Question from RAB

Do you have any experience with or knowledge about adhesives for wood flooring? I have had 3 products recommended that are suppose to be environmentlally friendly, but am not convinced they are right for chemical sensitivites. The 3 products are: Bostic Best, Mapei, and TitebondIII.

A friend gave us some floor adhesive to use in an outside building we were planning to put tile on the floor with. It’s called Parabond Fusion Series 4600…floor adhesive. Can you tell me anything about this product? Don’t want to use until I hear from you. Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

I don’t have any personal experience with the first two, but have extensively used Titebond II in my own home and have been recommending it for about five years. I would say Titebond II is fine for people with MCS. Have no experience with Titebond III.

Readers?

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Question from RS

I have read that cooking food at high heat produces carcinogenic compounds called heterocyclic amines (HAs) that are said to form with high heat cooking.

Is this true with grilling and roasting vegetables?

Also, I always like to toast my bread. Is this safe? I am not sure if toasting falls into the same category.

Lastly, I typically don’t grill meat as much as broil. I actually prefer chicken not to be moist. So I will cook it for an hour with 20-30 minutes of the toaster oven set at 450 (or broil). Is this ok since it is not bbq? The meat is typically fish or chicken breasts.

Debra’s Answer

First, for those of you who are not familiar with this issue, read this excellent summary from the National Cancer Institute: Heterocyclic Amines in Cooked Meats

Now, to answer your questions…

Only meats produce heterocyclic amines. It’s fine to grill and roast vegetables. Likewise toasting bread.

I’ve been following this issue for years. In my book Home Safe Home I wrote:

Note too that grilling meat is fast and hot, real barbeque is low and slow. So actual barbeque at low temperatures may be one of the best ways to cook meat after all (the article linked above says “barbeque is high temperature”–I think they meant grilling).

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Question from Steven

Question:

I just bought some acrylic plastic drinkware from Crate and Barrel. I am normally against plastic being used in my home, but I needed cheap, durable drinkware for outdoor use and everyday use. I realize these do not biodegrade easily, but I will use these until they fall apart (hopefully I will have many years of use out of these).

These will be used daily by my weak elderly Mother-in-law, since they are light weight and not easily broken.

Question:

The drinkware has the code #3 stamped on the bottom of the glass. What does this mean, and are these safe to drink from?

Debra’s Answer

#3 is PVC–polyvinyl chloride. I wouldn’t use this plastic for drinking glasses.

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Question from Vicki DiIoia

Hi Debra,

We had to move from a house that was overrun with mold. Is there a way to test our mattresses for mold contamination? From reading the other questions/answer I would guess that if it were on the surface- we might be able to clean it/sanitize with sunlight, etc. What about inside the mattress? The mattresses didn’t get wet themselves and we’re trying to weigh the health issues (asthma/allergies) vs. replacement costs…Thanks for any guidance.

Vicki

Debra’s Answer

Readers, any experience with this?

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Question from Susan

Hi Debra,

I have two questions for you. I make oatmeal every morning, using a full glass of milk and frozen fruit. I do this the night before. Making oatmeal takes a good bit of time and I would like to do about 4 days in advance. I am not concerned whether it taste as good as fresh off the stove but is there something I should be concerned about in terms of food safety? I am not sure if the mix of milk, grains, and frozen fruit (which I think usually has citric acid, etc on it to make it last longer), could create and environment for germs, or the milk should not be out of it’s container, or some of other type of food safety concern. I know making it with water in advance is ok, but I am not sure about milk with the fruit. I store it in Tupperware. Thanks (I know this is a unique question!)

Debra’s Answer

I don’t think there’s a problem storing cooked oatmeal with milk and fruit in an airtight container in the refrigerator for four days. It’s OK to take milk out of the carton as long as it is refrigerated.

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Question from Anne Donahue

Hello Debra,

Your website has been a wonderful resource-Thankyou!

I do have a question regarding a product.

I am trying to find out where I can purchase a Commercial Non-Toxic cleaner to clean the A/C coil in the air handler inside the duplex I rent. (I have researched on the internet and called around and so far no one can help me with this so I am wondering if it even exits)

My landlord will only have the A/C coils cleaned inside (rather than taking the coil apart and cleaning it outside)and I am very sensitve to any kind of chemicals so I was wondering if you or your readers could offer any suggestions.

Thank-you so much,

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Diana

I’m a mother of a 7 year old non-verbal autistic boy. I discovered your book Home Safe Home through a biomedical support group in Central Ohio that I’m a part of. Most parents that pursue biomedical intervention also known as DAN! (Defeat Autism Now!) are always looking for the sources of the toxins our children are exposed to so that we may eliminate them (for example: we know that new carpeting is a huge source for antimony – a lot of families we know are having their carpet removed and we’re looking into the wool carpet). We are doing periodic toxin screens (urine and/or fecal). These are the metals that our children our being tested for:

It would be very helpful for me and other families in our situation if we could search for a toxin and find a list of sources that we may change. In our case, our son is pulling out an unbelievable amount of cadmium. It’s almost maxed out. He’s very toxic in this and we are trying to isolate some sources, but we can’t seem to find it as of yet.

Please let me know if you know of a site, book, etc. that would be beneficial for our family and others like ours.

One final note, your book Home Safe Home has completely changed our lives for the better and we thank you. Our whole family has benefited from your time and effort into researching, writing, and publishing of your book. We are eternally grateful!

Debra’s Answer

I will add these metals to my list of toxic substances to avoid and work on compiling some lists.

In the meanwhile, readers, if you know of any resources on these metals, please post them.

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Question from Gaynor

Hi from across the pond I live in the UK .

Please could you advise me on fabric softeners . Are they necessary or just a way of getting consumers to worry and thus part with money ?

Debra’s Answer

The only purpose for fabric softeners is to reduce static cling in synthetic fabrics. They are not needed at all when washing natural fibers.

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Question from Marie J.

I have been searching for a safe stainless steel water kettle (one that a magnet sticks to) with no luck in any department store. I was wondering if anyone would know of where I could find one if there are any available.

Marie, So. Calif.

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Stephanie

Hi Debra,