Super Search

Submitted questions will be posted with my response by the following Tuesday or before.
Submitted comments will be moderated and approved within 24 hours.

Child’s Beka Deluxe Easel

Question from Melissa

Hi Debra,

I have been searching for a safe easel for my 3 and 5 year old daughters, a difficult task as most children’s easels seem to be “wooden.” I found the Beka easel, which was advertised as solid hardwood made in the USA. When the new easel arrived, I was surprised to see that the chalkboard surface (i.e., one side of the easel), the bottom of the wood paint trays and center portion of the easel appeared to be made of something other than solid wood.

I called Beka and was told that these parts are made of a fiberboard which is a tempered hardboard made in the USA (meaning only the frame of the easel is sold wood). The person I spoke with was very helpful but could not give me any more information about the composition of the non-wood parts. Should I be concerned about off-gassing/formalehyde with these parts or do you think they are safe? If necessary, I can pay $40 to replace one of the parts with a metal board and apply something to seal the other parts – but I certainly don’t want to do all of this if it’s not necessary.

Thank you very much,

Melissa

Debra’s Answer

Tempered hardboard is an engineered wood product, more commonly called Masonite. It’s been around since the 1920’s and is not toxic.

Unlike the more modern fiberboards that are held together with toxic resins, Masonite™ is made by coating wood fibers with linseed oil and pressing them together at high temperatures.

Some people who are individually sensitive to wood or linseed oil may react to it, but it contains no toxic ingredients.

No off-gassing of formaldehyde here.

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Simmons Beautyrest Latex Pillows

Question from chris

I know that simmons products are not usually safe (as they have chemicals in them). But they advertise a latex pillow that I am wondering if it is safe. It is made with Talalay latex. This is the website I am looking at:
www.absolutecomfortonsale.com/Simmons-beautyrest-latex-pillow.htm

thanks.

Debra’s Answer

First, let me just suggest that you shop on Debra’s List to find products that are truly natural and toxic free. You can find many natural pillows on the Beds & Bedding page of Debra’s List.

Now, FYI about choosing latex pillows…

First, you want 100% natural latex and even better, GOLS certified organic latex.

This description clearly says it’s “blended latex” which means it’s part natural and part petrochemical, like the rubber tires are made from. I don’t know what “authentic Talalay latex foam” is. Authentic?

This description says to me the latex is not organic and is cut with toxic petroleum-based rubber.

I can’t recommend this pillow.

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glue or adhesive for orthotic covers

Question from judy

I’m having orthotics made at a new place. I know that some of the coverings and adhesives used with cork orthotics are very toxic and others have been fine for me with some outgassing.

What types do you suggest to get fabric coverings to adhere?

Debra’s Answer

I don’t have any experience at all with making orthotics.

Readers, any suggestions for this?

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Safe Headphones

Question from E. from Canada

Any tips for finding safe headphones?

I have decided to look for in-ear headphones since there is less material I might be sensitive to.

I thought I picked out a good pair: Reveal Bamboo Earbuds. They were anodized aluminum, phthalate-free and BPA-free but the cord still had a strong plastic odour.

What questions should I be asking manufacturers in order to figure out if their headphones are low VOC?

Thanks,

(E. from Canada)

Debra’s Answer

Good question!

You are on the right track with your Reveal Bambook Earbuds.

I’m not surprised there is a strong odor from the cord. It’s probably a standard PVC cord that may even have lead in it, which can be absorbed by your skin when you touch it.

The difficult thing is that I don’t think there yet are PVC-free cords for things like this.

The best thing I can recommend for you is to get these bamboo earbuds and then wrap the cords with something. Just any fabric would work to protect against lead, but not the VOCs. Foil will block the PVC fumes so you might use foil tape, or foil under fabric.

I would ask what types of plastics are used to make the headphones, because they are all plastic.

The ridiculous thing is that headphones probably could be made from some nontoxic, food-safe plastic, they just aren’t doing it…yet.

But…Here are a whole lot of choices for headphones made from bamboo and other natural materials, but probably still PVC cords.

Safe Gloves for Food Prep

Question from Alison

Hi Debra,

Thank you for your website and for all that you do!

My cook wants to wear gloves while working with raw meat. I was wondering if you know whether nitrile medical gloves are safe (ie don’t leach anything into the food), or do you know of a safe glove to use? Maybe natural latex?

The gloves won’t be used for anything heat related, just things like cutting meat, and making meatballs.

Thanks so much!

Alison

Debra’s Answer

The use of gloves for food prep is common—it’s done in every restaurant.

I just took a peek at disposable gloves regarding your leaching question, and I’ll just summarize by saying that all the materials leach, and this is addressed during a step in processing. But it appears that different brands of gloves may be leached for different periods of time. I have no way of creating a reccommendation to evaluate which might be the best gloves because of this.

The main materials used to make disposable gloves are

  • Vinyl / Poly (PVC)
  • Nitrile
  • Latex

But if you look at all the choices for gloves, it quickly becomes apparent that there may be other additives for various functions.

I would avoid the PVC gloves for toxicity.

Nitrile is a synthetic rubber made from acrylonitrile and butadiene. Acrylonitrile is a suspected human carcinogen, considered toxic, and know to release ions of cyanide. It also cannot be legally released into the environment because it is considered hazardous.

Latex would be OK if you are not latex sensitive.

It’s a tough decision. What is the reason your cook wants to wear gloves? Is it cross-contamination? I handle raw meat with my bare hands and then wash them with soap and hot water before I handle any other foods. And if I am making a salad, for example, I’ll handle the raw vegetables BEFORE handling the raw meat. I also use a separate cutting board and run my knife under the hottest water after using it to cut meat. I’ve never had any cross-contamination problems.

 

Stain remover for Laundry

Question from Cecilia

Dear Debra,

I would like your opinion about these two stain removers:

www.yoreganics.com/collections/all-products/products/stain-remover

us.ecover.com/products/stain-remover/

I tried the first one, and I think it works pretty well, but every time I use it I would cough and sneeze.

I haven’t tried the second one, but I would like your opinion because it has a bad rating on the EWG website.

In your website I found some old comments about Oxyclean and similar products. Would you still think they are safe to use?

Thank you very much!

Debra’s Answer

The Yoreganics stain remover is totally organic and nontoxic. If you are coughing and sneezing it is likely that you are individually sensitive to one or more of the natural ingredients. This is one of the dilemmas: organic products do not contain toxic chemicals but they can contain potential allergens, whereas petroleum products contain no allergens but may be toxic.

I can see why the Ecover product got a bad rating from EWG. It contains a number of synthetic ingredients, including synthetic fragrances and preservatives.

Another difference is the Yoreganics product is made from whole natural ingredients such as oils, aloe vera, and functional essential oils. The Ecover product contains ingredients that start with renewable resources, but are processed into industrial ingredients.

Oxyclean is made from oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate) and hydrogen peroxide. Those are the active ingredients. Who knows what else may be in it. You can buy other stain removers with these active ingredients online. Or even just use them alone. Dilute the hydrogen peroxide so it doesn’t bleach your clothes on contact.

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False and Misleading Formaldehyde Label

From Debra Lynn Dadd

Yesterday I was in Micheal’s, a national chain craft store, and saw these giant clothespins sitting in a bin as I was waiting in line.

I looked on the label (lower clothespin in photo) to see what they were made of. Since it didn’t give the material, I slipped the packaging open to feel it, and it felt like wood, so I bought two. Purple is my favorite color.

When I got home and opened the package, there was another label inside that was not at all visible with the packaging. It was hidden under the other label!

This label very clearly states the product is made from MDF (medium density fiberboard) and is meets the Phase 2 California standards. I happen to know this is a “low emissions” standard, which is a clue that it is emitting formaldehyde, a carcinogen.

Even after all my years of examining products, I’ve never seen one like this, where the material is hidden and you can only see the material label after you buy the product. I wonder if this is illegal.

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Non-toxic eye liner make-up

Question from Cypress

I am doing a big detox program and am more aware than ever of what I put on my skin.

I have not found an eye liner that does not sting or burn, either at the time of use, or later. I got one that was said to be made entirely of fruits and vegetables, though I did wonder how they made it black. It burned my eyes, both when I put it on and, particularly, later.

Does anyone know of an eye liner that really is friendly? I am not now looking for what SOUNDS good, but for actual experience as well.

Debra’s Answer

Well, this really is very individual, but readers, do you have a suggestion?

You might like this. Here’s a recipe to make your own eyeliner, from coconut oil, aloe vera, and charcoal.

This recipe is from a kindle book called All Natural Living: 75 Non-Toxic Recipes For Home & Beauty, which also has a recipe for making your own mascara as well as other beauty products and cleaning products. A deal at only $2.99

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Problem with leather in newer car

Question from Jill

I have MCS . My old (and well tolerated) car was totaled in an accident. I finally got so desperate for a car (I live in mountains and have a child), that I bought a 2011 Subaru that had no detailing prior. I thought it might be old enough to be off gassed. I bought it from out of town and unfortunately didn’t have a long enough test time.

My former car (2003) had leather seats and I did fine with them – liked that they were so easy to clean if stuff got on them, especially scents.

Unfortunately, after spending enough time in the new car, I’m reacting terribly to the leather seats and leather steering wheel. After researching, I’m learning that it might actually be “fake” leather made from vinyl and some leather treated with chemicals, painted, and then impregnated with a “leather” scent. Either way – the leather – real or not – is causing terrible reactions. I saw online that even people without MCS have reactions to newer leather in cars, too.

I’m trying everything (super cleaned with baking soda, vinegar, safe cleaners, baked out in sun) and just bought seat covers in the hopes that will help. But the reactions are pretty severe. I’m wondering if anyone has ideas. I’m a but cautious to try ozone. Not sure if that has worked for others.

I did test out a lot of cars prior and didn’t do well in any. Mold issues are also a problem so older cars often have those. Not sure if I should try selling the car and search yet again for another, knowing none will be perfect, or keep working at this, and if so, how.

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

Readers, any suggestions?

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Nontoxic Antiseptic Cleaner for “Industrial” Setting

Question from ellen f

Can anyone suggest a non-toxic cleaner that would satisfy the antiseptic requirements for use in an “industrial” setting?

My husband goes to a health club where they use something so strong and nasty-smelling to clean the weight machines, it’s gotten to the point where when he comes home I can’t be around him even if he changes his clothes.

Emphasizing that the products pose a threat to everyone at the club, I finally got him to talk to someone there about it, and amazingly, the manager was concerned and told my husband that he would try to find something less toxic. He would like to know what I might recommend.

The replacement product has to be a germicide and must not degrade the vinyl on the machine seats.

Debra’s Answer

Hmmm…well here are some suggestions. I haven’t used these products so I can’t vouch for them. They probably want a commercial product and won’t go for something like an essential oil that has disinfectant properties.

One commercial product that says it is a nontoxic disinfectant is Shaklee’s Basic G, which you can get from a local Shaklee distributor. I’ve linked to this particular distributor not because I know her (I don’t) but because she wrote a very informative blog post about the product. It kills 99% of bacteria and lasts 3 days after application.

The other lead I have is from a children’s play center called Leaping Lizards. They say they use a non-toxic, 7 day germicide that keeps all of their inflatables and play areas clean and smelling fresh.

I couldn’t get them on the phone, so I don’t know what the product is, but since they are using it in a public space your manager might go for it.

Those were the best leads I could come up with for a public space.

Readers, any other suggestions?

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ARE TOXIC PRODUCTS HIDDEN IN YOUR HOME?

Toxic Products Don’t Always Have Warning Labels. Find Out About 3 Hidden Toxic Products That You Can Remove From Your Home Right Now.