Question from -E-

I’ve started a garden in pots. Although I know plastic (Labeled #5) is not the best of options it was all I could afford at the time and for the space I had .

I need to purchase more pots, but its getting rather pricey and was wondering if all plastic labeled #5 are all of the same food grade quality (Polypropylene)?

EX: Sterlite/Rubbermaid storage boxes or food storage containers compared to the plastic pots for planting? Is the material the same?

Thanks for your help on this matter.. As always its greatly appreciated!

Debra’s Answer

#5 plastic, polypropylene, is one of the safest plastics. All polypropylenes have the same degree of safety.

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Question from heavensabvus1

My current (conventional) pillowtop mattress is still going strong at 14 years old. I love it and it’s as pristine as the day I got it. I have it sealed in a cotton allergen encasing that keeps out dander and dust mites. On top of that cover is an organic cotton barrier cloth cover that also completely encloses the mattress, although I expect neither of these encloses gases. And then on top of that are two 3″ organic wool mattress toppers and then organic cotton sheets, wool comforter and wool pillows. There is no boxspring. Is it still outgassing or is it safe at this point?

Debra’s Answer

At fourteen years, it’s probably fine.

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Question from heavensabvus1

Many, many internet searches have not turned any up. I see plenty of 6ml polyethelene, but it is not food grade. The only food grade I’ve been able to find are pre-made mattress wraps, and since this is not for a mattress, it doesn’t seem right to have to pay more only to cut something up. Does anyone know where I can get this in large sheets (i.e. a drop cloth) or on a roll? Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

Obviously it exists as a wholesale item.

If you are finding products made from this, ask the businesses that are selling those items if you can buy some of their sheet polyethylene before it’s made into a product.

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Question from KCribley

In an effort to prevent my little ones from sticking their fingers in our box fans, I thought it would be a great idea to unscrew the plastic panels on each side of the fan, wrap them in window screening–which according to the package is fiberglass mesh–and then put the plastic panels back on.

After doing this, I realized that there might be some danger in blowing air through a fiberglass mesh screen especially since we regularly use a fan to blow directly on us at night while sleeping.

Obviously it’s similar to having open windows and the wind blowing through the same type of screen, but should we be concerned about using this screen with our fans?

Thanks for your help!

Debra’s Answer

I’m not concerned. 🙂

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Question from nontoxicmom

Hi Debra,

We are in the market for an outdoor play-set for our kids. I know there were issues in the past regarding CCA in the pressure treated wood. It was supposed to be phased out in 2003. www.safe2play.org

We are willing to purchase a new set, but was wondering if there are any other hidden toxic chemicals we should be aware of. Can you recommend any particluar play-set as the safest on the market?

Thanks so much. Your site has been so helpful!

Debra’s Answer

I haven’t researched play sets myself. Readers?

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Question from petercsantoro@yahoo.com

I am wondering what you use/recommend for lawn care. I have two small children who like to play in the yard, and I don’t want to use pesticides/chemicals if possible. My husband states that some chemicals are necessary and that the lawn will be destroyed if not used.

(currently we use TrueGreen to care for our lawn and we are under their “Natural” program. However, their treatment for grubs is a pesticide which when applied, humans and pets must stay off the lawn for a couple hours. I do not want this grub treatment but my husband says we need it since we had a terrible problem with grubs tearing up the lawn previously.)

Can you please recommend another alternative for lawn care, and particularly, grub treatment?

I can’t let my children play in a yard sprayed with chemicals and pesticides, and my husband and i disagree about the dangers of the chemicals/pesticides… Can you have a nice lawn without the danger? Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

Yes, you can have a nice lawn without the danger.

Safelawns.org is dedicated to promoting safe lawn care. Their site has lots of how-to videos and will answer you lawn care questions free.

Try them with your question.

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Question from sunshine

I wondered if anyone else purchased this washer only to discover it makes your clothing smelly? This machine has cost us lots in replacement clothing, & re-washing at the laundromat. We can’t be the only ones that have discovered how bad it smells.

The rubber parts stink just as bad as they did a year ago when we bought it. How do you offgas internal rubber parts in a washing machine? We purchased the machine because we wanted to hang dry and this machine apparently was the best at taking the water out during the spin.

I could initially smell the rubber seal in the store, but since the washing machines I’ve used at the laundromat have rubber seals too I just thought the smell would offgas.

In the case of this machine it’s not the plastic that is the problem, but smelly rubber internal parts aside from the seal around the door that smell as bad as they did a year ago when the machine was purchased – mostly because you are washing hot water through them, onto your clothing.

In this machine, unlike in other front loaders, apparently the hot water is forced through the rubber when washing in order that the water does not sit in the seal and mold. Well, if you have smelled your hot tires in the sun, you will have an idea of what this washing machine smells like when you use hot water in it. It is a searing rubber smell that makes your eyes water, and hurts the throat, not just when you open the front door, but also the soap compartment.

This washing machine within a few weeks already had that “mildew smell”, even after leaving the door open (which was difficult since the rubber smelled so bad during every wash).

Debra’s Answer

Readers? Has anyone else had this experience?

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