Question from HEG

I am in negotiations to purchase a home in Miami. The only downside that we can tell about the house is that it has a 17-year-old roof, and will therefore likely need to be replaced in the next several years, especially due to the fact that we live in a hurricane-prone city. We got an estimate for what this would entail, and it said that it would involve laying down asphalt because it is a tile roof. I am wondering if there are more environmentally- and health-friendly options for a tile roof, how long the asphalt layer of a tile roof might off-gas for, whether this would enter the home if the windows are kept closed, and whether we would therefore need to reside elsewhere during the construction process?

Debra’s Answer

I’ve never installed a tile roof.

Readers, any suggestions?

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Question from petercsantoro@yahoo.com

I purée foods for my infant and discovered the Beaba Baby food freezer tray to store small portions in the freezer. The tray is made of silicone, and I am wondering how safe is silicone to store my baby’s food. Does it leach? Is it better than plastic? I have some Pirex glass bowls that I use also, but like the small, convenient size of the silicone trays. Which is best? Should I just stick with glass? Also, is a silicone steamer safe, or is there a better option for a steamer? Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

There’s a big discussion of silicone at Q&A: Is Silicone Cookware Safe?.

With regards to using it for baby food, I’ll just say that there is always the possibility of leaching of unknown substances, glass is always considered the safest, and with babies it’s always prudent to choose the safest option.

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Question from Susan50

Hello Debra and folks: I am in the process of doing a renovation to my bedroom which is a basement bedroom that became moldy and unusable after water got in the home. I live in Vancouver, BC, Canada and am looking for building materials that will not annoy my MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivies) I have got the construction guys to put up the new drywall walls, and it is time to lay down the subfloor. These guys say they can not lay a wood subfloor directly on the concrete due to potential moisture/mold future issues. The subfloor they like is a clicking technology, with plastice egg carton type bottom and a particle board top. With my MCS being so severe I have issues with the offgassing from anything non natural. So, I am unsure what to do……they say a wood subfloor is bad on a concrete basement floor, and I say I need zero offgassing. I wonder if I put natural pine flooring on top of the plastic subfloor if that would hide the offgassing? Can anyone help with this? Thanks! Susan

Debra’s Answer

First, particleboard WILL offgas formaldehyde and pine flooring WILL NOT block the formaldehyde.

I have often laid wood flooring right on cement slab (the floor I am sitting on right now if laid directly on the concrete, however, if there are moisture problems with the concrete slab that’s not a good idea.

I would be inclined to solve the moisture problem with the concrete as you shouldn’t have a floor on top of damp concrete anyway. And they lay whatever you want right on top.

Readers, any other ideas about this?

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Question from Tracy W

I have MCS and am thinking about buying a new house and having it remodeled with non-toxic, MCS friendly materials. Many homes have gas or oil heating systems, especially older homes. Is it okay to consider those homes with the idea that I will have a new HVAC system, such as forced hot water, electric or solar installed after I buy the home? Or should I avoid homes heated with gas or oil entirely?

Can an old home (including an historic home) be remediated and remodeled so that it is safe for a person with MCS? Do I need to worry about the wood floors and other woodwork such as moldings and banisters being contaminated with the residue from wood burning fireplaces and oil heat? Can any residues and odors be removed during a remodel? Can fireplaces be made tolerable if they are cleaned and then not used again?

Thank you,

Tracy

Debra’s Answer

I personally have never made a point to avoid houses that have used gas or oil heat in the past. In fact, the house I live in now used to have an oil heater.

I have remodeled several older homes and contamination from heat and fireplaces hasn’t been a problem for me.

Thinking about it now, gas and oil heat give off combustion by-products, which is not the same as cigarette smoke, which does contaminate a house and is difficult to remove. Combustion by-products are very volatile gasses that dissipate, where as smoke contains many particles that can stick to walls and other surfaces.

I doubt there would be any residues to be concerned about.

Old houses, do however, often have mold and paint often contains lead. Lead in paint, however does not outgas, and can be easily encapsulated by painting over it with a fresh coat of paint. You do need to be careful, however, when sanding paint that contains lead, and make sure any mold problems can be remediated before purchasing the house.

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Question from vta canary

Does anyone know a good unscented eye mask? I would like to find a good non-toxic eye mask for sleeping. I can not tolerate most of the fragrances that are in normal eye masks (ie lavender) The street light coming in my bedroom is bright and I really need a good nights sleep.

Debra’s Answer

Here’s one: Indigo Spring Eye Pillow. It’s made from 100% cotton, but I can’t vouch for the toxicity of the cotton. But take a look at it. I appears to be several layers of dark cotton with elastic straps. Seems like a simple enough thing to make yourself.

I have a silk eye pillow filled with flax seeds and lavender. The lavender doesn’t bother me, but I understand you do not do well with it. However, many companies that make flax eye pillows do offer them without the fragrant herbs. Here is one: Flax Eye Pillow. Again, it’s simple enough to just make a bag of whatever soft fabric you like and fill it with flax seeds.

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Question from SVE

Hi Debra,

I’m very sensitive to polyurethane foam in furniture. I experience a definite reaction while sitting in a chair with polyurethane foam. Do you know if polyurethane foam emits fumes? I’m now wondering if I need to avoid breathing the air in a room with polyurethane foam furniture.

Thanks! And thanks for your wonderful website. It’s a great source of information and often gives me peace of mind when I’m trying to find a solution to a toxic problem.

SVE

I located a bodyslant that I want to purchase BUT it is made w/ polyurethane foam… will it outgas forever or since the foam cushions are removeable, can I air them outside in the sun to make it safe to be in my home?

Having discovered your website, I am amazed at all the toxins within our homes. I am trying to eliminate as much as I can, whenever possible, even in little steps as you’ve suggested in ” Home Safe Home.”

However, there are some items that I am stuck with and just don’t know what to do with, such as all my furniture that contains polyurethane foam. This would include a leather sofa and chairs, other upholstered chairs, and a new and very expensive dining room set with eight upholstered chairs containing polyurethane foam. The end chairs are even upholstered all along the back and sides. Obviously, I cannot afford to buy all new, non-toxic furniture from some of your recommended sources. If I could, I would get rid the furniture knowing how toxic it is, but my husband thinks I am being neurotic and extreme.

I worry about my children who even play on the dining room set. I did have a table protector on it, but just realized that it is probably made of vinyl, so removed it.

Do you have any suggestions or recommendations? I feel like having polyurethane foam in my house is just something I have to accept for now.

The non-toxic, no polyurethane foam furniture is a lot more expensive too… How toxic is the polyurethane foam in furniture? I wonder about the wood furniture too, such as my hutch, buffet and table. It’s not easy to find out exactly what everything is made of or what toxins may be lurking in everything… Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

Polyurethane foam does emit fumes, whether in a mattress or in furniture.

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