Question from CJStewart

I am looking to buy some cookie cutters for use by small children playing with clay/dough. My two options are aluminum/stainless or polystyrene. The plastic would be less sharp, I think. But, of course, they’re plastic. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Debra’s Answer

For this use, I don’t think it makes a lot of difference for health or the environment. They are both about the same in their impacts.

Add Comment

Question from Kim

Debra,

I have been able to find some palm sugar locally, and am planning on pulverizing it in a coffee grinder for use as a white sugar (powdered or granular) substitute. In your experience, does organic palm sugar behave like organic cane sugar in baking and/or confectionary applications?

Thank you so much for any guidance you may be able to provide!

Debra’s Answer

Yes, and it’s really delicious.

And it will raise blood sugar just like refined white sugar, though it is less refined.

Add Comment

Question from Phil

Hi Debra,

You mentioned you mostly purchase regular cotton or linen clothing, but are careful to select these fabrics with no permanent press finish.

How do you know which cotton fabrics have no permanent press finish? Is there a particular brand you look for?

Thank you,

Debra’s Answer

Fabrics with permanent-press finishes are labeled “permanent press,” “easy care,” “wrinkle free” or some similar wording. It is on the label as a selling point, as some people want this.

I’ve never purchased a garment that was not so labeled, and then suspected it had a formaldehyde-based finish on it.

Add Comment

Question from RBES

Hi Everyone,

I’m looking into buying a MP3 player. I was wondering if you know of a particular brand that is the most environmentally friendly. I believe that macs claim to be. Do you know if this is true? Thanks for any help that you can give me.

Debra’s Answer

I haven’t done any research on this.

Readers?

Add Comment

Question from R. Rhodes

Hi Debra –

I’m researching new counter tops for my kitchen and bathroom. You mention in “Home Safe Home” about high-quality stone for counter tops.

What about man made stone like Caesarstone? They say on their website that there is low VOC, but when you look at the MSDS it says “Chronic Exposure: The adverse health effects from crystalline silica exposure – silicosis, cancer,

scleroderma, tuberculosis, and nephrotoxicity – are chronic effects.” I’m assuming this would be the dust from the Caesarstone.

I’ve also read on your site that you have no problems with Silestone which is also man made.

Would you suggest natural stone over man made?

Debra’s Answer

In general, I like natural materials over manmade, but I see nothing wrong with Ceasarstone. Their website lists many environmental benefits and they are certified and recommended by multiple green organizations.

I’m not concerned about the silica warning. This is for silica DUST, as in when the material is being cut. There is no more danger to using this countertop than being exposed to sand on the beach, which is also silica.

Add Comment

Question from R. Rhodes

Hi Debra –

We are hoping to buy a house that has recently been painted. We are going to paint again using OUR own paint no VOC paint, (Sherwin Williams Harmony). My question to you is, will painting over regular “smelly” paint with my no VOC paint cover up the paint smell and keep the toxins from leeching out into the air?

Thanks for all that you do!!!

Debra’s Answer

Paint is not designed to be a vapor barrier.

I would heat the house first until there are no more fumes from the old paint, and then apply your new paint.

Add Comment

Question from S

Hi Debra, We converted from natural gas to heat pump electric in the spring due to MCS. I have found the air is so dry it is causing extreme dry eye problem etc. Has anybody else found this to be a problem and if so any great humidifier out there that is ok for one with MCS? Thanks s

Debra’s Answer

This has been asked and answered before, but I’m going to give the link here because this question was asked several times this week. See Q&A: Humidifiers. If you have something to add, please post a comment there.

Add Comment

Question from Valerie W.

My husband and I are interested in purchasing an organic latex mattress. We went to a store and tried the ‘Heaven and Earth’ 100% organic style from Land & Sky and really liked it. Have any of you had any experience with this company/mattress?

Thank you,

Valerie

Debra’s Answer

Add Comment

Question from YH

You wrote in your book that lip stick is very toxic. How about chapstick? I don’t have the packaging anymore, but it is so small that no ingredient is listed on the chapstick itself. What are some ingredients in chapsticks that are bad for people? I would guess that some are not too good for consumption. Mine taste like a very sweet tangerine or orange. I like the taste a lot, but of course, I guess no fragrance is better. Thanks

Debra’s Answer

Interestingly, ChapStick is labeled as a drug.

Active ingredients:

Padimate O 1.5%………………Sunscreen

White petrolatum 44%………….Skin Protectant

Inactive ingredients:

arachidyl propionate, camphor, carnauba wax, cetyl alcohol, D&C red no. 6 barium lake, FD&C yellow no. 5 aluminum lake, fragrance, isopropyl lanolate, isopropyl myristate, lanolin, light mineral oil, methylparaben, octyldodecanol, oleyl alcohol, paraffin, phenyl trimethicone, propylparaben, titanium dioxide, white wax.

Add Comment

Question from YH

After reading Dr. Marcela’s article on stainless steel found on your website, I think it is time for me to buy Vision cookware. I read that to produce stained glass, lead is used. Will lead leak into food prepared in stained glass cookware (Corning Vision)?

Is it practical to buy glass pans? I read that food would stick and that glass cookware is one of the stickiest (food also stick on stainless steel; cast-iron is very non-stick). Also, I am afraid that it might shatter. I think having water in pots is safer than stir-frying in glass pans (which may be dry). I am still afraid that glass cookware may break and shatter any time. Thanks

Debra’s Answer

First of all, colored glass doesn’t contain lead. See Q&A: Colored Glass and click on the “Colored Glass Chemistry” link to see what is used to make different colors of glass.

Lead is used in the solder that holds the glass together to make colored glass windows. But it is not in the glass itself.

I myself have used Corning Visions cookware for over twenty years without a mishap, though others have reported otherwise (see Q&A: can visions cookware and pyrex shatter while cooking?). I do not stirfry in it, but use pots for things like warming soup, boiling eggs, etc.

Add Comment