Question from Liv

I have a 6 months baby. I’m looking for swim diapers. Many of them uses Nylon for the outer. Is it safe for my baby? Does anyone know other materials used for the outer? Can any recommend a swim diaper brand?

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

Nylon is a plastic, but it is not toxic.

Readers, what are your recommendations?

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Question from Cynthia

Debra, I know you recommended vegetable glycerine at one time, but withdrew the recommendation because you became suspicious or got some contrary info.

Is there any update on that? I have used veggie glycerine as a sweetener, and liked it because it had a neutral taste (unlike stevia) and did not cause sugar rush and those kinds of phenomena.

But I have always wanted to know more about the safety of this substance–as specifically as possible.

Perhaps you have since done further research? Or perhaps we have some knowledgeable readers who have a full scoop on this substance.

Any data?

Best,

Debra’s Answer

My previous comments on vegetable glycerin are at Sweet Savvy: Vegetable Glycerin.

I haven’t done any further research, but I am even more convinced than before of the importance of eating WHOLE FOODS, which vegetable glycerin is not.

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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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