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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