Question from artsy

Hi, I am trying to find out if all of the Mikasa “crystal” pieces are actually leaded or are they just glass? I am trying to eliminate us using these dishes if they contain an amount of lead. We will put them in our china cabinet to enjoy them.

Cari

Debra’s Answer

I just went to the mikasa website and looked at their crystal.

I only had to look at one piece to find “24% full lead crystal” in the description. So just read the descriptions and see if you find any that aren’t lead crystal. I do see that there are some wine glasses and goblets on their website that do not say “lead crystal,” so you just have to check piece by piece.

“Crystal” glassware is so-called because it is usually cut to have facets that sparkle. And that sparkle comes from lead. So if your glassware is cut, it probably contains lead. If you know the name of your pattern, you can call Mikasa and verify it’s lead crystal.

Question from Cheryl3

Emerson Creek Pottery is marketing all their products as 100% lead free and non toxic, saying that the clay and even the paints used to decorate them are safe. What is your opinion or experience Debra, or anyone who has insight? They state that all pottery is made by them in the USA. This might finally be the answer to my mug search! Here is the link: emersoncreekpottery.com

Debra’s Answer

Good find. Especially check out http://www.emersoncreekpottery.com/go-green-ceramic-pottery.shtml for a very large selection of beautiful plain earthenware dishware, bakeware, pitchers, and more.

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Question from Erik Harper

I have a dilemma that I would like your opinion on and hopefully other readers have run into this issue as well. I’m a web designer and work in an office 8 hours a day, 5 days a week and recently learned that they are going to be renovating the floor where I work. Technically this is leased office space by the US government, so it is not a government-owned and operated building, but the agency I work with does have somewhat of a say in how the buildings are renovated. I am a contractor on-site and have gone through channels to try and shed some light on the decision making process, but have been told that the renovations are being carried out to OSHA and EPA standards and that they are doing nothing wrong in their choices of renovation materials. Which basically means I have no say in the air I breathe.

In the elevator lobby of my floor they have already completed new wallpaper covering and the smell is unbearable. The chlorine offgassing is so strong I have to hold my breath when I walk through the area. They have started ventilating the space which has made it much better in there, but I am deeply concerned about being around this nasty stuff 40 hours a week. They are redoing carpeting and wallpaper and in areas where there are cabinets, they are replacing them with your typical MDF, which I can already tell has plenty of formaldehyde from the smell that they emit.

Has anyone run into this issue in their place of work? How have you handled this? I have been told by my immediate supervisor (from my company, who is a contractor of the government) that any further action I take is without their support (this is of course after I went through the appropriate agency contact, in which response I’ve mentioned in the first paragraph). Since it appears that I can’t stop the renovation from happening and convincing them to choose less toxic materials (which is what my original goal was), are there any measures I can take to ensure the air I’m breathing won’t endanger my health? Air purification? VOC removal?

I suffer from mild asthma and am somewhat sensitive with allergies, mainly seasonal, but I do get headaches and dizziness when smelling the offgassing of the vinyl wallpaper. Any suggestions and similar experiences are much appreciated!

Erik

Debra’s Answer

This is why I work at home!

I understand your concern and encourage you to do whatever you can to protect your body from these toxic chemicals. I’m not sure they “are not doing anything wrong” but apparently what they are doing meets current laws, which are inadequate.

Many years ago I worked in a toxic office doing temp work, and I just brought a big air filter and put it on my desk. It was in a large open room, I didn’t have a private office. It created enough of a “cloud” of clean air that I managed to work there for a couple of weeks. And other workers would come hang out at my desk during breaks because they felt better in my cloud of clean air.

If it were me, I would find a way to not be in the building while they are doing the renovations and for some time afterwards. If you can’t work something out with them, I think it’s better to find another job than make your health worse and then have to take the time and expense to recover. Since you are a web designer, will they let you work at home?

Many people, like me, have home-based businesses. Many web designers work from home. Maybe it’s time to rethink how you work and put a healthy work environment as the number one priority and see how you can make money around that. That was the decision I made more than twenty years ago and it’s worked out very well for me.

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Question from BarbieC1953

Has anyone used and liked silk pillows and/or comforters?

Debra’s Answer

I have no experience with these. Readers?

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Question from Erik Harper

I’m wondering if you have any recommendations for Humidifiers/Vaporizers. I’m leaning towards the Steam Vaporizers because I’ve heard that they are less likely to promote growth of bacteria, molds, etc. I have never purchased one before so I’m wondering if you have any recommendations, and hopefully some first-hand experience using particular kinds.

Thanks!

Erik

Debra’s Answer

I’ve never used one, so I have no experience with them. It’s pretty humid here in Florida most of the year, and our objective is to remove moisture, not add it. Readers, any recommendations regarding humidifiers?

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Question from Katie M.

My husband and I are expecting our first child in June. I have read all of the posts that contain info on purchasing a non-toxic baby crib and am grateful for the wealth of knowledge that was shared. I was wondering however, if anyone knows if an older solid wood baby crib, having been fully sanded and sealed with a non-toxic sealant, would be just as safe as purchasing a new non-toxic baby crib? Would the toxins from the original glues and stains/seals have gassed-out after 5 or more years, or would there be enough residual toxins left-over to continue gassing-out after the crib has been sanded and sealed? Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Debra’s Answer

I would say that an old wood baby crib, sanded and sealed would be as safe as a new one. The original glues and stains might have seeped into the wood, but sealing the crib should cover any residuals that might be left.

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Question from sissy

I am looking into purchasing a mattress from Sleepy’s, I need to know what should I look out for when purchasing a mattress and where can I get a chemical free mattress.

Debra’s Answer

See ebook: Debra’s Guide to Choosing A Natural Bed for what you should know when purchasing a mattress and Debra’s List: Textiles: Beds & Bedding for a list of websites that sell chemical-free mattresses.

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In this video, nutritional biochemist Genita Petralli talks about how toxic chemicals around us affect mental health. She says that mental health has underlying physical causes and explains how neurotoxic chemicals create mental symptoms. This video includes pictures of slides showing cell damage caused by neurotoxic chemicals.

Just wanted to pass this along as another reason to eliminate toxic chemicals from your home.