Question from KJ

Thank you, Debra and the readers, for all the valuable information so far. I have relied on this site for all of my questions through my major renovations to improve our home.

Now, I have a major concern about the new AC duct work that was installed. I was not educated enought to ask right questions before hand.

They installed new formaldehyde free flexible ducts, but they also used distritbuion boxes made with duct boards (fiberglass boards). These are the boxes to connect multiple flex ducts going into different directions.

The fiberglass surface faces the inside where the air flows through.

I found out that the fiberglass surface is sealed (glued) with something that contains formaldehyde. Even worse, the joints and seams where they had to cut and connect with other flex ducts are not protected with this glue, and the fiberglass dust can come loose overtime and get blown right into our living space.

I am so concerned about this issue.

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Question from Laura

The deck of the house where I live is going to be sealed with Thompson’s. I requested a non toxic sealant to be used, but my parents refused – they will use what they have on hand.

My bedroom, the stairway and kitchen are all on this side of the house. How long will it take to cure or will it continually outgas? It had been done last a few years ago shortly before I arrived and I seem to remember conpletely avoiding the deck, closing the door to the deck, closing my bedroom windows, especially in the morning sun.

Debra’s Answer

How long it takes for anything to outgas depends on the original toxicity of the material and the conditions. The hotter the temperature, the faster it will outgas. Also, being outdoors, the sun and other elements will aid the outgassing.

Thompson’s is particularly toxic and will continue to outgass for quite a while. This is could be a significant exposure to toxic chemicals for you.

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Question from Lauren

Dear Debra & Readers,

We recently painted our interiors with Yolo Colorhouse Paints. It is supposed to be Zero VOC and we even went out of our way to tint it with Zero VOC (from a Eco store not Kelly Moore). I know Zero VOC does not mean Zero Toxicity. I usually do my homework but this time I didn’t do my usual due diligence. We didn’t choose dark colors, the colors we picked were Air 01, 03 & 04 and Leaf 01, most were in eggshell, baseboards done in semigloss and we used their transitional primer for the baseboard, and part of the kitchen as it had oil based paint prior (just a few areas). Anyway, it was painted over the past Memorial Day weekend and most of it was done by Sunday of that weekend. A few days later, it still wreaked paint, I could only be in the house for a few minutes as it would trigger respiratory issues and a migraine that wouldn’t quit. So, we tried Debra’s bake out method for 3 days and airing out for 4 days (with fans blowing etc). Not knowing, we did leave a few cracks open in the window. Debra’s bake out method was very helpful and I was able to be there for an hour before my body started to react. Every day, it is improving. I did contact the retailer who swore it is nontoxic, I was surprised she thought that, she thinks Zero VOC means Zero Toxicity (not realizing that there is unregulated VOCs that could be in there).

I finally contacted Yolo and they asked for batch numbers and even want me to ship some samples back. I was impressed with their willingness to look deeper. However, they say there is no solvents and they can’t understand why I am reacting. They share that they normally do well with the chemically sensitive which was news to me.

They sell these poster size paint samples (painted by real people which was impressive) and when the paint was mixed they actually painted it on my poster to match the color, what was odd was that splash of paint they put on to match the poster sample still smelled a week later. Normally, I would have painted only one room or just put a little patch on the wall before painting an entire home (so unlike me to do this). I think the fact that someone I knew painted their home with conventional paint and I barely noticed the smell… made me illogically think that Zero VOC must be even better!? The good news is that the empty paint can after 9 days stopped emitting, the house is smelling better, I can now stay in for a few hours but a long way from living there 24/7 (we are still living in a hotel). I live in San Francisco Bay area (Peninsula) so the weather is mild. I wonder if anyone else had this experience with Yolo paints. I spoke with someone who recommended that I wash the walls with baking soda (wipe down), using 2 buckets (clean vs. dirty bucket method) which I will try this weekend. I do feel like it will improve a matter of weeks as every day it seems to dramatically change but I am still puzzled why the conventional paint my friend used did not smell after one day!

Yolo I found out later is manufactured by Kelly Moore in Hurst Texas… had I known this prior I would not have purchased Yolo… this makes sense why Kelly Moore sells the line even though I did not buy it there (I bought it from a Eco type store that uses Zero VOC tints). Yolo claims that Kelly Moore is only their toll manufacturer and Kelly Moore produces to their spec and claims it is not a Kelly Moore product. But, it’s not hard to wonder since Kelly Moore is not a “eco” or green or health minded company. Hmmm….

Wondering if anyone else had this experience with Yolo? Yolo also claims that acrylic resin is the same as latex paint, I thought they were different!

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Question from Marcia

Hi Debra:

The other day I tried out a mattress at a company called Ergo Cusdtomized Comfort in Irvine,which is in Orange County, Calif. They carry the Natura bed and a bed called the Silhouette Sleep Solutions bed. It comes on a slat suspension which consists of two parallel rows of responsive steam-cambered beechwood slats mounted into strong thermo-plastic shocks. According to the brochure, they give just the right amount of give and support for the body. The bed is solid natural latex foam which they say is pure Talalay Latex and comes in a 6″ or 8″ core range of firmness choices. It has an organic stretch cotton cover and states that it’s inherently hypoallergenic, bactericidal and anti-fungal and also has lightweight wool lining and doesn’t need to be turned or flipped. I was wondering if you have heard of this bed and what your opinion is. It came with a mattress topper and felt fairly comfortable. The did say it wasn’t completely organic,but I’m not sure what that means. I also did try the Natura bed which is completely organic, but it didn’t feel quite as comfortable. I would love to know if any of your readers have either of these beds and what their experiences are.

Thanks so much as always!

Marcia

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Question from Michelle Clark

My daughter will start school next week and we need a sleep mat. I would like to find an organic one. She already sleeps in all organic bedding/bed/mattress, and it only seems appropriate to have an organic mat for school. any suggestions?

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Question from Miemiemuis

Dear Debra

I love having the windows open, but since we live in Florida we don’t want to let the house get too hot and humid. My husband is also allergic to pollen and since I have small children I don’t want open windows at night for safety reasons. Our house is fairly new and tight and I’m concerned about indoor air quality. So, to improve indoor air quality, I was wondering if it is worth it to have our A/C changed to let filtered outside air in. We do have a good air filter that we change often, but I am concerned that the outgassing of new construction is polluting our indoor air and not going anywhere.

Thanks for your help

Debra’s Answer

You mention two factors: air conditioning and new construction.

You don’t say how toxic the new construction is.

New construction requires ventilation, so it would be a good idea to have more outdoor air coming in.

However, you can speed the curing of new construction by using heat. You might want to try a bakeout (instructions are on page 395 of my book Home Safe Home, under the head “Curing a Sick House.”

That said, it never hurts to have more ventilation.

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Question from Ruth Ruddock

Hi Debra, the following bit of a note is from a long-time friend who had pretty severe MCS over the years…she is almost totally free of it now after having moved from many years here in Wisconsin to Montana. I had written to her asking about the heat source in the nice condo that they owned here, thanking that surely she must not have had gas forced air heat. Her reply surprised me and offered some encouragement, since I may end up sharing a condo or duplex with my sister-in-law who wants to move back here from Arizona. Was wondering if you would comment on this heat thing for me, too. I once read somewhere that is is so much harder for someone with MCS to recover when they have gas forced air heat. Sounds like there are some exceptions?

Here is my friend’s note: “We did indeed have a gas forced air

furnace in the condo. I was apprehensive at first, but Neil assured me that the new 98%efficiency model that we had installed would have no adverse effects on me. And he was right!

All the ignition air came from outside and was returned there…and I never had a bit of problems.”

Thanks for your comments on this, Debra.

Ruth/Wisconsin

Debra’s Answer

The problem with gas heat is gas leaks and combustion by-products. If the gas is not leaking and is properly combusted, it’s not a problem. Sounds like your friend has a new efficient model that is OK. This does not mean ALL gas heat is OK. Things have changed recently with gas heaters being more efficient.

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Question from Laura

I have a white enamel basin that I use for laundry and a floot bath. There were a few rust patches when I got it second hand and I would like to know if there’s something nontoxic that I can use on them to keep them from eating through the basin. Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

Readers? What’s your experience?

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Question from Martha

Have you ever heard of HealthyBond-MS Flooring Adhesive by EcoTimber? We are going to be putting down bamboo flooring on concrete and are looking at adhesives. I know you personally have used Titebond II and we are considering this but also looking at what else is out there.

I’ve looked at the MSDS for this product and it seems to shows 0.0lb/gl for v.o.c Is this just rounded down? I’ve seen on other products where it is g/L. On the Titebond II it is 5.5 g/L.

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

MSDS looks fine to me. Write back and let us know how you like this product.

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Question from Rebekah

My husband bought a used washer and dryer, thinking it was a great deal and that it would help my laundromat related allergies and illness. Unfortunately, he bought the washer and dryer from someone who ran scented detergents and softeners through them for years! I don’t think he understands my sensitivity, and even after hours of cleaning the machines, the smells are nauseating to me. I don’t want to even think about running any of my clothes or linens through the machines until I can get the odors out. Is there anything I can do other than re-sell these machines?! My husband thought he was doing me a great service and was hoping to recieve thanks and appreciation; instead I’m frustrated and slightly angry that his “great deal” turned into a huge ordeal for me and my chemical sensitivity. Will anything take out the overpowering chemical perfume odors that have obviously permeated the plastics of these machines?! Thanks in advance for any help, advice, or tips.

Debra’s Answer

Readers? What’s your experience with this?

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