Question from HEG

I just learned that the preschool my daughter will be attending in a few weeks was tented for temites last month. They are very green-conscious (their food is completely organic and dairy is grass-fed, use green cleaning products) so I have to assume that they did everything they were supposed to do in terms of cleaning up afterwards. However, I am still disappointed that they didn’t use a less toxic means of getting rid of the termites. Can you recommend what questions I should ask to make sure that the environment may be safe for my toddler to attend in a few weeks? I.e. I will certainly confirm that they removed all food prior to the fumigation and thoroughly cleaned their kitchen. What should they have done in terms of the toys and furniture in the classrooms?

Debra’s Answer

Here are some excerpts from the standard preparation steps before tenting and fumigating for termites:

1. REMOVE persons, pets and plants (including seeds and bulbs). LEAVING PETS UNATTENDED IN THE YARD IS NOT SUFFICIENT.

2. REMOVE all food, animal feed and medicinals which are not factory sealed in metal or glass (including freezer and refrigerator items and bottled water).

3. BABY MATTRESSES MUST BE REMOVED WITHOUT EXCEPTION.

Given that baby mattresses must be remove without exception, I would say that in a preschool furniture and any soft fabric items should have been protected as well.

Find out what fumigant was used and then look up on the internet “[name of fumigant] half-life to see how long it takes for the fumigant to dissipate. Remember that half-life the the time it takes for half the fumigant to dissipate, so you will need to at least double that number.

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Question from jiwaskow

Debating whether to get a central vacuum system or not. Would have to be pvc piping and unsure what to use to glue the piping. They make a hide a hose system (hose sucks into wall for ease of storage, etc) but also unsure if that is better/worse for MCS.

Curious about other people’s experience with central vacs – worth it or not? Which one if it is? And any MCS issues?

Debra’s Answer

Readers, any experience with this?

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Question from kislev28

I have a bed that was built from formica. However, the underside of the bed is not finished with the formica it is just the raw pressboard. After a few years the bed has a terrible smell and I have to assume that its from the pressboard. Any ideas of how to get rid of this smell. I was going to try to seal the pressboard with polyurethane. Do you think this will work or do you have any other suggestions. I’m desperate

Debra’s Answer

You need a sealant designed to seal in chemical fumes, such as AFM Safe Seal.

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Question from lmay

Hi Debra,

Thank you for your wonderful book Home Safe Home. I recently realized that the humidity level in my house can reach 75% during winter. I reviewed the ‘humidity’ entries on your website but am unable to find specific recommendations for dehumidifiers. Any suggestions? Thank you.

Lee

Debra’s Answer

Readers, what is your experience with dehumidifiers?

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Question from mavy1227

I recently read that a few countries in Europe banned foam play mats due to the chemical formamide. I have hard wood floors in the “play room” and would like to put down a toxin-free floor mat or cork or ultra soft rug for my son to play on. Any suggestions of a specific brand and where to buy it?

According to One Step ahead their foam play mat was tested and formamide, acetophenone and 2-phenyl 2-proanol was not detected. But, reviewers said although it was considered “safe” the mat smelled. I’m overwhelmed with what chemicals to avoid and where to find the safest option.

Debra’s Answer

Moms, any suggestions?

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Question from pb

hello,

a few months ago, i purchased several japanese style futons online. upon receipt of the futons i noticed a VERY STRONG SMELL. i emailed the etailer, and they said it was “not off-gassing” but was simply the combination of the UNBLEACHED COTTON and a SMALL AMT OF BORIC ACID (flame retardency).

according to the etailer, the smell should dissipate within a week with regular use. unfortunately, it’s been several months, and the SMELL PERSISTS.

recently, my husband purchased some vaccum cleaner bags and a new filter. the smell of those items had the “same smell” as the futon beds! i figured, “this can’t be good!”.

i have been unable to sleep on the futon as of yet (still airing it out) but my 2 boys sleep on their’s. this causes me great concern. i want to be sure they’re not being exposed to harmful toxic fumes etc.

i was wondering if you might be able to tell me if either the unbleached cotton or the boric acid might be problematic in terms of inhalation. the etailer sent me a lengthy report re: boric acid and it’s safety in regards to inhalation. but i’d feel so much better if i heard something from you and your readers.

Debra’s Answer

My experience with boric acid is that it has no odor at all. I’ve used it occasionally in emergencies to kill pests in my kitchen.

My experience with unbleached cotton batting is that it has an natural odor of its own, which generally dissipates, as your etailer said, in about a week or so.

It’s entirely possible that your cotton futon was contaminated along the way with something else, if it smells like a vacuum cleaner bag. Not being able to smell your futon from this distance, I don’t have a clue what it might be. It could have been exposed to something during shipping.

I always take the attitude “It’s better safe than sorry.” Personally, I probably wouldn’t sleep on it. And I would probably go back to where I bought it from and return it, since they didn’t deliver to you a futon that could be slept on. They agree it should have no odor now, yet it does.

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