Water | Resources
Vermont Natural Coatings
This is currently the wood finish I use. High performance water-based wood finishes made using whey, a by-product of local cheese making. Whey “has a high BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) that can increase the burden on waste treatment facilities and can pollute rivers, lakes, and even the ocean…By reformulating whey into a durable, natural wood finish, a potential waste product is taken out of the waste stream and put to a useful purpose.” The VOC level is about 180g/L (grams per liter), which is lower than California’s 250g/L–the toughest indoor air quality standard in the United States. I smelled a sample and it is remarkably low in odor (though it does still contain small amount of toxic chemicals, according to their MSDS). Once cured, it is very “food-safe”, not toxic if child or pet chews on it. Cans are made with post consumer materials which can be recycled when discarded.
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Listen to my interview with Vermont Natural Coatings Founder and President Andrew Meyer./a> |
Winter Clothes
Question from cymering
Hi Debra!
My questions today is about winter clothes. I have been trying to find post about polyester clothes, but I only found one about pillows. So I apologize if I am asking something that you already answer. But since most winter jackets are made with polyester fleece, and most coats are lined with it, ans now we see a lot of recycle polyester, I would like to know how toxic it is to wear it.
I have recently found this store, http://us.hessnatur.com/. I would like to know your opinion. The prices are a bit high. Some of the clothes are not washable, and some say they used synthetic dyes. I was looking specially at the organic cotton fleece, as an alternative to polyester fleece.
Then I found this other site: http://www.hoodlamb.com/wintersite/index.html.
I would really appreciate your advice.
Thank you very much!
Debra’s Answer
I like Hessnatur a lot, in fact, I am going to add them to Debra’s List. They have a good philosophy, and I find that products are better when a philosophy exists and is followed, rather than finding random products that might meet a criteria sold by companies with no guiding principles.
Hoodlamb looks fine to me, too, if you want to order all the way from Europe.
Toxic Chemicals Found in Brand Name Clothes
A new report from Greenpeace called “Dirty Laundry 2″ reveals brands such as Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and Ambercrombie & Fitch post postive for detergents that contain harmful nonylphenol ethoxylates. These form nonylphenol, which disrupts hormone functions and mimics female hormones.
Read more at:
Health Freedom Alliance: Toxins Found in Brand-Name Clothes (article)
Dirty Laundry 2: Hung Out to Dry (the original Greenpeace report)
Pesticides & Diabetes
According to the Journal of Diabetes Care (August 4, 2011) exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) has been associated with the prevalence of type 2 diabetes.
A study was done that found that the participants with the highest exposure to oxychlordane, trans-nonachlor, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis-(p-chlorophenyl)-ethylene (p,p’-DDE, and polychlorinated biphenyl 153, the risk of type 2 diabetes was 1.64-2.24 times higher than that among individuals with the lowest exposure (P(lin) = 0.003-0.050.
In another analysis, the associations between type 2 diabetes and oxychlordane and trans-nonachlor were strongest among the overweight participants. Exposure to 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE 47) and 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexabromodiphenyl ether (BDE 153) was not associated with type 2 diabetes.
The study concluded that there was an association between type 2 diabetes and adult-only exposure to organochlorine pesticides in a general urban population.
Association between type 2 diabetes and exposure to persistent organic pollutants
Polyethelene outgoing plumbing coating?
Question from Angelique
A plumber was just telling us about a polyethylene coating for outgoing pipes. It’s installed by placing air-filled bags into the pipes. The coating is on the outside of the bags. It sticks to the pipe walls and dries, sealing leaks. I’m not sure how any VOCs from the wet material could get back into the house (especially if you blocked your drains) but I thought I would see if anyone has heard of this product or has had experience with it.
Debra’s Answer
Readers?
I don’t see how polyethylene would emit toxic vapors in this use, as it doesn’t in other uses.
Auto Interior Products for MCS Patient
Question from Bill Tallevast
I am looking for very non toxic no odor if possible products for adapting the interior of my Suburu Outback in case I have to live in it for a undetermined period of time. I use to not be respiratory allergic in it but further exposures in trying to find a place to live have resulted in more sensitivity. I also need to know manufactures and how to contact. I HAVE BEEN UNSUCESSFUL IN FINDING A METAL AIR FLITER UNIT FOR THe AUTO. I assume I need to cover the whole interior from floor carpet, seats, ceiling ,etc. I am also looking for a place I can live in. Thanks Bill
Debra’s Answer
Here’s your all-metal auto air filter: E.L. Foust Auto/RV Air Filter. It plugs into your cigarette lighter. I used to have one of these many years ago when I needed it, and it works very well.
I also re-covered the seats of a car with heavy-duty cotton canvas and that worked very well. In this particular car, the top came off and it didn’t have a fabric liner, so I didn’t need to do the ceiling.
Stove & Countertop Gap, Spacetape
Question from Guadalupe
Hi Debra,
I’m in the market for something to cover the gap between my stove and countertop. I like the silicone insert strips, but the ones I’ve found are 20 1/2 inches long, and shorter than I need. I am considering Chef’S Plate Spacetape, but am concerned about its materials. I called the manufacturer and was told the tape is made of PTFE (Teflon type nonstick), and that their PTFE will not outgass unless heated to 500 degrees F. And it stays put via a food safe silicone adhesive which Chef’S Plate manufacture themselves as well. I asked if the adhesive had other ingredients besides silicone and got no answer. What do you think of the safety of this Spacetape? Thanks in advance!
Debra’s Answer
Well, I looked for this online and couldn’t find it at all.
I think the space between your counter and stove won’t reach 500 degrees.
The adhesive will probably outgas within a few days, if it has an odor at all.
Without seeing it, just from your description it sounds like it would be OK, but I would test a bit first before installing it.
Is there another option? I have a small gap between my stove and counter too, but I just leave it open. I don’t feel like I want to use that tape just to not have a gap.
E-Cigarettes
Question from HAH
what is a good e-cigarette product?
Debra’s Answer
I can’t say I recommend one brand over another, but will say that I recommended e-cigarettes in my new book Toxic Free, as an alternative for smokers to get their nicotine without subjecting the rest of us to carcinogenic second-hand smoke.
From my book:
“I don’t want to encourage smoking at all, but I do want to offer a “better-than-doing-nothing” alternative for smokers: e-cigarettes. These battery-powered atomizers provide inhaled doses of tobacco-flavored nicotine by delivering a vaporized liquid nicotine solution to the lungs. When a smoker’s body absorbs the nicotine, the smoker exhales a harmless water vapor that resembles smoke. This enables the smoker to get a nicotine fix anywhere without creating harmful secondhand smoke. Nicotine itself is a poison and I certainly am not saying it is not toxic. But if you are addicted to nicotine, or know someone who is, e-cigarettes eliminate all the extra exposure to the toxic chemicals in smoke, for yourself and others.”
And my editor thought that was a great idea. 🙂
Cutting boards
Question from petercsantoro@yahoo.com
Just wondering what type of cutting boards do you recommend? I found a bamboo cutting board (from co. called Leeds) and am wondering if this is safe to use. Is bamboo treated with anything? Does it need to be organic? Also, are bamboo utensils okay or do you prefer another material? Thanks!
Debra’s Answer
My cutting board is maple, I think. I’m not aware of anything toxic on a bamboo cutting board. It probably has some type of finish, but that would vary with the manufacturer. Ask them what it is finished with.
I’ve never seen wood labeled as organic.
I have lots of wooden utensils of all types of wood. Bamboo is fine as far as I am concened. It has been used in Asia for centuries.
Non-Toxic Ironing Board
Question from sunshine
Hello,
Recently I accidently used a hot iron on my ironing board – I forgot to put the towel under the thin cover (I had substituted an organic towel for the foam) – and I actually melted the coating on the board itself. It was an inexpensive metal board with I think an epoxy coating. Luckily I was ironing in the hall with the doors closed to the various rooms as the acrid smell really stuck to anything plastic while I was doing it, and afterwards I could not keep the board in the apartment, and actually I had to recycle it since I could not wash the smell off (obviously due to the fact I burnt it).
I’m wondering which type of ironing board anyone has had success with? I see there are some at Ikea, but wasn’t sure if these would offgass like other items they sell. Also, I have located a very high end board, manufactured in England, by the company Minky. The board says that it has a heat resistant silicone coating on top of the metal. Would this be a preferable board to buy? As well, I know that all the covers are usually chemically treated with Teflon, are there any out there that aren’t?
(I was hoping not to buy a used board since the majority of people use scented laundry products and iron chemically treated clothing.)
Thanks Debra.
Debra’s Answer
I just have a regular metal ironing board that I bought at some hardware store.
For the cover, I don’t know of a commercial cover that isn’t treated with Teflon, however…
Here are instructions for making your own ironing board cover!
