Question from mtv

We are in a house for a year or so. We have some carpeting. Any ideas how to clean this? The house is 6 years old. Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

I suggest using steam cleaning. You can either rent a carpet steam cleaning machine or have a service do it for you. Either way, just use the steam, not the shampoo that comes with it.

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This website has information about latex allergy and chemicals that are used in the making of latex and their health effects.

DERMNET NEW ZEALAND: Allergy to rubber accelerators

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Question from deviaene

Hi Debra,

we’re a family with 2 young children under 2. So it gets busy… to say the least. I also get distracted. I steam all my veggies rather then cook them, but lately, I’ve had a couple of pots in which the water has cooked off without me noticing. Yeah, bad… by the time I smelled something was wrong, the pot was literally BLACK with bubbles and all. but pitch black. The pots were expensive. Stainless steel All-Clad. It smelled bad, I took it under cool water and then got it out of the house ASAP because I feared toxic fumes.

But then, my hubby, who is a clean freak, put his mind to it and actually succeeded in scrubbing off ALL the black stuff. No cleaning chemical, wearing rubber gloves.

Now, I’m kind of wondering whether or not we should still make food in these pots. Maybe the lining was so damaged that we are now exposed to leaching of the heavy metal (stainless steel)???

I have send an email to All-clad but haven’t heard from them…

Kathleen

Debra’s Answer

If it were me, I would trash the pots. All that scrubbing compromises the surface and will cause more leaching.

Set a timer for your veggies to remind you to come look at them before they burn.

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Question from Gem

I bought a new microfiber covered couch. It is emitting a horrible odor mostly at night. It seems to come in waves sometimes during the day as well. It has foam cushions which I think are causing the smell. Do you think this will go away? What do I do? I live in my apartment with a 3 year old son and a dog. The couch is very comfortable and looks good. I am afraid the smell might not stop. Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

I think the sofa has to go. This is the kind of synthetic sofa that continues to outgas over time.

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Question from KLP

We are interested in purchasing a rock salt lamp. We have heard that they have many health benefits. What is your opinion of these lamps? Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

Those who sell these lamps say that when gently heated, glowing salt lamps emit natural negative ions, creating an effect similar to an ion generator (increasing the wattage of the bulb increases the emission of ions per square foot). When the lamp becomes warm, it absorbs moisture and the crystal becomes damp on the surface. This binds negative ions with the excess positive ions, neutralizing the positively-charged atmosphere of a room. This is physics. I believe this is true.

Negative ions are known to have positive effects on all body functions, including the immune system, circulatory system, and digestive system. In general, our bodies benefit overall from being in an indoor environment full of negative ions, as it is more similar to the outdoor environment.

They certainly have a lovely, warm glow, similar to candlelight.

I have a salt lamp and I find it to be extremely energizing–so much so that I can only have it on for short periods of time. I can’t sleep with it on.

I would say that in my experience, salt lamps can create an effect on the human body. The effect they create is probably different for everyone.

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Question from Laurie

I hope I am not repeating a question. I have searched to find a non-vinyl crib mattress pad that is not treated with fire retardants. I finally found one by Priva, Inc. but it has a polyurethane membrane and is treated with anti-microbial protection. I cannot seem to find any information that indicates that polyurethane is something I should worry about although I had read that avoiding anti-microbial treatments is a good idea. We bought an organic crib mattress so we do not want to negate the benefits buy using a harmful mattress pad. Any thoughts?

Laurie

Debra’s Answer

There are other crib mattress pads on the Babies & Kids page of Debra’s List that are 100% natural fibers. Many natural moms use wool pads.

I don’t have any experience with this, as I don’t have children. I’m thinking that this pad with the polyurethane film is being offered for mothers who want a more absolute waterproof material. It is a less-toxic alternative to the standard vinyl.

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Question from Mary

Hello Debra,

I would like your input…..we are removing carpet & putting in hardwood flooring . The challenge for me is the stairs. I feel somewhat unsteady when I think of hardwood , not carpet on the stairs…a little too ‘slippery’.

A frind suggested we put a runner on the stairs….but I am not sure how this would be any safer ( as in not slipping).

My husband says, ‘just put new carpet’, however, we have not researched the non-toxic avaiablitly of carpet.

any suggestions for a healthy AND safe treatment for our stairs ?

thanks…as always!

Debra’s Answer

I’ve never lived in a house with stairs, so have never had to address this myself.

You can research natural and less-toxic carpet at Debra’s List: Interior Decorating: Carpet.

But there may be another option for you. Skidding is a big problem in workplace safety and there are many products designed to make surfaces anti-skid and anti-slip. You can explore them at http://www.noskidding.com and other sites. They are probably sold at hardware stores too.

I don’t know anything about the toxicity of these products, but I can’t imagine they are any worse than new carpet.

Readers, any other suggestions?

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Question from Natalie

Just wondering if you have any opinions about “food grade EVA” found in the wrap-in-mats. I bought one for my son for his lunch bag and am now wondering about the inner lining of EVA touching his food. I’m considering purchasing another (for snacks) but am a bit put off by the lining. I’d love to know what you think about it and if you think it is “safe” to use.

Thanks! Natalie

Debra’s Answer

EVA is ethylene-vinyl acetate, a polyethylene plastic (one of the least toxic of the plastics).

It’s no more toxic than a sandwich bag.

Read more about food-grade plastics here.

Question from Pat Habeck

Dear Debra

I am a chemically sensitive person ( I’d say moderately) and I recently pulled up an old, worn out rubber backed carpet and replaced it with an “Earthweave brand” carpet that is made of all natural wool,hemp/cotton back & natural rubber adhesive. They also installed an all natural wool pad. The ad said it was good for chemically sensitive people.

After it was installed, I found, much to my chagrin, that it affected my eyes and respiratory tract. I could not stay in that room! For me, it also had an odor like “rubber”. My husband who is not chemically sensitive smelled nothing.

We kept airing out the room for 5 weeks and my reaction did not become less so we pulled it up. I wonder if any other chemically sensitive people have had a similar experience with similar carpets?

We are now faced with the dilemma of what to do next. There is old linoleum tile on that floor now that needs to be covered up with something. After reading one of your respondent’s letters, cork probably would not be a good choice. We sure could use some guidance as this sure was an expensive mistake!!!

Debra’s Answer

Your experience is an important reminder that 1) people with MCS in particular have individual reactions to products that are not inherently toxic and fine for healthy people and 2) if you have MCS always, always, always test materials before making a large purchase like this.

I can’t tell you what you are going to tolerate. All the healthy, nontoxic flooring I know of is on this blog or Debra’s List. You’ll need to do your own testing to find out what you tolerate.

The one material I know that I would consider to be the safest would be ceramic tile. See Q&A: Safe tile grout and backerboard for safe installation.

All that said, readers with MCS, do you have any suggestions of flooring you have tolerated that she might tolerate too?

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Question from Tracey from Chicago

I just got married the day before we closed on our new house. It’s already been five months, and I have not been able to live in it. I’ve been living with relatives out of state. The new house makes me so sick, I can only visit for a few days here and there, and only when all windows are constantly open and the hvac system is off. My last visit ended with me in the emergency room with difficulty breathing and chest pains. The doctor said it was inflammed bronchial tubes.

It may be left over residue from Ethyl Mercaptan, since there was an undetected propane leak in the home for over two months, before we bought it. OR…it might be the formaldehyde, as I seem to smell it the most when in the basement and near the kitchen cabinets.

We hired odor experts to come in and blast the place with Hydrogen Peroxide Generators for over 24hrs, which cut the fumes by 90% or more, but three months later it is building up again.

Our basement is unfinished with wooden beams on the ceilings, exposed plywood from the floors above, concrete slab foundation and blown-in insulation that is held in place with some sort of a fabric stapled to the studs. The basement is 2,000sf, and the entire house is 6,000sf.

We thought about carbon filtered air purifying systems, but the off gassing has to pass me as it comes out of the materials before it can reach the system…so there will still be exposure to it.

Are there any kinds of really super strong sealants that can be sprayed on…but what about insulation? Is there anything in concrete that would off gas?

Debra’s Answer

This is a fairly complex question that is difficult to answer from a distance. I would really need to come look at it.

What it sounds like is that you have had various treatments to “clear the air” of the pollutants, but the source of the air pollution is still there, continuing to emit.

My advice would be to figure out what is emitting the chemicals and remove or seal it, otherwise it is going to be an ongoing problem.

Also, did something happen between the time you purchased the house and it closed? Was it always this way? Was the problem not apparent when you were initially looking at the house?

It is very very important to consider toxic exposures of a house BEFORE you buy it. Best is to find a home that is nontoxic to begin with, or be sure you know how to remediate any toxic problems before you buy.

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