Question from Airy

We just moved into our first home, so all this is new to me. I’m so scared of getting sick.

We’re installing a shower into the corner of the bathroom. I want to do all tile. The contractor said we could save some money if we used a pre-made, square, shower floor and do tiles just on the walls.

He said he didn’t notice any smells from these floors. Does anyone here have any experience with these?

I’m looking for a safe, product list that I can just hand to the contractor. I’ve never done anything like this in my life. Tile and grout should be safe. I know that I need non-toxic, latex-free grout (we redid some kitchen tiles with this and it worked great). I have no idea what else is involved. We’ll probably need to do some plumbing, but he looked under the house and everything looks good, so I think we’ll just need the shower hardware. Is there anything that I should be aware of like welding materials?

Also, we have an old, claw-foot bathtub with some chips around the drain. The contractor mentioned doing the shower first and then reglazing the entire tub in the summer and putting it outside to outgas (we have some space under the house). I was told by the house inspector when we bought the house that we could get the porcelain repaired. I haven’t been able to find anyone who can do a non-toxic spot repair or even specifically a porcelain repair person.

Will fumes seep up through the floor if the tub is under the house? There’s a large space under there with just a dirt floor.

Debra’s Answer

My best recommendation is to use all tile in the shower. You don’t mention what material the shower floor is, but they are usually fiberglass or acrylic. We did a bathroom remodel a few years ago and did a shower with a tile floor and walls and are very happy with it.

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Question from JAD

I quit dying my hair a few years ago because of the chemicals. I found out that I was a lot grayer than I thought I would be, the sides were 100% white. I actually received many compliments on it. About six months ago I really started making a lot more changes in my life after seeing a specilist. I am eating healthier, almost all organic and no processed foods, using the Himalayan Sea Salt and avoiding as many toxins as I can. I have been fragrant free for years.

About 4 months ago I started to see dark hair starting to appear on the sides that were pure white. I mentioned it to others and they were not sure. Now when they see me they just shake there heads, my hair is 50% back to my dark color. My husbands hair is also getting more color but not as much.

Has anyone else experienced this and does anyone have any idea why this might happen.

Debra’s Answer

Well this sounds wonderful. Another reason to live naturally!

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Question from HEG

Twice a year the maintenance people in my building put a couple algae tablets into our air conditioners. Do you know whether these are toxic and therefore I should have them removed or if they are nontoxic and beneficial as they told me?

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

I’ve never heard of this. Algae isn’t toxic per se. Anyone have any more info or experience with these?

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Question from lorischreier

I have heard cooking with olive oil can be toxic when it smokes from the pan. I have also heard that the NON extra virgin is better for cooking because it can take high heat better and the cold pressed extra virgin should be used for salad eaten raw . What do you think?

Debra’s Answer

All the various oils withstand heat in different ways. There is an excellent guide on which oil to use for which temperature at Spectrum Oils Kitchen Guide.

As to whether olive oil is toxic when it smokes, well, it’s burned, and most things produce toxic substances when they burn. For high heat cooking, coconut oil is an excellent choice.

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Question from Tanya

I need to do some caulking and have been looking at the MSDS for Elmer’s caulking. There are two products that appear to be less toxic than most other brands. One is the All Purpose White Acrylic Latex and the White Squeeze and Caulk. Has anyone else had any experience with either of these? I have included the links to the MSDS for both. Thank you for any help or advice that you can offer.

http://www.elmers.com/MSDS/me840_a.htm

http://www.elmers.com/MSDS/me940.htm

Debra’s Answer

Actually both of these look good in comparison to other caulks. All of the hazardous ingredients listed are listed because they are dust hazards for workers who are making the product, but not a hazard for the end user because the dust is bound up with other ingredients. Also the health hazard is rated 1, which is slight. I’m going to look for these next time we need to caulk.

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Question from Annette Tweedel

Hi Debra,

My husband bought himself some Stonyfield Organic OIKOS Greek Yogurt, Blueberry flavor and I don’t allow him to eat it in the house because when he ate the first one the smell was potent for me. Here are the ingredients, let me know if there is something wrong with it. Cultured pasterized organic blueberries, natural flavor, pectin, organic elderberry juice concentrate (for color), contains five live active cultures: S. Thermophilus, L. Bulgaricus, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus and L Casei. The package also says Certified Organic by QAI. I know it has live cultures, but what about the other ingredients. If this is not a good yogurt for him to eat, could you recommend one for him? Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

I don’t see anything wrong with this yogurt, in fact, it looks really good. The ingredients list doesn’t include milk–maybe you forgot to type it–but I’m impressed that it is sweetened with organic blueberries instead of sugar (though it would be healthier if the blueberries weren’t pasturized) and there’s a good selection of active cultures.

As a rule, I personally only buy plain yogurt and then add whatever I want to it. This Greek-style yogurt is made by simply draining the whey from the yogurt, which you can easily do at home with any yogurt you like. I even do with with goat milk yogurt. Drain it a little for Green-style yogurt, drain it a lot to make a cream cheese. By doing it yourself, you can add any flavors you want.

My husband is fond of yogurt with fresh berries and local honey. This way, you get all the healthy qualities of fresh fruit, instead of the pasturized (cooked) fruit in the flavored yogurt.

I understand the smell bothers you, but there’s nothing harmful about it.

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Question from Mary Marston

The woman who cooks for me told me today that she has trapped two mice and one rat in her apartment. She has complained to the owner but nothing has been done. She has a two-year old daughter and is concerned that a rat could bite her.

The manager of my apartment complex here told her to call the city (San Diego.) Obviously, one option is to move, but that would take time and money, and would involve breaking a lease. In terms of expecting the owner to do something, I am wondering what the owner could do, and is there anything non-toxic that could be done. We discussed checking for holes where the rat could have entered. Trapping may get rid of any rats that get in but would not prevent them from entering the apartment in the first place.

The subject of fumigation came up. I advised her of the danger of that, and I don’t see how that would keep the rats out anyway, at least not for long. Can you or your readers shed any light on this?

Debra’s Answer

Readers, any suggestions?

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