Question from KatherineM

I was looking into these really cute reusable sandwich/snack bags (www.lunchskins.com) and their site says the inside is coated with “food-safe polyurethane liner.” Do you think this is really safe/non-toxic? Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

See Q&A: Toxicity of Polyurethane.

I don’t think the toxicity of the polyurethane liner would be any more or less toxic than a food grade polyethylene sandwich bag. I don’t know if this wraps are more or less reusable than a sandwich bag, but they are cuter.

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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.

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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?

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Question from guspvt

Hi Debra!

I go to the gym frequently and I’m not allowed to take a glass bottle with me. In this case, should I go with plastic or stainless steel (like Klean Kanteen)? I know they can leach chemicals and metal, respectively, into the water, but which one is better? If plastic is better than stainless steel, which type of gym bottle plastic would be the safest: one made with plastic number 2 (HDPE), number 4 (LDPE) or number 5 (PP)?

Thanks!! And keep up the excellent work! 🙂

Best Regards,

Gustavo

Debra’s Answer

Of the choices you’ve given me, I would choose the #2 HDPE, as it is food grade and high density.

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Question from JackieStonberg

My son is six months old and he has been given some plastic toys. I am trying to figure out which to keep and which to remove. I understand that any plastics marked with “PC,” “#7,” and “3” are unsafe. I think that I may trust those that are labelled “phthalate free,” “no BPA,” and “no PVC.” But many plastic toys are unmarked. For those toys, I have kept them if they are old used ones because I am thinking that if they were once harmful, then over time they have done most of their off-gassing. Is this thinking correct? Or does dangerous plastic get even more dangerous over time? Along these lines, is it sufficient to buy new plastic toys and let then air outside for a few months? Thank you for you help.

Debra’s Answer

If I had a baby, I would not allow ANY plastic toys. I know that is an extreme position, but there are a lot of moms who agree with me, thus the availability of many natural toys. These are not usually sold in toy stores, but are easily available in on internet. See Debra’s List: Toys.

The reason I say this is that all plastics have some harm to them to one degree or another. And a baby’s body does not yet have a fully developed defense system to handle incoming toxic chemicals. The early months are the most important time to create an environment that is as nontoxic as possible.

That said, if you must keep your plastic toys, you’re on the right track.

Toys marked with “PC,” “#7,” and “3” are clearly unsafe. Toys labelled “phthalate free,” “no BPA,” and “no PVC” are safer. Don’t use plastic toys are unmarked. You are correct in thinking that if they were once harmful, then over time they have done most of their off-gassing. Dangerous plastic does not get even more dangerous over time. But the question is, how long does it take for the plastic to become “safe”?

I would not buy new plastic toys and let them air outside for a few months. Better to buy or make natural toys.

There is a whole different philosophy of natural play. I wrote an article about it on my old site, which I will put below because I’m not sure what is going to happen to it when the new site comes down.

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Question from Mary Beth

Hi Debra,

I have learned so much from your website , especially your insight about toxins in ourworld and how they can affect us. I need some advice about a question I have concerning a house my husband are thinking of renting. We are trying to avoid conditions that would bother my severe chemical sensitivities.

I found a house that has a heat pump but also has a gas fireplace that is connected to an outside propane gas tank. I need to know if it is OK to have a gas fireplace if it is never used (I would rather not have it at all). Or is there a possibility that there could be a leak or some other problem and we should avoid it to be safe?

I ‘d appreciate any advice from you or your readers. Thanks, Mary Beth

Debra’s Answer

The general rule of thumb for MCS is no gas lines coming into the house at all.

I think whether you tolerate it or not depends on your level of sensitivity. As to whether or not it would make your MCS worse, it pretty much depends on whether or not there are any gas leaks.

I personally have a gas stove that is well adjusted and vented. I probably would not be concerned about a gas fireplace that is not being used. But I’m sure some of my readers will have different advice for you.

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