Question from ANDRE FAUTEUX

Are wind farms saving or killing us? A provocative investigation claims thousands of people are falling sick because they live near them

The symptoms they claim to have suffered may vary – including dizziness; increased blood pressure and depression – but the theme remains the same

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-2199284/Wind-farms-Are-wind-farms-saving-killing-A-provocative-investigation-claims-thousands-people-falling-sick-live-near-them.html

Dr. Brad Weeks says “Solar farms are equally toxic.” http://weeksmd.com/2012/09/windfarms-causes-toxic-electrical-pollution/

Dirty electricity needs to be measured and corrected in every home.

I use Graham Stetzer filters all over my house, but did you know you that before using them, you need to ensure there are no wiring and grounding errors/problems in your home? If not, they could make your power dirtier and generate strong magnetic fields all along the unbalanced circuits.

Details from electrician Sal La Duca, B.Sc., former nuclear plant operator and technician and great American Baubiologist:

http://www.emfrelief.com/capacitive-filters.html

His conclusion:

As a general rule capacitive filter installation is NOT recommended without a thorough evaluation of the electrical system to: 1) identify and eliminate any wiring errors, and 2) NOT recommended if the neutral current takes many divergent paths as shown in the house with the electrical service at one end of the house and the water pipe at the other end, and 3) NOT recommended if there are any other options (like removing dimmer switches, replacing compact fluorescents or fluorescents in general with standard lamps, reducing the number of digital devices, etc.) available to eliminate the problem.

Andre Fauteux, Publisher/Editor

La Maison du 21e siecle magazine

maisonsaine.ca

Question from Donna

Hi Debra, I’m trying to find a cute toothbrush holder and soap pump for my son’s bathroom, but most of them are made of “resin.” Is resin safe for bathroom accessories? Thank you, Donna

Debra’s Answer

Resin is a substance that begins in a viscous state (a thick, sticky consistency between a solid and a liquid) and then hardens.

There are many natural resins, one of the most familiar being the aromatic sticky stuff that oozes out of Christmas trees. But many other plants produce resins, too, and they have been used by humans for thousands of years to make various everyday products, including varnish, lacquer, inks, perfumes, jewelry and other objects.

Today most resins are are made from petroleum. Resin refers to the type of material, rather than the chemical it is made from, so you can have, for example, polyester resin, acrylic resin, epoxy resins, and the like, each of which have different toxicity.

In general, however, the rule of thumb is hard plastic is safer than soft plastic, so if this is a hard resin, it’s probably pretty safe.

You could call the manufacturer and ask for the type of resin used and their MSDS. Then I could give you a better assessment.

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Question from PJ

A kitchen store employee suggested that I use “food grade silicon caulk” to seal the rim of the fine sieve I purchased to rinse quinoa. The dry grain was getting stuck under the rim and swelling, making it impossible to remove. I have looked for a replacement fine sieve and they all look like they are made the same. I am uneasy about the suggestion. I would appreciate your input. Thank you

Debra’s Answer

Silicon caulk is toxic when applied, but does cure to be nontoxic as the solvents evaporate. If you are going to use it, do use one that is food grade as it is especially designed to be food safe to FDA standards (though I don’t always agree with them).

You might want to search the internet, if you haven’t already, for “fine sieve.” I just did and found various styles. I don’t know which you are using, and I don’t rinse quinoa, so I don’t know what to suggest. Perhaps a reader will respond.

I just remembered my grandmother rinsing rice, washing the starch off by rubbing it between her hands. At the end she just poured off the water through one hand, leaving the grain in the bowl. Sometimes our hands are the simplest tools and work just fine.

Or line a bowl with cheesecloth and pour the quinoa through.

Think “outside the sieve” on this one.

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Question from Shoshana

Do you know which brands of organic rice have less arsenic or no arsenic?

Debra’s Answer

Here is an article from Rodale that I think answers your question: Rodale: How Companies Are Coping With Arsenic in Rice.

Arsenic is a poison, but it is also a naturally occurring element, present throughout the Earth’s crust in minute qualities. Our bodies are designed to process arsenic, which can pass through the body in a few days. The problem occurs when there are higher concentrations of arsenic in rice or other foods, usually due to pesticide contamination of the soil. And some people eat a lot of rice as a dietary staple.

There are two ways to reduce the total amount of something. One is to choose a sample that contains less, and the other is to be exposed less frequently. Reducing the amount of rice you eat from every day to three days a week or once a week will be the same as eating rice with a lower amount of arsenic.

The fact that we cannot always eliminate toxic exposures is one of the reasons we also need to support our bodies in the ability to detox the chemicals we are exposed to (see my Toxic Free Body website).

Personally, I don’t eat rice. Occasionally I use Lundberg Sweet Dreams Brown Rice Syrup in a recipe. This is made from brown rice grown in California by an established organic farm.

I would stay away from cheap off-brand rice and stick with well-known organic brands such as Lundberg.

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White children exposed to high levels of bisphenol A are five times more likely to be obese than children with low levels, according to a study published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The research is the first to link the chemical to obesity in children; previous studies reported links in adults and animals. Traces of BPA – used in some canned food and beverages, paper receipts and dental sealants – are found in virtually every U.S. adult and child.

Environmental Health News: BPA Linked to Obesity in White Children

In 2011, a study found that evidence of BPA in participants’ urine decreased by 50% to 70% after only three days of eating fresh foods, instead of eating canned foods that contained BPA. This tells me that BPA leaves the body quickly, so presence of BPA in the body is due to continuous exposure, rather than accumulation of multiple exposures over time.

There are many things we each can do to minimize our exposure to BPA from foods and beverages and other sources. I’ve put them all together in my free ebook How to Reduce Your Exposure to Bisphenol-A (BPA).

Question from sttlove

Is the colored craft duct tape, DUCK BRAND toxic? My son likes to use it to make crafts. Apparently it is the in thing right now among kids his age. I called the company and they said the adhesive is both natural and synthetic rubber. The tape is made from polyethylene. Is the tape or the adhesive toxic for my son to breathe in while crafting with it?

Debra’s Answer

Polyethylene is not toxic to breathe. Natural rubber isn’t toxic to breathe.

There are many varieties of synthetic rubber with varying toxicities.

Please call the company back and ask them for a copy of their MSDS sheet for this product. I couldn’t find it online. Send it to me and I can better answer your question.

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After co-authoring scientific studies that helped rid children’s pajamas of flame retardants, including chlorinated Tris, Dr. Arlene Blum went on to become a mountaineer, leaving biochemistry behind. But while she was adventuring all over the world, Tris was staging a quiet comeback in other products.

New York Times: How Dangerous Is Your Couch

This article goes on and on for seven pages, but gives an insider’s view of the whole story behind toxic fire retardants in consumer products and why we need to avoid them.

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Question from Cheryl3

Hello Debra and all,

We’ve been told that dryer vents should be cleaned, otherwise they can be a fire hazard. We have been here seven years and clothes are beginning to come out a bit damp, so I think we need to do it. Though we were able to get at part of it with a long dryer vent brush, the type of dryer we have does not permit us to accees the entire area to be cleaned ourselves and my husband is leary of prodding any further, not wanting to damage the dryer etc. We plan to call in a company to have this done. However, knowing that duct cleaning is unnecessary and sometimes harmful,we’ve put it off. I’d like to know if there are any caveats to be aware of, or questions to ask when contracting with a company to just clean the dryer vent. Also, does anyone recommend such a company? We’re in Wesley Chapel, near Tampa. Thank you all so much for any ideas on this.

Debra’s Answer

I’ve never had my dryer vent cleaned so I don’t have personal experience with this, though your question has prompted me to take a look at my own dryer vent.

Here’s a good summary of how clogged dryer vents can cause fires and force your dryer to use more energy than necessary to get clothes dry: How to Clean a Dryer Vent

I would ask them if they use any chemicals or sprays in the cleaning. I recently had my air conditioner checked and they sprayed something in the air ducts without telling me, so just ask ahead of time and stand right next to them while they are working so you can stop anything that seems toxic to you.

Readers, and experience with cleaning dryer vents, and warnings?

In terms of regular maintenance, it’s important to clean the lint out of your dryer from the little lint basket every time you use it. That will keep the exhaust vent from getting lint build-up and reduce the need for cleaning.

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Question from kendra

Hello, I’m searching for least-toxic stain for decks and fence. I see that this question was asked on your website in 2008, but no new info since then.

One of the products that you recommended was Extreme Acrylic Wood Finish, which is now discontinued.

Does anyone have experience with these products, or others?

Weather-Bos

AFM Safecoat DuroStain

and AFM Safecoat watershield

Debra’s Answer

Readers, any experience with these?

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Question from Rachel Jones

I am looking for mcs safe housing. I found a really good place except that the landlord recently used a minwax oil based wood stain marker on a few areas that had been knicked (the wood on the walls). Three areas in all. It was done over a week ago. they don’t open the windows because corn is nearby and they are concerned about particulate debris. Do you know how long it might be til it is safe? They were small areas apparently but I smell it as I walk in the house. Is there a safe way to remediate it so I can live there? I have had bad experience with minwax floor finish in the past.

Debra’s Answer

It will eventually outgas. Heat will make it outgas faster. Since they are small areas, I would think you could take a hair dryer to those areas to speed drying time, but make sure you have ventilation and wear a mask or have someone else do it.

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Question from Cheryl3

Hi Debra and all, Fir persistent odors in the toilet bowl even after cleaning, do you think this would be a safe option?

Enzymatic Toilet Cleaner

Also, what about this (on Amazon) for inside the tank for both odor and hard water stains—-are they safe I mean?

ChemFree ToiletClean Non-toxic Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Are there any questions I should ask? Thanks again so much for any insight.

Debra’s Answer

Chem-Free actually looks like a good product. I have mineral deposits in my toilet that are difficult to remove, maybe I should get one…

Couldn’t find ingredients to evaluate the other one.

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Question from jo

Hi, Hoping that you and your readers can offer me some insight. My daughter is scheduled to start 1st grade next fall. The school she is supposed to go to has had some serious construction/renovation/additions. The odor was so overpowering this year that I pulled her out and had her go to an overflow school that she previously went to and that has had no construction. In the fall she will have no choice but to move to the school with all the outgassing. They are scheduled to do huge amounts of additional construction starting in jan 2013 and to continue through the summer, so no doubt the outgassing will be even worse when she is to start in the fall. My other option is to try and “choice” her into a school nearby. Unfortunately that school is a little less than 1/2 mile from a major highway. It is not inner city but more treed suburbia. But still that is a lot closer to highway pollution than I would prefer my 5 year old to spend 7 hours of each day. So how do I know which is worse? help!

Debra’s Answer

Well first of all, you do have a right to have your daughter have a safe environment at school, and you are right that new construction will be outgassing toxic chemicals, particularly since they probably are taking no precautions otherwise.

I would consider her regular school to be more toxic with the new construction, than a school without construction 1/2 mile from a freeway.

But could we think outside the box here? New construction is likely to make all the children sick to one degree or another. Could they do less toxic construction? Move classes to a different building? Could some parents get together and homeschool children until the new construction is done outgassing?

Go to the school board now and voice your concerns.

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Question from Irene

I purchased a furniture set made mostly of birch wood (manufactured by College Woodworks), however, it was painted with oil paint. Two years passed since the purchase, and I can still recognize some smell coming from the paint. Is it toxic? Thank you for your answer in advance.

Debra’s Answer

It can take oil paint a long time to cure completely. If you are still smelling it, it’s still emitting chemicals that are no less toxic than they were two years ago.

Heat can make it outgas faster.

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Question from amy

Debra so naturepedic claims to have organic mattresses……how do i know that these mattresses are truly organic? What questions should I ask the representative that I talk to, what should I look for. I made the mistake, not knowing about offgassing and last year purchased my son a typicaI mattress which i am sure is flame retardant. I feel terrible….I feel like I need to have him sleep in something else until I replace it, but I want to get it right this time. Please help!!!

Debra’s Answer

You know that Naturepedic mattresses are organic because they have certifications by independent third parties and display their certification certificates on their website (see www.naturepedic.com/certifications/).

They are a GOTS Certified Organic Mattress Manufacturer, which means that GOTS has examined the entire manufacture of their mattress and found it to meet their stringent standards from start to finish.

Note that Naturepedic displays ALL their certification certifications to substantiate their claims.

By contrast I just want to tell you a story. Recently I called a major mattress manufacturer who is making environmental and health claims about some of their mattresses. Their website does not substantiate the claim. I called them for more information about a claim they had made that part of the mattress material was certified to be free from hazardous chemical emissions. They had no certificate. It wasn’t just that it wasn’t on their website, they didn’t have the certificate at all. I was told that the certificate was issued to the manufacturer of the fabric. They didn’t even get it from the manufacturer. They wouldn’t give me the name of the manufacturer that held the certificate. Needless to say, I am not recommending this mattress to you.

This is how you tell if something really is what it claims to be. You ask for substantiation of claims. You look at the integrity of the company, their reputation, who’s recommending them.

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Question from Sarah

Are there any silicone bakewear products that are safe? What to watch out for? I saw a popsicle mold today advertising “made with ” polypropylene” Is this really safe? Presidents Choice brand. thank you!

Debra’s Answer

Silicone bakeware products have been discussed elsewhere on this site…but I wanted to answer this question because of the way it was asked.

“Silicone” is NOT “polypropylene.” They are two completely different substances.

Polypropylene is one of the safer plastics, if you are going to use plastic. It’s the plastic used to make plastic sandwich bags and food storage tubs. So if you are comfortable using those, feel comfortable using this popsicle mold.

Should you not use polypropylene? It’s not high on my list of the most important things to avoid, but if I have a choice to use some other material, I do.

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According to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control, girls exposed to high levels of dichlorobenzene had their first period seven months earlier than girls with lower exposure.

The age when a girl has her first period has fallen over the past century from an average of 16-17 years to 12-13 years.

This study is the first to link dichlorobenzene with the age of girls’ first period. In addition to mothballs, dichlorobenzene is found in solid blocks of toilet bowl deodorizers and air fresheners.

Read more at Environmental Health News: Early puberty? Girls exposed to household chemical menstruate earlier, CDC study finds

Paper register receipts are on their way out, but not because they are toxic or waste natural resources.

Merchants want to move to a digital payment system so they can get more information about what we buy.

At least we won’t get BPA all over our fingers when we buy something.

Read more at Can Walmart, Best Buy and Shell finally kill paper receipts?

Question from Ali

I have custom window seat cushion, which I had made in 2008. The insert is polyurethane foam, and I am concerned that it may be coated in chemical fire retardants. The fabric cover zips off, so theoretically I could replace the insert with an all natural latex one, but I’m wondering about chemical residues on the fabric. Do you know if washing will remove them? Is there any special soap or rinse that would work? I have heard vinegar can be effective but I’m not sure if that’s true. Or is the fabric permanently unsafe (it was very expensive handmade fabric, which is one of the main reasons I’m trying to salvage it)? Thank you for any advice you can offer!

Debra’s Answer

This is an interesting question.

I’m not sure that polyurethane foam purchased separately from a piece of furniture necessarily has fire retardants on it, as the fire retardant laws refer to the item not the materials it is made from. I can’t guarantee one way or the other.

As for removing fire retardants, I think it would be very difficult. Fire retardants, like water repellants, or wrinkle preventors, are designed to be present for the life of the fabric. If it could be washed out, then the fabric would no longer be fire retardant, or water repellant or wrinkle free.

Wish I could give you a better answer.

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Question from TerryAnn

Living here in the Northwest, we all get roof mold. I am very concerned about using any toxic products that would wash down into the yard and be around where my dog could walk through it. Even using a pressure washer to wash it off will result in all the gravel-y pieces from the roof being washed down into the yard, and I am certain that my roof shingles are made of toxic products. How can I get rid of mold on my roof without turning my backyard into a toxin zone?

Debra’s Answer

Good question!

I have no experience with this. Readers, any suggestions?

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Question from Hannah

So, I know you have addressed polyurethane quite a bit. But my question is regarding a mattress made by a company called Cotton Cloud, here in Portland, Oregon. They claim to use no flame retardants besides boric acid in some models. The particular model I purchased is wool, without Boric acid. However, it does have polyurethane foam core. The salesman told us that the poly foam is “untreated” and the entire mattress contains no carcinogens, chemicals or fire retardant treatments. It is wool, cotton and the foam. They do make a model with springs instead of foam. I don’t want anything toxic like polyurethane foam since this mattress if for my infant, and I have a 14 day return option to exchange for the (less firm) spring version. So, is it possible for the poly foam to be untreated? If so, is it still toxic? Also, the wool & cotton are not organic- so I am curious as to what they may be treated with.

Debra’s Answer

I can’t speak to those specific materials without more information, but I will tell you in general

Especially for an infant, I would get the purest materials you can afford.

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Question from Jeanmarie

I was looking to purchase a mattress online and came across a mattress made of palm visco. It claimed to be “natural” but as you know that means nothing. I could not find any info on palm visco. Could you help me? I don’t want to regret my purchase.

Debra’s Answer

It looks to me to be a memory foam made with palm oil, a variation of the foams made with soy. I can’t find any information on this memory foam specifically, however these foams are usually made with standard polyurethane with only a small percentage replaced with the oil.

Unless I had more documentation, I wouldn’t trust this to be made from 100% palm oil.

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Question from noel

Can anyone recommend a respirator for me. I am reacting to something in stores, but don’t know what it is. I tried the 3m 8577 mask, but that didn’t work. Thanks

Debra’s Answer

Respirators are a very individual thing. What might work for one person often doesn’t work for another.

Readers, if you want to, go ahead and post respirators you’ve used and liked, but Noel, understand they may or may not work for you.

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West Nile Virus is in the news again as disease-carrying mosquitoes are are biting and people are dying. As a result, communities are spraying toxic pesticides and individuals are rushing to buy toxic mosquito repellents.

Here are two tips for protecting yourself and your loved ones.

1. Keep disease-carrying mosquitoes away with a nontoxic mosquito repellant.

2. Protect your body from toxic pesticide exposure with a detox program.

Sweating helps remove toxic pesticides from your body, so go outdoors and sweat instead of sitting in an air conditioned room, or go sweat in a sauna.

Also, chlorophyll will help remove pesticides, so eat lots of fresh greens and take a greens supplement, such as Touchstone Essentials Supergreens + D, a rich blend of barley grass, spinach and broccoli sprouts, with enzymes and probiotics to help your body digest all the goodness plus vegetarian Vitamin D concentrated from mushrooms.

And remember to drink lots of good, purified water.

Links

Centers for Disease Control: West Nile Virus

Stop West Nile Spraying Now

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Question from Jay

Hi Debra, I was wondering if you had heard about the Omica Shower Filter. This is the link to check it out: http://www.omicaorganics.com/store/omica-shower-filter.html?___SID=U

I remember reading about shower filters being ineffective, or even harmful, because warm water would damage the filter and release chemicals in the filtered water. Do you know anything about this? What do you think about it? Thanks a lot.

Debra’s Answer

First I think that shower filters are an excellent idea. In fact, my father put together the first shower filter for me back in 1978 and then a friend of mine started selling that same model made from parts from the hardware store.

I don’t know anything about warm water damaging the filter or releasing chemicals into the filtered water. Chemicals WILL get released into filtered water hot or cold if you continue to use the filter media after all the pores are filled that have trapped the pollutant molecules. So it’s very important to change your filter media as recommended by the manufacturer.

Now regarding this particular shower filter, I wouldn’t buy this one. It says it “helps remove” fluoride, chloramine and chlorine and removes 100% lead.

Then it lists the filtration medium elements:

First of all, NONE of these media remove fluoride to my knowledge.

Second, I don’t like filters designed to remove BOTH chlorine and chloramine. It’s a waste of media. Your water has one or the other. It’s better to have all the media remove whichever one you have in your water.

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Question from Sheila

Hi Debra, I purchased some brown wicker baskets to use around my house for blankets and my child’s toys. I immediately noticed that they had a smell as soon as we got home. To me, odor means something toxic in most cases. I tried to let them air out on the patio for several days and they still had a strong odor. Is the lacquer they put on it toxic?

Sincerely,

Sheila

Debra’s Answer

“Lacquer on Wicker Baskets” is a pretty broad topic, as wicker baskets are made in many parts of the world and all kinds of things could be used to finish them. Odor isn’t always toxic, but it’s a good chance it is.

I always look for baskets that are as unfinished as I can find and no odor. I have managed to find quite a number over the years, so it is possible.

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Question from Michele

I am going to can some tomato sauce in a water bath. The directions say I can add either citric acid or lemon juice. I was leaning toward the lemon juice but was concerned with a change in flavor, not exactly suitable for spaghetti sauce. Should I have any concerns with using citric acid?

Debra’s Answer

Citric acid is considered safe as a food additive and it occurs naturally in citrus fruits, however my concern about using it is an industrial product, versus the natural citric acid that would be present in lemon juice.

Here’s a description of how citric acid is produced as an industrial product:

Having never canned tomatoes myself, I was wondering why add either, and found a webpage where it says you can add bottled lemon juice, citric acid, or vinegar to can tomatoes in a hot water bath. It didn’t say how much you need to add, so I don’t know how it would effect the flavor. I don’t think your tomatoes will taste like lemon. You could add vinegar. Or use a different canning method.

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Question from SSM

Hi Debra, I learn so much on this site but ohe there is still much more to do.

Mainly I am writing to let you and other readers know of our ‘big goof’.

We succumbed and purchased Behr’s new Premium Plus Ultra paint, it has primer and paint in one and Home Depot swears it is low VOC. So after testing little jars of samples we bought paint in gallons, but when I poured the paint from the can into a roller tray I was totally overwhelmed by the smell of ammonia!

I’m not a kid, I’ve smelled paint and other things my whole life – – but paint that reeks of ammonia? No. My eyes burned, watered, head got a bit swoony – I poured what little was in the tray back and put the lid on it. Of course Home Depot has a nice sticker that says they won’t take it back. I have waited for summer to paint when weather was warm, Needless to say I was angry (and felt more than a little stupid)

So I came back here and searched – this time we went to Lowe’s and bought a quart of their Olympic One – – wow – – I smell nothing.

Debra’s Answer

Well, I am happy to hear of your experience with Olympic One, because that was mine too…nothing. Yet others have written in saying they are having a problem with that paint.

I am wondering if the manufacture of paint is THAT different from batch to batch that sometimes there is a problem and sometimes there isn’t and that is what we are running into.

Sorry you had that experience with Behr, but thanks for sharing.

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Question from SSM

Hi Debra, I have heard about Earthing Sheets – along with a few other Earthing products for home. A Bau Biologist has suggested the use of such, and I am very curious. Now I see Carolina Morning’s Quantum Calming Mat and am curious about your thoughts on these particular items, as well as anyones’ experience with them. Thank you.

Sally

Debra’s Answer

I haven’t used either product personally, however I have nothing against them.

I’ve read the entire book Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever? and totally agree with the need for our bodies to be connected with the Earth’s electromagnetic and other force fields.

The most direct way to do this is to go lie down on the Earth, which I try to do on a regular basis. They recommend 20 minutes a day, I think, I don’t have the book right in front of me.

For me, I always prefer to do something that is as close to nature as possible rather than use an industrial consumer product to do something, which is why I haven’t chosen to use either of these myself.

But, as I said, I have no reason why you shouldn’t use them if you wish.

I know some of you have used these products. Please feel free to write in with your experience.

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Question from Amy E

I have very sever eczema and chemical sensitivities. Also I am breastfeeding an infant, and I am wondering what the best source of drinking water would be. (filter, distiller, botted etc?) I live in an apartment so a whole house filter is not an option. Also, our water has chlorine, not chloramine. Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

Based on the information you’ve given me, most any activated carbon filter will do.

I would suggest an undersink or countertop model that connects to your plumbling, not a canister-type because they don’t have enough filter media.

Also you should get a shower filter because chlorine is absorbed through your skin when you take a shower or bath.

That said, I strongly suggest you get your water tested to see if there is anything else in your water you should be removing.

Read more about all this at Debra’s List: Water: Filters and Debra’s List: Water: Testing

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Question from Cat

Hello, Yesterday my husband realized his tire was flat so he took my car to the shop with the tire in the trunk for repair. He then used my car to go to work. Today, when he went to pick it up he realized it was not able to be repaired so they mounted a new tire for him, so he could get to work. He put the new tire on the wheel in the trunk of my new car. As we were pulling out of the tire shop I became worried. The tire was in the trunk and I really couldn’t smell it, but he didn’t put anything down in the trunk of my new car and as we drove I worried that the fumes would collect in the trunk and seep into the cab of the car. I am newely pregnant and a bit paranoid. I made him vacume the trunk out and then I placed a blanket down in the trunk before taking the car shopping…should I be worried I was exposed to chemicals in the transpport of the tire and using the trunk after?

Debra’s Answer

Tires are made of synthetic rubber, which do outgass a fair amount of pretty toxic chemicals, including benzene, toluene, and xylene (and about seventy others). These chemicals can cause harm to developing fetuses. However, the amount you were exposed to makes a difference.

From your description, it sounds like you weren’t exposed to much emissions, if any, however I would stay away from tire stores, where there would be a lot of these chemicals in the air.

By the way, here is the full list of toxic chemicals found in tire emissions:

Well, the original got lost during one of my transfers from website to website. So here are some new updated lists:

Note 37: Volatile Organic Emissions from Automobile Tires

HEaLTHY BUILDING NETWORK: Avoiding Contaminants in Tire-Derived Flooring

HUFFINGTON POST: Scrap Tire Playgrounds Lighten Landfills, But Raise Cancer Fears

While I am all for doing things that help the environment, this is a prime example of how an action can be both green and toxic at the same time.

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Question from Brittney

My husband & I are taking a 5-7 day hiking trip into the mountains in Washington state. We will have some access to creeks & lakes at a high elevation. I was wondering what a good portable water filter brand would be for that or sould we just use a camel pack or some kind of container? If you recommend a container, what would you recommend that we use? We have to pack light so something light weight, collapsable or something I could clip to my pack would be preferred. Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

I haven’t been backpacking for years, so haven’t researched this lately. Readers, what are your recommendations?

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Question from Heather

I saw a query about emfs from a sonic toothbrush. I wanted to get a clarification if the emfs are due to the toothbrush being “sonic” or just being an electric toothbrush of any sort. Also does it matter if the electric brush is plugged into the wall vs. powered by batteries? Thanks so much, am in the market for better toothbrushing for my kids.

Debra’s Answer

I used a sonic toothbrush for many years because I believed it was the best method to reduce plaque.

However, about a year ago, I decided to try the method of toothbrushing recommended by my biologic dentist and it works even better. No electric or sonic toothbrush needed.

Dr. Behm calls it “The Secret”, short for The SECRET to HEALTHY GUMS or HOW to KEEP YOUR TEETH for the REST of YOUR LIFE!

This is what I do now and the condition of my teeth is better than ever!

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Question from Cecilia

Dear Debra, we are considering remodeling our home, and one of the things that I would like to do is moving my laundry room out of the basement. It seems that there is a nice possibility of doing this by putting the laundry in the second floor. A laundry with natural light and ventilation sounds really nice, but what about having the laundry so close to the bedrooms? Is there anything specific that would make you recommend against it, even before considering materials? Thank you! Cecilia.

Debra’s Answer

I totally understand! I used to have my washer and dryer down in the basement and never wanted to go down there to do the laundry. Now, in a different house, my washer and dryer are in the mud room next to the kitchen and it’s so easy to do my laundry!

I can’t think of a reason why not to have laundry next to a bedroom, but since I’ve never had that, there may be drawbacks I can’t imagine. Readers, please contribute your experience. I’ve seen washers and dryers in hallways behind folding doors. They would make noise so you wouldn’t want to run these machines while sleeping. Water probably will leak so you would want to place the washer and dryer on a waterproof surface.

Not thinking of anything else.

Readers?

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Question from Shirley

Hi Debra, We painted 3 rooms in our house with YShield black paint ( it is from Germany and supposed low VOC and is to block emf’s wifi and cell phone coming into the home) I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and multiple chemical allergies and migraines so it was recommended to me by a couple of people and a dr to use this paint. You ground the black paint into an outlet so that the emf’s that come in get grounded. We painted over the black paint with Lifemaster Glidden Low VOC paint.

It was done 4 weeks ago and I still am reacting with a burning tongue, lungs and skin when I come into the house. Perhaps we should of primed over the black paint? I am not sure if I am reacting to the black paint or the low voc Lifemaster. Someone has said to prime over the walls with AFM safecoat paint. What do you know of this paint. Someone else said to use Mythic Paint or to hot box the house, bring in huge heaters and bring the temp up to over 100 degrees and bake the chemicals out of the walls. Help, Homeless in Ottawa.

Debra’s Answer

I’ve never used YShield paint so I don’t know anything about the protocol for covering with another paint that is a color that is more to your liking. But I’ll give you some general comments about painting.

1. Paint takes a couple of weeks to really dry, at least. Only a few hours to be dry to the touch, but at least several weeks to be “cured,” which is dry through and through. So when you paint another paint on top, it makes it more difficult to cure the paint underneath.

2. So now you have two paints that are not quite cured. I don’t know if you are reacting to one or the other or a combination of fumes from the two.

3. PAINTS ARE NOT DESIGNED TO BLOCK FUMES. So painting over your paint with another paint will not help. A sealant painted over may help, but then you have outgassing of the sealer, with more chemicals.

4. My favorite method is to use heat, however, I don’t know how that might affect the YShield paint.

I would start by calling YShield and see if applying another coat of paint might cause problems. And ask if you can use heat. Then I would use heat if that’s OK.

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Question from audrey

I would like to know if anyone with mcs has had a dental implant – success or failure – meaning were you able to tolerate it or did it make you sicker. Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from magda

Hi Debra! I have questions about comforters. I need healthy option without chemicals and fire retardant. I can’t afford organic comforters ( I need 4 so it’s a lot of money for me) what is the best option for me? Thank You 🙂

Debra’s Answer

White Lotus Home has great quality products at affordable prices. Here’s the webpage for their “green cotton” comforters: www.whitelotus.net/green-cotton-duvet/. They often have sales. You could get on their mailing list and you’ll be notified. I often announce them too but best to get on their list.

If that’s still too expensive, a couple of years ago when I was visiting San Francisco, I got a very inexpensive feather/down comforter at IKEA with a 100% cotton cover. Machine washable. $39.99. www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60133498/

There are no federal requirements for fire retardants on bed clothes, but check with IKEA to see if they add fire retardants. Things change so frequently that it’s difficult for me to keep up with companies, unless, like White Lotus Home, they have a dedicated “no-chemicals” policy.

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Question from green-earth

Hi Debra, Do you think we should be wary of buying electronics from Japan because of last year’s nuclear disaster over there? I need to buy a cell phone soon, and I’m worried that it may be impossible to find a cell phone without parts that are made in Japan. Batteries are often made there, so is the glass on some smart phones. I’ve tried contacting companies to find out this information but they do not disclose where their parts are made or where their phones are assembled. What do you suggest?

Debra’s Answer

I just don’t know enough about radiation to know if any radiation that may be present would still be present after manufacturing the items you mention.

I personally am not concerned about this.

Remember that we have many exposures every day that we cannot control, which is why half of my book Toxic Free is devoted to detoxing and strengthening our bodies to better withstand those exposures we cannot avoid.

Of course, you could just not use a cell phone.

If you do use a cell phone, I am more concerned about the radiation generated from the use of it than the radiation that might be in the parts. I have a Pong case to protect me from radiation exposure from my phone.

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Question from Ingrid Ramsay

I am designing a closet for a client. She has a moth problem and I was going to back some of the walls with aromatic cedar. However, she was told that aromatic cedar is ‘toxic’. I think the wood dust is toxic, when the material is sawed, When it is installed maybe someone could be allergic to it ? Also does it really keep the moth’s larvae from eating the natural fibers ? What is the best natural solution?

Debra’s Answer

I found a great webpage called Wood Allergies and Toxicity that addresses the toxicity of all types of wood. It has an extensive “Wood Toxicity and Allergen Chart” that reports Cedar, Aromatic Red as an irritant to eyes and skin, but nothing more. Many people with MCS, however, react to cedar badly, so it’s often not recommended for that reason, but it’s not particularly toxic otherwise.

Aromatic cedar is a natural wood that has been used for natural moth control for who-knows-how-long. There is some question, however, as to whether or not it kills the moth larvae, which is what eats the wool. Technically, it’s not necessary to kill the moth larvae, only repel them away from your stored items. Cedar will do that.

In my book Home Safe Home (now out of print), I wrote that the best way to protect your clothing from moth larvae is to make sure they are not on your clothing when you put clothing in the closet.

Once you know your clothing is free from larvae, as a back-up you can use natural repellants. If you don’t want to use cedar, these plants are known to repel moth larvae:

If you can’t find cotton sachet bags, use cotton baby socks and fasten them shut with a safety pin.

Question from anita

My newborn great grand son does not seem to get enough milk from his mom–any good formulas on the market to use as a backup?? thanks so much

anita wassweman

Debra’s Answer

Readers, I don’t have any experience with baby formula. Which have you tried and liked?

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Question from Jay

Dear Debra, we are a military family moving from one place to another, and we are approaching our time to move again. I found a beautiful brand new apartment complex that just opened in april 2012, and the idea of living in a brand new place is very tempting, (especially if you think about the risk of finding bugs, which is a common issue in apartments). I was wondering what were your thoughts about it, considering that the place has probably not off-gassed yet at all, that everything is brand new, (carpets, cabinets, and wooden floor). Should I just move there and let it air out for a few days? Or do you think that an older place would be better? Thank you in advance for your advice.

Debra’s Answer

Let is air out a few days? No. New apartments need more than an airing out. They are filled with toxic chemicals from carpets and particleboard cabinets especially. You’d need to do a major makeover to make it healthy.

I would recommend an older apartment where materials have offgassed. You may be able to kill a lot of the bugs with a major heat treatment or other nontoxic method.

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Question from Vicki in Oregon

Hi Debra Do you know anything about Okabashi Shoes

Debra’s Answer

Just looking at their website it says:

It’s great they are made from recycled material, but recycled doesn’t always mean nontoxic.

I called their customer service and left a message, but I’m not hopeful they will tell me the plastics or the anti-microbial agents.

This is the type of product I reject because it’s made of unknown materials that might be toxic in general and there are no specifics.

If I get an answer from them, I will post it here.

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Question from Chris

Hi Debra! I recently purchased a wool bed from Shepherd’s Dream and am waiting for it’s arrival. I have an ash platform bed from Bedworks of Maine. The slats are unfinished but I find the natural odor of wood bothersome. I have already put them in the sun and it helped some, but not enough. Can they be finished or sealed with the shellac you recommend or something else so I can’t smell the wood or would this compromise the mattress? (I also have a wool underpad to go on top of the slats so the mattress will not be directly against them). I cannot have any latex so those cushy strips are not an option either. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

Yes you can seal the wood to block the odor.

The most natural sealant is Zinsser Bull’s Eye Shellac. It is a natural product, liquified with volatile solvents. Once they evaporate all that’s left is the natural material. This is used as a sealant to block odors by many people with MCS.

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Question from Christal Janis

I love Tea but 99% comes from China or Japan. With the toxic conditions in China and the toxic air now in Japan, where can a person get safe tea? Thanks

Debra’s Answer

“China” and “Japan” are large areas with varying amounts of air pollution. While air pollutants certainly can travel around a country and around the world, there is more air pollution near the source of pollutants than far away. So the air quality in a city or industrial area is much more polluted that where tea is grown.

I suggest learning more about where teas are actually grown. Chinese teas come from five provinces. Yunnan, for example, is close to the Himalayas. The tea is grown at high altitudes where the air is very clean.

Japan produces almost exclusively green tea, which is almost all consumed right in Japan.

The largest tea exporter in the world is actually India. Other areas that produce tea are Ceylon and Formosa, East Africa, and Russia.

If you are a tea lover, I would suggest you forego the supermarket teas sold in teabags and head for the natural food store or a specialty tea shop or website, where they will know where their tea is grown.

Another option is to switch to herbal tea. Herbs can be grown almost anywhere. I grow mint in my own backyard for tea, and stevia to sweeten it.

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Question from John

I have M.C.S. I’m considering moving into a new condo unit that is 3 years old. It’s furnished (model) and no one has ever lived in it. Do you think it’s “safe” at this age or would 5 years be significantly better. I re-injured myself last year through anesthesia and a new piece of furniture that emitted formaldehyde. I don’t want to take any more risks. What do you think? Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

Personally, I do not think that 3 years is long enough for a new condo to outgas. Five years would be better.

I don’t live anywhere not built before 1965. Why? Because that’s when they stopped building with real wood and switched to particleboard. Particleboard subfloors, particleboard cabinets, particleboard doors…Certainly it’s outgassed since 1965, but these buildings also have no charm, or beautiful solid wood floors and workmanship is usually shoddy.

Of course there are also toxic problems with renovated buildings. But 3 years is just too new.

If you reinjured yourself and you are very sensitive, I suggest considering doing something to remove toxic chemicals from your body. See my [Toxic Free Nutrition website]=http://toxicfreenutrition.com .

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Question from nancyk

What do you think of the new SmartSilk pillows, comforters, pads,etc. They are certified by the AAFA, which certifies a lot of things I don’t care for and the owner of Smart Silk agrees with me. I have a friend who got the mattress pad and adores it and it is washable in cold water.

Debra’s Answer

The description looks good to me: 100% silk fill, 100% cotton cover, no chemicals, no flame retardants, machine wash and dry…nothing toxic here and many benefits.

http://www.smartsilk.com/topic/27-our-silk_advantage.aspx

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Question from Cathy

Hello, I have just purchased another of your books as I have found them so helpful through the years. My husband and I are hoping that when he retires in a year or so to move to a more healthy area.

I have allergies and chemical sensitivities. My allergy doctor says the mountains or seashore can sometimes be helpful. We have always loved Florida and are just starting to look at the west coast or perhaps the east around Titusville or surrounding areas. I hope Debra and other readers from Florida can chime in on this.

For one thing, and I read your updated report on how you live, how far from the coast do you think one can live, as the crow flies, to actually benefit from the clean sea breezes? I know when I walk on the beach my respiratory system feels better. I know we couldn’t afford a beach house, and we would be a bit worried of costs related to insurance and hurricanes. Any advice or cautions would be greatly appreciated.

Based on the weather records of the past several meteorologists share a common belief that the Clearwater area is in an advantageous position with respect to hurricanes. They call it a Native American blessing that has placed Clearwater in a strategic geographic location that has averted hurricane crisis to a great extent. The reason is this. If a hurricane must hit any one of the western cities of Florida, it must take a sharp turn going around the southern coast of Florida, which is rather an unusual phenomenon with hurricanes. This is why Clearwater has never had greater troubles with hurricanes.

Debra’s Answer

First let me say, about costs. Here is Florida the actual cost of houses is very low compared to other parts of the country. However, the insurance is very high by comparison because of hurricanes.

If you want to live close to the beach, do find out what the history of hurricanes are in that particular area. Where I live there hasn’t been a hurricane in I think 40 years or more. I’ve lived here ten years. Once it looked like a hurricane would hit, but it didn’t.

Just looked up about hurricanes in Clearwater. Here’s what it says on the Awesome Clearwater! website:

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Question from Annie

I’ve been using Post-It Notes for years and never had a problem with them.

The other day I bought a new package and the notes had an odor for the first time. Did they change their adhesive?

Debra’s Answer

I’ve been using Post-It Notes for years too and always appreciated that they were nontoxic and odor-free.

Yet, this past week I too purchased a new package and it had an odor for the first time.

So I called 3M Customer Service to ask about the adhesive.

They told me that they now use three different adhesives on their various Post-It products.

One is the original adhesive, which is what is used unless otherwise stated. I looked at the MSDS for Post-It Notes and it says only “adhesive” and that no health effects are expected from inhalation.

Then there is a stronger adhesive for the Super Sticky Notes. Again not toxic.

Question from Renee’

I was in my husbands 2010 MKS lincoln yesterday after it had been parked in the direct sun. Upon getting in, the smell was uncomfortable to me and I had to open the windows while driving. After a few hours, I was severly tired and laid on the bed and slept for 9 hours and woke in a stupor with my asthma full bloom, headache and extreme exhaustion. Do I see a doctor or will this pass? My husband was not affected.

Debra’s Answer

First, NOBODY SHOULD GET IN A CAR THAT HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE SUN. Car interiors are full of synthetic materials that are outgassing toxic chemicals all the time, but when a car sits in the sun, it turns into an oven that causes even more toxic chemicals to be released, often to very high levels.

Before getting into a car that has been sitting in the sun, open both doors and allow air to flow through before getting into the car. It will be cooler if you do this, too.

It sounds to me like your body was overwhelmed by toxic fumes released from the car interior.

Your reaction indicates to me your body has a very high body burden, and this exposure pushed you over the edge into symptoms.

You could visit a doctor, but it’s likely he won’t recognize this.

Here is a list of the types of healthcare professionals who could help you.

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Question from Maria Mag

I just purchased an antimicrobial toilet seat cover! It is plastic throughout. Are these safe to use? Will this affect skin at all?

Debra’s Answer

In order to answer this question I would need to know

You can try to get this information from the manufacturer.

Though there are different types of plastics and antimicrobials, as a general rule I try to stay away from them, especially if I can’t find out what type they are.

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Question from Gayle

I live on a pond that is experiencing a huge overgrowth of alge and vegatation. I can’t help if this is due to the extreme heat that MI has experienced , and the lack of rain. The homes around the pond wish to “treat” it. Is there a company whose products you promote as being “environmentally friendly” and as “nontoxic” as can be for this type of treatment? Thanks so much, Gayle

Debra’s Answer

Readers, any suggestions?

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Question from Jeff Mei

I am trying to find information about skin absorption of fluoride in bath water and laundry cloth contacting with skin. I got conflicting infomation. Now we are drinking and cooking with spring water to reduce the fluoride exposure. But we also need to take a shower and do the lawndry for the cloth using fluoride city water. We can not find a perfect whole house water filtration system since both alumnum and bone char are not perfect. We want to avoid a whole house water filtration system if we can convince that fluoride will be entering into human body by skin.

Debra’s Answer

About eight years ago, I did a lot of research on fluoride because they were about to add it to our local water supplies.

Here are some things I can tell you from that research.

The form of “fluoride” in drinking water today is not naturally occurring sodium or calcium fluoride, but fluorosilicic acid, a liquid that is a by-product of fertilizer manufacturing. Fluorosilicic acid itself is corrosive and highly toxic. It’s Material Safety Data Sheet warns “do not breathe vapor…do not get in eyes [or] on skin”.

And fluoride itself can be absorbed through the skin. There are many references. Just google “skin absorption of fluoride.”

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Question from Josh

I haven’t read your latest book “Toxic Free” but in “Home Safe Home” you’ve written about candles but not incense. Have you investigated incense burning and have you ever spoken about it?

Debra’s Answer

I investigated incense many years ago but haven’t written about it in a long time.

Basically, anything you burn produces combustion by-products, which is a combination of toxic gasses and particles. The more completely it burns, the fewer the combustion by-products and the safer it is to breathe.

An example is firewood. Freshly-cut firewood smokes a lot when it burns, “seasoned” firewood smokes very little.

Any kind of smoke is harmful to breathe.

With incense, the point is that it smokes, so there would be combustion by-products that are harmful. Would it be less because it’s natural? Well, tobacco is natural and breathing tobacco smoke causes cancer.

That was my logic in the past. Now we have studies.

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Question from Lisa

What is faux suede?

Debra’s Answer

Faux suede is a man-made fabric used in clothing, footwear, upholstery and accessory items. It is designed to look like real suede, which is a very soft leather made from animal skins.

Faux suede is made from 100% polyester, which is a plastic that can be woven into threads. To make faux suede, manufacturers use threads that are close to the weight and consistency of leather fibers.

Though polyester is only slightly toxic, it does outgas and can cause skin rashes that can be quite severe.

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Question from Mary in Tallahassee

I have complained to my utility about smart meter on my house and asked for an analog device. The utility has responded by agreeing to disconnect the transmission of the meter and having a person come to read the meter. When I pressed for an analog device, the utility said that they are no longer available anywhere. They said that digital is used worldwide. I asked for a used one, but they said that they simply are unavailable and that our utility system is too big for analog. What literature can I send them on the digital issue? How can I get an analog device? I understand that in California they are agreeing to analog for people who refuse digital smart meters.

Is it enough to get the smart meter transmission suspension? I thought from reading this blog that the digital appliance in itself was a hazard even if its transmission is suspended.

Debra’s Answer

Readers? Any advice or experience?

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Question from Nancy

I bought a Natura latex mattress over a month ago. It has been airing in a room with the window open, a fan running and the door closed. I find it still has an odor and I am sensitive to it when I go in the room. My nose itches and my chest hurts. Should I persevere and keep trying to air it? Is there a barrier cover I can purchase in Canada to block the smell?

Debra’s Answer

I find that latex has a natural odor that I personally cannot tolerate and it can last for years.

When I was a child my grandmother had a latex sofa that had a “funny smell” all through my childhood. Many years later when I smelled latex, I recognized that’s what it was.

As far as a cover, anyone have experience containing the smell of latex?

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Question from brandy

My father in law just made a bed for my daughter and finished it with alkyd polyurethane. We have had it sitting in the garage for a month, and then outside in the sun for another month and I find it still smells. I’m wondering if it is dangerous or toxic at this time. If something smells, does that mean VOC’s are still being emitted? I’m considering sanding it down and putting something different on. Is this necessary? What would you recommend?

Debra’s Answer

Different types of wood finishes have different curing times.

But after two months, this should not have an odor.

My understanding is that if it has an odor, then fumes of some kind are being emitted or you wouldn’t be able to smell them.

If it is completely dry to the point where it can be sanded and it is still bothering you, I would remove the finish and apply something else.

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Question from Lana

Dear Debra, My question is about bedding. I’ve always bought 100% cotton sateen sheet sets. I never bought wrinkle free. Is there a chance that they still could have been treated with formaldehyde? I’m questioning cotton sateen wording. Is flannel and knit the only safe option? Thank you so much. Lana

Debra’s Answer

Sateen is a type of fabric that has a certain weave.

It is a cotton fabric with a luster like silk satin.

Sateen starts with long-fiber, combed or carded cotton, which is mercerized to bring out the sheen. Mercerization involves soaking the fiber in a sodium hydroxide (lye) bath and then in an acid bath. None of these substances remain in the cotton after processing. Mercerization makes the cotton fiber stronger and more easily dyed, and also adds a luster to the fibers.

I think you are fine with sateen sheets. I’ve never heard of chemical finishes being used on sateen.

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Question from Lana

Dear Debra, I am questioning diaper cream that I have been using on my precious little bundle. We use cloth diapers, so I bought cloth diaper safe cream “CJ’s butter”. It has Fragrance oil as one of the ingredients. Oil makes me think essential oil, but it doesn’t say that, it says fragrance. Is this the big red flag for me to toss it? What is fragrance oil? Thank you so much as always, Lana

Debra’s Answer

My understanding is that “fragrance oil” is petrochemical and toxic.

“Essential oil” is the naturally fragrant oil from plants.

I don’t use any products with “fragrance oil” on the label.

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Question from Bonnie Johnson

I am about to start radiation for breast cancer after a lumpectomy. The surgery will be tuff enough but have had others so I know how to handle things. I was wondering if anyone out there has dealt with the radiation issues with MCS.

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Mary M

Hi Debra, Found your site while searching for toxic-free massage/hypoallergenic tables (I’m changing careers). Difficult to find toxic-free massage table information. Could you please comment on “healthy” massage tables [preferrably not made in China]. Thank you very much.

Debra’s Answer

Ahhhh massage tables! I love massage, but not the tables.

I have my own massage table that I bought used about twenty years ago. But it is like most others: wood frame with polyurethane foam and a vinyl cover. Mine is pretty outgassed now, but still I pile natural fiber blankets on top so when I lay on it there is no contact with the vinyl.

Then I top everything with cotton flannel sheets.

If I needed to buy a new massage table today, I would probably do some research about what the requirements are for padding and see what else I could come up with. Wool felts maybe. And then replace the cover.

Readers, any suggestions on where to buy or how to make a toxic free massage table?

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Question from jko

I have just moved into a house with new formica countertops – cream colored. They stain very easily, and I’m spending a ton of time and elbow grease removing the most innocuous substances from them. Can you recommend a good food-friendly product that will “seal” them and make them easier to clean? Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

Readers, any suggestions?

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Question from Michelle

Found this today while looking for health effects of brominated polystyrene.

For those that argue that flame retardants increase survival rates of fires, think again… http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=flame-retardants-may-create-deadlier-fires

Any way, Debra, I love your website and all your resources. I would not be exaggerating that your website has become my got to place for MCS info.

Thank you, Michelle

Debra’s Answer

You are very welcome. Thanks for sending this article.

Readers, please always send me anything like this you think I should see. Your eyes and ears really help me gather all the information that needs to be passed along.

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Question from Celestine

I just got a latex mattress, used, that was said to be organic. That probably just means it is not synthetic. It is sublimely comfortable. I slept an extra hour with no wakeup in the night. However, I’ve been told that the latex is extracted with toxic chemicals! And that these stay in the latex and do affect people. This morning I had a mild headache and a runny nose–which are not things that usually happen with me. I am not prone to allergies. If it is a case of toxins in the mattress, any idea if there is a type of barrier cloth that would keep it from affecting me? I really would like to keep this mattress if I can. For one thing, it is enormous and extremely heavy–took three men to get it up to my room. But it is also metal-free, which I wanted. Thanks, Celestine

Debra’s Answer

I totally understand your dilemma. Latex is very comfortable, but not everyone can tolerate it. I can’t sleep on a latex mattress or pillow because of the natural odor or latex, but that doesn’t mean it’s toxic.

With regard to the organic and toxic chemicals part, I’m working on sorting out about organic latex. And yes, some latex does use toxic chemicals in processing. But we can’t make generalities with this because different latexes are processed in different ways.

My suggestion to you would be to go back to the manufacturer and find out about any toxic chemicals used in their organic latex. Nothing to be concerned about if no toxic chemicals were used.

Your reaction may be simply to latex itself. You could try a barrier cloth mattress cover, or several layers of blankets.

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Question from tracigw

Are steel beds less toxic overall than beds made of other materials (wood or foam-covered fabric)? It seems like the toxicity would come primarily from lacquer. I have no chemical sensitivities, but would like to create as chemical-free home environment as possible, as we have young children. Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

Steel beds are less toxic than wood and especially fabric-covered foam.

Wood is fine if you use a nontoxic finish on it.

Steel generally has a baked on finish that is not toxic after it is baked on.

The first bed I had when I was creating my first nontoxic bedroom was the steel frame of a roll-away cot, with a pile of folded washed cotton thermal blankets for the mattress. A bed doesn’t have to be that extreme today because we now have natural mattresses, but a metal frame of any kind is a good choice.

There’s a commercial running on television–I just saw it the other night–that says one in 110 children are affected by autism spectrum disorder. This morning I received a newsletter that says last month, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) now affects 1 of every 88 American children — a 78% increase from just ten years ago.

To guide a research strategy to discover potentially preventable environmental causes, the Children’s Environmental Health Center (CEHC) has developed a list of ten chemicals found in consumer products that are suspected to contribute to autism and learning disabilities.

The list was published in Environmental Health Perspectives in an editorial written by Dr. Philip J. Landrigan, director of the CEHC, Dr. Linda Birnbaum, director of the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), and Dr. Luca Lambertini, also of the CEHC.

The top ten chemicals are:

1. Lead


2. Methylmercury


3. PCBs


4. Organophosphate pesticides


5. Organochlorine pesticides


6. Endocrine disruptors


7. Automotive exhaust


8. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons


9. Brominated flame retardants


10. Perfluorinated compounds

Source: A Research Strategy to Discover the Enviornmental Causes of Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

My personal opinion is: why wait for science? If these chemicals are suspected of causing autism, why not assume they do and remove them from our homes and and the bodies of autistic children?

Question from PT

I want to have cushion encasements made for my sofa out of organic cotton barrier cloth. Do you know if this will be effective to keep the toxic chemicals from escaping, ie., flame retardants? Is there a specific pore size or would all cotton barrier fabric be effective? Also, I want to encase my memory foam mattress in the Magnolia organic cotton barrier mattress cover, www.magnoliaorganics.com. Would this also be effective to keep toxins from escaping? I was originally going to use polyethelene sheeting but was not sure how this would work since cushions & matresses need air to circulate in and out of the cushions when someone sits down & gets up. I would much prefer the fabric if it would work.

Thank you,

PT

Debra’s Answer

This is a very good question!

Barrier cloth has been around for years and has been used by many people with MCS to “block chemical fumes.”

I personally, however, have been reluctant to recommend it for this purpose because it didn’t seem to me to really be a barrier.

Barrier cloth is a tightly woven fabric that has very small spaces between the threads. The spaces between the threads vary from 4-6 microns depending on the thickness of the threads and how tightly they are pulled together. The thread count is generally 240 threads per inch or more, but it’s not the thread count that is important, it’s the micron size of the space between them.

A “micron” is an abbreviated term for “micrometer”, or a millionth of a meter (1/1,000,000 meters). This is about .00004 inches. Typically dust is in the range of 3-100 microns, so that would easily be blocked by barrier cloth, but pesticides at 0.001 microns would go right through.

To thoroughly answer your question, I called www.janices.com, who has been selling barrier cloth to people with MCS for more than 20 years. And I asked “What do you say about your barrier cloth to make an accurate statement about it’s ability to block toxic chemicals?”

Question from Holistic Spa

A product line is going to be used at the spa I will be working for and I have grave concerns regarding it, even though the line is touted to be safe, green and so forth.

Many of the products have 100% essential oils, but several in key products are a combination of essential oils and “skin safe fragrance oils”

As a trained aromatherapist, I was taught that anything you combine with essential oils needs to be very pure as the essential oils penetrate into the body when applied and carry the carrier oils (or other ingredients) into the body as well.

My understanding is that there are no “skin safe fragrance oils” since as fragrances they are not regulated as to purity nor of a natural source.

I will be working with these products on a daily basis, have MCS and don’t want to become ill, nor contribute to the illness of others.

Do you feel my concerns are valid?

Debra’s Answer

Yes, I feel your concerns are valid.

“Skin safe fragrance oils” are apparently fragrance oils that can be applied to the skin undiluted (many cannot).

“Fragrance oils” are aromatic chemicals in highly concentrated form. I got this off a website that sells fragrance oils. They say we can order MSDS sheets from Customer Service, like any other toxic chemical.

I see there are a couple of organizations whose purpose is to “ensure the safety of fragrance materials”: the International Fragrance Association and Research Institute for Fragrance Materials ( the most comprehensive, worldwide source of toxicology data, literature and general information on fragrance and flavor raw materials.)

So from your description, I would think that they are using real plant-based essential oils mixed with various petrochemical fragrance oils. And since essential oils penetrate into the body when applied, I would think they would carry the petrochemical fragrance oils along with them.

I would use different products.

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Question from Erika

I am planning to install all natural wool carpet in our bedrooms but I’m unsure of the carpet pad choices to go with.

I’m considering a frothed polyurethane cushion such as Healthier Choice. I like the springiness, low VOCs and no Penta Bromide additive, B.H.T., or 4-P.C. but does contain an antimicrobial which I’m unsure about.

Then there’s sponge rubber by Sponge Cushion Inc.

Alternatively and most cost effective, there’s synthetic felted pads consisting of either post-consumer or industrial (carpet manufacturing) recycled content. I’m wary of possible VOC or dust concerns and although fire retardants are not added, I wonder about possible residual fire retardants in the blend (http://www.shawhospitalitygroup.com/downloads/EcoFiber-TouchOverview.pdf or ).

I have not been able to source any other natural cotton or felt pads. I know there’s always wool padding but it’s the most pricey (I’m already spending a fortune on the carpet) and I do have some fears about moths possibly settling down into the pad. Your thoughts on this are much appreciated!

Debra’s Answer

This is part of why I don’t recommend carpets at all, and haven’t had a carpet for more than thirty years.

This is more than I can evaluate in a blog question, but if you would like to call me for a consultation , we can look at each of these products together and I can help you evaluate which one best meets your needs.

Readers, any suggestions for carpet pads?

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Question from Orsoly

Hi Debra, Is Nitrocellulose finish safe on wooden playpens? Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

Nitrocellulose lacquer is aquick-drying solvent-based lacquer that contains nitrocellulose, a resin obtained from the nitration of cotton and other cellulostic materials. These lacquers are used on wooden products, primarily furniture, and on musical instruments and other objects. The nitrocellulose and other resins and plasticizers are dissolved in the solvent, and each coat of lacquer dissolves some of the previous coat. Nitrocellulose lacquers produce a hard yet flexible, durable finish that can be polished to a high sheen. The downside of these lacquers is the hazardous nature of the solvent, which is flammable and toxic, and the hazards of nitrocellulose in the manufacturing process. Lacquer grade of soluble nitrocellulose is closely related to the more highly nitrated form which is used to make explosives. Nitrocellulose lacquer becomes relatively non-toxic after approximately a month since at this point, the lacquer has evaporated most of the solvents used in its production.

I can tell you that I have owned and played various instruments with nitrocellulose finish and it was not a problem once dried.

Some solvents I found on MSDS include methylbenzene, methyl isobutyl ketone, ethylene glycol monometyl ether, mutyl acetat, butyl benzyl phthalate, toluene, xylene, methyl alcohol, ethyl acetate…just many toxic chemicals, but they all are very volatile and evaporate, leaving a hard nontoxic finish.

Question from Patti

Hi, I bought many cardboard storage boxes, the decorated kind you get at Home Goods, TJ Maxx, etc. to store photos and things like that. I’ll use them in my bedroom and they don’t smell when closed, but they smell terrible opened up. They told me it was the glue that they put the boxes together with.I’d thought it was pesticides. I love the boxes, I need the boxes very much. Is this possible to air this out and get rid of the smell or toxicity, or do I have to return them? I do have MCS. Thanks!!! Patti!

Debra’s Answer

Yes, you can air this out. I use these boxes too, but before I do, I take them outside, open them up, and give them a good airing in the sun. For a day or two. Until I can’t smell them any more.

I think what we are smelling is the glue.

Question from Lana

Dear Debra, I came across this line of baking pans made in the US called USA Pan. It says it has natural silicone non-stick coating, PTFE and PFOA free. Would this be a good choice since silicone is considered safe so far. Bed Bath and Beyond caries this line.

Thank you so much.

Lana

Debra’s Answer

I called USA Pan and all they would tell me was what you said. I asked if it was 100% silicone and the woman said she believed they were (she wasn’t in customer service). I asked if it was like a silicone baking mat and she said yes.

These sound interesting. I’m going to go to Bed Bath & Beyond and take a look at them.

Has anyone tried these? Apparently they have been around for a while because the woman who answered the phone has been using them for years and loves them. She is constantly giving them as gifts. I know I would love a muffin pan with a silicone finish.

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Question from Anne

Dear Debra and readers!

Recently a friend sent me information of “yumdrops” water flavoring drops that are supposed to be natural. They look wonderful, but if you dig hard enough to check the ingredients, they containpropylene glycol. How safe is this for those of us with MCS and candida? The site advertising it implies the drops are “natural” but this ingredient is both a degreaser and anti-freeze, food-safe or no! I can’t find anything that addresses it as a food ingredient (except in fortified milk). Is it likely to be a problem?

Debra’s Answer

You’re right, propylene glycol is both a degreaser and anti-freeze, so what’s it doing in a “natural” product?

Well, here’s an interesting piece from Tom’s of Maine about propylene glycol as a “natural” ingredient: Tom’s of Maine: Propylene glycol

It says “Propylene glycol is a derivative of natural gas. It is commonly used in a variety of consumer products and food products, including deodorants, pharmaceuticals, moisturizing lotions, and fat-free ice cream and sour cream products.”

OK. Since when is an ingredient derived from natural gas a natural ingredient. Natural gas is a fossil fuel. It is a mixture of gases that formed from the fossil remains of ancient plants and animals buried deep in the earth (the same stuff crude oil and petroleum and gasoline is made from). To say that a manmade ingredient made from natural gas is natural is like saying a manmade ingredient made from crude oil is natural.

Since the beginning of natural products, a natural product is one made from plants, animals, and minerals, not fossil fuels. There is no legal definition for this, but it’s been the standard practice. Apparently no more.

They go on to say “Propylene glycol is considered a safe and appropriate ingredient not just for cosmetic products, but also for ingested products like food and pharmaceuticals. It is on the US Food and Drug Administration’s list of ingredients which are Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) and is recognized by the World Health Organization as safe for use.” And then they address the antifreeze argument.

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Question from Irina

Hello Debra, I am worried about my baby’s changing pad. It’s a Cooshee pad made from closed-cell PVC foam, manufacturer claims it is free of phthalates and lead. I’ve had mine for about a year. Thank you in advance! Irina

Debra’s Answer

It may be free from phthalates and lead but it still is PVC.

You can get an organic cotton changing pad from Naturepedic.

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Question from Karen

I use a mortar a pestle daily to crush large mineral pills that I can’t swallow. I have a stainless steel one. I also have a ceramic one that is made in China. All ceramic mortar and pestles appear to me to have a chalky area where the grinding occurs and it looks like some minute amount of the ceramic must end up in the final grind. Which is safer? I know there are also marble ones on the market. Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

There are so many mortars and pestles on the market made of different materials.

Stainless steel contains heavy metals that could grind in. Likewise ceramic.

I would choose one made of marble, wood, or some other natural material that is not manufactured. That would have the least contaminants.

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A new study at Karlstad University in Sweden shows that phthalates from PVC flooring materials shows that children can ingest these softening agents with food but also by breathing and through the skin.

Phthalates are a group of chemical compounds that occur in a great number of common consumer goods. They are suspected of disrupting hormones and may be related to several chronic diseases in children, like asthma and allergies.

Earlier studies showed that PVC flooring can be tied to the occurrence of phthalates in indoor dust, and that exposure for BBzP in indoor dust could be associated with allergic conditions in children. This study shows that the uptake of phthalates in infants ( which are banned from use in children’s toys because of health risks) can be related to flooring materials using softened PVC in the home. “With this study as a basis, we can establish that there are other sources that should be taken into consideration in regard to the uptake of banned chemicals and that we do not only ingest them in our food,” says Carl-Gustaf Bornehag, professor of public health at Karlstad University and leader of the study. The findings also show that phthalates can be taken up in different ways, both through food and probably through breathing and through the skin.

So what we really need to do is eliminate phthalates altogether.

Phthalates in PVC Floors Taken Up by the Body in Infants

Well, it seems that manufacturers throughout the world who were using toxic Bisphenol A (BPA) may have just switched to Bisphenol S (BPS) a toxic chemical that may be equally, if not more, toxic.

Read this article to learn more about the family of bisphenols.

BPA-Free Goods Still Contain Toxic Bisphenol

Question from Judith

Dear Debra and readers!

Does anyone have any experience with Bioshield’s “solvent-free” wall paint? We used it on only one wall in my daughter’s bedroom a week ago and it still has a very strong paint smell.

The company said that there should have been very little smell and it should be diminishing rapidly, but it is just as bad as when we painted it.

We had looked at their ingredient list and it sounded very safe, but now I am really worried!

Last year we had used Olympic Premium “no-VOC” paint on another wall and it was so horrendous that my daughter had to sleep in the living room for seven months. It can’t be a repeat of that experience!

This is Bioshield’s ingred. list: Technical info: Our Zero-VOC, Solvent-Free Wall Paint is an economical, breathable, washable paint with a high-hiding capacity. Ingredients: Water, Chalk, Asbestos-Free Talcum, Titanium Dioxide, Polyphosphate (a water softener), Cellulose, Alcohol Ester, Sodium Hydroxide, and Preservative.

Debra’s Answer

Well this is surely a mystery!

It’s interesting that you had a problem with Olympic no-VOC (which I use to paint trim and have never had a problem with) and now with Bioshield.

There is nothing in that list of ingredients that would have an odor except the alcohol and that would evaporate within a day at most.

Which makes me wonder what is going on with the walls you are painting on. This just doesn’t make sense.

Perhaps there is something in the wall or the paint that is being reactivated by the liquid in the paint. That would be my guess from afar without seeing it.

It would be interesting to paint some other surface, like a plain wood board, outdoors and see if you have the same problem with this paint.

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Question from ari

Anyone have suggestion for removing cat dander from a house. There are no carpet, but there house does have ducts.

Debra’s Answer

I’ve had cats, but never a problem removing dander from the house in general.

I suggest a high-efficiency filter on your central HVAC system.

Readers, any ideas?

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Question from Barb P.

I haven’t read that anyone has used any ozone machines to remove chemicals and odors. There are a few listed on the Internet, but I haven’t bought any of them, except the Ionic Breeze (originally sold at Sharper Image) and Aclair. The two work well together for allergies and low level toxicity. But, for major problems, I am considering one that will hook up to both the main heating/air conditioning vent and can also be put in one room. I do not sleep or stay in a room with ozone, but it disipates quickly when the machine is shut off and windows opened. It’s the only way to get rid of most toxic chemicals because ozone destroys the toxicity. Prooof: a health food store here had a huge fire and they ozinated the whole store for 6 months until the smell finally went away. My big ozinator broke and don’t know anyone who can fix it. They actually could be made at home by a clever mechanic. I don’t know how, but would share info that I know. Ozone works faster than heat. I’ve successfully aired out new rental cars, toxic blinds, toxic paint, pesticide smells, dust/dirt, and area rugs that did NOT have glue on the backing. Let’s find a way for us to build an ozinator ourselves and save ourselves a lot of problems. Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

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Question from NewEnglandSara.

Hi there, we are in a conundrum about our closet shelving, and I thought I would reach out for ideas….

We recently built a new house, and I became more aware of toxins as time went along. For some reason, it never occurred to me to think about what our contractor would buy for closet shelves. I think I assumed he would use wood and that we could paint the wood with Safecoat or Mythic.

It turned out that our contractor bought Melagard shelves from Roseburg. These shelves do include particle board, although they meet the California Phase 2 regulations. Half of the shelves utilize a PVC tape on the edges, and the other half utilize a melamine tape.

My husband and I are overwhelmed because we have about thirteen closets in the house: each with two shelves. We wish we could go back and choose another material, but it might be prohibitavely expensive at this point.

Any suggestions on remedying or replacing? Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

My #1 choice would be to go back and replace with solid wood. If that is prohibitively expensive, you could consider some other type of nontoxic board such as wheatboard or PureBond formaldehyde-free plywoo. I don’t know what the cost is of these boards.

Another thing you might consider is wire shelving, which is pretty inexpensive and allows for air flow. And you wouldn’t need to paint them. That would probably be my choice if I needed shelves in a closet.

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Question from NewEnglandSara.

Hi there, we just bought a new set of kitchen chairs (via Craig’s List), and my husband wants to re-cover them with fabric that we can wipe down since we have three young kids. When we did this four years ago, we bought reasonably priced fabric and then a clear plastic to put on top of the fabric. The solution worked great, but I now realize that the plastic must have contained PVC and surely off-gassed. I am wondering if you know of: 1) fabrics that are wipeable but low in toxins OR 2) a plastic-style overlay that will be less toxic. I welcome your thoughts! Thanks so much, Sara

Debra’s Answer

This is a good question to ask, and I’m sure I can’t give a definitive answer at the moment, but I will think out loud here.

The two options would be a waterproofed fabric or a sheet of nontoxic plastic.

Waterproof fabrics are natural or synthetic fabrics that are laminated to or coated with a waterproofing material such as rubber,polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU), silicone, fluoropolymers, or wax. The difficulty with fabrics is that it can be almost impossible to find out what the fabric is waterproofed with. You could search on “waterproof upholstery fabric” like I did and come up with gorgeous designer fabrics for $69 a yard used in hospitals, but which have no information on the waterproofing process. It will take time to research and review various waterproofing processes, but I think it’s worth opening this post for this purpose as this type of fabric is needed for outdoor use as well as indoor uses such as yours.

I’ll just tell you that “oilcloth,” which comes in many bright patterns and colors is vinyl, so don’t use that.

For your needs, I would probably go with just replacing the fabric cover. The first idea that came to mind was to go down to IKEA and buy a PVA shower curtain for about $4 and cut it up. Transparent and nontoxic. Or you could buy a polyethylene tarp. Both of these plastics are nontoxic.

Question from CarolynB

My Mother will be having a colonoscopy soon. Does anyone have any advice about anesthetics? They use Versed for amnesia twilight zone? What about the pain killer? To clean out, she will be using 1 cap of Miralax mixed with Pedialite. I think it was 8 oz of Pedialite. My husband said they use saline to flush her out as needed, and either air or gas to help her colon open up. Any feedback? Suggestions? Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

Readers? Any experience with this?

You might try Health Care Without Harm.

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Question from Nell

Hi Debra, I like the furniture I keep seeing: Resin covered wicker. There is one chair I’d like to use indoors. Is the resin considered safe? Is it likely to have a smell for a while? Would appreciate any help on this. Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

See if you can find out what the resin is. Some resins on wicker is polyethylene, which would be safe, but I’m not sure all resins on wicker are polyethylene. See if you can find out and write back and I will tell you the safety of the resin.

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Question from raftergirl

Hi Debra, I am quite grateful for your Q&A blog. It has so much helpful information for people with MCS. Thanks!

My question is regarding mosquito control.

Our local vector control has started spot spraying BTI (bacilles thuringiensis israelensis) for larvae control. They will start fogging from trucks and possible airplanes for adult mosquitos, “anvil 10 + 10” which is made by Clarke. They also sometimes use “Bio-mist 4 + 4” (also by Clarke).

Vector control said that these sprays are much less harmful than past sprays. I still feel quite concerned about it.

I am trying to decide if I need to leave the area and stay with someone while they spray (especially fog) or even the week following the fogging. I feel especially concerned about the fogging they do at night for adult mosquitos.

Do you have any sense how dangerous these sprays are for people with MCS? Are they much safer as vector control claims?

Debra’s Answer

First, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) is completely safe. It is a group of bacteria used as biological control agents for larvae stages of certain insects. It works by producing toxins which are effective in killing specific species of mosquitoes, fungus gnats, and blackflies, while having almost no effect on other organisms. Here is the MDSD.

Anvil 10 + 10 is a synthetic pyrethrin pesticide. The MSDS says it contains 20% pesticide and 80% petroleum distillates and says “inert ingredeints are proprietary or non-hazardous” What!!?! Petroleum distillates certainly ARE hazardous! They are a mix of all different kinds of toxic VOCs, whatever is cheapest at the moment when the mix is being made. So when this is being sprayed, they are basically just spraying toxic chemicals around.

Bio-mist 4 + 4–oh, I see–is the same stuff (here’s the MSDS) but the 10 + 10 is 10 percent one pesticide and 10 percent another, while this one uses the same two pesticides with 4 percent of each. This is then 92 percent toxic petroleum distillates.

I would say if you are having symptoms, and you have known sensitivites, even that small amount can pose a potential issue.

I would leave while these pesticides are being applied, but since they are so volatile you could probably come back in a couple of days.

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Question from Magaret

Hi I don’t know if this is something that can be answered by you or anyone else.

I recently tested air for formaldehyde at home and work. The lab report found that the levels were both 14-15 parts per billion. I know that those levels are well below the EPA guidelines, but for someone with sensitivities can it pose a potential issue?

The guy at Advanced Chemical Sensor lab didn’t seem to think that level could be considered a problem. I thought I’d double check with you.

I’m wondering this because I have noticed some symptoms (brain fog & weird feeling in body) at work, but not at home.

I did another air test for my work space, but just for VOC’s. All it revealed was (again) a low level of Acetone, which didn’t seem too remarkable to the lab.

For what it is worth, prior to doing the testing and during a particularly toxic feeling episode, a holistic dr whom I’d consulted mentioned that I seemed to have some minor formaldehyde issue coming up in my body. (It was however among other more major issues, like pesticide and petroleum solvent exposure.)

Debra’s Answer

Whether or not one reacts to a particular chemical exposure is a very individual thing.

It depends on how much you’ve been exposed to and how often, other chemicals in your body, your general health…you could put ten people in a room with the same chemical exposure and each will respond differently.

The traditional toxicology viewpoint is that it takes a certain amount of a chemical to cause a toxic response and that can happen all at once or build up in your body over time. But what we are learning now is that some chemicals–like endocrine disruptors–can cause damage at extremely low doses, and people with MCS can react to exposures well below those considered safe. Children are much more susceptible, as are the elderly and those with chronic illness.

I would say if you are having symptoms, and you have known sensitivites, even that small amount can pose a potential issue.

ANY amount of a chemical can cause problems for some people. There is no safe level for lead, for example.

I would suggest to you to remove the source of formaldehyde until you can be in the room with no symptoms.

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Question from holly

What is the healthiest microwave to buy re: outgassing? I don’t use the MW, but my Mom and husband do. My husband bought one and it smelled so bad we took it back immediately. I’m not concerned about the price, but I just don’t want the plastics, etc. off-gassing. Please advise.

Debra’s Answer

I certainly don’t know, as I don’t recommend microwave ovens at all.

But I’m posting your question because I understand when living with people sometimes you need to accommodate them.

Readers, any suggestions for a microwave oven that doesn’t smell of plastic?

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Question from Robin Hart

I just bought 100% white organic cotton sheets that were made in India, and they smell horrible. I have washed them 4 times and they are still to strong to tolerate. I have MCS they are now soaking in baking soda and organic apple cider vinegar and water solution. If that does not get rid of the smell, what else can I do. We have no clothes line and live in an HOA that does allow me to hang anything outside my home, like on the railing etc. Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Debra’s Answer

Call Daliya at nontoxic.com 1 800 968 9355. She has a number of products that can help remove odors.

Just a couple of days ago I was reading some success stories about Pure Body zeolite drops, which are designed to be taken internally to remove toxic chemicals from your body. But this person used them to remove fragrance from clothing. “I used 14 drops in the washing machine to wash some used clothes I purchased at Goodwill that had fragrance on them from fragranced laundry detergent and the Pure Body took most of the fragrance smell out!” Makes sense to me since they absorb air pollutants too.

This woman also used Pure Body zeolite drops to remove fragrance from her hands. “I accidentally got hit with a fragranced hand soap one day…I usually use rubbing alcohol to get fragrances off my hands after someone has shaken my hand or if I didn’t know that a hand soap had fragrance in it, but with this particular one, the rubbing alcohol didn’t make much a difference…so, I put a few drops of Pure Body into a cup of water and then used that to scrub my hands and rinse off and it took most of the fragrance off my hands right away! Just needed to scrub more into between fingers to get the rest.”

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Question from Junia

Debra, I have a baby bottle steriliser (Philips Avent, BPA Free) which uses water steam from a cup of water . What type of toxics are released from the vapour? Also, I’m currently looking for a used dehumidifier for my living room, but after looking around, all of them use hard plastic housing (not sure what about inside). Since dehumidifiers emit warm air, do you think it is safe to use? Should I be worried about the plastic offgassing, the compressor oil or other lubricants? Thank’s a lot.

Debra’s Answer

Here’s the science of plastic.

Softer plastics release vapors more easily than hard plastics.

Even hard plastics can release vapors when heated.

The worst possible way to use plastic is in conditions where it is heated.

Personally, I wouldn’t use a product of any kind that requires heating up plastic of any kind.

It doesn’t matter that this product is BPA-free. It could have other plastics and other emissions.

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I signed a petition at change.org asking President Obama to declare the month of May as Toxic Injury Awareness, Education and Prevention month.

You can read more and sign the petition here:

https://www.change.org/petitions/president-obama-declare-toxic-injury-awareness-education-and-prevention-month.

Please tell others.

Question from Derbra Lynn Dadd

Ever since your enthusiastic response to my post Let’s petition to remove scent from products through change.org. I’ve been thinking about what we can do to accomplish the goal of reducing or eliminating toxic fragrances from public places. I’m considering how best to do the petition, and there are other things we can do to improve the situation without depending on the decision of a multinational corporation.

One of them is to promote products of all types that could be used instead of the ones with toxic fragrances. I’m working on such a list and would like your help.

The first thing I want to do is add a “fragrance-free” search to Debra’s List. But to do that I need to define what “fragrance-free means.

I want to get your opinion.

Over the years, “fragrance-free,” “unscented” and other such terms have meant to me that a product contains no toxic petrochemical fragrances.

On Debra’s List I allow products that contain natural essential oils as functional ingredients or for scent. These I do not consider to be toxic, but neither are they fragrance-free. They have a fragrance, just not a toxic fragrance. I allow them because many natural and organic products have their own scent from the ingredients used, not added. And they are not petrochemical fragrances. So should “fragrance free” mean “no petrochemical fragrances” or “no fragrances of any sort from any source”?

On the other hand I have steered away from including products like All Free & Clear which are fragrance-free but basically petrochemical detergents. Should I include these?

It seems to me that for our purposes I should include on a “fragrance-free list” any product that does not have toxic petrochemical fragrance, making note of 1) products that contain natural fragrances and 2) products that are made from petrochemicals or may have toxic ingredients. This way, anyone choosing products from a list would have the greatest number to choose from. Someone who is an average consumer, for example, may be willing to switch to All Free & Clear, but not Soapnuts. And then there is another whole type of consumer that doesn’t want to give up fragrance but might switch to a natural one.

How does this sound to you?

Any comments on this criteria?

I think if we can get more people to use existing fragrance-free products, then we can encourage other manufacturers to eliminate the fragrance as we want them too.

Also, any fragrance-free products you would like to add here are welcome.

Here are some interesting links to pages that discuss the definition of unscented and fragrance-free. There is no legal definition.

Birch Hill Happenings: What is Meant by Unscented, Fragrance Free, Scent Free and More?
http://birchhillhappenings.com/unscented.htm

Our Little Place: FDA “Regulation” of Cosmetics and Fragrances
http://www.ourlittleplace.com/fda.html
http://www.ourlittleplace.com/terms.html

Question from Orsolya

Hi Debra, I just noticed that all my organic baby bodysuits has a white patch in side behind the embroidery design. I believe it is called Pellon interfacing fabric. Is it safe for babies? Thank you so much! Orsolya

Debra’s Answer

Well…Pellon interfacing fabrics are made from polyester. They have a whole line of interfacings. Some are made from 100% polyester and others have a little nylon. But they are not organic in any way shape or form, so what are they doing in in organic baby bodysuits?

Is it safe for babies? It would be difficult to make a case for a tiny amount of polyester interfacing being toxic. But polyester can effect your energy field and may be irritating to the skin.

Personally, I stick with 100% natural fibers and organic whenever possible. I wish these manufacturers would understand organic should be ALL organic.

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Question from Shar

Hi Debra! I was wondering if a phthalate-free pvc kids exercise ball would be safe for my young grandson. The brand is Wai Lana and the ball is advertised as not having lead or bpa. Is there a “safe” pvc?

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know of a “safe” pvc.

What you have here is a “less toxic” pvc because it contains no lead or phthalates (often found in PVC) and no BPA (never found in lead).

But PVC is still vinyl chloride, and the softer the plastic, the more the vinyl chloride will outgas, and vinyl chloride is known to cause cancer. Will the amount of vinyl chloride that might outgass from an exercise ball cause cancer? Probably not. But it’s not just the vinyl chloride in the exercise ball. We are exposed to many other toxic chemicals, which, in combination become more harmful as they interact with each other in your body. So every exposure we can eliminate helps to protect our health.

Children can get plenty of exercise running around and playing games without toxic exercise balls.

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Question from More Sharing Services

HealthyStuff.org has a new 2012 Garden Products Study which tested 179 common garden products. The product most tested and of most concern was the the ordinary everyday garden hose.

They found levels of lead that exceeded Consumer Product Safety Commission levels (and there is actually no safe level for lead) and more lead, phtalates, and BPA in the hoses themselves.

Read the HealthyStuff.org 2012 Garden Products Study, which includes recommendations for choosing safe hoses and specific brand names.

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Sunny

I am slowly detoxifying my bedroom. I plan on painting the walls with milk paint and buying a new bed frame and mattress (with bedding). I can’t afford to do it all at once but is there an order?

I am very concerned about having my old mattress on my new wood frame. Will my old mattress leach chemicals into the wood like it does to our bodies? I don’t want to spend a lot of money just to transfer the chemicals to another surface (even a tiny bit). If there was an organic wool mattress company out there that took payments then I could so it all at once 🙂

Debra’s Answer

I would paint first. Then mattress, then frame.

What are you going to put this mattress on before you get the new frame??

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Question from Diane

I had my a/c serviced and had them use peroxide to disinfect and follow with reverse osmosis water. My upstairs unit has a chemical smell in the air now. the only other addition was a new filter media by Lennox called Healthy Climate. Do you have any ideas what could be causing it? I am having them switch to the Spacegaurd media to see if that makes a difference but the odor is really strong in one of my rooms and the fan and unit have been off for over 24 hours. appreciate any suggestions on flushing the system out. HVAC owner does not know what it could be either. Thanks

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know what this odor could be.

Readers? Any experience with this?

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Question from Angelique

I need a nontoxic drywall mud, quick! Someone had told me the Kerabond would be a good choice, but after mixing a little I realized that it’s a sandy grout, ONLY for use with tiles. (By the way, it’s totally safe for me! Now I want to do a tile project!) Anyway, some workmen used Murco here a few years ago, but I had a bad experience with that. Any suggestions? This time I’m doing the mudding myself (it’s just covering a few seams.)

Debra’s Answer

The most-recommended least-toxic joint compound for years has been Murco, I don’t know of another one.

Just looked up Murco to give you a link, but the company website was down. Don’t know if it’s temporary or permanent. www.murcowall.com

Anyone know of another one?

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Question from Denise

Has anyone ever used Nellie’s laundry soda? http://www.nelliesallnatural.com/

Debra’s Answer

Readers? Has anyone used this product?

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Question from Nancy

Debra, We have installed 3 floating wood floors in three different houses. They used duck glue in the joints with a pad. The salespeople suggest we glue down the floor, but I was always afraid to do so.

I am going to install my 4th hardwood floor in a new house and the salespeople again suggest I use the glued down approach. I am considering it this time. They tell me the smell disapates in a few days. Also it is better if you have a leak, it won’t travel as it would on a floating floor. (The dishwasher always made me nervous as we also have wood in the kitchen.)

When you installed your floor, you said you used yellow carpenters glue. Is your floor considered a floating floor ( with a pad) or is it a glued down floor. I do have MCS so I need to be careful. They also suggested that I should go to some of their recent jobs (done a few days to a week) and see if there is an odor. Don’t know if this will be a true test. Your thoughts please. Nancy

Debra’s Answer

My floor was not a floating floor, I’ve glued wood floors down directly to wood or concrete subfloors.

My current favorite glue for wood floors is Titebond II because it is waterproof (important in the kitchen) and just as nontoxic as any other yellow woodworker’s glue.

What type of glue do they want to use? I would only use yellow woodworker’s glue.

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Question from audrey

What type of wood frame do you have? Been looking in to ash but not sure if that is okay for mcs (I know pine is bad). Is your wood frame is unfinished? If it is, does it get warped in the humidity of Florida – I too live in Florida. Also if you did have it finished, what sealer did you use?

Also re your mattress. My 23 plus year old mattress which I got from Janices has coils and I am becoming more and more aware of emfs so I want/time for a new one.

Would getting an organic cotton mattress with wool in the middle of the cotton be more comfortable than all cotton without coils? I want to avoid getting a box spring so have to get platform type of frame. Just cannot face dragging mattress and box spring outside on my balcony to air out and then bringing it in. Getting to hard for me to do those things. Thanks.

I have been thinking of using White Lotus – have gotten things from them before and they are very helpful. Just wish I could go to NJ and see/try out the mattresses etc.

Debra’s Answer

I honestly don’t know what type of wood my bed frame is. I bought it twelve years ago on sale at just a regular mattress store. It was a close-out sale and there was only one. It was the floor sample. I know it’s solid wood. It does have some kind of finish, don’t know what it is, but it had already outgassed by the time I found it. .

You’re right that most people with MCS don’t tolerate pine (or cedar, but I’ve never seen a cedar bed frame). I had another bed frame that was make of oak that I really liked.

You’re right that most people with MCS don’t tolerate pine (or cedar, but I’ve never seen a cedar bed frame). I had another bed frame that was make of oak that I really liked.

You mentioned a platform type of frame. I have a frame with wood slats. A platform frame is a solid piece of some type of wood, wood slats are individual pieces of wood spaced out so you natural mattress can breathe. It’s important to have wood slats so there is air flow and your natural mattress can breathe.

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Question from Lynn

My 23 year old son just moved into a house with 2 other people. The landlord had just refinished the floors 2 weeks prior and have since done a second coat. He tried turning up the heat for 24 hours, opening the windows with fans going and then repeating the process for a week.

Apparently the heat source in the house is not so great. He even added some electric heaters. It stills smells awful and he is still unable to live there full time. It has been 7 weeks since the floors were redone. They also put new carpet in his bedroom and he has used an AFM product on it which he may need to repeat.

Any other ideas for the polyurethane smell.? Maybe something topically.

Any suggestions for supplements to help his liver cope?I told him Dandelion and cilantro.

Debra’s Answer

Wow. Do you know what product was used? Sounds like it might be oil-based because a water-based finish should have outgassed by now.

Honestly, this sounds like a pretty toxic place. Can he just find another place to live?

Just to be clear, it’s the solvents that are smelling, not the polyurethane. I don’t know of anything to apply to seal in the odor. What you want to do is cure it.

Here is a great herbal liver supplement that I have taken myself: Liver Balance Plus.

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Question from Cecilia

Dear Debra, Are tung oil and linseed oil safe as wood furniture finishes? Pacific Rim uses a blend of tung oil, linseed oil, and Varathane in their furniture.

Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

Tung Oil comes from cold pressing of the seeds or nuts of the Tung tree. Tung trees mainly grow in the mountainous regions of China. The oil has been prized for centuries for it’s qualities as a wood finish. Tung oil penetrates deeply into wood, enhancing the character of the wood while creating a beautiful water-resistant finish. The ancient Chinese used tung oil to waterproof ships.

These qualities make tung oil perfect for wood bowls, counter tops, outdoor furniture, decks, wood siding, wood flooring, concrete, brick and just about any porous surface that needs a nontoxic waterproof protection.

When choosing a tung oil, it’s important to select one that has no additives or distillates. Tung oil labeled “pure” should be just that. Check the MSDS to see if there are any additional ingredient. One tung oil product I checked had 73.77% Stoddard Solvent (aka petroleum distillates), plus Trimethylbenzene, Ethylbenzene, and Cobalt Naphthenate, all very toxic VOCs.

Because the source of tung oil is a nut, people with nut allergies should avoid contact with (or even the odour of) tung oil. Otherwise, pure tung oil is a safe and natural finish.

Linseed oil is obtained from the dried ripe seeds of the flax plant, which is also used to make linen fabric. The oil is obtained by cold pressing, sometimes followed by solvent extraction.

Linseed oil has “polymer-forming properties, which means the molecules have characteristics similar to plastics. Linseed oil is used on its own or blended with other oils, resins, and solvents to make wood finish, to bind pigments in oil paints, as a plasticizer and hardener in putty and in the manufacture of linoleum.

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Question from green-earth

Hi Debra,

Do you know anything about the natural oils present in organic cotton towels? I need new facial towels and was looking into getting organic. However, what has turned me off is that many stores selling it have stated their organic towels require 5 or 6 washings to get the natural oils out of the cotton. This concerns me because I don’t want these oils/residues ending up in my washer, nor do I want on my skin if I don’t wash them enough. It might cause an allergy? Plus it’s kind of a pain to go through so much effort. Do you know much about these oils/residues? I personally think these companies should sell their towels already washed and ready to use.

Debra’s Answer

Well, I agree with you. There’s no reason why a consumer should have to wash a textile product that many times before using it.

Some people do have allergic reactions to the natural oils in organic cotton. But it’s not toxic.

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Question from joseph

What is a way to remove wall paper that was applied 27 years ago. I don’t know what type of glue was used. I have severe MCS. so it has to be fragrance free.

thank you,

joseph

Debra’s Answer

Here are some instructions from DIY Network: DIY: How to Remove Wallpaper

The only problem is that it calls for using fabric softener, and most fabric softeners contain fragrance.

Here are some fabric softeners advertised to be fragrance-free:

Ultra Downey Free & Sensitive “All the softness of Downy without dyes or perfumes.”

Refreshingly Free sells various brands of unscented fabric softener

Readers, any favorite fragrance-free fabric softeners?

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Question from Mary

I have a pet peeve and I’d like your opinion. I frequently see advertisements with the message printed in white or colored ink against a solid black backgrouond. My assumption is that black ink uses more petrochemicals than lighter colors and therefore printing the message on a lighter background is more ecological. Also, if the paper is recycled it will require more bleach. I am hoping that if you publish this, perhaps eventually it will reach various publishers and they will be moved to change their procedures. Or am I all wet?

Debra’s Answer

I understand!

Black ink would use more black pigment than lighter colors, yes, but I’m not sure it’s petrochemicals. Iron oxide is also used as a black pigment, and that is a naturally occurring mineral.

And yes, if the paper is then recycled, it might require more bleach to get this black ink out.

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Question from Julia

I am thinking of moving into an apartment that used Howard Restor-A-Finish on the wooden kitchen cabinets. Do you think this product is as bad as polyurathane, which is my worst trigger? Do you think it would be safe to live there 2-3 weeks after they applied Restor-A-Finish? http://www.howardproducts.com/prod-restor-a-finish.php Thank you for any advice you may have.

Debra’s Answer

According to the Restor-A-Finish MSDS the product contains a number of hazardous ingredients, however they are all very volatile and would evaporate over time.

Heat will speed the process.

If polyurethane is your worse trigger, I would look for an apartment that has cabinets that were not recently refinished.

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Question from Julia

Are Bamboo bedsheets that are 100% viscose safe for people with MCS? If not, what kind of chemical free sheets do you recommend?

Debra’s Answer

As always, I cannot recommend anything as “safe for people with MCS” because each person with MCS has their own individual sensitivities, often even to materials that are not toxic.

I can say that I consider bamboo viscose to be not inherently toxic.

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Question from Donna

What are your thoughts on the risks of living close to a golf course (i.e. exposure to air-borne residue and chemicals leaching into well water) ? What is a safe distance to live from a golf course?

Debra’s Answer

Beyond Pesticides has compiled a comprehensive resource for information on golf courses and their impact on health and the environment. Look there for more information on the dangers of the pesticides used.

I think the answer to your question about a safe distance to live from a golf course varies a lot with the golf course, the pesticides used and how deep your water table is.

I’ve read studies that say to live at least 300 feet from a pollution source, such as a highway, gas station, or dry cleaners, so I would think a golf course would be the same. That’s the length of a football field.

But air is moving all the time, and pesticides can easily be carried on a breeze.

In an urban or suburban area it’s difficult to find a spot that is more than 300 feet from one pollution source or another.

I live two miles from a small golf course, about 6 blocks by 6 blocks square. I have no idea what pesticides they use or don’t use. I’ve not noticed any problems with pesticide drift from this golf course.

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Question from Mommy_of_Sebastian_and_Gabrielli

Hi Debra! I am wondering if there is a natural way to get a musty smell out of my older son’s Naturepedic wool/cotton mattress. It was stored in a closet in our home for a year or so, and now it smells…I guess from lack of air circulation? my husband doesn’t notice it, but I certainly do! It has a waterproof coating on it. It is only two and a half years old, was only used for a year, and cost $300, so I’d like to try to salvage it for my younger son if possible. Thank you for any suggestions you can offer! ~Melissa

Debra’s Answer

Musty odors are the result of moisture in the air, so if you had wrapped it in polyethylene plastic to be water and air tight, this might have been prevented. The odor is from a mold.

I would say try putting it in the sun or a heated room with nothing else in the room, vented to the outdoors.

My concern is that the mold causing the may have penetrated into the mattress. This would depend on the amount of moisture.

Breathing musty air can cause respiratory problems, so if you can’t clean this up to the point where you can’t smell it, it would be better and less expensive in the long run to get a new mattress.

You also might contact Naturepedic with this question.

Question from nancy williams

Hi Debra, Do you know whether any chemically sensitive people have been able to tolerate a new product called “Zero Odor”. It is proprietary ingredients, but claims to encapsulate the odor molecules, and eliminate them rather than covering them up. I am having difficulty finding a used minivan with stow and go seats, as they all have smoke or air fresheners. This recent product says it works on smoke odor. Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

Has anyone tried Zero Odor?

Looking for a link to their website, I also found SCOE 10X “Immediate & Permanent Odor Elimination Technology.” They say it “is completely non-toxic, hypoallergenic, biodegradable, environmentally friendly and very safe to use. SCOE 10X ;contains no biocidal properties whatsoever.”

“SCOE 10X contains no fragrances, alcohols or solvents (found in most other odor eliminator products like Febreze, ZeroOdor and Urine Gone) which are potentially dangerous.”

Anyone tried SCOE 10x?

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Question from NS

I was just about to buy a latex mattress, and found out that during the process of making latex they use zinc oxide and sulfur. They also use ammonia, but said they use a de-ammoniation afterwards. He said that it might not get all of the ammonia out though.

I’m very wary now to purchase a latex mattress. They are very expensive, and for what I have to pay for one, I don’t want any chemicals.

I have a couple of questions: 1. Is iron oxide and sulfur bad? 2. Which mattress do you think would be less toxic: a Savvy Rest latex mattress(using talalay & dunlop), or an organic cotton/wool innerspring Royal Pedic mattress? I know innerspring mattresses aren’t optimal because of EMFs, but now I’m really concerned about the stuff added to latex.

I would love your input on this. Thanks for any information.

Debra’s Answer

I’m not concerned about EMFs in innerspring mattreses see EMFs and Innerspring Mattresses: A Correction.

Iron oxide and sulfur are both natural elements.

Iron oxide is not toxic, but it is what is known as a “nuisance dust” and so can cause lung irritation if present in high amounts. I don’t think a latex mattress would give off much, if any, iron oxide.

Sulfur is not toxic in small amount or in it’s natural state. Again, the breathing of sulfur dust is a hazard more than toxicity (damage to cells). When burned, sulfur turns into sulfur dioxide or hydrogen sulfide, which are very toxic gasses.

I don’t know how much of either of these substances may be left in latex by the time it goes through processing.

I personally won’t sleep on a latex mattress or pillow because I can’t tolerate the latex itself. But I recommend them as a natural alternative to polyurethane foam, if others want to use them. It is also very common for people to develop allergies to latex from repeated exposure, as in wearing rubber gloves.

By contrast, an organic cotton mattress has fewer chemicals but an innerspring mattress has EMF problems with the metal coils.

Question from Sunny S.

Hi Debra! I am packing away baby clothes for a possible one in the far future 🙂 Right now the clothes are in the house in cardboard boxes but they are soon moving into the garage. I’m afraid of smells and whatever else might get into the boxes (moths, mold, etc.)if they are not sealed. I’m trying to stay away from toxic plastic. Are there non-toxic storage containers out there big enough for storing clothes or are there non-toxic trash bags I should wrap the clothes in and then put in the cardboard boxes? Thank you in advance!

Debra’s Answer

Yes! I have the perfect thing for you.

A few years ago my husband and I were planning a move back to California (which we never did) and started to sort through our things, selling and giving some away, and packing blankets, clothing, and other such items.

We found Hefty One Zip Big Bags which are like zip-lock sandwich bags, only huge. They are made from the same polypropylene, so toxic exposure is practically nonexistent. I still use these for storage if I want to store something in the garage and make sure it doesn’t get damaged.

Most of the sandwich bag manufacturers make big bags. I’ve tried them all and like Hefty the best because the zip lock has a slider and it is easier to zip. Also the zip is more secure than other’s I’ve tried.

Question from Tjay Math

My spouse is extremely ill & also suffers from severe MCS. We recently purchased some flannel bed sheets from a reputable company. The product was Oeko-Tex® certified but the dye odor was extreme, even after frequent washings. We were led to believe that Oeko-Tex® certified meant chemically free. Should we be looking for different certification for MCS safe product?

Debra’s Answer

First, Oeko-Tex® does not certify anything to be “MCS-safe.” And further, nobody could do that because each person with MCS has their own sensitivities, even to products that are nontoxic. For example, organic cotton is about as chemical-free a material as you can get, but some people with MCS do not tolerate it because of the natural oils that remain in organic cotton that are not processed out.

Certification organizations set a standard and then test products and certify that they meet that standard. In most cases, they certify to LOW emissions, not NO emissions.

My recommendation for more than thirty years has been for people with MCS to choose products of the lowest toxicity they can find. There are products that exist with NO fragrance, NO formaldehyde, etc. I do my best to list them at debraslist.com and in this Q&A blog.

Evaluate products for yourself. Don’t rely on certifications.

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