Question from Marisa

I’m glad you are finding the site helpful.  Unfortunately, I am not aware of a microwaveable bowl that is unbreakable.  Polypropylene is typically one of the safer plastics but any type of plastic can have additives that are harmful.  You can read more about that here.  Additionally, no plastic should be used in the microwave.

While I rarely use a microwave, I do have small pyrex glass bowls that are microwavable and more durable than many other glass bowls.

When my kids were little, I used stainless steel plates and bowls.  Could you perhaps microwave the food in a safe container such as glass and then put it on a stainless steel plates or bowls for them to eat?  Life Without Plastic is a great source for dishware for kids and adults.

Readers, do you have any suggestions?

Question from Becca

Question from Mary

Question from Priya

I use Xtrema cookware and also use a stainless steel pan to make eggs.  Cast iron is also a good choice.  You can look for safe options from Debra’s List.

Question from Sandee

You can read here about research that shows that quasi ceramic coatings released titanium dioxide nanoparticles into food and that chronic exposure to these nanoparticles can lead to immune disruption and pre-cancer lesions in the gut.  I can’t say for certain that these pans use this coating, but I would avoid all ceramic coatings as a precautionary measure.

Question from Catherine

IQAir’s Atem car purifier is a good choice.

Question from Sharon

Both Novalink 35 and AFM Safecoat caulk have very low levels of VOCs and are solvent-free.  I personally use AFM Safecoat but they are comparable products.  Even products with low VOCs can have an odor.  For those who are sensitive, it is always a good idea to test a product before using it.

Question from Miriam

They are made from the same material used to make tiles for schools, and hospitals.  They pass California standards for indoor air quality so they emit a low level of VOCs but that doesn’t mean they don’t emit any VOCs.  This is probably safer than recycled tires but it is still petroleum-based plastic.  Because the tiles are recycled, it may not even be known what ingredients were used in the original product.  You might want to ask if the material contains phthalates or lead which would not be measured in air quality testing.  Also, keep in mind that these will be exposed to sun and humidity which will only increase off-gassing.

While they may be safer than recycled tires, I would go with untreated wood chips.

Covid-19 is a respiratory disease that affects your lungs so now is a good time to be thinking about keeping your lungs, and your overall health, as strong as possible.  According to the American Lung Association, air pollution can make the COVID-19 pandemic worse. Since it is a disease affecting the lungs, people who live in places with more air pollution could be more vulnerable.

In normal times, indoor air pollution can be 2 to 5 times greater than outdoor pollution.  There are new factors, related to the pandemic, that may be making indoor air pollution levels even higher and our exposure greater.

• Most of us are spending more time than ever indoors.
• As disinfecting is an important defense against the virus, people may be using products with more toxic ingredients than they would normally use.
• We are cooking more meals at home which creates harmful fumes and particles that need to be properly ventilated.

Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to improve your air quality and keep yourself well.

• Open your windows, often.

Outdoor air pollution levels have improved dramatically in China as a result of restricted activities indicating that air in the U.S. may also be improving.  Opening your windows will let the cleaner air in.

• Keep the house clean.

Household dust is full of toxic chemicals as well as allergens and other harmful particles.  Pick up dust with a damp cloth and use a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.

• Use proper ventilation when cooking.

Cooking is a major source of poor indoor air quality.  Proper ventilation is critical, particularly if you are cooking with gas.  If you don’t have a range hood that vents to the outside, open your windows while cooking.  If your range hood doesn’t extend over your front burners, make sure to cook on your back burners.  Also, clean up any food particles on the burners because as they burn, they can release toxic by-products into the air.

• Change your filters.

If your air filter from your HVAC system is clogged it can recirculate dust, mold and particles back into your air.

• Invest in an Air Purifier.

Check out Debra’s List for recommended air purifiers.  I am working on updating this and developing a buying guide that I will post soon.

Question from Miriam

I reached out to ECR4Kids to try to find out what finish they use and if they use adhesive but have not heard back.  You could absolutely use AFM SafeSeal on this!  That would be a very good option.  I would do this over either of the IKEA options.

The IKEA Mammut is made of polypropylene, which is typically a safer plastic.  However, as I discuss in this post, it is very difficult to know what additives are used in the plastic.  These additives are often more hazardous than the plastic.

The IKEA Ypperlig has even more materials of concern.  The top is made of particleboard, ash veneer, fiberboard, solid birch with a clear lacquer.  IKEA strives to use lower levels of chemicals in their products but they do use chemicals.  Particleboard and fiberboard often contain formaldehyde.  Veneers use adhesive which off-gas.  The lacquer could also off-gas.  It has many more potential sources of chemicals than the solid wood table.