Question from RM

Hi Debra,

I’ve been reading/hearing a lot about how amazing this product is for hair but the ones I’ve seen in stores are mixed with synthetic ingredients. I was wondering if you or your readers know of or have tried a brand of Argan Oil that is 100% pure and Natural.

Thank You!

Debra’s Answer

Here are some useful links about argan oil that include information on what it is and it’s uses as well as sources for pure organic argan oil.

www.care2.com/greenliving/is-argan-oil-miraculous.html

www.zamourispices.com/zarganoil.html?gclid=CJu2_9nUnZ8CFRmfnAodqlyu_w

www.arganoils.com/arganoil.html

www.josiemarancosmetics.com/product.html?pid=1070

www.edenallure.com/

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Question from Ruth R

I recently rented a cello from a music store, planning to take lessons. I quickly discovered that I could not tolerate the cello itself…either the rosen or the cleaning fluid that was used to clean it after the last student used it for many months.

When I handled it, both the palms of my hands and my face got very reddened and burning feeling. I had no choice but to take it back to the store. They suggested that I try one of the new ones, direct from the factory (China) that they were ordering as rentals…they said they would not clean it up with anything before I would get it. Meantime, I will try to figure out if I’m reactive to the rosen itself, and the other thing is that I suspect that the new finish on the wood will be off-gassing.

My question is, has anyone faced a similar problem of intolerance to their stringed instruments, and if so, what did you do to eliminate the problem. I hate to give up my dream of playing the cello. Thanks for any suggestions you may have.

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from sonja

i live in a co-op in yonkers new york. how do i or who do i contact to test my water? the woman below me has a washer and we are not supposed to. the management knows i have been sick and really hasn’t d,one anything. i am concerned that there is back up in the water. sometimes when i shower my body tingles. it freaks me out!! I also get exttremely dizzy, nautious,s and tired. I did three mold tests in my bedroom and it was positive for black mold. the management office and board president didn’t care even though i wanted them to see. The building inspector came out and didn’t see mold in my house but said that it could be in walls. but how do i test for that and other odorless fumes that this washer can be causing.

any help thank you!

sonja

Debra’s Answer

It sounds like you have several problems here:

I’m not sure that all of these problems are due to the illegal washer in the unit below.

I would start with a professional mold inspector, if you’ve tested your bedroom and it is positive for black mold. You need professional mold remediation and your manager needs to pay attention to this.

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Question from Srini

Debra,

I saw a new toothpaste called Coral White by Coral Inc.

Do you or any of the users know about this and if so, what do you think of it?

Debra’s Answer

It does have natural ingredients, however, I think their claim that it is the “only natural toothpaste” is incorrect.

My only disagreement is that it contains stevia, xylitol and sorbitol, all considered “natural” because they come from plant sources, but they are so highly refined they are no longer in their natural state.

If you want the coral minerals, just buy a coral calcium carbonate supplement and brush with that.

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Question from Terry Ann

Debra

I can’t seem to get a straight answer about Silica…I notice that it is used in just about any supplement I purchase. Is this form of Silica dangerous?

Debra’s Answer

Silica is the chemical compound silicon dioxide, an oxide of silicon. Silica is most commonly found in nature as sand or quartz, as well as in the cell walls of diatoms (as in diatomaceous earth. It is the most abundant mineral in the Earth’s crust.

Silica is used primarily in the production of window glass, drinking glasses and bottled beverages, as well as optical fibers for telecommunications. It is a primary raw material for many ceramics including earthenware, stoneware and porcelain, and industrial Portland cement.

Silica is common additive in food products, where it is used primarily as a flow agent in powdered foods, or to absorb water.

I know of no harmful effects from digesting silica in foods or supplements. In fact, it is sold as a mineral supplement.

Silicosis is a disabling, nonreversible and sometimes fatal lung disease caused by overexposure to breathing large amounts of crystalline silica, such as amounts you would be exposed to in workplace exposures. It is not toxic, it is a particle hazard. You wouldn’t be exposed to this amount at home.

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Question from tj

I am getting ready to remodel my kitchen. They are wanting me to put a Convection oven in. Does anyone know the safety of a convection oven with a microwave (which I would never use, but they want me to put it in for re-sale value). I am concerned about the microwave as well.

Is it OK to use this as a regular oven even thought it doubles as a microwave and are convection ovens healthy to use in and of themselves?

Debra’s Answer

Personally, I stay away from the microwave, but I have no experience with convection ovens.

Readers?

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Question from TRACEY

Hi Debra,

I can’t seem to find a house to purchase that isn’t sprayed with pesticides and can’t move out of the area. I do have MCS. Do you or any of your readers have any experience detoxing a house with pesticides? Thank you so much!

Debra’s Answer

I have only once attempted to detox a house with pesticides. The client knew the exact name of the pesticide and it had only been applied under the house. We contacted the manufacturer and found out what other chemical could be used to make a chemical reaction that would break down the pesticide. It turned out to be ordinary chlorine bleach. It was applied and turned out to be a very effective solution.

Readers, any experience detoxing a house sprayed with pesticides?

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On January 4, the Washington Post published this article: Use of potentially harmful chemicals kept secret under law.

It begins, “Of the 84,000 chemicals in commercial use in the United States — from flame retardants in furniture to household cleaners — nearly 20 percent are secret, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, their names and physical properties guarded from consumers and virtually all public officials under a little-known federal provision.”

The article goes on to say that the policy was designed 33 years ago to protect trade secrets in a highly competitive industry. But now many–including the Obama administration–are recognizing that this law makes it impossible for regulators to control toxic chemicals in products for consumers to find out which toxic substances they might be exposed to.

Currently the law protects the financial interests of business while putting the health of consumers and the environment at risk.

The article gives one example of a nurse being exposed to a toxic chemical while treating a patient, and then herself having symptoms from the same chemical. She was unable to find out exactly what the chemical was.

In my opinion, there should be full disclosure of all substances and materials used in all consumer products. I’ve been saying this for decades. Otherwise, we cannot make informed decisions.

The Obama administration is working on reducing secrecy.

Fortunately, there are many nontoxic products available, made by companies who choose to not use secret chemicals. Many of these products can be found on this blog and listed on Debra’s List.

I want to thank everyone who sent me this article this week and all of you who continue, every day, to be vigilant about finding and sharing products we can all use that do not contain secret harmful chemicals.