Question from David Myrow

The ideal coffee maker would be glass and (for me) stainless steel and use paper filters, since there appears to be research that paper filters remove some esters which can promote higher cholesterol. Were it not for the paper filter issue, a French press would be ok, but something automatic (e.g., electric) would be even better.

Debra’s Answer

Then I would suggest a Chemex Coffee Maker, which is all glass and uses paper filters.

Add Comment

Question from JB

My parents house is very unsanitary and unhealthy and is hazardous. She is a pack rat and has food just lying around which has caused mice and the standing water in tub has caused flying black insects.

She has NEVER allowed anyone to clean her house for fear we will throw away papers from 10 years ago.

She has been in the hospital 3 times in the last 4 months because she couldnt breathe. This time she had a stent put in because of her heart. Little does the doctor know what goes on.

So I asked him in front of her what brought this on. He replied her diabetes and smoking. Well, she went on to blame her tenant upstairs who smokes. she did not say a word about the toxic fumes in her house. No one visits her for more than 5 or 10 minutes because of the stench and there isnt a place to sit… and who knows what lies underneath.

Anyway, she sort of relented to people helping her clean since the doctor will be ordering a nurse to visit her house after her hospital stay and when she heard what caused this on….

The windows have not been open in years. You cannot get to them. I plan on going there to open windows. I wore a mask last time, spraying lysol anywhere and everywhere. But what can I use to deoderize (eliminate the toxic odors) the house while I am throwing out junk, so I DO NOT GET SICK.

Debra’s Answer

There is nothing I know of that you can spray to remove toxic chemicals from the air.

I would probably wear some kind of mask and get the windows open as quickly as possible, then start cleaning.

Add Comment

Question from Lezlie

Do you have any info on OxiClean Versatile stain remover? I have stopped using bleach in my laundry, but my whites started looking so grey. I started using OxoBrite that I purchased at a health foods store, but the OxiClean sells at Costco for so much less and money is tight right now. Also, is Jet Dry toxic? I am just learning about toxic ingredients and sometimes it is overwhelming trying to find out if something is safe or not.

Thank you so much for your help. I look forward to becoming more and more educated in this very important area of my life.

Lezlie

Debra’s Answer

According to OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover MSDS, OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover contains these hazardous ingredients:

The Jet Dry MSDS says, “This product is not considered hazardous according to the criteria of 29 CFR 1910.1200. It does not contain any substance listed in SARA 313. It is not a DOT hazardous material.”

Add Comment

Question from Marc

Are there any plastic salad spinners that are safe to use? That do not off-gas or have BPA or phalates in them?

Debra’s Answer

I do not know the type of plastic used to make salad spinners, however, there is a safe alternative, suggested by Martha Stewart. She says, if you are away from home at your summer cabin and do not have your salad spinner with you, simply place the wet lettuce in the middle of a clean kitchen towel, pull the four corners together, take it outside, and spin it over your head. Of course, you need to be outdoors to do this.

I simply wash my lettuce in advance, wrap the damp lettuce in a clean cotton kitchen towel and put it in the crisper. This way it is clean, dry, and ready for me to make a salad immediately at any time, and requires no additional plastic equipment.

Add Comment

Question from Marc

I just bought a dumbbell made of wroght iron coated with neoprene. Is this material safe to touch and/or does it off-gas? -Marc

Debra’s Answer

Neoprene was the first mass-produced synthetic rubber, made from petrochemicals. It’s chemical name is Styrene (as in Styrofoam) Butadiene Chloroprane Rubber Blend. It was developed and is manufactured by DuPont. It is used for a wide variety of applications, including wetsuits and hoses. It is considered to be “chemically inert.” The MSDS does list hydrocarbons under “hazardous decomposition products” but says only “not applicable” under health hazards data, so apparently there are no health hazards.

Add Comment

Question from Roxanne

Can formaldehyde fumes be absorbed through the skin, such as from a new mattress or furniture?

Debra’s Answer

Per The Journal of General Physiology: The Penetration Of Vesicant Vapors Into Human Skin, the answer is YES, chemical vapors can pass through skin.

Add Comment

Question from lmpd42

I wonder whether anyone can recommend lumber with which we can remodel our condo, because I started suffering from multiple chemical sensitivity since our moving into this condo three years ago.

Currently I’m relocated and finally have just started experimenting with lumber.

Unfortunately, we failed with our first experiment with lumber: Many books say that any broad-leaved trees are OK with MCS people, but it turned out to be not necessarily true.

By the way, I live in Tokyo, so the lumber you can recommend needs to be available in Japan. Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

I think you are going to need to find a wood that YOU individually tolerate and have available.

What you want to do is stay away from aromatic woods that have resins, like pine and cedar, probably even fir (commonly used). Hardwoods like oak usually have less odor.

I suggest purchasing small samples of the various woods you have available in Japan, and testing them one by one at home. When you find one you like, buy a little more and continue to test to see if you can tolerate the amount of wood you will need for your remodel.

Add Comment

Question from Monica

Dear Debra,

I’ve searched through your list of categories and am clueless if this question has been asked before. If it has, I apologize.

After watching a National Geographic documentary on viruses last night, I began thinking of all the hotel rooms that my husband has to sleep in because of his job. The thought of lying his head down on pillows that have been sneezed on (and who knows what else) really upset me.

Does anyone have any suggestions to sanitize or neutrilize the germs in the bedding? Taking complete bedding with him is not an option as he flys all over the country.

Debra’s Answer

I think what you need is a “germ light”. These are ultraviolet lights that kill germs on services when you shine the light over them. They can be used instead of chemical disinfectants.

There are quite a few germ lights online here. I have no idea which one might be the best.

Add Comment

Question from L.A.

I recently bought a set of Simply Organic 100% organic cotton sheets/pillowcases at Bed Bath and Beyond. When I went to launder them before using them, the cleaning instructions on the labels said to “machine wash cold.”

I prefer to wash sheets with hot water. Has anyone who’s used these sheets tried washing with hot water, and did it affect the sheets in any way?

Or is cold water just as effective as hot for sheets and pillowcases?

Debra’s Answer

I have no experience with this particular brand of sheets, however, I can tell you that there are very clear general guidelines about when to use hot, warm, and cold water, from the viewpoint of maintaining fabrics. These guidelines are behind washing instructions found on the label.

That said, on the other hand, the best choice for the environment is to wash items in cold water as often as possible. According to Treehugger, 90 percent of the energy used in washing clothes goes toward heating the water. If you have an electric water heater, pressing the hot/cold button on your washer for one load has the same impact as driving about 9 miles in a car. A gas water heater is equivalent to driving only 3 miles in a car. And when you wash in cold water only, there is 0 production of CO2 for heating water, only the production from running the washing machine.

So the answer to your question is, if you need to wash in hot water to kill germs, go ahead, but it will take a toll on the life of your sheets and contribute more to global warming. Cold water was most probably recommended to preserve the fabric, keep it from shrinking, and save energy.

Add Comment

Question from L.A.

Does witch hazel kill germs?

Debra’s Answer

Witch hazel is an herbal plant. It’s leaves are astringent, which means it tends to shrink or constrict body tissues. It also dries, hardens, and protects the skin.

If the witch hazel preparation contains rubbing alcohol, it would kill germs, but the germ-killing agent would be the rubbing alcohol, not the witch hazel.

Add Comment