Question from kathy

I need to get area rug pads – I would like more than just the grip kind. A thicker, felt-like one is ideal. Do you know of any sources that are not toxic, don’t off-gas, etc.

Thanks,

Kathy

Debra’s Answer

You might like Earth Weave’s Enertia Carpet Padding

They also have an all natural rubber gripper pad.

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Question from Lisa

I’m hoping someone can help.

I’ve lived in a small cottage for three years and have had no health issues. I’m chemically sensitive, but this place has been perfect. And I’m in super health and very fit.

In December, I started having symptoms out of the blue while in the cottage (headache, lung pain, hoarseness, fatigue, dizziness, foggy head, dry cough, etc.) similar to those that I experience when exposed to chemicals such as formaldehyde and benzene, etc. I felt so bad that I moved to friend’s house for a week and was totally fine again. The symptoms returned when I returned to the cottage. I left again for a weekend and was great again. All symptoms back when I returned.

I had PG&E test for CO and gas and they found nothing. I had the cottage tested for mold and it came back with an extremely low count (much higher outside) and the inspector said that it was very very low, that there’s more mold outside. I have no sinus issues or itchiness. There is no new furniture and nothing about the environment has changed. Nothing is new. I even asked the neighbors about pesticides and nothing.

I’m hoping someone can offer ideas about anything I might be missing here. Again, have been fine for three years. Am fine when out for a day. Someone mentioned florescent bulbs as a possible problem, but none are broken and never have been. Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

Readers? Any ideas?

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Question from Annie

Do u think glow in the dark stickers are bad? I assume they have some sort of phosphor containing chemical on them? Bad to touch?

Debra’s Answer

All glow-in-the-dark products contain phosphors, a substance that radiates visible light after being energized.

Chemists have created thousands of chemical substances that have a phosphor effect. Phosphors have three factors:

The type of energy they require to be energized

The color of the visible light that they produce

The length of time that they glow after being energized (known as the persistence of the phosphor)

A glow-in-the-dark toy needs a phosphor that is energized by normal light and that has a very long persistence. Two phosphors that have these properties are Zinc Sulfide and Strontium Aluminate. Strontium Aluminate has a much longer persistence than Zinc Sulfide does. Whatever the phosphor, it is mixed into a plastic and molded to make something glow-in-the-dark.

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Question from EK

Hi Debra! I’m looking to buy a new a comforter and unfortunately i’m allergic to feathers and my husband doesn’t handle wool very welI. I came across a comforter which was made of recycled polyester and lyocell fibers and was hoping you would be able to explain what this is and if its a less toxic option than polyester. I’d also like to thank you for many years of guidance!

Debra’s Answer

Recycled polyester isn’t any less toxic than virgin polyester, it’s just recycled rather than going into a landfill.

Lyocell is a type of rayon. Rayon is made from regenerated cellulose fiber of various types. In the past, rayon was usually made from cotton fibers too short to spin into yarn. Lyocell is made from wood pulp. Bamboo fabrics are made by the same process, but will cellulose from bamboo.

There are other natural comforter fillings you might want to try, including silk, milkweed, cotton…there’s even a bamboo comforter with bamboo cover and fill. Google each of these for sources.

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Question from Sofas

Hi Debra, your website is great! So glad to have found it. I’m finding the organic toxin free furniture is so very unaffordable. Is there any website you have come across that doesn’t have flame retardants at least. Basically second best I guess. Ikea? Looking for a couch or two. From Canada too.

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know of any readymade sofas that do not have fire retardants of some kind or another. They are required by law.

I suggest that you type “sofa” in my site search box and read all the other posts on this subject, if you haven’t already.

Readers? Any suggestions?

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Question from GREENDAD2B

Debra – you rock. Just interested as to why the Ikea Sniglar is okay in your book, given the fiberboard. Hoping you have a great explanation so I can buy it and be happy that it’s not only the offspring of the wealthy who get to breathe clean air. Thanks

Debra’s Answer

I saw this crib at IKEA. The frame is solid wood. The fiberboard is the platform on which the mattress sits. I don’t believe it is particleboard. There are many different types of “fiberboard.”

I don’t have a crib in front of me at the moment to look at it again. But even if it is particleboard, that platform could easily be replaced and the crib is very inexpensive.

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Question from June

Has anybody used Wet and Forget? It’s for removing stains and mold from outside patios. You just spray it on and leave it…the rain is supposed to wash it away….there are concerns about pets listed on the label…Is it even safe to breathe? Would appreciate any information anybody has…Thank you…June

Debra’s Answer

Here is the MSDS for Wet and Forget

It lists the health effects.

Readers, any experience with this product?

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