Question from starflower

Hello Debra! I love your blog! We recently purchased an S-brand mattress (with a memory foam pillow top) from a local store that doesn’t offer any organic alternatives. It stunk, and I started researching, and found all the terrible info on traditional beds (wish I had started this research before we purchased!) Nevertheless, we cannot afford to replace this bed with an organic one at this point, and so I am trying to find ways to reduce our exposure to the VOCs. We co-sleep with our 1 year old, so I’m really concerned about this now.

Do you think putting a 3″ natural latex/wool topper would provide a bit of a buffer for us from the VOCs? I realize they’re still emanating from the mattress, but at least our noses/skin would not be right on top of it.

At least we got a good price on this heap of VOCs. I won’t feel bad replacing it in a few years!

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

An organic topper will NOT provide much protection from the chemicals outgassing from the mattress.

One thing you can do is wrap your mattress with foil insulation (one brand is Reflectix–sold at home improvement stores). It is a layer of foil fused to two layers of polyethylene plastic. The polyethylene is nontoxic and the aluminum foil witll block the fumes. Wrap the mattress and tape to close with aluminum foil tape, which is sold where you buy the Reflectix.

THEN put the topper on and you’ll be pretty safe.

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Question from Cheryl3

Hi Debra and all,

Are Visions Lids also non toxic? I haven’t yet heard back from their CS. Also, it says Visions cookware is “made of a non-porous glass-ceramic material which won’t absorb food odors or flavors or react with acid-based foods.” I think they used to be all glass,(although enamel is usually non toxic I guess) I assume they’re still completely non toxic since they’re on your list? Can these be used on electric glass/ceramic stovetops? Thanks again.

Debra’s Answer

Visions lids are made from the same material as the pots.

They are not 100% glass, they are glass combined with a small amount of ceramic to give the glass the performance features. But it is all bound up in the glass and does not leach.

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Question from Cheryl3

This may seem a silly question, but I’ve never had a shower filter. If we get a handheld shower head w/filter and then in the future decide to get the whole house filter, can we just stop replacing the filter but keep the showerhead since the water would then be being filtered throughout the house? Dos anyone know if there would be a problem with leaving the place where you normally put the filter empty? Is it even possible? I just don’t want to have to get rid of the showerhead & hose when we eventually get a whole house filter which we are not able to do just yet. Thanks again.

Debra’s Answer

I don’t see any problem in leaving your showerhead in place when you get a whole house filter. A showerhead is a showerhead.

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Question from Cheryl3

Hi,

In the various pots we’ve considered, I haven’t seen the exact term “hard anodized” regarding aluminum. They refer to their aluminum process as being “encased”, “encapsulated”, aluminum base “capped by stainless steel” etc. So, what other terms are essentially the same or as safe as “anodized aluminum?” Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

Anodized is a specific process where the aluminum is dipped into a hot acid bath that seals the aluminum by changing it’s molecular structure. Once anodized, aluminum will not leach into food. I have seen this term on pots and pans.

Encased and encapsulated aren’t quite the same thing. There is no encasing in anodizing. It changes the molecular structure.

Encased and encapsulated would indicate some kind of covering that would hold something to keep it from leaching. But I don’t know what they would use. Call the manufacturer.

Capped by stainless steel, would be just that—aluminum with an outer covering of stainless steel that would block any contact of the aluminum with the food.

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Question from Inga

Dear Debra,

We had engineered hardwood floors installed in 2 bedrooms over 8 weeks ago. 7 days later I was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia (both lungs) and am still recovering. The fumes are still there, and I can’t enter those rooms without getting an asthma attack and chest pain. We’re not sure if it’s the adhesive or the finish, but I’m very sensitive. We’ve tried open windows, a dehumidifier, window fans, floor fans, and, recently, a ceramic space heater. We moved our 2 small children into our bedroom and the furniture into the halls; it is getting a little cramped. Should we wait a few more months for the VOCs to off-gass? Should we remove the wood and install ceramic tiles? We are even considering moving…any ideas? Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

I think you will be fine to simply remove the engineered flooring and replace it with ceramic tile. No need to move.

This is why I do NOT recommend engineered floors.

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Question from Junia

Hi, Debra…

I read about the danger of vinyl wallpaper, that it continues to emit VOC for a long time.

Do you know if after 2 years after installation, it still emits a substantial amount of VOC?

Anything I could do to seal the offgasing?

Thank’s…

Debra’s Answer

The amount of VOC from vinyl wallpaper decreases over time, but how long it takes to completely outgas depends on the conditions in the room, particularly heat.

There is a product called Safe Seal that may work for a sealant. Call the manufacturer and see if it can be applied to vinyl wallpaper and if it will block VOCs.

You would need to specifically use a sealant that is a sealant. Simply painting over something won’t block fumes because paint is not designed for this purpose.

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Question from starlight

We just purchased & brought home a toilet that says it is antimicrobial. Apparently, the entire toilet is treated with whatever makes it antimicrobial, according to the picture. Also, it doesn’t have a wooden toilet seat. What makes it antimicrobial and how safe is this to have in the home?

Debra’s Answer

I would call the manufacturer and ask what they use. Could be triclosan, a pretty toxic chemical.

I was just shopping for a new adding machine (mine broke) and they had an antimicrobial adding machine to eliminate dangerous bacteria on adding machine keys.

Uh-huh. We don’t need antimicrobial chemicals on every single surface.

I love my wooden toilet seat (which, by the way, is naturally antimicrobial).

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Question from petercsantoro@yahoo.com

I am looking for an everyday, comfortable, natural shoe.

I came across a brand called “El Naturalista” and was wondering if you heard of them (didn’t see them mentioned in any blogs here). The pair I am looking at is made of vegetable tanned leather upper with A ” cushioned, recycled, carbon insole and recycled rubber outsole.” I was wondering what you thought of this.

Also found the Vivobarefoot shoe, and the Vibram Five Fingers shoes, which are supposed to be better for your feet and are close to walking barefoot…but I don’t know about the materials and wonder if you know of these and what you think. I would like to try a pair since they were recommended for relieving back pain.

How natural should we get with shoes? How important is it? It’s hard to find shoes made of natural materials that are affordable too… Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

Yes, it is hard to find affordable shoes made with natural materials.

Personally, I spend the extra money and just get fewer pairs of shoes, because toxic chemicals outgassing from shoes can be absorbed through your skin.

El Naturalista sounds good from the description.

Don’t know the other brands and couldn’t find any materials listed on their websites. The photos look like synthetics for both of them.

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