Water | Resources
US EPA: Green Vehicle Guide
A guide to choosing the cleanest and most fuel-efficient vehicle that meets your needs. “Low emissions and good fuel economy are both important for the environment” (and the air we breathe). You can look up vehicles by type, year, or “the greenest vehicles.” Results show an air pollution score, a greenhouse gasses score, and fuel economy.
Poison Ivy
Question from Adica
Hi Debra, My boyfriend and I have just moved into a new house, and as my botfriend discovered after mowing the lawn for the first time, it seems there are several poison ivy plants around the house (resulting in three–going on four–weeks of blisters and rashes for him). We rent the house, but we’re in charge of landscaping, so it’s up to us to kill it.
I was wondering if you had any suggestions on how to kill it. I have Borax and white vinegar on hand, which I’ve read some have used to kill plants, but I was wondering if you had a other suggestions. I’m not concerned about killing some of the surrounding plants in the process (they’re mostly weeds, anyway), so anything would be helpful. Thanks! Adica
Debra’s Answer
Annie Berthold-Bond has a homemade Poison Ivy Killer using salt and vinegar, but my husband says if you use salt, it will be a while before anything grows there again.
My husband recommends trying steaming the plant and leaves with a steam cleaner. He’s never tried this, but his logic says it would kill the plant (I myself am not sure it would kill the roots).
Readers, any experience with this to share?
Ceiling Panels
Question from Mrs. Chris
We have a dropped ceiling in our basement and are going to replace the acoustic ceiling panels with something more healthy. We’re not sure what to use. The metal grid framework will accept panels about 2′ x 3′.
Any recommendations?
Debra’s Answer
Readers, any suggestions?
How do I remove glued-down tack strips under carpet?
Question from Violet56
HELP PLEASE?! I wish to remove the very old, dust laden carpets located in the front stairwell. I lifted up a corner and see that there are wooden tack strips that are glued down VERY VERY tightly. I tried to pry one up and it was absolutely impossible. I would greatly appreciate any tips on a safe product which I can use to remove these wooden strips that are holding the carpets down. (and any tips on how to remove these wooden tack strips safely?) The stairs are made of some type of 1950’s/60’s style – a type of stone, which appears as many mixed mottled colours(difficult to describe). Thank you!
Debra’s Answer
Readers, any suggestions?
E.logical / Nyco Products
Green Seal certified industrial cleaning products, including a multi-purpose cleaner with citrus oils and hydrogen peroxide, a degreaser, glass cleaner, and bathroom cleaner. No known human toxicity, carcinogens or reproductive toxins, no offensive fragrances, no endocrine disruptors, biodegradable. In addition to Green Seal certification, these products meet standards required for LEED credits, Federal Government General Services Administration (GSA) purchasing standards as Environmental Preferable Products, H2E Hospitals for a Healthy Environment health & safety requirements, NGO Healthy Schools Program criteria for cleaners in schools, and NISH and affiliated program’s recommendations for cleaning chemicals. Appropriate for recommendation to schools, nursing homes, daycare centers, hospitals, and workplaces. Go to “our Products” tab and choose “e.logical” for links to individual products. For home use, call for referral to purchase from local distributors.
Eleek
An imaginative array of stylish products made from handcast 100% recycled aluminum (or at least 90% recycled bronze)–sinks, lighting fixtures, cast tiles for countertops, and decorative hardware. One-of-a-kind handcast sinks can have a built-in colander for washing produce. The designs are uniquely beautiful…"pieces sometimes feel old, like relics recovered from archeological ruins…sometimes modern and simple, sometimes whimsical or intricate. Always, though, whether rustic or polished, they feel authentic, made from real stuff by real hands. Our eyes know the difference. Our hands know the difference. And somehow, inexplicably, our hearts know the difference."
Eel River Organic Beef
Premium cuts of certified organic, grassfed beef. “To be certified organic, all animals must be certified organic. Our brood stock are certified organic, our bulls and cows are certified organic. All animals are birthed organic. All feed must be certified organic to include pastures, hay and any grain. Our land and everything the cattle are fed are certified organic. Our beef cattle are completely free of steroids, antibiotics, hormones, and genetically-modified foods.”
Eden Foods Barley Malt Syrup
Made from certified organic barley.
Clarification About Organic Cotton vs. Non-Organic…Pesticide Residues?
Question from Santa Cruz CA
Debra, A while back I was browsing your site looking for information on buying a new bed.
At that time, I thought you said that buying organic is good for the planet but made no difference at all in relation to people with MCS, since there were no pesticide residues left over in the fabrics once they were finished growing. But now I am reading that pesticide and fungicide residues are found in non-organic cloth.
I want an inner-spring bed and I have found an “all-natural” one, but its not made with organic cotton. It has nothing synthetic in it, and is made with cotton, wool and natural latex. Because there is wool in it, it is not required to have fire-retardant. I seem to do fine on it, when testing it out and its SO comfortable. I do not find the Shepherd’s Dream beds to be comfortable…I need a little more cush because of joint pain.
I believe the company who makes the beds is called Berkeley Ergonomics, but they are being sold at a store in Santa Cruz called SC41. Here is a link to the beds: http://sc41.com/SC41ProductSheets_Mattress_Systems.pdf
Please clarify for me, whether I need to buy certified organic in order to heal from MCS. The price difference for organic is more than twice as much! Thank you so much!!!
Debra’s Answer
I said that there are no pesticide residues in non-organic cotton fabric after it has finished processing, not growing. This is based on lab tests from Germany. You don’t say where you read there are pesticide and fungicide residues in non-organic cotton, so I can’t comment on what was said.
If you want to avoid pesticide residues, you must get organic batting on the inside of the mattress. Organic cotton is not necessary for the cover of the mattress.
Flooring Underlayment
Question from danac
My wife has MCS and has not been living inside for several months. We would like to upgrade our floors – remove carpet and particleboard – to make the house less toxic for her. We plan on hardybacker over 3/4 inch plywood and over 2″ tongue and groove with tile on top with associated normal thinset compounds and grout for several rooms.
We would also like to put prefinished solid hardwood in the living room and hallway. For these floors, we will need to remove the particleboard. Need suggestions for subfloor materials to replace the particleboard over the 2″ subfloor. We want to lay the hardwood the same direction as the 2″ subfloor so a layer over the subfloor is needed. Plywood would be the normal option but we are concerned about the VOC’s from the glues.
Any comments about material choices would be appreciated.
Hi Debra! We will remove the carpet and put solid wood on the second floor of our house.. The contractor is insisting we should also put an underlayment otherwise mold and mildew will be developed. He is insisting because part of our second floor is over the garage and the water heater. I’ve searched high and low and no underlayment seems non toxic to me. I am thinking Insulayment by MP Products but it has an antimicrobial additive called Aegis Microbe Shield. I am thinking of putting nothing but my husband is scared that we will have mold eventually and the health will be worse without an insulayment. Thank you in advance.
Debra’s Answer
We have in the past laid plywood down as a subfloor and then laid other flooring over it and it was fine. But I don’t want to assume that would be fine for your wife with MCS.
Readers, any suggestions?
