Water | Resources
Radioactive Scrap Metal Coming to a Consumer Product Near You
Question from Gigi
Debra,
Thank you again for expertise, skill and wisdom.
Regarding stainless steel, now we have another threat that is nearly unimanginable.
The DoD is proposing that they to sell 14,000 tons of radioactive scrap metal from government nuclear sites to the marketplace. That means we could soon be buying radiation tainted silver and cutlery ware, belt buckles, zippers, surgical implants, and other consumer products.
As you can imagine, scrap metal businesses are NOT happy about being told to recycle this hazardous material.
We are already seeing these tainted products. Due to a random inspection of a commercial truck in Northern California, Cobalt-60 radioactivity showed up in metal bathroom tissue boxes within the truck. Enough to set an alarm off at a CHP inspection station. A recall had to be issued for theses boxes which were being sold at Bed, Bath, and Beyond (one of my favorite local stores).
Debra’s Answer
Will they never learn?
Another reason to take Pure Body Liquid Zeolite. You never know what you are going to run into. Pure Body will remove radioactive particles from your body as well as heavy metals and other toxic chemicals. I take it every day just as a safeguard.
Crazy As a Loom Weaving Studio
One-of-a-kind area rugs, handwoven using leftover products of the textile industry, old blue jeans, and millends. She will also make rugs to order using your own fabric. Also bags and totes, stuffed monkeys, and an everchanging variety of handwovens shawls, baby blankets, kitchen towels and “whatever else my muse has decided to weave. All woven in the weavers home on old looms.
Swanson Soapworks
I found this soapmaker at my local farmer’s market and was immediately drawn by the artistry of the simle swirls on the edge of each soap bar–akin to the swirl of frosting on top of a cake. Then I learned they make their soaps with a vegetable-based blend of water, olive oil, sustainably produced coconut oil, sustainably produced palm oil, vegetable shortening, sodium hydroxide (lye), essential oils (if scented), clays (if added) & spices. They make our bars in small batches using the traditional “stir the kettle” cold press method and use only pure essential oils, natural clays & powders, herbs from their garden and filtered water. I bought a bar, of course: Spicy Peppermint with Green Tea. Other scented varieties are more citrus and herbal than floral, also unscented.
Uncle Harry’s Natural Products
Here’s something completely different in bodycare products: “Hand crafted products with natural native ingredients by Uncle Harry, based on traditional recipes from native cultures.” These are traditional body care products and remedies with “absolutely no toxic ingredients.” There is an astonishing amount of information on this site about each of their products, the native ingredients used, and why. A very interesting site to explore. Mouth care, skin care, hair care, aromatherapy oils, henna and incense, nutrition.
Does Vitamix have BPA?
Question from K Hill
If polycarbonate leaches BPA, then what about the Vitamix container?
Debra’s Answer
Since late 2007, all of the Vitamix containers and lids are BPA-free (since Model 5200). If you have an older Vitamix you can swap out the container and lid for a new one.
Insulating Spray Foam for Windows
Question from Dierdre
Can you suggest an insulating spray foam product I can use around a window?
The code requires that window installers/builders fill any gaps with insulating material – caulk doesn’t count. They usually use the insulating foam, but my builder said he can use fiberglass instead. Do you think this would be better? With fiberglass, of course, I worry about any airborne fibers, but I guess if it’s sealed inside it wouldn’t be an issue. I guess the fibers couldn’t escape via infiltration of air through the building envelope.
Thanks so very much, Debra. And thanks for all the great work you do in general.
Debra’s Answer
Here’s the story about these insulating spray foams.
First, they are all alike. There’s not one better than another, so your contractor can use whichever one they want to use.
They are VERY TOXIC to apply. Like they should be wearing respirators and hazmat suits. But once they cure, these foams are totally NOT TOXIC. So you can have it in your house, but don’t be there while it’s being installed and air your house thoroughly after.
Be careful when looking for a nontoxic insulating spray foam because websites will say “nontoxic” referring to the end result, and neglect to tell you how toxic it is during installation.
Fiberglass would be much better.
Is Volck Oil Toxic?
Question from JAD
I run a native plant nursery and we try to be chemical free.
One of the volunteers has brought in volck oil. I looked it up and it is 97% petroleum oil.
We have 3 Chemical Sensitive volunteers and one complained about feeling ill after being in the nursery 5 days after this product was used. Do you think this could still made her ill. I have had a headache this last 10 days and have been puzzled why and maybe this is it?
Before I mention to everyone not to use it I would like some Professional help on what to tell them.
Thank you as always.
Debra’s Answer
I’m looking at the MSDS for Volck Oil and it says, as you noted, that it is 97% mineral oil. Mineral oil is not very toxic, but it is made from petroleum and anything made from petroleum could cause a reaction in someone with MCS, regardless of the toxicity.
But I’m more concerned about the “inert ingredients.” The MSDS says
This product contains a petroleum distillate. Due to the low viscosity of petroleum distillate, it can directly enter the lungs if it is swallowed (this is called aspiration). This can occur during the act of swallowing or when vomiting the substance. Once in the lungs, the substance is very difficult to remove and can cause severe injury to the lungs and death.
This product certainly could cause symptoms.
A safer thing to do would be to just get plain mineral oil and spray that on the plants for pest control. Since mineral oil is the active ingredient in Volck oil, it should work just fine. You don’t need those toxic chemicals.
Thank you for Everything
Question from Mary
Not exactly a question, but I was looking at a pillow case that I had bought years ago through a mail-order company that you had listed in one of your early books. You had named several sources of cotton clothing and cotton bedding, etc. That was a long time ago, before we had the Internet. Looking back, I have to wonder how you found all those wonderful companies. I just wanted to say thank you for providing solutions to so many problems over the years!
Debra’s Answer
You’re welcome. It’s my pleasure. It really is. It’s a delight to discover all these great nontoxic products in a world where so much is toxic and I enjoy telling others about them. It’s a win-win. All of you get to find the products you want and need to be healthy, and your purchases help the wonderful businesses who provide these products to stay in business. I’m happy to be the connection.
Perfume and Smoke in Handmade Pottery Mug
Question from Mary A.
I just purchased a beautiful handmade pottery mug online. Unfortunately, It has a strong smell of perfume and also of smoke!.. The artist says she stores her materials in her laundry room …hence the perfume smell, and smokes in the garage where some items are stored. She will take the item as a return, however, I would love to keep it if I can ‘deodorize’ it . Any suggestions? also, even if the odor itself is gone, could the substance still be there for me when I drink hot tea in it ? thanks for your input!
Debra’s Answer
Well, this is the first I’ve heard of this! I would just return the mug and find another one you like.
Scentsy Scented Candles
Question from Eddi
Has any of you heard about the “Scentsy” products? I got one as a Christmas present, but hesitant to use it in case it’s toxic…
Debra’s Answer
Please do not use this. It’s one of many scented products that contain artificial fragrances that are very toxic. Read Q&A: Fragrance is Hazardous to Your Health
