Question from Cindy

I’ve read so many conflicting things on the Internet about pillows. Some say pillows cause neck pain, while others say you must have a pillow to support your neck & that it’s the size of the pillow that makes the difference. What are your thoughts on this, & what kind of pillows would you recommend, if you do? Thank you so much for all you do.

Debra’s Answer

This isn’t really a toxics question, and I’m not a chiropractor, but I can tell you my experience.

For years I have been sleeping on a regular pillow with a neck roll. I love this neck roll so much I take it with me when I travel. I put it under my neck and then my head is on the regular pillow. No neck pain with this.

I have pillows from Shepherd’s Dream and USAlpaca. My neck roll is from Shepherd’s Dream.

I recommend any pillows made with natural fibers that you are comfortable with. You can find natural fiber pillows on the Beds & Bedding page of Debra’s List and the Bedding Only page of Debra’s List.

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Question from Stacey

Hi Debra,

I am trying to find a less toxic carseat/booster seat for my children. I did check Healthy Child but the list is outdated and I question the testing and results since the same brand can have the safest and worst car seat listed…

I did find some seats made by Clek Olli that are made of “Greenguard Crypton Super Fabrics” which “provide permanent protection against stains, moisture and odor-causing bacteria and are free of brominated and chlorinated flame retardants.” Of course I like that it is supposedly free of these flame retardants, but I wonder about the safety of other chemicals used to make it stain, odor, and microbial resistant. Have you heard of Crypton Superfabrics or have any recommendation about it’s safety? All car seats and boosters seem pretty toxic, so I feel it’s just a guessing game choosing a safer car seat, if that’s possible. Thanks so much, Debra, for all the great advice!

Debra’s Answer

It took me a while to find the information on this product, but I found it at www.hytex.com/pdf/Crypton.pdf.

This is considered a “green” product.

There are four requirements for creating
new collections:
01. Select fiber content that is either:
(a) 50-100% recycled
(b) 100% heavy-metal-free polyester
(c) 100% wool with heavy-metal-free dyes
(d) 100% polypropylene

We don’t know which fabric is on your carseat, but any one of these is better than most other carseats.

Read more at the link about how these fabrics must meet emissions standards.

It is GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified and GREENGUARD Children & Schools Certified. It’s also has the SCS Indoor Advantage Gold certification and the “Cradle to “Cradle” certification, which disallows a whole list of toxic chemicals.

What I can say is given the type of product you are considering, this choice is very probably a lot less toxic than most others on the market.

Here’s the thing for me. Would I sleep on this fabric? No. I just don’t go near synthetic fabrics of any kind, toxic or not toxic. Synthetics just make my skin creep. I’d use the wool version.

But absolutely it’s a better choice than most other carseats.

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Question from STAR

Hi,

I was wondering where I could purchase lead free etc. extension chords.

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

I’m so glad you asked this question! I just struck a gold mine of possibilities for you.

I searched on “lead-free extension cord” and got zero results.

Then I tried “cloth extension cord” and bingo!

	Vintage Cloth Braided Extension Cord by FosterWeld
	6′ Extension Cord – Cloth Cord Vintage Replica in Red
	BLACK and WHITE zig zag cloth covered CORD for electric lamps, lighting, fans, radio
	Cloth Extension Cord – MUSTARD – Vintage Style – Cloth Covered Cord – Electrical Cord – 10-foot
	Cloth Extension Cord – Black Cloth Covered Wire – 10-ft Cordset – Vintage Style – Edison Lamp
	cloth LAMP EXTENSION CORD wire CABLE ELECTRIC light STEAMPUNK neon colors
	Cloth Extension Cord – ANTIQUE COPPER – Vintage Style – Cloth Covered Cord – Vintage – Antique – Steampunk – Electrical Cord – 10-foot
	Cloth Extension Cord – Peppermint Twist – Cloth Covered Wire – 10-ft Cordset – Vintage Style – Edison Lamp
	Cloth Extension Cord – SILVER – Vintage Style – Cloth Covered Exy Cord – Vintage – Antique – Steampunk – Electrical Cord – 10-foot
	8′ Extension Cord – Cloth Cord Vintage Replica in Red
	Cloth Extension Cord – Antique Bronze Cloth Covered Wire – 10-ft Cordset – Vintage Style – Edison Lamp
	Cloth Extension Cord – Red and White Twist – Cloth Covered Wire – 10-ft Cordset – Vintage Style – Dont hide under Christmas Tree Skirt
	Cloth Extension Cord – Sterling Silver Gray Cloth Covered Wire – 10-ft Cordset – Vintage Style – Edison Lamp
	Cloth Extension Cord – ANTIQUE BRONZE – Vintage Style – Cloth Covered Cord – Vintage – Antique – Steampunk – Electrical Cord – 10-foot
	Extension Cord w/ Cloth Covered ZigZag Wire – Matches our Pendant Lights – Red, White, Black – Plug In Cord for Outlets
	Cloth Covered Extension Cord – Vintage Style – Brown- Twisted Fabric Electrical Cord – Great for Antiques, Lamps, Steampunk, Fans, etc.
	Cloth Covered Extension Cord – 10′ Black Brown Red Vintage Style Lamp Wire

Why are we concerned about lead on extension cords? Because virtually all extension cords and cords of any kind contain lead, known to the state of California to cause cancer. Many products now carry this warning:

WARNING: Handling the power cord on this product will expose you to lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause [cancer and] birth defects or other reproductive harm. WASH HANDS AFTER HANDLING

All power cords for all products. All extension cords, All surge protectors.

It takes only seconds for your skin to absorb lead from touching cords, lead paint, or anything else containing lead.

The European Union has ban[ned] the placing new electrical and electronic equipment on the EU market containing more than agreed levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants.” Their cords are RoHS (Restricion of Hazardous Materials) compliant.

But I couldn’t find any internet source of RoHS compliant cables available for consumer purchase. There’s a business someone should start.

So cloth-covered cord is the solution for the moment. You can even find some products now with cloth-covered cord, like this lamp I bought from Crate & Barrel.

Question from Lisa

I contacted IKEA about an article I read but I don’t fully know what to make of the response. I read an article about IKEA intending to phase out flame retardants by 2010. Did this happen? What were they replaced with? Do you have any furniture without polyurethane foam, if so what do they contain?

They Responded:

Hello Lisa,

Thank you for taking the time to write us.

All mattresses sold in the US have to meet regulatory fire retardant standards. IKEA uses organic phosphorous/nitrogen containing compounds in its flame retardants for most of our mattress product range and phased out all chlorinated tris flame retardants from our mattresses in 2010. IKEA also banned the use of the brominated flame retardant PBDE in 1998. None of our mattresses contain this chemical.

However, our MORGONGAVA and SULTAN HEGGEDAL natural material spring mattress does not contain any flame retardants. This mattress is manufactured using natural wool wadding, which allows it to exceed all regulatory flame retardant standards and be fully compliant with California TB117.

Also, all mattresses are tested for chemicals to ensure that they meet the strictest standards for the countries in which they are sold. This includes our TVOC (Total Volatile Organic Compounds) test on all finished products to insure that there are no harmful emissions or off-gassing.

Each state does have its own “fire rating” regarding flame retardants. There is a law label attached to each of our upholstery products for you to compare. In seating furniture and cushions the foam is treated with chemical flame retardant (phosphate ester basis) in order to comply with North American fire protection requirements and TB117.

California Technical Bulletin 117, a mandatory standard, is both an open flame test and a smoldering cigarette test for the component materials used to make residential upholstered furniture which is to be sold in the state of California. In this test, each upholstery component except the covering fabric is time exposed to either an open flame or a smoldering cigarette in a defined test chamber, and the propagation of the open flame or the cigarette char length is measured to a specific specification criteria contained in Technical Bulletin 117. All upholstered furniture components except frames must comply with this test procedure and criteria.

Today, all IKEA furniture complies with existing regulatory standards in the US, including California TB117. IKEA welcomes the new TB117-2013, which will allow us to manufacture upholstery products that meet the fire safety standard without the addition of chemical flame retardants.

As with any change in legislation or standards concerning our range, IKEA conducts evaluation, adjustments and testing of our products according to new requirements. Affected IKEA products will be in compliance with the requirements in the new California TB117-2013 Standard on January 1st 2015 at the latest.

Further details regarding IKEA’s commitment to product safety can be explored at the following online link:
www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/about_ikea/our_responsibility/
products_and_materials/ikea_and_reach.html

All IKEA upholstery materials pass these fire safety standards, but these are not the same as commercial standards. Commercial standards are set by BIFMA (Business Industry Furniture Manufacture Association).

We do hope this information has been helpful, and we thank you for your inquiry.

Kind Regards,

Kelly

IKEA Customer Care
IKEA US Contact Center
Email: UScustomercare259@ikea.com

Please consider the environment before printing this email. This message contains confidential information. Unless you are the addressee (or authorized to receive for the addressee), you may not copy, use, or distribute this information. If you have received this message in error, please advise IKEA Customer Care immediately.

Is it just me or did they not directly answer my question? Can you make sense of this. Are they saying that they understand they no longer have to use fire retardants but they will continue? Maybe I am just tired and distracted but it seems odd language and not a direction address of the question.

Thank you for your time.

Debra’s Answer

I can see how this can be confusing.

OK. Here are your questions and I will pull out their answers and paste them in.

* I read an article about IKEA intending to phase out flame retardants by 2010. Did this happen?

“IKEA…phased out all chlorinated tris flame retardants from our mattresses in 2010. IKEA also banned the use of the brominated flame retardant PBDE in 1998.”

* What were they replaced with?

“IKEA uses organic phosphorous/nitrogen containing compounds in its flame retardants for most of our mattress product range.”

* Do you have any furniture without polyurethane foam, if so what do they contain?

They didn’t answer this question.

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Question from Jenny

Hi Debra,

We have been looking for a slow cooker for a long time and have not found any solutions as there seems to be issues with the paint used in crock pots.

I learned about the wonderbag non electric portable slow cooker on amazon and love the idea that the purchase might help someone in need. And that we can use a pot we already have and not use electricity for the slow cooking. 

Before I put this on our Christmas wish list for a couple family members who asks what we are hoping for . . .. . I wanted to ensure there are no health issues with the foam used in the product.

Under the Q&A section on the web page of the product (middle of page) it says this:

Q: I want to know EXACTLY what the insulation is made of. “Foam” could be almost anything: foam rubber? what’s in this thing and is it recyclable?

A:Wonderbag obtains repurposed foam remnants from furniture factories near our manufacturing facilities. We take these larger foam pieces and break them into smaller pieces (chips) to fill the inside of the Wonderbag. We feel great about it because this material would otherwise end up in a landfill.

The Wonderbag consists of an inner layer of insulation containing recycled polystyrene balls, with an outer, draw-string covering of poly-cotton textiles. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonderbag

Debra’s Answer

I am concerned about toxics in both the foam and the cover.

Poly cotton is usually treated with a formaldehyde finish and I have not reason to believe this one isn’t.

Recycled foam is most certainly polyurethane foam and most likely contains fire retardants if it’s from furniture manufacture.

These are questions you might want to ask the company.

Let me know what their answers are, if you do ask.

This idea of cooking in an insulated pouch is an old one. There is nothing new here in the design.

I think it’s a GREAT idea!

Here are some links I found with DIY instructions for this technology.

DIY instructions for a Wonderbag www.iwillprepare.com/cooking_files/Wonder_Box.htm

www.instructables.com/id/hay-box-cooker

foodstorageandsurvival.com/building-a-wonderbox-style-insulated-cooking-box

nakazora.wordpress.com/tag/solar-box-cooker

This one has you wrap the pot in towels or blankets rimstar.org/efficiency_conservation/heat_retention_cooking.htm

See, the wonderbag is a great idea. It would be great if someone made them from less toxic materials.

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Question from Jen M

Looking for info on Anchor Hocking glassware, I wonder if you have any info in their safety level as far as lead, etc. I want to purchase their plain glass dishes and need to find out! Thanks

Debra’s Answer

From all the research I’ve done on the manufacture of glass, I’ve never seen lead used as a standard ingredient in clear glass.

EXCEPT to make lead crystal. Lead crystal is very expensive, labeled that it contains lead, and is not intended for eating or drinking. It would also have a Proposition 65 warning label from the State of California.

It is highly unlikely that any clear glass contains lead. I’ve never seen any tests that show lead in clear glass.

Call them and ask. You can always call manufacturers and ask about their products.

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Question from Jenny

Hi Debra,

We recently found some barrettes on line for my daughter. After they came in the mail I found out they were made in Malaysia. They are simple clip barrettes that have white paint on them. Is there any way I can ensure they are safe?

Thank you,

Jenny

Debra’s Answer

I would say they are probably fine. There may be heavy metals in the paint, but there’s no way for you to know.

If you are concerned, don’t use them.

If you want to use them, know that they are a very tiny exposure in comparison to other things you should be concerned about, like fluoride in tap water and pesticides in food, and formaldehyde in bedsheets.

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Question from TA

Are you familiar with the IntelliBed mattresses? 

Here is their website:
www.intellibed.com

Sounds interesting. The video gives more detail about the nature of the intelliGEL than I have found (so far) on their website.

I am interested in finding a mattress for my toddler which will last throughout the childhood and teenage years. I’m aware of Naturepedic, Savvy Rest, etc. Now I’m wondering about this one.

Debra’s Answer

I took a look at their website and chatted with them. Interesting slight of hand marketing.

They talk about toxic foam and their “foam free sleep surfaces“, yet the core of the mattress contains “a small amount of high density foam” which is used “to support the gel in place.”

The “gel” is not a jellylike substance (that’s the definition of gel), but is dry, so it doesn’t need a bag to hold it in place.

The gel is made from food grade mineral oil, which is “completely safe and has been approved to use in baby bottle nipples.”

Mineral oil is highly refined straight petroleum.

Of course, all of this is wrapped in organic cotton, thus the “foam free sleep surface.”

I just don’t see the point. I’m very happy with my 100% wool mattress. If cotton is too hard, wrap it around wool, or springs.

All that said, I doubt that there would be much toxic exposure, if any, from these materials being in the core, but if you want a all-natural mattress, this isn’t it.

debra what is the gel made from?

Cameron Hi Debra!

Thank you for visiting intelliBED, I’ll be happy to explain the gel

We use a food grade mineral oil to manufacture the gel. It is completely safe, and has actually been approved to use in baby bottle nipples because of it’s nature

May I ask how you heard about intelliBED?

debra word of mouth

is the gel encased in plastic? If so, what type?

Cameron The gel is held in place in the mattress by a small amount of high density foam.

Unlike other mattress companies, we do not rely on foam to support or comfort your body, but we do use foam to support the gel in place

debra so the gel is infused into the foam?

Cameron No the gel is not infused in to the foam, but we encase the gel in the center of the bed to avoid the gel moving around inside of the mattress

The gel itself is very pure. We do not infuse it in to the foam, or with any other materials

debra OK but is the gel then in a container, like a bag, then wrapped with foam?

Cameron No, it’s a dried gel so it does not have to be contained

debra OK that’s what I wasn’t understanding. “Gel” is by definition a jellylike substane

OK that’s all I needed to know

Cameron If you have any other questions, or would like more information; feel free to reach out to me

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Question from Karen

What you have been saying for ages is finally being recognized by others –
articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/10/01/carpet-installation.aspx?e_cid=20141001Z1_DNL_art_2&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content
=art2&utm_campaign=20141001Z1&et_cid=DM56854&et_rid=677700060

Debra’s Answer

Thank you. I first wrote about toxic carpeting in 1984. I think I may have been the first to do so.

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Question from Barb

I am curious, you said that you don’t use toothpaste, what do you use? I have been using baking soda mixed with coconut oil. Is that too harsh?

Thank you for your time.

Debra’s Answer

What you’re using sounds great to me.

I am always trying various tooth products, mostly tooth powders, different brands. I like tooth powder better because the ingredients are simpler and usually more natural.

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