Water | Resources
FDA Fails to Ban BPA in Food Packaging
Yesterday, the FDA denyed a petition to ban bisphenol A (BPA) from all food and drink containers, which was filed by the Natural Resources Defense Council in 2008.
“The FDA denied the NRDC petition today because it did not provide the scientific evidence needed to change current regulations, but this announcement is not a final safety determination and the FDA continues to support research examining the safety of BPA,” said FDA spokesman Douglas Karas.
BPA is known to disrupt your endocrine system. Through interaction between hormones and their receptor sites, your endocrine system influences almost every cell, organ, and function of your body.
Your endocrine system includes glands that regulate the rate at which cells burn fuel from food to produce energy, how your immune sys- tem functions, and how your body responds to stress. It regulates your sleep cycles, how well your body metabolizes sugar and your sexual desire and function.
BPA has been in the news a lot because hundreds of scientific studies show health effects from even low exposures to BPA, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, abnormal behavior, and infertility. BPA can even make you fat.
And BPA has been detected in the urine of more than 93% of Americans tested, and canned foods and drinks in a major source of exposure
In 2011, a study found that evidence of BPA in participants’ urine decreased by 50% to 70% after only three days of eating fresh foods, instead of eating canned foods that contained BPA.
It is clear to me there is plenty of evidence that BPA can cause harm to our health. And the precautionary principle suggests that we reduce our exposure to toxic chemicals of concern as much as possible.
There are many things we each can do to minimize our exposure to BPA from foods and beverages and other sources. I’ve put them all together in my free ebook How to Reduce Your Exposure to Bisphenol-A (BPA).
Source: FDA rejects petition to ban BPA in food packaging
“If people let government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny.”
– Thomas Jefferson
Has anyone with MCS tried NdYAG Pulsed Dye Laser for Broken Blood Vessels on the face.
Question from cbuskirk
Has anyone with MCS tried NdYAG Pulsed Dye Laser for Broken Blood Vessels on the face or for other problems?
Thank you for your help!
Sincerely,
Colleen
Debra’s Answer
Readers?
Unfinished Wood Furniture
Question from hellokitty
Hello Debra,
Thank you for your blog, health conscious advise and the help you provide to your readers.
We bought an unfinished solid teak bed recently. When the bed arrived it was covered in a fine red dust propably from the wood sanding. It is solid and unfinished so we thought it was perfect. We’ve been cleaning it for the past 4 days with a really mild soap and water, it is better but still it has some red dust and tiny wood chips. Is this dangerous or unhealthy?
Our second option is a solid oak bed but the headborad is made of strips of solid teak glued together with water based glue. It is finished with a waterbased topcoat.
So what is less evil: the unfinished teak with the red dust or the finished headboard with the glued strips of teak?
We are concerned beacuse it is the family bed and our baby will be sleeping in the bed too.
Debra’s Answer
I’m not sure I am understanding about the red dust. You should be able to remove all the dust and tiny wood chips with a damp towel.
In general, unfinished wood is safer than finished wood, however, waterbased glues and finishes are pretty nontoxic once they dry.
Dust can be a problem because it is a particle that can irritate the lungs, to greater or lesser degree. That is why anything in the form of dust can be considered a hazard, whether the material is toxic or not.
Without actually seeing the two bedframes, they seem about equal to me.
Thinking of staining my concrete floors – is there a non-toxic way to do this?
Question from Jasmine
Greetings, I currently live in a home built on a concrete slab, which needs new floor covering, but at present I am unable to lay wood or bamboo floors, and would also like to avoid new carpeting. Instead, I am considering perhaps staining the concrete floors as an alternative. If I did stain the concrete, it would have to be as nontoxic as possible, as I am sensitive to chemicals and odors, and also would like to avoid future off-gassing.
In searching the web for non-toxic concrete stains, I see that there do exist some supposedly non-toxic options. It also appears that the stained floors would require some kind of sealer.
I am wondering if anyone has stained concrete floors and if they have any non-toxic concrete stain and/or sealer product recommendations? Or have any other feedback to share on this subject?
thanks much, Jasmine
Debra’s Answer
Readers, what is your experience with this?
Dishware Labeled “PROP 65 COMPLIANT FOR LEAD & CADMIUM”
Update August, 2020: Read more here about ceramic dinnerware.
Air Fresheners
Question from Norswede
Hi Debra:
I have MCS and am in need of an alternative to commercial air fresheners. While I do not use them in my home, my bank has started using two (yes, 2!) of them which sit on top of the ATM machine in the relatively small, enclosed vestibule. My one exposure to them effected me greatly (causing cognitive/neurological symptoms). I want to approach the bank manager voicing my concerns; however, I’d like to be able to suggest an alternative. Is there a non-toxic ‘air freshener’ or a de-odorizer which does not contain VOC’s or essential oils as I am sensitive to these as well? My bias is to suggest no de-odorizer but I’m sensing this idea will be rejected and I’d like to have a workable compromise so both of us can live with the alternative.
Thanks!
Nancy
Debra’s Answer
Is the point to remove odors or to scent the air?
If it is to remove odors, zeolite will absorb odors and also there are odor solutions at nontoxic.com.
Need help with waterproofing dog beds
Question from cbuskirk
We have 3 older dogs and are having some accidents in their beds at night and the cuddle beds aren’t easily washable. When even using diapers urine still leaks out the leg. What do others use as a waterproof barrier. We’ve tried unscented garbage bags and they work but they make a lot of noise when the dogs move around. I’ve thought about wrapping these beds with a PEVA shower curtain then putting the bed cover over it. Would this be a safe non-toxic waterproof lining for them to sleep on every night? Any other suggestions for waterproofing material? Thank you for the help!
Sincerely,
Colleen
Debra’s Answer
A PEVA shower curtain would be nontoxic and waterproof.
Readers, any other ideas?
Mosquito repellent
Question from Irish 8th
Hi – We’re planning a trip to Costa Rica and I’m needing insect repellent. I feel that this isn’t something to mess around with, because the resulting illness could be Dengue Fever. I’ve read that DEET may be neurotoxic in some cases, but that the natural options may not work for everyone, and also need to be applied more regularly. While I tend not to attract mosquitoes, my husband and grown sons do. I’m beginning to panic about this trip. Can you recommend a repellent that is safe and effective? Is there such a thing?
Thanks so much,
Val
Debra’s Answer
Personally, I’ve been using vinegar for years and it’s all I use here in Florida, where we have LOTS of insects. I use distilled white or organic apple cider vinegars, not balsamic or any flavored vinegars. Just plain. I learned this from an Italian grandmother.
Readers, I would love to hear about mosquito repellants you have tried and liked, and with summer coming, I’m sure a lot of other people would like this information too.
Real Estate Sale Viewings
Question from sunshine
I have found an un-renovated home to make an offer on, but I have to make it subject to the sale of where I live now. I have not had anyone (other than family) in my home in a year, I am so chemically sensitive. Since I now have to sell my place, does anyone have any advice for when people come to view it? Also, when you have no furniture – all my clothing is piled on chairs since I had to get rid of my dressers – how to prepare the place for viewing? Hopefully someone else has had some experience with this. Thanks.
Debra’s Answer
Readers? Any experience with this?
Washing a Wool Blanket
Question from Deborah Barnett
Debra,
I bought a 100% wool blanket that says “Dry clean only.” Could I possibly use a wool wash of some kind to wash it in a delicate cycle?
I don’t want to use any chemicals to dry clean it. What would be your suggestion?
Thanks,
Deborah Barnett
Tennessee.
Debra’s Answer
Yes, you can wash a wool blanket with a wool wash on a gentle cycle.
Heat causes wool to shrink, so it’s important to wash in cold water and hang your blanket to dry. Do NOT put it in the dryer. If you can’t hang it outdoors, fold it over the shower rod in your bathroom.
Remember, wool blankets used to be standard in homes for centuries before dry cleaning existed, so you CAN wash it yourself.
