Question from Joel

Can you please recommend a reliable and affordable lab that tests for lead, asbestos, radon and heavy metals (in food)? I live in New York City.

Thanks.

Joel

Debra’s Answer

This is a great question and one I would like to have an answer to.

I did some searching and didn’t come up with a lab that was really oriented to consumers. Though there are labs oriented to helping manufacturers, they are not affordable.

Are you considering testing every sample of food before you eat it? I think that would be impractical and expensive.

The best advice I can give you is to do your best to source the most organic raw food available to you and then prepare it yourself in your own kitchen. That is the best way to get the least contaminated food. You have a lot of organic food available in New York City.

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Question from Karen B

Hi Debra. I have a dilemma because my work has me outdoors much of the summer where I am exposed to ticks . We have a heavy tick infestation here in Massachusetts.

I do use care where I walk but still I have gotten tick bites. I just took an antibiotic for the latest tick bite. This is one case where I would rather take preventative drugs rather than risk Lyme Disease.

So I was wondering what you think about this product, keeping in mind that I do have MCS. It is an ankle gaiter that could stop any entry to the body because most ticks come from the ground up. Do you think this is safe? Do you have any other suggestions? Thank you!

www.lymeez.com

Debra’s Answer

This is one of those situations where it can be better for your health to use something like an insecticide, rather than have the consequences of something worse like lyme disease.

This product appears to be able to protect you from tick bites without you taking anything internally. It’s a cuff treated with microcapsules filled with permethrin, which burst when disturbed to release very small amounts of the insecticide. The amount is so small you probably wouldn’t even notice it, but it can kill a tick before it bites you.

Permethrin, is a made-made version of pyrethrum. Pyrethrum is a naturally occurring insecticide of the chrysanthemum flower. Permethrin has been a registered ixodicide with the EPA since 1977. While ingested permethrin can be harmful, the World Health Organization considers it to be “the insecticide of choice for clothing treatment.”

I would say give it a try and see if you tolerated. The toxic risk is very low, especially when used outdoors, on clothing, not in contact with your body.

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Question from Mary

I would like to order checks that are odorless, or at least, nontoxic. Suggestions please.

Debra’s Answer

I’ve listed the major suppliers of checks made from recycled paper using soy-based inks on the Checks page of Debra’s List.

Soy-based ink is much less toxic that standard ink made from petroleum.

Readers, what are your favorite places to buy checks?

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Question from Stacey

Hi Debra,

I just bought an outdoor dining set, but am now having second thoughts if I want my children eating/sitting on it. The table is “resin wood with white paint finish,” and the chairs are “steel/iron tube with white powdercoat finish” and made in China.

When I asked a customer service rep at Crate and Barrel what the table was made of, one person said it was polypropylene. I do know the canopy is made of polypropylene with brass grommets. Would you recommend this set or cancel because it is too toxic?

There are other sets made of cheaper materials. One dining set (table and chairs) is made of “rustproof aluminum with a powdercoat finish.” Another set is made of “extruded polysterene with UV antioxidant protection,” and other set is made of “resin wicker.” Would you recommend/use any of these sets?

Of course my favorite is the teak dining set which is much more expensive, but at least it is safe for my children ( I do wonder about the Teak protective oil they recommend to preserve the color)…

If you would only recommend the natural wood to dine on, then I would find a way to get the teak. I trust your recommendations and am grateful for all your great research!

Thanks so much!

Debra’s Answer

If it were my backyard, I’d get the natural wood and be careful about the “teak oil.” Looking for a recommendation about this, I found one article that said it doesn’t have the strength to hold up to the harsh outdoor environment. It is also known to attract fungus and mold. This article actually had no recommendations for teak protection.

I had an unfinished solid wood table in my backyard for about twenty-five years before it fell apart, but that’s what wood does. It biodegrades.

Now, if you are not going to do solid wood, your “resin wood with white paint finish” is probably fine. And the steel/iron tube with white powdercoat finish is definitely fine. Polypropylene is made from petroleum, but not particularly toxic.

“Rustproof aluminum with a powdercoat finish” would also be fine.

I’d stay away from the “extruded polystyrene with UV antioxidant protection,” and “resin wicker…” well, we don’t know really what that is.

Cast iron and glass is a good choice for outdoors. It’s long-lasting and not toxic.

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Question from di

Has anyone tried any of the other Eco-Bond caulks besides the multi-purpose version? I have MCS and need a non-toxic version.

I’m needing to do caulking again and prefer to not need to paint it in some areas.

If not, what brand do you use? The elmer’s glue brand caulk? or Aquarium caulk?

Thanks.

di

Debra’s Answer

Readers? What is your experience?

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Question from Nancy Carew

Hi – I am in despair trying to find bed sheets I can tolerate. I have one set we are using that is just about threadbare and patched in several places (it is an old cotton set I have had for years).

I have ordered Garnet Hill percale sheets, Janice’s organic sateen sheets, 2 other types of organic sheets, and flannel sheets from Portugal and have reacted to all of them. I have soaked in both vinegar and baking soda and washed endlessly.

Do you have any suggestions of what other types of sheets might work for me? (I also took a very old set of white sheets from my father’s linen closet but I can’t seem to get a perfume odor out of those.)

I would appreciate any suggestions you may have. Thanks so much.

Debra’s Answer

Readers, any suggestions? I can only evaluate products by their ingredients, not by individual intolerances. Any brands you like?

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Question from Stacey

Hi Debra,

I found some UGG Australia leather shoes that I like, however, they are also made with a “PORON/EVA footbed.” Do you think this PORON is safe in shoes, or would you not recommend shoes with this cushioning?

Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

Poron is a brand name for a urethane material made from petroleum. No MSDS is required because “this material does not release and will not result in exposure to a hazardous chemical under normal conditions of use.”

EVA is ethylene vinyl acetate, which is made from ethylene and vinyl acetate. But it is not very toxic. The MSDS says that it may cause irritation if it comes in contact with the skin, but inhalation is not a probable route of exposure and it is “not considered hazardous.” It’s basically a polyethylene. Like a sandwich bag.

Even though both these materials are made from petroleum, their toxicity is relatively low.

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Question from CZ

Do you have any information about the kind of binder used in manufacturing cork floor tiles? ?

I just learned that cork floor tiles are not solid cork but they’re made from cork granules and a binder pressed together. I’ve been reading about cork flooring for months and never heard this. It’s disconcerting that makers and retailers never mention the binder (much less identify it by name). Today I came upon one manufacturer’s website where they did mention a binder. I’d buy from them except they’re above my budget.

Every cork product description says “hypoallergenic” but I never see testing information mentioned. Even if cork is traditionally low tox, it’s important to know exactly that ingredients any company is using to make their tiles, the binder and the surface finish. And I’d like to know the maker has a clear commitment to safe ingredients.

I was hoping to use cork to cover a very bad floor in my family room because I must sell my house soon. (Low tox plywood was going to be the subfloor). Cork seemed something I could afford and safely live with until my house sells. Lumber Liquidators has had good prices on plain cork floor tile. I’ve just left them a message asking what binders and surface finishes are used in manufacturing the tiles they sell. Thanks for this opportunity to vent but also I’d appreciate any further info and feedback.

This leads me to ask you and your readers if you have any recommendations about flooring that is clearly low tox and that is low cost. Thanks much.

Debra’s Answer

Experience anyone?

Let me know what Lumber Liquidators says and I can tell you if it’s toxic or not.

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Question from LL Goeckel

I am looking at options for senior living without assisted care…what about mobile homes? What is the best overview and then what specifics would be important to evaluate ?

Debra’s Answer

I’m going to leave this question to others to answer, who have more experience.

In general, motor homes are filled with particleboard and other toxic materials.

I haven’t ever compiled guidelines for choosing mobile homes.

Readers, any experience with this? Let’s create some guidelines right here.

I can say one thing. If you live in Florida, don’t live in a mobile home. It will be gone if there is a hurricane.

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Question from Erin

Hi Debra,

I have a question about washable filters for portable dehumidifiers. What are the chances that the filters are treated with flame retardants or other chemicals? The companies I’ve contacted could not find a MSDS for the washable filters I inquired about. Does that mean there are no chemicals present?

Also, do you know where I could buy replacement filter mesh that is chemical-free/natural so I have the option of replacing the filter with something else?

Thanks

Debra’s Answer

I would say that the chances are slim a dehumidifier filter would be treated with flame retardants, since flame retardants are only used where a fabric might come in contact with a source of fire.

Can you find out from them what materials are used to make these filters?

An MSDS sheet is required by law for all products that contain toxic chemicals that appear on certain lists. Generally, if there is no MSDS, then the product does not contain those chemicals.

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