Question from Dalia

Dear Debra,

my child’s school is undergoing MAJOR remodeling…I put a very good quality filter in his classroom but it is not making even the smell go away(15#s of carbon in it)…I use a smaller version at home and it does a pretty good job.Any ideas to solve this problem?

Thank you sooooomuch Dalia

Debra’s Answer

I would put the air filter very close to your child’s desk. It will make a “cloud” of clean air within the larger room. It should be blowing in his direction.

If you feel that your child’s classroom is toxic, you have the right to remove him from that harmful environment. Perhaps he needs to be tutored at home for the duration.

Talk to some of the other parents and see how they are feeling. Perhaps some other arrangements can be made.

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Question from Dennis

I drive an older 1998 Honda Civic, whether it be the lovely Florida climate or nature of the beast, my steering wheel is disintegrating. The top seems to be the worst there’s fine dust and particles that gets all over my hands and causing me some concern, anytime I drive anywhere I have to look for a rest room to wash my hands off. Which is a whole nother nightmare altogether.

I’ve looked at the few mega marts and auto stores here and all the covers have some kind of rubber backing that I can smell not even picking them up. Not to mention what the material on the top is, etc..

Anyone have any ideas what to do with an old steering wheel, Wool isn’t going to work either as I’m allergic to it, so I’m not really sure what to do.

Debra’s Answer

In the past I have used leather steering wheel covers–the kind you lace on. They come in a perforated type and a solid type. I would think this would hold your steering wheel together and protect your hands.

If you don’t want to use leather, you could simply make a steering wheel cover out of any material you want and sew it on with a big needle and thread, like lacing on a leather cover.

Readers, your ideas?

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Question from Jan harris

Last spring we used an ozone air purifier in my daughter’s bedroom for 2 hours to eliminate mold in the air conditioning unit. Then we aired the room out thoroughly.

She has not been able to return to the bedroom since, even tho we have completely changed out the air-conditioning vents–replaced them with all metal ducts and a new air conditioner.

I have removed everything from her bedroom, but she still gets very ill if she just walks in the bedroom and she can’t even be in our house for more than 15 minutes at a time.

Do you have any ideas that would help us? This has been a nightmare.

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Jan harris

I scrubbed my concrete floor with trisodium phosphate–as advised by an “expert.” Now I can’t get rid of the strong detergent like smell. Can you give me some advice on what will help?

THANKS

Debra’s Answer

I suspect you used the wrong product. Trisodium phosphate (TSP) has no odor–it is a salt.

Many years ago there was only one TSP, now I’ve noticed there are other products called TSP with other ingredients.

I suggest lots of rinsing.

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Question from joseph

Hi Debra,

I am enjoying your newsletter. It is very informative.

Does anyone have tips and past experience on how to outgas the interior of a new car with cloth seats and carpet…quickest and most efficient way I have MCS.

thank you

Joseph

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Katie

Hello out there,

I am just raring to get outside and take in the coming spring weather, after a 5-month-long intense Minnesota winter! All the snow melting sure makes for a muddy spring, though. Does anyone with MCS know of a source of natural rubber shoes?

Thank you!

Katie

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from PJ

Dear Debra,

Your article on Building for MCS mentioned “passive ventilation” in homes, in addition to open windows. Our home is designed without a duct system. Are there options for ventilation, that don’t depend on a duct system? Thank you for your help.

Debra’s Answer

That mention of passive ventilation was in a quote from Mary Cordaro (h3environmental.com), who is much more knowledgeable about ventilation options than I am. She is a consultant to people with MCS and is well trained in building science and ventilation systems.

I open my window

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Question from rendi

We rent so I cannot make structural changes) and I’m a single mom that stays with her all day to help with her treatment and recovery. She has numerous medical conditions that I know are caused by environmental toxins; autism, EGID, and systemic endocrine disorder. I’ve switched all food to organic, installed Reverse Osmosis water in all rooms, switched all bedding and her bed to organic and natural latex, and removed ALL plastic from her bedroom and kitchen (except air purifier) and the rest of the house 75% plastic free too. However, I really need a bed frame and cannot even begin to afford an all natural one after the cost of the rest of the stuff. I was hoping to buy a market bed and paint it to seal any toxins. I am also trying to reduce the off-gassing of my commercial mattress, as I have to save up for an eco-friendly one of my own after buying my daughters.

Love your site. I’m on my way out to buy your book to carry around for easier reference when shopping. Do you make a pocket version of quick tips for shopping? If not, it would be a great resource for eco-friendly folks.

Debra’s Answer

“Sealants” and “paints” do not seal in toxins unless they are specifically designed to do so. They may seal in some vapors, but not all. AFM Enterprises makes a “vapor barrier” sealant that blocks fumes, but check with them to make sure it can be used on all these different materials.

Fabric, organic or otherwise, does not reduce offgassing exposure. Gasses go right between the threads. There is a special very-fnely-woven fabric called “barrier cloth” that blocks offgassing to some degree. You can purchase it at various sites on the internet.

The major household items I recommend replacing to reduce toxic exposure are all outlined in my book Home Safe Home.

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Question from Sara

Hello Debra,

I thank you for your helpful site.Would you or any of your readers know of sources for non metal eyeglass frames? I’ve had a hard time finding these. Metals are receptors for emfs and emrs. Tia.

Debra’s Answer

I think you are asking for frames that contain NO metal parts, right? Because you can get plastic frames almost anywhere.

Readers, any suggestions?

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Question from shelley

I appreciated your article on unrefined cane sugar, but I am still a little confused by the terminology. Are you saying that the brand names Rapadura, Sucanat and Alter Eco Ground Cane Sugar are the sugars that you recommend and are calling “unrefined cane sugar”?

Because you also say under “Evaporated Cane Juice”, when you describe the processing, that it produces a powder, not a crystal, and this is what you recommend as “unrefined cane sugar”.

What color is this powder?

Are you calling Sucanat a powder? I don’t think of Sucanat or the other brands you mentioned above as a powder because they are so grainy. You also said this “powder” is ground very fine and sold as organic powdered sugar.

In my natural foods store, evaporated cane juice is sold in bulk as a white (slightly greyish)powder, nothing like Sucanat. If Sucanat were ground to a fine powder it would still be brown, nothing like organic powdered sugar.

I am writing a cookbook and these definitions are very important to me also. I would appreciate the clarification.

Debra’s Answer

Rapadura and Sucanat are sugars I am calling “unrefined cane sugar.” I have no experience with Alter Eco Ground Cane Sugar so I can’t speak to that.

I used to call Rapadura and Sucanat “evaporated cane juice” but that term is now widely misused, so I chose “unrefined cane sugar.”

What I mean by “unrefined cane sugar” is a powder that is NOT crystallized, but simple the juice from the sugar cane with the water evaporated out. The powder is about the color of refined brown sugar.

I am calling Sucanat a powder. Yes, it is grainy, but in comparison to crystallized sugar, it is a powder. When ground very fine and sold as organic powdered sugar, it is an off white, it is not still brown. If you make icing out of organic powdered sugar and refined powdered sugar and put them side by side, you will see how brown it is.

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