Question from Reenie

A friend recently had carpet put down to replace another one that was floored. The installer used an adhesive to glue the carpet to the house’s cement foundation. She has had a negative reaction, from either the carpet or the adhesive or both. Several week have gone by and she is still very sensitive to the outgassing odors. So she is going to remove the carpet and have ceramic tile installed.

First, what is the safest way to remove any adhesive left on the cement foundation.

Second, are there ways to green up the ceramic tile installation? Should there be a cementboard subfloor installed over the concrete, before the “mud” is put on and the tiles laid. Is there a green grout that can be specified. People often say they will be using green products, but it isn’t always what happens.

Thanks to all of you for any sharing of your experiences or advice about this!

Debra’s Answer

If you are installing ceramic tile, you don’t need to remove any carpet adhesive that remains, unless it makes the surface of the floor uneven. In the past, I’ve removed adhesive residues from floors by scraping it with a putty knife.

You don’t need to put a cement subfloor over the concrete. You can lay the ceramic tile right on the concrete.

My husband and I have laid a lot of tile. We just use the standard mortar and grout that is sold in home improvements stores. Be sure to get a plain powdered grout and not one that contains latex.

The most toxic thing about a tile installation is the grout sealer. We use the grout sealer sold by AFM Enterprises. It is completely odor-free and nontoxic.

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Question from ch

We recently purchased a wool mattress and needed a bed frame for it. My husband was able to build a simple platform bed frame using materials we purchased at Lowes for about $50.00. This not only saved us money, but I didn’t have to deal with worrying about toxic finishes or outgassing.

You can find easy to follow instructions at www.instructables.com/id/Cheap-easy-low-waste-platform-bed/

Debra’s Answer

This is great! Thank you for posting these instructions.

So often we all are looking for acceptable products and getting frustrated. My husband and I often make things ourselves so we can make them to our preference, even if we can buy it at the store. It’s good to keep in mind that we always have the alternative of doing it ourselves.

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Question from cjmom

I left a leaky water bottle in the outside pocket of my diaper bag for many months without realizing it. The pocket is now filled with white mold and the bag is not washable. It think it ballistic nylon with a waterproof plastic exterior. I know…

I called the manufacturer to see how to clean it, but they said it was ruined and kindly offered me a substantial discount on a new one. This is a $150 bag, however, so I’d really like to figure out how to salvage it.

It has now been sitting in the garage like this for almost two years, but obviously has been dry for some time so the mold hasn’t grown. Baby number two is on the way. Is there any way to clean this up so that it’s safe to use?

Debra’s Answer

Readers? Any suggestions?

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Question from CJStewart

I know, I know. The words “non-stick” should send me running for the hills, but I’m wondering if you’ve heard about these Nami Non-Stick Glass dishes. They claim to be “Naturally Non-Stick” and that the coating is “healthy and chemical free”, but I can’t find anything that gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling about them.

Debra’s Answer

NAMI is the name of the non-stick finish, not the bakeware itself. I’ve been unable to find out what the finish is made of, however, a review notes the label says not to use hard utensils because it will scratch the finish. Read the reviews at Green Apple Nonstick Glass Bakeware, reviewed. Glass, itself, is pretty nonstick without any finish at all.

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Question from Deborah Barnett

Debra, Have you or any one heard of the Water Kleen FRS water filter on Danielchapterone.com? It says it removes floride and has acatalytic carbon plus nasa silver. Can you check this out it looks a reasonable price counter top filter. Thanks Debra from Tenn

Debra’s Answer

I looked at the website for this and it doesn’t give much information.

It says that it removes 81% of fluoride and that’s the only claim it makes.

It says it contains a “priority blend” Kalcifate™ Plus (but doesn’t say what it is) and EPA registered NASA developed silver impregnated charcoal media with catalytic carbon.

I don’t recommend silver impregnated charcoal for water filters. It is added to reduce bacteria, but isn’t really needed, and the silver will leach into your water. High silver levels in the body can cause health problems.

I think it would remove chloramines because it contains catalytic carbon. But it doesn’t say that it removes anything beyond fluoride.

From my research I know that fluoride is very difficult to remove.

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Question from Ethel

I recently purchased an H2O Steam Mop. I noticed that the plastic that holds the water is made of a #6 plastic with PVC stamped on it. I’m aware that #6 PVC plastic is not same to eat off of, but should I be concerned about anything else? Does it offgass?

Thanks so much for your advice!

Debra’s Answer

PVC plastic is considered by Greenpeace to be the most toxic and environmentally damaging plastic there is and they have a program to eliminate it.

I’m not sure how much vinyl would outgass into the air or water from your mop. I know that heating plastic increases leaching and outgassing.

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Question from gayle

I was reading about the latest trend in swimming pools and learned about fiber glass in ground pools. Do you know if there is a safety issue in using one of these pools verses a concrete in ground pool?

Gayle

Debra’s Answer

I know of no negative health effects of fiberglass pools. And I’ve been in these pools. They are fine.

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Question from KP

Hi there, I was wondering if you know who created the NAOMI mattress standards? I think their standards look wonderful but their is only one company who is apparently certified by them so I kind of smell a rat. Also do you know anything about pure rest mattresses, do you feel they would pass your standards for organic? Thanks, Kristen

Debra’s Answer

Here’s a clue. There is no website for the National Association of Organic Mattress Industry (NAOMI). If you ask around, other organic mattress manufacturers don’t belong to it and say it doesn’t exist. So I would say that any website that states their mattress is NAOMI compliant is making fraudulent claims.

Yes, there is a good list of criteria supposedly attributed to NAOMI. But the organization itself doesn’t exist.

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Question from KP

HI Debra,

I was wondering if any of your readers has tried out a naturepedic full size bed? We are looking into organic beds for our daughters and they seem to be good but would love to hear from others. Thank you

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Paul McBride

Hello-

I recently tried an Austin Air filter (Healthmate MCS) in a problematic room (landlord had used glue-down bamboo and it was unbearable), but it was not very helpful. I see that Foust makes filters with supposedly powerful chemical scrubbers. Has anyone here used these? Many thanks.

Debra’s Answer

I personally have used these filters in the past and found them to make a huge difference in the quality of the air. I used their desktop model and the auto model in my car.

E. L. Foust Company

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