Water | Resources
Saffiano Leather Handbag
Question from Stacey
Hi Debra,
I am searching for a new leather handbag and wonder about the different leathers.
First, I wonder if a “quilted” leather bag contains a synthetic batting to make the quilted appearance.
I also discovered a type of leather called “saffiano leather” which is a textured leather with some sort of coating (not sure, but from what I have read, it is most often a wax). This saffiano leather is supposedly more durable, but I wonder if it is as safe to use as a regular leather.
Thanks so much!
Debra’s Answer
I think it’s highly likely that any padding used in an off-the-shelf handbag would be synthetic.
About the Saffiano leather…First, it’s leather, which has many toxic chemicals to begin with, and second a wax is added, probably paraffin. That’s just more petrochemicals.
Look on the Bags page of Debra’s List. I’ve been adding websites that use less toxic materials. Perhaps you can find something there.
The Sweet Farm
Naturally fermented sauerkrauts made with nothing but organic (local when possible) vegetables, sea salt, and spices. “Our traditional fermentation methods produce fresh, crisp and tangy krauts that pair well with just about any meal. In addition to their great taste, our krauts are full of probiotics, beneficial bacteria that help nourish your digestive system.” If you don’t want to make your own, try these.
Berry Good Organics
Kits to make organic elderberry syrup, an all-natural traditional remedy proven to work. “Contrary to other elderberry kits, mine are infused with all natural, organic ingredients that enhance its function. With added bonuses such as Organic ginger root, Organic clove, Organic goji berries, Organic turmeric powder, Organic cinnamon, and Organic star anis, mixed with the infamous dried elderberries, you will enjoy a flu free season. My kits are easy to prepare, and are effective for children and adults of all ages. I am proud to offer an organic and powerful alternative medicine that should be a staple in every household.”
Livliga Dinnerware
Elegant portion control dinnerware made of sustainable and durable porcelain. Attractive designs make it easy to put controlled portions on a plate and have it look appealing. Dinnerware is “lead free” and uses only FDA approved, food-safe inks for the decoration.
Wild Mountain Paleo Market
A full selection of organic foods chosen around Paleo guidelines. So if you’re on a Paleo diet, you can eat everything on this site. Includes baked goods and baking supplies, granola, chocolate, coconut products, condiments, crackers and chips, fermented foods, dips and spreads, herbs and spices, jerky and dried meat, nuts and seeds, ut butters, oils and fats, pasta and sauce, salad dressing, seafood, soup and stock sprouted foods, sweet snacks, sweeteners, supplements and much more. You’ll find many foods here that are not on your natural food store shelves, and ideas for what you can eat on a paleo diet. Read ingredients carefully as some items do contain natural sweeteners. Also Paleo body care.
Least toxic treatment to remove mycotoxins?
Question from Jennifer
Hi Debra,
I appreciate your work in the world so very much! I seem to remember a while back you addressed the benefits of fogging to remove mycotoxins. It was about the benefits of fogging with a formaldehyde gas mixture that did not leave any residue in the space treated.
I can’t seem to find any info on that at this point. Can you direct me to where I might find out more about this and/or share your thoughts about this technique for reclaiming spaces affected by these invisible toxins?
Debra’s Answer
I don’t recall addressing this and mold isn’t my field of expertise.
Readers, any information on this?
Here is a very simple and clear article about mycotoxins, what they are, how to remove them from indoor air.
What I can tell you about formaldehyde is that it DOES evaporate completely in a very short period of time. I remember in grade school a teacher left an open bottle of formaldehyde sitting on a counter and the whole bottle evaporated within an hour. The only reason formaldehyde is a long-term problem in particleboard and permanent press finishes is that it is bonded to resins to make it time release. But free formaldehyde evaporates very quickly.
Lunchbox Containers
Question from TM
Hi Debra,
I was using a stainless steel lunchbox containers for my young kid, however, I read stainless steel may leach, although I’m not sure if only when heated?
Glass is not an option right now as he is too young and can break.
Would you go with these made of polypropylene #5 plastic instead of stainless steel? Thanks so much!!
Debra’s Answer
All lunchbox container materials leach something to some degree, so the question is, would you rather be eating plastic or metals? Even, glass, we are now finding, leaches lead and other metals.
There’s a lot more we need to know before I can make a definitive recommendation between these materials. For the moment all I can say is in my kitchen stainless steel is gone except for one pot, but I still have some polypropylene. It’s one of the least toxic plastics.
Couch Conundrum
Question from Cecelia
Hi Debra,
I purchased two futons (latex/wool) because I read California had TB117 – the flame retardant in all its furniture (this was about 3 years ago).
Now, I find that you can get furniture without flame retardants!
The only question is, is it worth getting a foam couch w/o flame retardants as the foam has it’s own problems. we can’t afford a 3-4 thousand dollar couch (EKLA home) and although our futons are ugly, and I’d love to have something stylish, I’m afraid the latex/wool is better than anything we can get. Any suggestions?
Debra’s Answer
I agree your latex/wool futons are better than anything you can get in a sofa in that price range.
There are many now without fire retardant, which is a good first step, but they still contain many other chemicals I wouldn’t want to breathe.
How Long Does It Take for Phthalates to Outgas?
Question from Jen
Hi Debra,
Really appreciate the work that you do.
I have a simple question that I can’t seem to find an answer to: How long generally does it take to outgas phthalates? Do products continually outgas them? Thank you!
Debra’s Answer
First I want to be clear that “phthalates” is not a material, but rather a group of chemicals added primarily to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, to make the PVC more flexible and harder to break.
So technically, I think you question is, “How long does it take for phthalates to outgas out of PVC so it is no longer outgassing?”
I don’t have actual numbers for this, but here’s the thing. Phthalates are added to PVC to keep it soft. As along as it’s soft, there are phthalates in the PVC that can outgas. When the PVC finally outgassed all the phthalates, it becomes brittle and rips or breaks. So we’re talking years here, not days or months.
Yes, products that contain phthalates continually outgas them.
Erector Desk
A standing desk (a work desk where you stand instead of sit) made of wood and steel and nothing else. I wrote to them asking “What is the finish on the wood?” and this was their reply…”The top is sanded and unfinished beech wood. We’ve experimented with some finishes and polishes but decided that we really like the matte look and feel of the untreated wood and that the tops hold up very well without being sealed. Another advantage is if you ever mark or dent the wood, you can just use a little sand paper to rub it out and the sanded portion will still match the rest of the top. We also really prefer not using a finish that would compel us to tell people that our tops are not food safe. We also don’t have to expose ourselves to more VOCs than necessary while making the desk which is definitely a plus! After all, we got into the standing desk business because we have an interest in healthfulness. I took a quick look at debraslist.com so I have a feeling you may feel the same way about these things :)”
