Question from Nicolette

Hi there. Does anyone know the general rule of MDF furniture & the gassing off period? I am contemplating buying this Pottery Barn coffee table & media cabinet, but some of the panels & shelves are MDF, they admit.

I am considering asking if I could buy their floor model, thinking the gassing off would have already occurred. But my biggest question is: Does MDF gass off FOREVER? Or does it go away over time, say a few days or months or whatever.

I’ve searched the internet & can’t really find a definitive answer. I’d be willing to purchase this furniture & let it gas off outside my home even for a while if I know that’s all I needed to do.

Thank you to Debra & anyone else who can help me decide on whether to buy this beautiful “looking” furniture, or not.

Debra’s Answer

MDF is Medium Density Fiberboard. Like particleboard, the wood bits are held together with a formaldehyde-based resin that will outgas formaldehyde.

It’s impossible to predict how long it will take to outgas, as the time is dependent on how much formaldehyde is in the MDF (there are low-emission MDFs, but we don’t know which was used to make the furniture), the temperature, and humidity.

Personally, I wouldn’t buy it.

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Question from Patti

I live across the street from a Cotton Field also and, thankfully, they no longer do crop dusting, but they still spray poison and I get hives intermittently if exposed to the poison. We often get sick, as in sore throats when they spray the defoliant. Are there any ways to protect the house as far as the air goes?

Debra’s Answer

Can you move?

You would have to make the house air tight and filter all incoming air, but I personally wouldn’t want to live in a house where I couldn’t open the window and get fresh air.

Can you tell us more about what’s being used on those cotton fields, how often they spray, etc?

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Question from Sue Smith

Does anyone have an opinion on Rainbow vacuum cleaners? We had a demonstration which was very convincing. We especially like the fact that it cleans the air as well as floors & furniture.

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Susan

I am trying to purchase on-line a pair of non-polarized sunglasses, but every pair I look at says that it is coated with iridium. I have MCS and wonder if I would be allergic to this coatting, were I to purchase it. I am disabled and. I can’t go to a store and try on sunglasses of any kind. Does anyone who reads this post have experience or knowledge of iridium coating on sunglasses (or on anything in general). Any answers or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Connie

Hello, I wondered if someone out there can recommend, or point me in the right direction, as to an air conditioner – window unit or portable that might be tolerable for a chemically sensitive person (me). Many, many thanks!

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Greyson

I am considering replacing my amalgams and I am looking for a filling material that is safe for someone with MCS. I have looked at past posts and having done the usual dental biocompatibility tests. I agree that they are not accurate enough, although possibly good as a starting point. From what I have read, the process of placing a sample of the possible dental material in the mouth for an extended period of time is probably the best method of testing biocompatibility. The material I am leaning towards is “high noble gold”- high content of gold with only one other metal, platinum most likely, because of sensitivities to plastics. Any experiences with this? Any success stories and the materials used would be appreciated.

Debra’s Answer

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Question from KS

I’m staying in a house that had wool carpet laid in January. It’s still offgassing and is making me ill (respiratory symptoms, headache, burning lips). I think it’s the underlay and backing that’s the problem. The carpet wasn’t glued, and wasn’t treated for mould or insects.

Is there any way to speed up the offgassing? I am keeping the main room heated and leaving the outside door open as much as possible but it is winter here so not so easy.

Would steam cleaning help?

Is there a sealant for wool carpets?

thanks.

Debra’s Answer

Steam cleaning won’t help.

There is a carpet sealant made by AFM Enterprises. You should check with them to see if it can be used on wool carpet. But I don’t know this will help if the underlayment and padding are the problem.

You’re doing the right thing by using heat.

Is there someplace else you can stay?

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Question from Pat

I am stil looking for a sealent to use in the bathtub around the drain. My old one wore out and plumber’s putty is way to toxic. I’ve been told to look for a product called Dow Corning 732 multipurpose silicon sealent with no biocides. But I can’t find it in a store. Does anybody know about this stuff? Or something else that would work?

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Cindy

I just returned from my local farm market. The lady I buy eggs from said she rubs them with mineral oil to make them shiny and keep them from absorbing odors from the refrigerator. I said to her “isn’t mineral oil petroleum based?”. She said no, it’s very safe and she implied it’s a common practice to rub the eggs with mineral oil. I didn’t want to argue without more info, so I came home and goggled. Yes, eggs are washed with mineral oil, food grade of course, FDA approved.

Here’s a description from www.eggcartons.com – it explains why this is done:

The surface of an egg shell is covered with thousands of microscopic holes which makes it quite porous. A natural coating referred to as the ‘bloom’ helps seal the holes, preventing bacteria from entering. As the egg ages, the bloom is worn away, which allows moisture to slowly escape and air to enter, forming the ‘air cell’. Bacteria may also enter, and contamination may result. When eggs are washed to remove germs that may be on the surface the bloom is also removed, so a thin coating of oil is applied to take the place of the bloom. This works in the same way as the bloom, keeping the contents fresh for longer periods. The bloom also provides eggs with a natural luster or shine. Mineral oil not only protects your eggs as a sealant but it also restores the luster, the shine of the egg.

Food Grade Mineral Oil makes a great egg shell sealant. One method to preserve eggs is to warm the oil so it is as warm as your hands can work comfortably. To apply the oil, dip clean cloth in it and wipe the egg so that every bit of the shell has been coated. We carry a hand spray (see additional items) use of this hand spray makes coating eggs quickly and more efficiently. After coating the eggs place them (small side down) in egg cartons or egg trays and store in a cool place. The eggs should keep at least 6-8 months.

This food grade mineral oil is an odorless, tasteless, crystal clear, food grade white mineral oil. It meets or exceeds requirements of US FDA regulation 21 CFR 172.878 and CFR178.3620(a) for direct and indirect food contact. It meets or exceeds standards of the US Pharmacopoeia (USP) and the National Formulary (NF). It meets standards for approval as H1 and 3H lubricants for use in food processing plants under the jurisdiction of the USDA. This product is also Kosher approved. It is the lightest viscosity of mineral oil we offer. Great for use in Cosmetics, Health and Beauty, Bee Mite Control, and Many More Applications.

Debra – I eat a lot of eggs. Isn’t the mineral oil absorbed thru the shell into the egg itself? Should I be searching for eggs not washed and treated with mineral oil? Or am I over reacting?

Debra’s Answer

Yes, mineral oil is made from petroleum. There are apparently different grades of mineral oil with different levels of purity. Small producers such as your egg lady at the farmer’s market may or may not understand this. If she didn’t know mineral oil is made from petroleum, she may not know the difference between food grade mineral oil and the stuff you buy at the drug store.

In Guidelines for Certification of Organic Eggs and Meat Birds by Vermont Organic Farmers (VOF) Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, I found the following:

To me, the above means that whatever you put on the shell of the egg will get into the egg. Chlorine (sodium hypochlorate) is allowed, but so are other substances, so we don’t know which is used unless we ask. So eggs may be chlorinated. Hydrogen peroxide would be fine. Sodium hydroxide is lye, not toxic, but caustic (an eat through skin). Sodium carbonate is washing soda (OK). Peracetic acid, in simple terms, is like a mix of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide, so that would be OK.

Note it says that mineral oil may NOT be used on eggs because it can permeate the shell. This, however, is only the regulation for this particular organic certification group in Vermont. I tried to find the national USDA standard for eggs, but couldn’t find them easily (readers, if you can find these, please post a link).

I would venture to say that non-organic eggs are most likely coated with mineral oil. Organic eggs probably are not. But it’s best to ask this question of your egg producer, and also what they wash the eggs with. Here’s where is IS a good idea to buy eggs at the farmer’s market, because you can ask the farmers directly. It’s OK with me if you want to print my response here and take it to that farmer who is putting mineral oil on her eggs. Does she sell them as “organic”? I don’t know how much mineral oil actually gets through the eggshell. I don’t think you’re overreacting. Obviously, these organic farmers think it is enough of an issue to not allow it. It’s considered a “food additive.”

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Question from YH

Hi,

I would like to live in a place where most houses and buildings have tile or hardwood or other safe floorings and not carpet. Otherwise, it is really hard to find a job or house to live in where there’s no carpet. I think the hotter a place is, the less people install carpet in homes and businesses, right? So other than Texas, what are the states where most houses have hardwood or tile floorings and not carpet?

Heat is another problem. A lot of houses use forced air furnaces, and dust, mold, and other pollutants come out of the vents. I am allergic to dust. If a person smokes in a room, another person can smell it in another room. Radiators are better, but most newer places don’t use radiators anymore. What are the states where most houses don’t use heaters or forced air furnaces?

Air conditioners can also emit dust, but I am not sure. Some houses have both central heat and air. Other than radiators, what kind of heat is better for our health? Electric heat is good, I suppose. What kind of AC is the best?

I would like to move to a place where most houses have hardwood or tile flooring and no forced air furnaces.

Debra’s Answer

Well, that would be the South. Here in Florida, many houses have ceramic tile floors throughout because that’s the coolest. We have hardwood and ceramic tile.

Many houses here do not have central heating because it is rarely needed. Most houses do have air conditioning.

But you can also take out the carpet and install any flooring you want. Likewise heating and air conditioning. You’re not stuck with what is in a house. You can always change it.

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