Art | Resources
Janice’s
Yes, there really is a Janice and she was one of the first to make natural fiber beds and bedding for people with multiple chemical sensitivities. They sell innerspring and natural latex foam mattresses, plus their own barrier-cloth covered pillows, organic bedlinens, and natural fiber mattress pads. “Whenever articles are not obtainable through traditional manufacturing sources, we produce them in our own sewing room with our 100% cotton fabrics and batting. When necessary, we carefully wash and rinse fabrics prior to construction. Our seamstresses are experts in their crafts and maintain the sewing room in immaculate condition. As a contamination precaution, our employees do not smoke or wear perfumed products while at work.”
Janice’s
Yes, there really is a Janice. Since 1979, when she started this business to meet her own needs, this catalog has been a main source of supply for people with multiple chemical sensitivities. Physicians all over the country refer their patients to them. They offer the purest bedding, bath, kitchen and personal items available. When articles are not obtainable through traditional manufacturing sources, they produce them in our own sewing room with their 100% cotton fabrics and batting. They carefully wash and rinse fabrics prior to construction. As a contamination precaution, employees do not smoke or wear perfumed products while at work. Products include baby bedding, beds and bedding, cellophane bags, fabrics, household, clothing for men and women, and personal care products.
Jaffe Bros.
A long-time supplier of organically grown, untreated, dried fruits, nuts, dates, seeds, grains, and other organic staples.
JaDecor Natural Cotton Wallcovering
"An elegant natural cotton wall covering" made with natural fibers and minerals, that is troweled on the wall to give color and texture. This unique material also provides thermal insulation, sound absorption, humidity control (can be used in bathrooms and kitchens), and seamless coverage. It will not attract dust and can be used to cover cracks in walls. Can be applied to most surfaces and can be customized to any decor with dyes and addition of other natural fibers. Requires professional installation (not a do-it-yourself product). Certified by the Institute for Bau-Biologie in Germany.
Youth Juice for Antioxidants
Question from Savanna
Hello Debra, I was wondering if you new anything about Youth Juice manufactured by Our World Network? I have used if for a couple of months and like it, I like the idea of having a whole food nutritional supplement. It is made of berries and sea vegetables. However, I have read some disturbing things about the founders of the company and products that have been produced by them in the past (Sleepees-potentially harmful ingredients were not disclosed in the ingredients list). I was wondering if you new if this was a good product and if you would recommend taking it. Thanks Savanna
Debra’s Answer
I would not recommend taking Youth Juice. I don’t know anything about the concerns you mention, but I don’t think it’s a necessary product or even the best antioxidant supplement.
Youth Juice is sold as an antioxidant product. It is made from organic berries and sea vegetables.
Antioxidants are necessary to combat free radicals in your body. Free radicals are molecules with unpaired electrons on their outer shells. Just like us humans who want to be with a mate, these unpaired electrons are looking to mate up with other electrons. But instead of mating with a “single” electron, they go steal “husbands” and “wives” from other “marriages,” detroying those marriages. Free radicals (also called reactive oxygen species) are a natural byproduct of energy production and other body processes, and our bodies have antioxidants to keep them in check. However, various other factors–including poor nutrition and exposure to toxic chemicals–can greatly increase the amount of free radicals in the body, leading to an imbalance.
It is widely known that excess free radicals speed the aging process and cause damage to cells or their components. Free radical damage has been links to many conditions and diseases including Alsheimer’s, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, heart disease as well as premature aging.
The remedy to free radical damage is
1. reduce the amount of free radicals created (such as increasing nutrition, reducing exposure to toxic chemicals, and eliminating toxic chemicals from your body)
2. putting more antioxidants in your body to restore the balance.
I feel fairly confident that Youth Juice will supply antioxidants. But is it necessary to get antioxidants from a bottle? No.
IceStone
A VOC-free “durable surface” material made from recycled glass and concrete. It is strong like granite, not as porous as marble and heat-resistant like stone. Ideal for countertops but can also be used for backsplashes, bathrooms, vanities, bathroom dividers, shower surrounds and bathtubs, tabletops, interior walls, and commercial flooring applications. Comes in 24 standard colors or any custom color.
Spray foam for sealing window/door and other penetrations?
Question from jiwaskow
We’re building a “healthy house” because I have severe MCS. I was trying to avoid using any spray foams, but the windows were unfortunately installed with 1/2 inch to 7/8 inch gaps all the way around. Backerrod and caulk are not doing the trick, and stuffing with insulation can only do so well.
Wondering if anyone with MCS has found the least toxic foam and done ok with it? I did not do well, even after cured, with Great Stuff or others I tested (I think I react to the flame retardant chemicals).
However, I just found this one – OSI Green Series Profoam II – MSDS at:
http://www.osipro.com/msds/gs_pro_foam_ii_msds.pdf
and am about to test it. Just curious if anyone has experience with that one?
Any advice welcome – we have a lot of gaps to seal and with electric heat only, don’t want even bigger heating bills! But of course I want to tolerate the house, too…
Debra’s Answer
Readers?
rowenta steam irons
Question from joyinjesus
Dear Debra,
I so much appreciate all the work you do to help us out. I have MCS and need to buy a new iron. I know you like your 20 year old Rowenta. Looking at reviews of the newish Rowenta’s, I am disappointed to find that they have problems — like leaking, electric cord burning out and things like that. Also, they are plastic except the soleplate.
So I was looking on ebay for a used Rowenta that has already been offgassed. There are many to choose from. If you don’t mind telling us, what model number is yours, or what should I look for in a used Rowenta. What wattage is your iron?
If I buy it used, would it be offgassed, or would it continue to smell when the plastic is heated up? I found some classic irons — all metal except the handle. But they all had non-stick coating on the soleplate.
Also, some of the new ones have platinium soleplates. Is that any kind of problem for MCS?
Thank you very much for your help,
Debra’s Answer
My Rowenta iron is Model DA-33.6, 1200 W.
Mine is plastic, but a hard plastic that is all gassed out. No nonstick finish on the soleplate.
I don’t see a problem with a platinum soleplate.
How to Make a Cat Tree Safe on a Budget
Question from onlythegreen2
Hi, Debra! We really would like to purchase a cat tree for our rescue kitties to play on (one that doesn’t cost more than about $150), but it seems most of them have faux fur carpet and some type of pressed wood/particleboard that will emit voc’s. Would spraying the entire tree with AFM’s CarpetSeal do the trick? What about the exposed wood areas (the cubby hole inner walls)–could they be sprayed, too, or maybe painted with a zero voc paint? There is a tree I found that says it meets California consumer safety code 93120.3, Title 17–is this any safer of a choice? I realize that there are some people selling trees made from real wood, etc.; but those are just too expensive at this time. Thank you for all the great work you do!
Debra’s Answer
First, California consumer safety code 93120.3, Title 17 refers to lead paint, as far as I can tell quickly, but you might want to do more research to confirm. This doesn’t cover at all any outgassing from carpet or particleboard.
Personally, I wouldn’t attempt to seal a cat tree, as cats scratch and even just running around on it would compromise the seal.
If you can’t afford to buy one out of good materials, maybe you could make one?
Readers, any suggestions?
Aluminum laptop chassis harmful?
Question from peebs
I just purchased a laptop that has a brushed aluminum chassis. Does anyone know if the aluminum could be harmful..ie.. get into our bodies through touching/holding it? We all know aluminum in cooking pans and deodorant is bad for our health, I wonder if this could be considered another source? Also, my 9 year old child will be using this quite a lot and I worry for her health too. Thanks for your help.
Debra’s Answer
I’m not worried about it.
Here is a statement about the health effects of aluminum and how much might get into your body from various sources: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs.asp?id=1076&tid=34. It states “A very small amount may enter through your skin when you come into contact with aluminum.”
We have so many exposure to toxics that it’s not a matter of eliminating them entirely, it’s a matter of choosing which exposures are most harmful to health. If you are going to use a computer, the danger from skin contact with aluminum is less than the danger of outgassing plastic.
