesta Ware. We really like them, but our forks and spoons leave those black (gray) marks on them. Is there a green way to remove those marks? I have tried Bon Ami without success.

Debra’s Answer

I don’t have an answer to this one, but I will share an observation.

I don’t get black marks on my dishware. I use silverplate flatware.

But I do get those grey marks on the inside of mixing bowls that I have used with my hand mixer, which has stainless steel beaters. I think it’s the stainless steel.

Readers, any success removing these marks?

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Question from Jennifer L.

Hello Debra,

My husband and I bought the “Trued and True” varnish and danish oil to finish our hardwood floor, due to concerns over our baby’s health while crawling. We hired a “professional” to do the work and unfortunately he did not follow the directions, and left it puddling on the floor for days! The floor has taken weeks to dry after wiping it clean.

Although it is now dry, there is a lingering odor that smells like the linseed oil. My question is, do you believe the smell/fumes to be harmful to little lungs even though it has been described as one of the least toxic floor finish by several sources? It is a no VOC product but the smell is so strong!

I should also mention that we are not moved into the house yet and we are turning the heat on 80 degrees at night with the windows closed and opening up the house during the day. I am afraid to turn the heat up too high for a bake out. Is this temperature OK?

Thanks very much for any help and advise you can give us!

–Jennifer

Debra’s Answer

This looks like a wonderful wood finish from the description on the Tried & True Wood Finishes website. All renewable resources, no VOCs, even meets the FDA food safe standards.

There’s nothing toxic here that I can see.

However, I have had experience in the past using other all-natural paints and wood finishes made from natural oils and resins as these are, and I find the odors from the natural resins themselves can be very strong. And they can take a long time to completely cure.

The instructions say to use a very small amount, so if instructions were not followed, there may be more resin offgassing than intended.

You’re going in the right direction with the heat.

I have no personal experience with this product. You can always contact the manufacturer with this kind of question. They should be able to tell you exactly what to do.

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Question from Julie Larson

Scientific American

September 30, 2008

European Chemical Clampdown Reaches Across Atlantic

Many chemicals manufactured in the U.S. have been pronounced “dangerous” by the European Union

By David Biello

This came to me from Lawrence Plumlee via Dr Paula Davey.

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Shelly

Hello,

I am interested in reading about anyone’s experience with a Tersano Lotus LBU100 Sanitizing System? It is supposed to disinfect surfaces as well as remove pesticides and kill germs on food.

According to what I have read about the Lotus, cold tap water has an extra oxygen atom added to it in order to create ozone. Ozone is not something I want in an air purifier due to respiratory reasons however this is not supposed to be an issue with this technology since the ozone is in the water. Yet, I still wonder about the safety. Does anyone know about the safety issue of the ozone in the water? I would love to hear your view Debra.

Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

According to the Lotus website, what their product does is infuse tap water with ozone.

I know a lot about ozone in water because my late father actually received a patent for using ozone to disinfect water.

Ozone in water is safe and will kill bacteria and germs of all kinds on household surfaces, so it can be used in place of more toxic disinfectants.

However, this product also claims to significantly reduce pesticide residues on the produce. I just want you to note that they say on the surface of produce. And then they go on to say, “With the lotus system, expensive “organic” isn’t the only way to enjoy food with less pesticides!”

My issue here has to do with their creating an impression that eating foods cleaned with ozonated water is the same as eating organic produce. It’s not. It’s not even close. What ozonated water will do is remove some pesticides from the surface of the produce. But pesticides are sprayed repeatedly throughout the growing of produce and so it is systemic within the entire fruit or vegetable. It’s not just sprayed on top. In addition, organic produce is grown in soil that is full of nutrients, so organic food actually contains more nutrients and comes from healthy plants. And in the bigger picture, organic foods don’t put pesticides into the air, soil, and water, from which they come to us indirectly.

Also, they talk about using plain tap water, which is full of toxic pollutants that you don’t want to put on your food.

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Question from Diana

I just recently purchased a “non-toxic” caulk from a site listed on “Debra’s List.” However, after I read the back of the bottle it lists the following items: “Contains TALC, 2,2,4-TRIMETHYL-1, 3-pentanediol MONO-SOBUTYRATE, VINYL ACETATE AND ACETALDEHYDE. MAY ALSO CONTAIN CARBON BLACK OR TITANIUM DIOXIDE.” OK this concerns me because I don’t really know what any of the above exactly means. Is this safe enough to use? Meaning, will it be safe after it dries? Or should I send it back? I was unable to download the MSDS from their website.

Also, I saw another reader to this blog tried the DAP Painters Acrylic Latex Caulk. Did it work for you? Any help would be much appreciated. We are trying to start our child’s bedroom and we want it as safe as possible for him.

Diana

Debra’s Answer

To answer your specific question first, these are all hazardous substances. That’s why they are listed–as a warning. Is it safe enough to use? You may not find a safer one. Yes, it will be safe after it dries. You can also use heat to make it dry faster.

It’s important for us to find the least toxic caulks available, because caulk is widely used throughout homes to block out air and water and fill gaps between building materials.

Unfortunately, I have yet to find what I would consider a nontoxic caulk. There was one we liked made by DAP, but I can’t seem to find it any more.

A lot of things are changing in the world of caulk. Not so long ago there were only three basic ingredients used to make caulk: acrylic, latex, and silicone. Now there are also synthetic rubber caulks and modified silicone caulks…

But the one thing we are most interested in is toxicity. And with regard to that, caulks fall into two categories: water-based and solvent-based.

Water-based caulks are made from latex (which includes acrylic and vinyl, both of which are toxic). They clean up with water and have less odor, but they are still toxic (I’ve heard and read that they are “nontoxic,” but this simply isn’t so).

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Question from SBP

I was given a set of china dishes. Several of them are “brown with age”, but in good condition otherwise. Can anyone tell me how to get rid of this brown shadow across the dishes?

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from sophia

Hello,

Dear Debra,

Do you know of a natual alternative to the commercial pesticide sprays used to control gypsy moths in the north east, ie western NJ. I am asking for a residence w/a large plot of land that runs into the woods.

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

Right at the top of the Pest Control page of Debra’s List, under “General”, there is a list of organizations that have lots of info on natural pest controls. Try one of those websites.

Readers, any experience with this? What worked for you?

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Question from RBES

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could recommend a natural eye makeup remover?

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

I personally don’t wear eye makeup except when I’m speaking or on television, and then I just wash it off in the shower.

Readers, your recommendations?

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Question from Sue McWilliams

I read an article explaining to dip cotton in peppermint oil and place in areas likely to attract rodent traffic. Cleaned up my laundry room and placed several in the room. I used pieces of a cotton t-shirt tied in a small bundle and saturated with the peppermint oil. My laundry room smells nice, but since this is the first time I have tried this, I was wondering how often I would have to do this. Will these last me throughout the winter months? Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

I’ve never tried this, but I would imagine that you would need to periodically refresh the peppermint oil. Probably every month or two.

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Question from Sunnyside

I’m looking for a non-toxic, low(or no) VOC sealer that can be used to cover our newly installed deck floor. The deck floor is a hardwood (maple)from Brazil light in color. It is a very dense wood and pre-drilling was necessary. If possible, I would like to seal this yet this fall before the Michigan winter sets in.

I did check with Vermont Natural Coatings but they do not have a product for the outside at this time. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

Readers? I don’t have experience with this as I don’t have a deck.

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Question from natalia

Dear Debora,

We bought a new birch closet from Ikea 1 wk ago. I have windows open for a week but it still gives off a strong odor. The closet is in the nursery and I am concirned about the toxic effect of this odor. Also is there a way to eliminate the smell?

Debra’s Answer

It’s hard to answer your question without having more information. Like, is it solid birch, or birch veneer over plywood?

The way to eliminate outgassing in general is to apply heat. Remove it from the nursery and put it in a room that can be closed up with a space heater. Let it “bake” for a few days and a lot of the smell will be released.

It’s difficult to determine from your post if the odor is from the wood itself or if it is some manufactured wood that contains chemicals. Either way, heat will help.

Opening the windows is good for removing the odor from the room, but it won’t do anything to reduce whatever is outgassing from the wood.

Question from Nell

Hi Debra,

I am hoping you or some of the experts who read this site can help me with this problem: The insulation IN THE WALLS of our 37 yr old house has settled about a foot or so below the roof line, so that a lot of heat escapes at the top of the walls during the winter. (House was tested with a special camera.)

Does anyone have a suggestion as to how we could fill this space INEXPENSIVELY? I thought about the spray-in type insulation. Would this work? Any ideas? Someday, we hope to re-insulate the whole house when having the siding replaced, but that will not be in the budget for a while.

Appreciate the help,

Nell

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from TC

I bought some Dr. Woods black Castille soap with shea butter. It says it is all natural, but “fragrance” (not essential oil or natural fragrance) is listed in the ingredients. It doesn’t smell like a natural fragrance, and 2 emails to the company have gone unanswered. Does anyone know if it is a 100% natural product?

Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

“Fragrance” on a label typically means it is synthetic (made from petroleum). If the scent is natural, the label will list the essential oils used (i.e. essential oil of lavender).

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Question from Clara

I recently purchased a Gold N Hot ceramic flat iron straightening iron. When I opened it there was a tag reading Warning: The power cord on this product contains lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.

This really scared me,,,Is it harmful, and why are they still selling something like this. Should I take it back, or do all cords on irons have lead in them?

Debra’s Answer

We covered this at length a couple of years ago (how time flies!) but I thought it was important enough to mention it again. See Q&A: Lead on Power Cords.

Question from Jill

We need to use foam in our new construction for a few issues

– to fill in gaps in ICFs (insulated concrete forms)

– to seal around windows

– to seal penetrations

I know that some foams like Great Stuff say things like “no formaldehyde” but there are other components, like isocyanate, which is a sensitizer. I know the odor dissipates over time, but not the toxicity.

I’m seeking suggestions for the least toxic foams. Thanks

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from KRB

I have recently found out that some bra companies are using polyurethane foam in the padding. I was shocked to see it on the label. The specific brand is Hanes and Barely There. I am wondering about the use of it in bras. How can this be safe? Are there safe alternatives? Some companies don’t list what is in the padding. Thanks for your input.

Debra’s Answer

Polyurethane foam is a plastic, and so is the polyester fabric used to made padded bras. I can’t help but think that it could be absorbed through the skin.

There are bras made from natural fibers. One website that specializes in natural fiber undergarments is Decent Exposures.

Depending on how much support you need, you might consider not even wearing a bra. I gave mine up years ago.

Question from Gayle Ellias

We just pulled up carpet from a house that was built in the 1950’s. Underneath is a beautiful Oak hardwood floor. We need to apply a finish to it. We have a chemically sensitive son, and three big dogs. What finish would you recommend that is nontoxic, yet very strong to resist nail scratches from dogs?!

Thanks so much,

Gayle

Debra’s Answer

Again, I think the finish from Vermont Natural Coatings may be the one for you, too. They are sending me samples this week. Contact them and ask them about durability.

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Question from Edy

Hi,

I have a Rival crock pot (slow cooker) model # 3100/2. I bought it used from an elderly woman in the late 80s. I got some of the lead test swabs and am happy to say it is clear of lead. It’s green with a burnt seinna glaze inside. I don’t know if these can be found anymore. Maybe on Ebay. This makes me very happy as I use it frequently to make bone broth ala “Nourishing Traditions” cookbook and since I’m so reactive to even vitamins this is how I get my minerals. I slow cook them for 3 days all cut up so am glad I’m not adding lead into the broth!

Best, Edy

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Betty L.

Hi,

We own a lightweight fiberglass camper trailer, 17′. Economical to pull, & all the comforts. Great, but the problem is the electrical converter box came in under the bed. So we re-routed that to the other end in the closet. Thought the problem of electro-magnetic exposure was greatly lessened. It did seem to be on checking w/ a guass meter. But now there still seems to be a problem, albeit greatly reduced, with the bed area. Right where you absolutely DON’T want it.

Does anyone have any ideas on another brand, or have they ever checked this out? We are considering trading, but might we just not have the same problem? My bathroom is a must,(frequency issues), & in the heat of summer AC is just needed. We discovered the problem on our last trip,& just unplugged everything to sleep. Great for fall, & the little furnace worked. But AC is needed at times.

Any helpful thoughts?

Thanks

Betty L.

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Mary G.

Hello Debra,

Someone please tell me…What is Imitation Crab Meat (what is it made from)???

Thank you!Mary G.

Debra’s Answer

Here is an answer from Ask Yahoo!.

Just eat the fish itself. We don’t need more sugar, sorbitol, wheat, soybean oil, and artificial flavorings. If you want crab, eat the real thing.

You know, it’s not just the unhealthy additives. Manufacturing these kinds of food products also uses a tremendous amount of energy and water that are not necessary for us to receive nourishment.

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Question from Ethel

I found a shower/tub hose that I would like to purchase but am questioning the materials its made of.

Each hose is vinyl and has a styrene head and a rubber connector. Are these materials safe? Would chemicals leach into the water when using this product? Also I am would want to use it only for the purpose of rinsing off the tub after cleaning but am also concerned about offgasing while its tucked away in my cabinet when not in use.

Debra’s Answer

Thanks for finding out the type of plastic used before posting your question.

I had a similar question last year at Q&A: Plastic Shower Hoses, but we didn’t know the plastics used.

Vinyl is toxic and causes cancer and styrene is also a toxic plastic (think styrofoam cups and food service containers). It is known to leach into foods and beverages.

The vinyl will outgass a small amount in use and when not in use. This is a very small exposure but pretty toxic plastics.

Last time around with this question, a reader suggested getting a stainless steel hose. They carry them at plumbing supply stores.

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Question from Jane

Could you advise me about finishes for wood floors? Our home has hardwood flooring throughout, so we’re having old wall-to-wall carpeting removed. Trouble is, our workman, who is reliable, skilled and good-natured, has told me we’ll need to “apply three coats of polyurethane finish” after the wood is sanded and smoothed. The maple color of the wood is fine and the floors do not need any staining.

I’ve said that with three coats of polyurethane I won’t have a wood floor, I’ll have a plastic floor! And of course, I’m also concerned about offgassing. About that I was told, “This product dries fast, probably in less than four hours, so there won’t be any smell.”

But it isn’t the smell I’m concerned about; it’s the continued offgassing even after the product has dried.

As a side issue, I’m also thinking that if a floor is covered with three coats of a plastic product, that floor will be dangerously slippery! As to that, I’m advised to use a carpet runner with a section of carpet underlay to prevent slipping.

This all sounds like preventable trouble to me! Are there safe wood finishing products available? We could use good old-fashioned Butchers’ Wax, but our workman says, “You’d have to reapply that every three months.”

Maybe it would be better to buff up the floor with wax rather than coating it with plastic!

Debra’s Answer

It would take pages for me to write everything to know about wood finishes, so I am going to respond to your comments and give you some tips.

First, if you want to use wax and reapply every three months, go for it.

It’s my opinion that you need to have some kind of protection on a wood floor. Without a finish, dirt gets dug in, and you can’t wash the wood because it is very porous. Any wood floor you have would need to have some kind of finish.

Now there are options for finishes that range from polyurethane to natural oils.

There are low-VOC polyurethane products that will evaporate out fairly quickly, within a few hours, and once they are dry, they will not outgas over time. At the moment I’m sitting at an oak desk my husband sanded and finished with Flecto Diamond Finish, which you can get at Home Depot or Lowe’s. Completely inert. I sit here all day every day with no odor at all. If I put my water glass on it and condensation gets on the finish, I wipe it right up.

I have another desk in this room that I finished with an all-natural plant-based finish. It looks beautiful, but it had a strong natural odor of the oils and resins and took about a year to dry. And it still spots if I get water on it.

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Question from JG

Do you know anything about the plastic dentists use to seal kids teeth?

I heard that some dentists are using BPA free sealants. Are the others safe?

Debra’s Answer

Oh this is smart…just paint plastic on your kid’s teeth to prevent cavities.

No.

BPA or no BPA, it’s still liquid plastic going in a kid’s mouth. I wouldn’t do it.

It didn’t take more than five minutes to find this medical article about the toxicity of dental sealants: Dental Sealant Toxicity: Neurocutaneous Syndrome (NCS), a dermatological and neurological disorder by Dr. Omar M. Amin, PhD

Abstract: Neurocutaneous syndrome (NCS), a newly discovered toxicity disorder, is described in light of our new understanding of its relationships with the causative agents included in the dental liners used in afflicted patients. NCS is characterized by neurological sensations, pain, depleted energy and memory loss as well as itchy cutaneous lesions that may invite various opportunistic infections. Components in the calcium hydroxide dental sealants Dycal, Life and Sealapex have been identified as sources of the observed symptoms considered compatible with classical sulfa toxicity. Sulfonamide and neurological toxicity issues are discussed, three case histories are presented and an outline of management protocol is proposed. Additional notes on zinc oxide, Fynal, IRM and Sultan U/P sealants are also included.

Brush and floss…I’ve never had one cavity.

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Question from Sandy

I am having difficulty finding a safe automobile. The new ones are offgasing too much and make me sick. Used ones at dealers have been detailed and whatever cleaner they use cause me breathing problems. Used ones for sale by private parties all have fragrances in them. I am at a loss for what to do. I will need something soon. I have used the ratings at Healthycar.org and even the lowest rated vehicles are no good for me. Any suggestions?

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from NANCY HAAST

I live in southwest florida and have green algae growing on my pool screen and roof every year. I do not want to use chlorine, and would appreciate any suggestion on a safe product to use to kill this algae.

Thanks so much for any suggestions.

Debra’s Answer

I have no experience with this. Readers?

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Question from APril

Hi Debra,

Do you know of anything “safe” to give children for sinus, coughing, snotty noses, sore throat, ear infections, etc? I don’t know if my son has allergies or a cold right now but he’s super snotty and I don’t want it to turn into an ear infection. I know that breastmilk in the sinus cavities has been known to heal infections (thankfully, I am lactating right now) but I am looking for additional info on treating head/chest colds/allergies in both adults and children. I also thought this would be a good topic to start up with winter just around the corner.

Debra’s Answer

I’m going to ask mothers reading this to answer, since I don’t have children myself.

I do know that this symptom is often related to food allergies, could be something in the air, could be a cold. My husband, for example, gets nasal congestion when he eats wheat.

My best advice is to try to track down what is causing it so you can take the right steps to correct it. A cold remedy is not going to solve a food allergy.

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Question from cal

1. Many long lived women swear by the effectiveness of Fels Naptha, which some online sources indicate contains solvents and/or petroleum distillates.

Can you confirm or expand on this? I am committed to using cleaners that biodegrade fully, timely and non-harmfully and that are sourced from readily renewable ingredients. I don’t use anything with petroleum or synthetics. Sometimes though, it is hard to know what I am using. Disclosure is not the industries strong point.

2. Is Mrs. Stewart’s as non-toxic & environmentally benign as it implies on the website? It too is a ‘long lived ladies’ sanctioned product, but a dark blue liquid that ‘whitens and brightens’ is questionable for non-toxicity. What do you say?

Thank you

Debra’s Answer

Q&A: Fels Naptha Soap

Mrs. Stewart’s Bluing is a brand of fabric bluing agent. Used during laundering, a bluing agent adds a trace of blue dye to the fabric to make them appear whiter.

Mrs. Stewart’s Bluing uses an iron-based compound called ferric hexacyanoferrate, also known as Prussian Blue.

asically, bluing is made of a very fine blue iron powder suspended in water ( a “colloidal suspension”). We add a nontoxic amount of a pH balancer and a biocide to prevent the buildup of algae and bacteria. (This may be why Mrs. Stewart’s Bluing is loved by farmers who tell us they use it in the water troughs of their farm animals and by owners of lily and fish ponds.)

Mrs. Stewart’s Bluing is nontoxic, biodegradable, non-hazardous and environmentally friendly.

The manufacturer does provide an MSDS for Mrs. Stewart’s Bluing on the website, which you can always check for toxic chemicals. I found two chemcials there I looked up. Each chemical has a CAS#, so you can always look that up even if the chemical is identified by a generic term.

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Question from Jennifer

Hi,

Given that fresh, local and organically grown veggies should be my number one choice and usually are, when I have to choose between canned or frozen in a plastic bag, wouldn’t the frozen be healther due to less exposure to the plastic of the bag(leaching BPA and possibly phthalates, etc)?

Since the veggies in a can are in liquid and touch the entire can and can be heated quite a bit in transport and storage it would seem that the frozen which does not have constant contact to the sides of the bag and is kept frozen (hence avoiding heat induced leaching) would be healthier?

What do you think? Thanks!

Jennifer

Debra’s Answer

You are correct. Frozen is healthier.

I personally eat frozen vegetables and fruits in addition to fresh because it widens the choice of organic foods I have to choose from.

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Question from Jennifer

Hi,

I am upgrading my cookware and have bought some anodized aluminum pans. The set came with black nylon spoons, spatulas etc. and I am wondering how safe it is to cook with those utensils. I have another set of these types of tools from Caphalon. While I would love to upgrade everything to bamboo and silicone utensils, that will take time—but I am concerned about the safety of the nylon utensils.

I am assuming that I should use a non-scratching utensil with the anodized aluminum pans (although some anodized pans on the Bed, Bath and Beyond website say you can use metal) because my pans came with the nylon utensils and did not say I could use metal utensils.

Do the nylon utensils pose a negative health risk?
Thanks so much!

Debra’s Answer

Nylon is a plastic, but it is practically inert. While I prefer wooden utensils, as they are made from a natural, renewable material, I don’t know of a health risk from using nylon cooking utensils.

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Question from Suzanne

I purchased several Marvin Fiberglass windows and had them installed two and one-half weeks ago. Right after installation we smelled a strong acrylic odor throughout the house, which has only abated a little bit.

After two weeks of research I discovered that the fiberglass is actually coated with something called “acrylic capstock”. I have searched everywhere and cannot find out how harmful this odor is and when it will stop outgassing.

I have respiratory problems if I am in the house longer than a couple hours. Fiberglass is being touted as environmentally friendly and safe for sensitive individuals, but they don’t ever mention the acrylic outgassing.

Does anyone know anything about this product and how I can find out how harmful it is to have my children sleeping in these rooms. Marvin says they have never heard of anyone complaining about the smell of these windows, which is hard to imagine because everyone who comes into my home smells them. It is getting colder and colder in Minnesota and I won’t be able to have the windows all wide open much longer.

Debra’s Answer

I didn’t know wha “acrylic capstock” was either, so I looked it up.

I found a reference that said, “acrylic resin family of products for capstocks”. While I couldn’t find a definition of capstock, from reading it in many contexts it appears to be a kind of protective coating that is applied to various materials, to provide exceptional durability and performance characteristics, including UV weathering resistance.

Acrylic is made from acrylonitrile, a special group of vinyl compounds. In my book Home Safe Home I noted that acrylonitrile is included on the Environmental Protection Agency’s list of sixty-five “priority pollutants” recognized as being hazardous to human health. Scorecard: Chemical Profiles: Acrylonitrile notes that it is a carcinogen. Acrylic is also known to cause breathing difficulties, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, weakness, headache and fatigue.

Marvin should be able to tell you the brand name of this capstock and from there you should be able to get an MSDS from the manufacturer.

If the smell is bothering you and you are having symptoms from it, then you need to do something to protect yourself and your children. Opening windows is great, an air filter would help, and you may even need to remove the windows or apply some kind of vapor barrier finish over the fiberglass parts.

There is a possibility that these windows are faulty in some way. Perhaps the acrylic resin was not completely cured or there is some other manufacturing defect.

Question from AK

Any suggestions for a very chemically sensitive woman who is going through menopause and having a horrid time for almost six years now. Cannot take herbs, won’t take traditional HRT, tried bioidentical progesterone (doesn’t help), cannot take biodentical estradiol (gives me terrible yeast infections). Exercise daily, eat no preservatives, sugar etc – follow the candida diet for many years. Acupuncture helped for short time then stopped helping, naet which is good for other things is not helping. ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED _ HAVE JUST ABOUT EVERY SYMPTOM ONE CAN GET EXCEPT THE WEIGHT GAIN _ WHICH I NEED!!!

Debra’s Answer

It sounds like you’ve already done a lot of things. Readers, what have been successful actions for you with regard to this? Maybe we can give her some new ideas.

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Question from Pat Hetzler

Hello Debra,

My plumber has told me that our 45 years old sink drains are full of grease. He suggests using a potent de-greaser. Can you tell me a safe and effective product to use?

Thanks

Pat

Debra’s Answer

The most natural drain cleaner I know of is Drainbo Natural Drain Cleaner, but I have never used it because I don’t pour grease down the drain. It suggests for clogged drains that you pour the cleaner in the drain at bedtime and let it sit overnight, so the bacterial action can work through the clog. That would be a lot safer than a product that contains ammonia or lye.

If your plumber has a degreaser he wants to use, it might be OK. I was looking at MSDS sheets for degreasers and couldn’t find one with toxic chemicals. That was a surprise. Just shows how some types of previously toxic products are getting less toxic. Ask him what product he wants to use and check the MSDS sheet.

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Question from L.H.

I have MCS, am allergic to carpet and dust (among other things), and my bedroom and sitting room have 25 yr old carpet in them. I can’t really afford to replace them with hardwood, and am too tired to find and move to a greener home (catch-22 =). Im considering just having the carpet removed and living with the bare wood underneath, but am concerned that that might not be any better, because of dust or toxins in the wood, chemicals disturbed during removal… any opinions as to which is worse: carpet or whatever is underneath (fiberboard of some kind I suspect)??

Debra’s Answer

I can answer this question from my own experience.

When I first learned I had MCS and needed to clean up my home environment, I lived in a condo with carpet over cement floors. I lived with my father, so I could only change my bedroom.

I realized the carpet had to go and I was very happy I removed it. I felt better right away, even though the floor below was paint-spattered cement.

Until I could afford to lay hardwood, I just covered the floor with an old sheet. It didn’t look very good, but I slept a lot better.

Of course, I don’t know the condition of your carpet or the condition of the floor below, but that was my experience.

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Question from Melisa

I have just order soap nuts for the first time. I have been using Dr. Bronner’s soaps along with Washing Soda, Borax and Baking Soda and I thought the soap nuts would be more economical. I’m just wondering if I will need to add any of the things when I get them. What do you think, would these other things be needed? FYI I have a very hard working husband and teenage son so there is a little of everything on their clothes.

Debra’s Answer

I just use soap nuts and nothing else. My husband says that they don’t completely clean his really dirty clothes, like when he’s been working on his car, but for my clothing and bedding and towels, they are completely fine.

Readers, what is your experience?

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Question from Terri Williams

I am surprised that this site does not do more in the way of researching food supply, cosmetics and toiletries. Most of our food supply, cosmetics and toiletries are supplied by the Dow chemical company. Toothpaste, underarm deodorant, mouthwash, makeup, shampoos, body lotions and creams, and much much more, all have synthetic chemicals in them. Propylene glycol (made by the Dow Chemical Company) is a chemical that is in anti-freeze; but also in hair gels, underarm deodorants, makeup and in some butters. This chemical has huge side effects to the human body.

I have learned that what goes into your body and onto your skin should be edible. If a lotion is applied to your skin, your skin is “eating that lotion.” The daily use of chemicals entering your body has just increased. Toothpaste is hazardous to anyone putting it on their teeth, you are not eating it, but once on the teeth it is being consumed into the body and the chemicals in toothpaste are deadly. Underarm deodorant is hazardous because of the chemicals and that staying on the skin fronm morning to night 365 days a year times your age results in many side effects. Sunscreen lathering starts early in life and causes cancer and other diseases instantly.

One thing I have learned in one year since my husband had colon and liver cancer (2007)and survived are the words from his doctor: My husband smoked for 30 years, but he stated that his cancer did not come from cigarettes. He stated in private to me that he could lose his license for what he was about to tell me. Foods, prescription medicines and cosmetics and toiletries cause more harm to the body than a cigarette could ever do, because of the chemicals 365 days a year times our age. Our bodies (specifically our cells) have a hard time fighting off chemicals 365 days a year-bottom line.

No one in 2008 takes the time to do research on the chemicals in every single item that comes near their body or into their body-the FDA allows many companies to do what they want to do-no monitoring from them whatsoever. Sodium nitrite has many side effects including arthritis. It is allowed in processed meats and all deli meats but not allowed in organic meats. Everyone cannot afford organic. That is sad. Many ingredients are allowed without FDA approval including cosmetics and toiletries. Prescription drugs kills and yet the companies are allowed to continue selling the drug. Big Pharm runs this country, not the FDA.

Debra’s Answer

I don’t spend more time on this subject because my work is about finding the SAFE products.

I’ve already researched what’s toxic. A lot of that information is in my book Home Safe Home. And I occasionally do talk about toxic chemicals if I find something new.

But the purpose of this website is to focus on the positive–what we CAN do in light of living in a toxic world.

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Question from Reenie

I’m seeking a way to remove black spots of mold/mildew on a child’s white tee shirt. It was left damp in the laundry basket, and then washed. As I was folding the shirt, I noted black stains on the front of the shirt. Is there are way to treat these stains and rewash the shirt and get rid of the stains? It’s been soaked in vinegar and dishsoap and rewashed, but the stains are still there. Would it help to try other methods? Thanks for any suggestions or comemnts.

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from sv

Hi Debra,

We have floor to ceiling, single pane windows in our family room that cause us to lose so much heat in the winter. Do you know anything about honeycomb-cellular shades or is there any kind of film to keep the heat in that you would recommend? Thanks sv

Debra’s Answer

This is a technical question for someone who knows more about energy conservation than I do. Readers?

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Question from Susan P

Dear Debra,

I am allergic to fabrics, not all, just some. I have MCS. I have just been given a gift of many new clothes, some of which I can tolerate, and some not. Should I wash the ones that cause symptoms (like burning eyes and sore throat) in the hope that whatever I am allergic to will wash out? Do you know what exactly is on clothing that causes these kinds of reactions? I imagine that this is a complicated question, because there are so many possibilities regarding the manufacture of clothing. Can you help me with an answer or direct me to the location at this great website where this probably very-frequently-asked question has been discussed? Thanks so much.

Debra’s Answer

Actually, this isn’t a frequently-asked question. There was were a couple of questions about removing perfume from clothing (Q&A: Removing perfume from new clothing and Q&A: Removing Perfume From Used Clothing Purchases), but not finishes.

There are many different finishes that might be on fabric.

Most common is a simple “sizing” finish which will wash right out with ordinary laundering.

Then there is the permanent press finish, which emits formaldehyde fumes and cannot be removed (though the formaldehyde will lessen the more you wash it).

These are the most common finishes used on clothing.

I would put all the clothing through a wash or two, then use whichever pieces that are tolerable and give away the rest.

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Question from Lisa T.

I have read posts on this forum in the past about the toxicity of conventional crib mattresses, and would love to replace our baby’s mattress entirely. However, the steep cost has caused me to ponder alternatives, so I have a couple of questions:

1) Is there a less expensive barrier for a mattress that would prevent the toxic fumes from reaching the child? Was wondering if an allergen barrier work? For example the CleanRest Allergen Barrier, Pristine Basic, or Pristine Complete? Or are some or all of the allergen barriers mattress encasings toxic as well? I noticed the CleanRest product says it doesn’t contain any plastic, vinyl, or polyurethane, and the Pristine line says they’re made of microfiber and not any urethane membrane, but I’m not sure what the other toxic possibilities might be. (This question about allergen encasings holds additional interest for me, as we already have allergen encasings on all our adult bedding.)

2) Would a wool mattress topper help with this issue at all?

Thank you in advance for any wisdom anyone has to share.

Lisa T.

NYC

Debra’s Answer

Toxic chemicals that emit from toxic mattresses are gasses, which have very small particles. An allergen casing designed for dust, etc, will not contain a gas.

Children have not yet developed body systems to protect themselves against toxic chemicals. Your child spends 1/3 of his life in bed. It needs to be as safe as possible.

Whatever you spend on a nontoxic bed now, will come back to you manyfold in the future, when you don’t have to pay medical bills.

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Question from C

I would like to replace my carpet mats in my car with a non-carpet material. Could you please advise what material would be best for this with the least out-gassing? I cannot find anything on this subject online. I have purchased natural rubber pillows and rug grippers, but there is nothing available for cars.

Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

Readers, any ideas?

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Question from Carla

I just decorated my children’s room with vinyl posters. They are removeable and have lots of variety. A popular one are the FatHeads of sports teams. Are these types of cling-ons safe? Do they release toxins into the air?

Debra’s Answer

Take them down. They release toxic plasticizers into the air.

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Question from CB

A friend of mine had a ceramic water dispenser outside in her garden for about 1 year. It is the kind shaped like a bowl with very high sides, & a small spigot near the bottom so you can place a water bottle on the top of it(upside down)and use it to dispense water. She never put the water on it, so it collected a lot of leaves, rain and dust. Today I took it to clean it. The worst of it came out easily but there is a stain in it, and I can’t tell what it is.

It seems hard, like lime. So far, I tried a mixture of vinegar (to disinfect), water and baking soda and scrubbed. It didn’t budge.

I’d really appreciate any suggestions!

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Jen

Hi Debra, I got a new Black & Decker steam iron (considered Rowenta that you recommended but on Amazon the reviews were just as good). Its very capable and I like using it since I air dry my clothes now because of the bounce-fabric-softener contaminated dryers downstairs. However, some shirts, soft cottons, seem to absorb a metal smell from the iron. Its really unpleasant. Any thoughts about this? I wonder what the water is held in, inside. Maybe it is aluminum or something.

I’m going to contact B&D myself and complain as I can’t stand that metal smell, and even my boyfriend who is not chemically sensitive noticed it.

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know anything about this. Contact the manufacturer.

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Question from john walker

Hi Debra, i suffer from MCS, i figured this out about 3 years ago after being exposed to a newly renovated building my employer moved into down the street from our old building. as each year goes by i find out about new things that flare up my symptoms. This June my mother-in-law sprayed ant/roach indoor spray as we had some minor ant problems in 3 rooms in my small cape. i become ill when i go into these rooms so i have been avoiding them. i have tried several safe cleaners but one room still is horrible. about 3 weeks ago i found some relief in 2 of the rooms however, since ragweed season is here i cannot go back into these rooms. i have 3 boys and they are all over the house i cannot avoid these rooms all of the time. i am miserable and i have severe moods swings… i get impatient.

any suggestions? how can i eliminate the pesticides?

thanks

john w.- boston, ma

Debra’s Answer

Pesticides are very difficult to remove.

I have had some success in the past by contacting the manufacturer of the pesticide and asking them how to “clean up” the pesticide if it is spilled. One of my clients did this, found out she could clean it up with chlorine bleach, and it worked! No residue of the pesticide or the bleach remained.

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Last Friday I discovered we had a natural gas leak at our house.

I had been suspecting something was wrong. I had been traveling for several months, and when I returned home at the end of July, something wasn’t right. While I felt OK physically, mentally I wasn’t thinking very clearly and I wasn’t being my usual cheerful self. I felt like I couldn’t tolerate anything that was the least bit stressful and would just explode about any little thing. I was feeling depressed and hopeless. This is very unusual for me.

I was also becoming more forgetful, just spacing out and not remembering to do things, or I would walk into the kitchen and not remember why I went there. And I wasn’t walking straight. I couldn’t seem to walk through a doorway without bumping my shoulder on the frame.

During this same period, my husband was unusually lackluster. He, in fact, spent about a week under the house repairing water pipes. We thought he was just tired.

As the weeks went by, I felt worse and worse. And I was spending a lot of hours in the house working at my desk, and not going out very much. Finally, last week, my husband and I got into a big argument, which is very rare for us. We were just argumentative, there really wasn’t anything to argue about.

That night I thought I vaguely smelled natural gas. Then on Friday morning, I went out for about an hour, and when I walked back into the house, I immediately smelled the gas as soon as I opened the door. We called the utility company right away. They came and checked our gas stove, gas dryer, and gas pool heater. No leaks. Then they said they would check for pressure in the pipes. If there was no pressure, that meant there were leaks in the pipes. There was no pressure.

They turned the gas off and Larry went to work looking for leaks. I opened all the windows to air the house out. He found two leaks in the pipes under the kitchen and one in the pipe right under my desk where I work. He fixed all the leaks and we had the gas turned back on. And we both felt fine. Back to being happy and optimistic and productive.

I had another very clear demonstration that natural gas was affecting me. On Friday I was supposed to send out my Sweet Savvy newsletter. I prepared the newsletter, and then forgot to send it (this has never happened before)! On Monday I found I hadn’t sent it and edited it and sent it out. I just noticed that there were an unusual number of typos. The gas really messed up my general awareness of things and what I was doing.

I had never before experienced a natural gas leak, so I went hunting for more information, to find out why it had affected me so badly.

Natural gas has three dangers we need to watch out for.

EXPLOSIONS

Though rare, explosions caused by natural gas leaks occur a few times each year in individual homes, small businesses and boats, when an internal leak builds up a sufficient quantity of gas inside the structure. An odorant was added to natural gas so leaks could be detected in 1937, after three hundred students and faculty were killed in the expolsion of a school where a natural gas leak was undetected. [I just want to note that it was interesting to me that my major symptom in response to the gas leak was emotional explosions.]

COMBUSTION BY-PRODUCTS

The most common danger is the production of combustion by-products that are the result of burning natural gas. These include carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen cyanide, nitric acid, and vapors from various organic chemicals, which are produced when fuels do not burn completely. All fuel-burning appliances need air for the fuel to burn efficiently. When a generous supply of fresh air is available and the fuel is burning properly, there is little danger of poisoning. But when there is inadequate ventilation or the appliance is not operating properly, carbon monoxide is produced and can gradually overcome and even kill an unsuspecting bystander.

Because carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas, which is impossible to see, taste or smell, you can be overcome by carbon monoxide before you are even aware of it. For this reason, if you are using gas in your home, it is prudent to have a carbon monoxide detector or monitor (for more on carbon monoxide, see Q&A: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and EPA: An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality: Carbon Monoxide).

EXPOSURE TO NATURAL GAS FROM GAS LEAKS

Less common, but perhaps even more toxic, is exposure to the natural gas itself through gas leaks. Natural gas is primarily methane. When methane is burned completely in the presence of oxygen, it produces carbon dioxide and water, which is why it is called “the clean fuel.” The major health effect of exposure to methane is asphyxiation, a condition where the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply, leading to unconsciousness, brain damage, and death.

But other symptoms have been reported from exposures to natural gas in amounts lower than those that produce asphyxiation. One woman associated exposure to an ongoing natural gas leak with “sinus, pneumonia, vomiting upon waking, nausea, nosebleeds, memory loss, extreme fatigue, headaches, weak and bleeding gums and teeth, dizziness, bloating, intestinal cramping,flatulence, constipation, diarrhea, weight gain, loss of appetite, loss of menstrual cycles, depression, claustrophobia, itching in genitals, loss of libido, pain in hands and feet, low grade fever, cuts not healing, night sweats, hair loss, chest pain, heart pain, partial-seizures (conscious) and one grand-mal seizure (unconscious).” She also noted bad memory, weight gain, and feeling drugged. (The Dangers of Natural Gas–this site has lots of links to other natural gas websites).

The MSDS for methane says, “IN LOW CONCENTRATIONS, MAY CAUSE NARCOTIC EFFECTS SUCH AS DIZZINESS, HEADACHE, NAUSEA AND LOW COORDINATION.”

Natural can also contain many contaminants, including benzene, toluene, tar, and PCBs. PCBs are known to the state of California to cause cancer. The California warming about natural gas says:

Natural gas, in its original state, contains radon and benzene, chemicals “known to the State of California to cause cancer.” It also contains toluene, a chemical “known to the State of California to cause reproductive harm.” The benzene and toluene are destroyed when natural gas is burned. Radon does not burn but is released with the combustion by-products.

Carcinogenic benzene and toluene are destroyed when natural gas is burned, but are present in the gas we inhale from gas leaks. (Gascape)

Intentionally added to natural gas is the odorant, which is Methanethiol (methyl mercaptan) or Ethanethiol (ethyl mercaptan). Ethanethiol considered “not harmful” at the low concentrations found in natural gas, but is known to cause dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, tremor, weakness, and unconsciousness when inhaled in sufficient amounts. What may be considered “not harmful” in amounts encountered in normal use may become dangerous when there is a gas leak. “Little is known” about the health effects of methanethiol.

There is a simple test you can do to see how complete your gas appliance is burning. In a dark room, turn on a gas appliance. Watch the gas flame burn. The blue flames are methane gas burning. Yellow, orange, green, purple or red colors in your flame are the contaminants.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

1. Switch to electric. Electricity does not explode, create combusion by-products, or leak toxic, carcinogenic, or asphyxiating gasses. However, there are electromagnetic issues with electric appliances.

2. Get a detector. Natural gas can be detected by use of a natural gas or methane detector (search online or ask at a local store for an “explosive gas/methane detector”); carbon monoxide can be detected by a carbon monoxide detector. Natural gas poisoning is the result of inhaling the natural gas fumes leaking from the pipe that carries the gas into the house from the gas meter. Carbon monoxide poisoning is result of inhaling the fumes created by the burning of gas, which are leaking from the appliance instead of being vented out of the home. It’s important to know the difference.

3. Ventilate, ventilate, ventilate. Use hood fans and open windows to dilute and combustion by-products or natural gas from leaks.

4. Inspect. Call your local utility and have them come inspect your applicances and pipes for natural gas leaks. Make sure all your natural gas appliances are burning at top efficiency.

Question from Concerned mother

We were just informed that a cell phone company will be installing a cell tower on or next to my children’s elementary school. Is there any proven information regarding the dangers that this could impose on our children?

Debra’s Answer

I’m going to let my readers with EMF knowledge answer this one.

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Question from Barbara Shuts

I have read that the best way to make a liquid stevia, from the green leaf or green powdered leaf,is to steep it in grain alcohol. The alcohol can be reduced by simmering the “brew” until the alcoholic taste evaporates. The article also said brewing your own liquid stevia from the green leaves in water would not produce as sweet a taste as doing so in alcohol. Do you agree with this theory?

Debra’s Answer

I don’t have any experience making stevia with grain alcohol.

I grow stevia plants in my backyard and use the leaves to sweeten tea, or just eat them. I don’t attempt to use stevia tea as a sweetener for anything else.

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Question from sv

Hi Debra, Having MCS I try to avoid anything with formaldehyde, however I know there are probably a lot of alternative names for formaldehyde used in products. Do you know or have a list of such alternative names that one should look for? Thanks sv

Debra’s Answer

Here are the ones I could find:

And these preservatives, found in personal care products, release formaldehyde:

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Question from Barbara

After reading the blog entry about the toxicity of organic cotton I started wondering if it is beneficial for my garden to add back-to-nature, a soil improver made of cotton plants, or do I invite with it all the pesticides used in cotton farming plus the natural toxins cotton plants have?

Debra’s Answer

I’m assuming you are referring to Back to Nature Cotton Burr Compost.

Their website says an interesting thing: “The USDA and EPA now require that all chemicals used on cotton be biodegradable within a two week period.” So if that includes pesticides, the pesticides would have broken down by the time this compost reaches your garden.

They also say: “Lab tests show that the levels of all potentially harmful elements, chemicals, etc. in Back to Nature composts are well below the recommended EPA minimums and in some cases are less than amounts that occur in nature.”

This looks to be a conscientious company that is wanting to offer a safe and natural product instead of toxic substances.

Looks fine to me.

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Question from Lisa

Hi!

We painted our cupboards with oil based paint, and I suddenly cannot go into my home without getting sick. It has been a month, and I am still sick there.

Should we wait another month for the paint to off gass, or is there a safe alternative when it comes to newer cupboards than anyone can suggest? We started to look at Kraft Maid with a baked on finish-would that be safe?

I want to go home-help!

Lisa

Debra’s Answer

The only way I know of to cure oil-based paint is to use heat. Just close up the house and leave the heat on for about two-four weeks for oil-based paint. Open the doors and windows every night and let it air out for about an hour.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use oil-based paint. It’s the most toxic paint there is.

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Question from CC

I have MCS and just built a new house trying to follow guidelines for MCS building.

Have solid maple wood floors in whole house. Used AFM polyureseal BP for the finish. The wood floor guy has been doing wood floors for 30 years, and said it was the strongest smelling stuff he had ever used.

The last coat was put on July 9 (9 weeks ago). The first two weeks I couldn’t even open the door and go inside the smell was so strong. Now 9 weeks later, we still have an odor from the polyureseal bp.

My wife and two children moved in five weeks ago. Now I have several, several, thousand dollars in a new house that I cannot live in, and I am forced to be seperated from my family.

Anyone else had any problems with AFM polyureseal bp?

Any advice on what can possibly be done?

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Janelle

Hi Debra,

I was very recently diagnosed with diabetes, and devastated, because I consider myself to be a very healthy eater, and am even known as a “health nut” to some people. However, I am, and always have been a bit confused about diabetes. Like, you hear diabetics should stay away from sugar, but then, I hear some people NEED the sugar, like a candy bar of all things. Then there is the blood sugar thing. Well, my doctor said my blood sugar was not high, yet I’m diabetic. He gave me very little guidelines as to what to do, or eat. I have been battling my weight for quite some time, in spite of my healthy eating, and was also diagnosed with high cholestoral.

Needless, to say I am very overwhelmed and very confused about all this.

And what about the “other” sweeteners,(like: honey, maple syrup, agave, sucanant, stevia…….) are they ALL really better than sugar,

Could you please explain some of this for me?

Janelle

Debra’s Answer

Well, diabetes is a very complex thing, but I will try to explain as best I can.

There are two types of diabetes–Type 1 and Type 2.

With type 1 diabetes, a person’s pancreas produces little or no insulin, so they must inject or pump insulin two or three times or more every day. How much insulin to take can be very tricky, so there are times when a Type 1 diabetic can have blood sugar that is too high or too low. When it’s too low, a candy bar will bring it up fast. Only 5 to 10 percent of people who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.

With Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas produce insulin, but it does not produce enough or it has trouble using it. The problem is too much sugar in the blood, which is why diabetics are told to not eat sugar.

Where Type 1 diabetes requires insulin, most Type 2 diabetes can be controlled by losing weight, improving nutrition and increasing exercise.

The recommended diet for people with Type 2 diabetes is to eat very few carbohydrates, as all carbs will raise blood sugar. Refined carbs will raise blood sugar faster and higher than complex carbs, so it’s better to eat whole wheat bread, for example, than white bread, but no bread is even better. The best book I know of on the subject is The Diabetes Diet by Dr. Bernstein.

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Question from Jess

Hi,

my condo association is looking to replace windows in our older building. We know we want vinyl free, but we also want very energy efficient, potentially emf-blocking, nice looking windows (we need the kind with the grommets.) I wonder if there are any windows out there that are eco friendly, not too plastic heavy, and don’t offgas. Anyone have recommendations?

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Judy P

Dear Debra,

Thank you so much for your web site. I’ve gotten a lot of useful information here, but also some confusing information. I spent 2 years trying to figure out what pots and pans to buy. I ended up buying a set of heavy duty stainless steel with 5-layer bottoms (w/aluminum and copper) from Costco–their Kirkland brand.

I understand that I shouldn’t scratch them, and not to use steel wool to clean them. Soap & water and Bon Ami are good for most cleaning needs, but the interiors can get a little dull and/or get “rainbows” on them. I’ve always used Wright’s (or Twinkle) Copper Cream for the bottoms of Revere Ware pans. It works amazingly well. I’ve checked out the MSDS and it appears relatively safe. There is some ammonium chloride in it, but that doesn’t seem to be toxic at the levels in the product.

I noticed some comments by consumers who also used it (or the Silver Cream) on stainless steel pans, inside and out. It certainly “works” in that it shines the stainless steel, but is it safe to use on the interiors? I would certainly wash it off thoroughly with soap and water, but I’m unsure if these creams have the same effect as products that scratch, like scouring pads.

Alternatively, do you know of some non-toxic way to clean “rainbows” and other discoloration from stainless steel. Vinegar is not an option as the smell makes me nauseous.

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

Haven’t read the MSDS for Wright’s, but Twinkle is considered not to be toxic and is used by a lot of people.

I wouldn’t consider using this “scratching” in the same way as metal utensils.

Readers, your suggestions?

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Question from Kate

Dear Debra, would you please give me your opinion regarding plastic/resin material for the chemically sensitive? Although my question may be a bit out of your area, I’d still be very grateful for your reply and opinion. The resin I’m questioning pertains to resin bonding material on my teeth—(I’m sensitive to plastics and after getting the bonding I developed an autoimmune disease). If you wouldn’t recommend resin/plastic in the home, would it stand to reason one wouldn’t want it in their mouth? I can’t find much research on this, and my gut feeling is I should replace it with porcelein veneers. Thank you so much for any idea you would share.

Kate

Debra’s Answer

I agree with you. Porcelain.

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Question from Kristen

Hi Debra,

I have been regularly visiting a friend who lives on top floor of a six story high building. I recently noticed presence of cellphone towers on the roof of the building (gigantic speaker look alike that picks-up cellphone reception). I am 3 months preganant. Is this place safe for me to be around?

Debra’s Answer

I am not an EMF expert, but I know some of my readers know a lot about this. Readers?

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Question from Laurie

What do you think of Success Brown Rice?

Debra’s Answer

Good that it’s brown, a whole grain, but not organic. And boiling in a plastic bag releases toxic elements of the plastic into the food. Not a good idea.

If you want to eat brown rice, go to a natural food store, buy some organic brown rice, make a lot of it, and then when it is cool, put it in your own plastic bags or containers and put it in the freezer. When you are ready to serve, remove the frozen rice from the bag, and put it in a vegetable steamer. In the same ten minutes it takes to cook Success Brown Rice, you’ll have organic brown rice.

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Question from Ethel

Hello Debra,

I was hoping for you opinion on some Calphalon wooden spoons I found at Bed and Bath. I was about to purchase them when I read that they were made in China but distributed from OH with an all natural finish. Should I be wary of the fact that it was made in China? Otherwise what brand do you recommend for wooden spoons?

Thanks for you insight!

I was reading in your book about stainless pans. I cook a lot of cream cereal, using an old Farberware pan that does not hold a magnet. I will look into replacing it, but meanwhile I am stirring the cooking cereal for 6 minutes with a stainless steel spoon. I try not to scratch the pan in the process. Where can I find a more gentle spoon? I don’t like the idea of a bamboo spoon from China. Do you know of a source of “clean” wooden spoons and would I need to season it?

Debra’s Answer

I have a lot of wooden spoons I’ve purchased over the years. Some had finishes, others didn’t.

There’s no problem with natural finishes like beeswax, etc. But you can easily tell if the wood is unfinished.

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Question from Jill

I’ve found I can’t really tolerate organic cotton and never really understood why. I like regular cotton! I just wash it five or six times before I wear it to get off the formaldehyde and whatever coatings are on it.

See below:

Toxicity of Organic Cotton thurs, sept 4th 8:39AM

Organic Cotton – Friend or Foe?

From the EHC-D Newsletter

September 2008

Debra’s Answer

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Question from T. Rice

Hi Debra,

I recently found that peanut shells are used as an additive to pesticides that are sprayed on fruits and vegetables. Is it possible that this is the reason that severe peanut alergies have increased and become so fatal in the last 5 to 7 years?

Debra’s Answer

I have no idea. I would imagine that in making the pesticides, they are so processed that any remnant of peanuts would be broken down.

If that were true, I would think anyone sensitive to peanuts would not be able to eat produce sprayed with pesticides without having a reaction. My father was deathly allergic to nuts and ate pesticide-sprayed produce all the time with no reaction. However, that was prior to 2000.

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Question from T. Rice

Hi Debra,

I recently watched Emeril Green talk about if you use your local source of honey as a sweetener that it is possible to build up your immunity to pollen. I mean it does make sense, bees polinate flowers as well as produce the honey.

Debra’s Answer

That’s absolutely true.

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Question from Susan P.

Dear Debra,

A freakish accident which happened during a move caused my clothes and my husband’s clothes and all our linens to become permeated with mold spores, to which I am highly allergic. (I have MCS.) I have washed and rewashed various loads of clothing using Ivory detergent, but the mold remains. I run a bleach cycle between each washing to kill off any mold that might be inside my washing machine.

Do you have any suggestions about how to get rid of the mold spores in our clothing? Am I going to have to throw it all away? The only things I can wear are ones I have just bought and, after wearing, wash by hand.

I have a Maytag Neptune washing machine — front loading — which never actually fills with water. Rather it drips water on the clothes from above. You can open the door of the machine at any time in the wash cycle.

I don’t know if my problem is the design of my washing machine or the lack of some agent added to the wash to kill or remove the mold. I have heard people advise bleach or borax, and I have tried both, but since I have MCS I can’t tell if my allergic reaction is to these chemicals or to mold still clinging to the fabric after washing.

I haven’t dared to use my dryer, for fear of contaminating it forever with mold spores, and the summer will soon be over, so I fear I literally will be unable to dry my clothing for much longer.

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from doodleb

Hi Debra, I enjoy your blog so much! I am now having an anxiety attack because we tried to go green and do away with vinyl flooring on a very very low budget. So what i did was i went to the big box store and got the 68 cent a foot ceramic tile, and bought some grout, BUT on the grout is says Warning: contains silica sand, and .. crystalized silica causes cancer and silicosis. So now im terribly afraid, as my dad will be the one laying the tile. It is made by Laticrete, the grout and the thin set morter.

(What sparked me to look was, I looked at my paint from Olympic, which was suppose to be Zero VOC and i started getting dizzy, which prompted me to go look at the ingredients. It said on it, contains Cristoballite which is crystalized silica and has the warning like on Grout, causes lung cancer and silicosis warning.

Oh you laid tile in your house, does all grout contain crystalized silica, or silica sand?

i also contacted a tile expert (he is from a grout company) and here is his answer.

Debra’s Answer

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Question from k

Hi. I’m wondering if the nano-UV wands will kill mold or mildew? There are no visible signs, but I just got 3 mattresses and box springs from a basement where they were stored and they smell moldy. If the wands DO work, how do you then get rid of the smell. Seems like a steam cleaner or upholstry cleaner of some kind would just make it wet and subject to more mold! Any ideas?

Debra’s Answer

I’m not familiar with this at all. Readers?

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Question from kpc

hi

before i start contacting random manufacturers i was wondering if you have any recommendations for an espresso machine with no internal plastic parts?

thanks!
p.s. i purchased a mattress from white lotus per your rec. thanks!!

Debra’s Answer

I haven’t done any research on espresso machines. Readers?

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Question from LaNae Atkinson

Hi Debra, Have you heard of GREEN PRO HARD ANODIZED NONSTICK cookware or GREEN PRO ALUMINUM NONSTICK (8 gauge aluminum) w/ SandFlow nonstick innterior? They are both being sold in NapaStyle Magazine. I would love your thoughts, as I love Michael Chiarello’s products, and these are both on sale. Thank you in advance for your thoughts.

Sincerely,

LaNae Atkinson

Debra’s Answer

I love Michael Chiarello too…I actually met him in person one day in his NapaStyle store in Berkeley, California.

I had not heard of this pan, but I called Napa Style and they are going to see if they can find out more about the finish for me. The woman on the phone went and looked at a pan for me and she said it had a “glassy” finish, not like plastic at all.

The links to this cookware are:

Green Pro Hard-Anodized Nonstick 10-piece Cookware Set

Green Pro Aluminum Nonstick 10-piece Cookware Set

The website says the nonstick finish is SandFlow, and “It’s main component is sand, one of nature’s most abundant resources…a terrific material for high heat conductivity. And, SandFlow is three times more durable than competitive ceramic nonstick coatings.” It uses no harmful PTFEs or PFOAs, and requires a third less energy to apply than traditional nonstick. It is manufactured in Thailand.

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I just came across an article that states that eating 2 tablespoons of vinegar before a meal will significantly lower blood sugar.

Here are links to several different versions of this article:

• A Spoonful of Vinegar Helps the Sugar Go Down



• Web MD (video)



• Apple Cider Vinegar Used for Diabetes



• Apple Cider Vinegar Used for Diabetics Note: This article recommends to mix the ACV with water and Splenda. I do not recommend Splenda. If you need to sweeten it, use zero-carb chicory root powder such as Sweet Perfection.



• Savvy Natural Healer: Vinegar and Diabetes This blog post also has links to other posts regarding natural susbtances that can affect blood sugar.



• Diabetes Care: Vinegar Improves Insulin Sensitivity to a High-Carbohydrate Meal in Subjects With Insulin Resistance or Type 2 Diabetes a description written by the woman who did the study.