Question from Mary Anne

Hi Debra – I’m normally really good at researching this stuff myself but I can’t seem to find any info on this, so I hope you can help me. I’m like many other people trying to get rid of plastic, including now the the plastic spray bottles I use to make my own natural/organic cleaners. Since I’ve already broken glass bottles twice, I’m looking at both stainless steel and aluminum trigger spray bottles as an alternative. Here’s what I can’t find out: is H2O2 safe in these metals, or does it react? I also have the same question about essential oils. Everything I read about both of these says to use plastic or glass, but DOESN’T say NOT to use metal. Thanks so much for any help you can give me.

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know the answer to this, but maybe one of my readers will.

Readers?

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Question from kk

I frequently use the Dixie brand “to-go” coffee mugs (our cafeteria provides these). I realize that these may not be the most environmentally sound mugs, but I do reuse the same one throughout the day. I have assumed because they are made for hot products that they are microwave safe, however, I am now concerned they are made with a plastic or bleach of some sort that is not safe.

Likewise, our cafeteria at work serves us food on paper plates and bowls (the ones that are white or sometimes have designs). Are these safe to eat off of? Or are they chemicals on these plates I should be concerned about?

I have been eliminating paper goods at home, but at work, where I am on the go, I rely on our cafeteria.

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

White paper products are mostly bleached with chlorine.

The Minnesota North Star chapter of the Sierra Club describes the problems with bleached paper:

Bleaching is done using the gas form of chlorine; therefore, it produces a lot of unwanted emissions. During the process, naturally occurring chemicals called dioxins in the wood react with added chlorine, producing a residue with dangerous and toxic dioxins. As this residue is then released into rivers, lakes, or other water reservoirs, it has a tendency to accumulate in sediments where it stays until it gets picked up by fish or any other organisms. Dioxins have a really long decomposition period and therefore they bioaccumulate in the organisms that accidentally ingest them. Dioxins have a tendency to move upwards in the food chain. Therefore, first accumulating in food products like milk and fish, they can fast travel to humans and other mammals. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration the health consequences of being exposed to dioxins can result in development of cancer, damages in developmental and reproductive processes, immune system damages, diabetes, etc. For more information on dioxins please visit the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) web site: Dioxin (pdf).

So it’s better to use unbleached paper products, for both health and environmental reasons.

Question from Barbara Cole

I just purchased a house and when I had the carpet cleaned the man told me that the lady who had the house before me must have burned a lot of candles. The carpet is a medium beige color and you can see where the soot from the candles framed the rooms against the walls in some of the rooms. He explained that the soot is sucked into the air conditioning unit since it is lighter than air and reenters the room via the ducks. I had the blower cleaned out and the air conditioning ducts in all the rooms cleaned out at a cost of $850.00. The cost of removing the soot lines against the walls would have been very expensive had the carpet man done it. He removed the stains in front of the sofa area with what he called an oxy type cleaner. What can I use to get these soot lines from the carpet? He also added that burning lead free candles are just as bad.

Debra’s Answer

Readers, any experience removing soot?

He’s right about the lead-free candles. They still produce soot, but it doesn’t contain lead.

I’m wondering now if natural beeswax and soy candles produce as much soot as paraffin candles? Does anybody know?

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Question from Ira

Hi there,

I am renting a house and the wallpaper and bannister keep having a recurring odor of perfume or fragrance.

I wipe them down with an odor removing product and that temporarily rids the odor…but with this hot weather lately, the odor keeps coming back and gives me trouble breathing.

I guess the last tenant had an air freshner or some strong perfume that permeated around.

I can cover the bannister with several layers of plastic and I am ok there.

But does anyone have a suggestion for the wallpaper…the perfume odor keeps coming back and back and back..daily.

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Julie

After many years of MCS, I discovered a new twist that everyone with Chemical Sensitivities should look into. The Endocrinologist discovered that I had Insulin Resistance (some would say Pre-Diabetes or early diabetes.)

In any case after treating this with a medicine, I felt it was not being good to my body….researched, sure enough while blocking sugar from my blood and getting it into my cells (a good thing), it also blocks other nutrients. So I looked for herbal substitutes…which I found and they do the same thing without the side effects.

I take GluControl from VRP (Vitamin Research Products) (vrp.com) and BLOOD SUGAR from Nature’s Way. The reason for the two combos is that they have different herbs and one has Chromium and the other has Vanadium….both specifics for Diabetes, Pre Diabetes, Insulin Resistance (really all the same things in different degrees.) I also throw in some Fenugreek and Gymnema caps by Nature’s Way when I feel like it or need a little extra boost (either my meter reads a little high, I feel a little funny….like a headache coming on, etc.)

The suprise was that my nasal passages didn’t swell on this regieme and my sinus problems were improved….Which solved my terrible headache problems…….And i am not nearly as chemically sensitive….

i keep wondering how many people might get relief from chemical aensitivities and allergies if they have the problem i had and get it solved….I think the chemical odors i breathed in were accumulating in my nasal passages and being absorbed into my blood stream. I have no proof that this theory is correct….All i know is, since treating my insulin resistance/diabetes with a couple of herbal preparations, no more headaches or chemical sensitivities.

in all fairness, i do ocassionally get a headache, but i take a few more of the herbals instead of headache medicine and the headache goes away.

Debra’s Answer

This is very interesting to me that you see a connection, because even after years of contoling my own MCS through avoiding the chemicals that cause it, I also had higher than normal blood sugar. I’m wondering how widespread this connection is.

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Question from K.H.

Debra,

Recently, I read this article that explained that natural products contain carcinogenic by products as well as the regular ones. Obviously this has worried me. At that point aren’t the cheaper big brand cleaning products equal to these more “natural” ones such as 7th generation, if all of them have carcinogenic chemicals? Here is the article:

articles.latimes.com/2008/mar/14/business/fi-natural14

What type of soap product do you recommend to clean dishes and detergent to use in the dishwasher?

Thanks and hopefully you can help me sort out my confusion!

Debra’s Answer

Sigh…this is what happens when reporters who don’t understand the subject write about things…

This article is written in a way that shows confusion. Yes, there was a study that showed that nearly half of the natural cleaning products tested contained some 1,4-dioxane, which causes cancer. The confusing part is that parts of this article make it sound like it is purposefully added as an ingredient. And more than half of the products tested DIDN’T contain this contaminant, but these were not mentioned at all.

1,4-dioxane is a byproduct of the combination of two petrochemical ingredients, which occurs in the product after it is manufactured. So you won’t find 1,4-dioxane on the label, but it may be in the product.

The study showed that all products certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program were free of 1,4-dioxane. In order to receive the seal, 95% or more of the ingredients have to be organic. In addition, brands found not to contain 1,4-dioxane included Burt’s Bees, Clorox Green Works, Avalon Organics and Dr. Bronner’s.

Personally, I use Dr. Bronner’s to wash my dishes. I use the one with the natural peppermint oil and it smells wonderful. And gets my dishes really clean. It’s just pure soap.

I don’t have a dishwasher, but there’s a big discussion of dishwasher detergents at Q&A: Dishwasher Detergent.

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Question from p.s.

What do you think about mineral makeups? I have sensitive skin and rosacea and am looking for a good foundation that is not harmful to my body. Any suggestins?

Debra’s Answer

I think mineral makeups are fine. There are now a number of different brands and I haven’t checked the ingredients on all of them, just read the labels and make sure they are pure minerals and don’t contain any harmful ingredients.

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Question from Renee

Are brown paper goods, such as plates, parchment paper, napkins, etc automatically mean that they are not bleached and therefore safe to use? I realize all paper goods may not be the best for the environment, but in some situations, I find I need them. Or are there other (maybe different chemicals) I should be aware of when purchasing brown paper goods.

Also, is the use of parchment paper sufficient barrier to an aluminum pan? Or could the potential aluminum leach through the paper and therefore the food. The paper seems so thin. Thanks for the q and a blog, it is such a great resource and I am learning so much from it.

Debra’s Answer

Brown paper is not bleached and are therefore safe to use.

I don’t know if parchment paper will block the aluminum from an aluminum pan. Logic suggests that the aluminum would need to contact the food for the metal to be absorbed, and the parchment paper would do that, but I’m not 100% sure. Readers, any data on this?

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Question from Sally Reinburg

We have heard that there is an off gas to this, we want to use it for a large greenhouse-passive solar heat system for a new home. What do you know??

Debra’s Answer

My understanding about polycarbonate is that it leaches bisphenol-A into food or water with which it has contact. I haven’t heard that there are problems with it outgassing.

The rule of thumb is: the harder the plastic, the less it outgasses into the air. So logic would say that it would outgas very little. However, if it is in the sun, the warmth of the sun would cause it to outgas. But the result of that would be it would then be outgassed and would no longer outgas,

Readers, anyone with experience with a polycarbonate greenhouse?

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Question from Susan

The only treatment I know of for hemorrhoids is Preparation H and other brands that have mimicked the Preparation H ingredients. EWG gives these products a level 6 on the danger scale and they are full of parabens. Does anyone have any suggestions for a healthier treatment for hemorrhoids?

Thanks

Debra’s Answer

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