Art | Resources
I Can Breathe! Masks
A great selection of face masks developed and made by a woman with an adult onset lung disorder, to take control of her environment. Various masks have different purposes, including an organic cotton comfort mask that reduces exposure to particles like dust and pollen, a silk comfort mask also for particles, and a honeycomb activated carbon filter that reduces exposures to smog, smoke, ozone, diesel exhaust, fragrances, and particles (ideal for travel to strange polluted places…”effective for poor air quality infoors or on airplanes.”). And more! The website gives many reasons why YOU might want to use a face mask to protect your lungs and health.
Is Duck Brand Duct Tape Toxic?
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.
Vita Futura
An impressive selection of PVC-free shower curtains made from nontoxic PEVA plastic with more than two dozen different colorful designs! They also carry organic cotton towels.
A Scientist’s Crusade Against Household Toxics
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.
How Should I Clean My Dryer Vent?
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.
Deck Stain
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?
Debra’s Answer
Readers, any experience with these?
Baltimore Soaps and More
Truly unscented soaps, butters, scrubs, and balms, handmade by a woman who understands the meaning of the word. “I developed MCS in 2005 and now make unscented natural soaps from scratch. I don’t use any dyes or anything artificial. Body butters, lip balms, and bath teas too – all made without added fragrances in my scent free, smoke free, pesticide free home. Please warn MCS folks not to purchase handmade soaps from soapmakers who use essential oils or fragrance oils because their hands, molds, storage areas, packaging, etc. will all be fragrance contaminated. Although I add a variety of botanicals for beauty, variety, and skin loving properties, the lye process zaps 99% of the scent of anything I add (I note exceptions in my write-ups) and so most smell simply like a fresh bar of soap. I can no longer work outside of the home due to my MCS and so purchasing my soaps helps support my family.”
Natural Earth Paint
Eco-friendly paint kits using pure nontoxic earth pigments for adult artists and children. “Millions of years in the making,” these naturally-colored clays are collected from the ground, dried, crushed and sifted into pure pigment. The standard water-soluble children’s kit includes six natural earth colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue and brown), biodegradable mixing cups, complete directions, and nature-based activity ideas. Their oil painting kit–for artists of all ages who want to eliminate unnecessary toxics from their painting practice–includes the same six colors plus a 4 oz. bottle of refined walnut oil for mixing. Individual pigments (including white, black, and violet) also available for purchase. “This beautiful paint has greater UV resistance, longevity, purity, and luminosity than synthetic paints, and it yields a rich, unique luster on the canvas. Enjoy the satisfaction of painting with actual Earth while avoiding any harm to yourself, your child, or the environment.”
USAlpaca Company
Pachmana Alpaca Pillows are bed and nursing pillows made of 100% US organic cotton with 100% US natural alpaca fill, an organic, luxurious replacement for pillows usually made of toxic styrene. “Pillows are the worst offenders in the bedding industry because we breathe in their toxic out-gassing every night for hours. The Pachmana pillow allows your body to rest at night, because it has no toxins to fight off. It is as peaceful as the animals it comes from…I was so alarmed at the recent reports on toxins in nursing pillows and pillows in general that I designed a new company where we are using only 100% US organic cotton and only all-natural alpaca fill.” Alpaca fiber has a semi-hollow core, deterring dust mites, the leading cause of asthma and allergies in the bedroom. This porous alpaca fiber creates an extra insulation value for a constant balance of temperature when we are in contact with it. Unlike wool, alpaca does not contain lanolin, it is hypoallergenic and does not itch or prick like wool. Because alpaca is naturally fire resistant, no toxic chemicals are used. Lifetime guarantee. Buy this pillow once and you can send your pillow back at any time to have it adjusted, refreshed or get a brand new cover for only $25. They also sell organic cotton sheets and alpaca blankets made especially for them by Pendelton.
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Listen to my interview with USAlpaca Company Founder and Owner Robbin Martinelli. |
Persistent Odors in Toilet Bowl After Cleaning
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?
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.
