Question from TA

Are you familiar with the Natural Sense brand of latex mattress? When looking for mattresses, there is so much to be aware of — whether or not fire retardants are used, whether the wool was processed organically, whether it’s truly natural latex or a blend with synthetic latex, and so forth. These mattresses appear to be the real deal, but I want to make sure I’m not overlooking something that would indicate that they aren’t actually non-toxic.

They are sold on the Foam Order website, as well as their own site.
http://www.foamorder.com/organic-mattress.html

http://www.organicmattressshop.com/

I find their website a bit confusing. And there is alot of info on the sites. It’s alot to take in. But from what I can tell, it seems like a decent product. Your thoughts?

Debra’s Answer

Evaluating latex is a major subject to write about. I’ve been researching it for over a year and some major changes have taken place. I’ll write about it soon, but for now I’ll just comment on Natural Sense.

Well, first of all there is a mistake on their site. It says the natural latex foam is “FCS certified” but it isn’t. When you click on the link it takes you to a certification for Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification, which means it does not contain a long list of chemicals.

There’s another mistake, “nontoxic organic rubber.” It’s certified nontoxic by Oeko-Tex but I don’t see any organic certification for the latex at all. They have a certificate for organic cotton and organic wool, but not organic latex.

And, they refer to their mattresses as “organic mattresses.” They actually can’t do that. An “organic mattress” means the entire process of materials and manufacture is organic and certified by GOTS. I don’t see any GOTS certification.

Their product may be just fine. But they don’t seem to be aware of what’s going on in the field of mattresses to know how to properly describe them.

When I see this, it makes me wonder if they really know how to make a natural mattress. I’ve never seen their mattress, I don’t know them at all, but this is what it looks like to me. When I see a site like this, I just pass. I could correct them, but what I’m really looking for are people who really know their stuff. People I can learn from because they are on the inside and can see and experience what is going on. That’s not the impression I get here.

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Question from di

I have severe MCS. I’m looking for a way to repair wallpaper seams.

I love the old wallpaper and would just like to re-stick some of the edges and seams without it showing or aging on the paper.

What would you suggest?

I have two types of old paper…….the paper variety and old vinyl of some sort.

Thanks.

di

Debra’s Answer

I’ve never repaired wallpaper. Haven’t a clue.

Readers, any suggestions?

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Question from Kim

I recently purchased Mikasa’s Antique White Dinnerware set, but a friend of mine told me that I should not because it contains lead. I cannot find anything definitive on the web that confirms or contradicts this. Can you help direct me to an authoritative source that addresses this concern? Thank you advance for your assistance.

Debra’s Answer

This is a thorny question. I did quite a lot of research on this some years back and the gist of it was:

* all the companies now say their products meet state and federal guidelines (I just called Mikasa and that’s what they said
* there’s no such thing as 100% lead free because there is lead in the clay naturally and lead in the atmosphere.

The only way to know is to test. The least expensive way to test for lead is with LeadCheck swabs, which you can get for about $25 in the paint department at Home Depot.

Read more:

Is Cermic Dishware Safe?
Safe Dinnerware
Dishware Labeled “Prop 65 Compliant for Lead & Cadmium”

On March 25, the World Health Organization released data from 2012 that estimated around 7 million people died that year as a result of air pollution exposure. That’s 1 person in every 8.

The new data also showed a stronger link between both inoor and outdoor air pollution exposure and cardiovascular diseases, and between air pollution and cancer, This is in addition to air pollution’s known role in the development of respiratory diseases.

Outdoor air pollution-caused deaths — breakdown by disease:

40% — ischaemic heart disease
40% — stroke
11% — chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
6% – lung cancer
3% — acute lower respiratory infections in children

Indoor air pollution-caused deaths — breakdown by disease:

34% – stroke
26% – ischaemic heart disease
22% – COPD
12% – acute lower respiratory infections in children
6% – lung cancer

WHO estimates indoor air pollution was linked to 4.3 million deaths in 2012 in households cooking over coal, wood and biomass stoves. This produces particulate matter air pollution, which is linked to such diseases as ischaemic heart disease, strokes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, respiratory infections, and lung cancer.

I’m wondering if the number would be even higher if they considered deaths from other sources of indoor air pollution as well.

SOURCE:

WHO: 7 million premature deaths annually linked to air pollution
WHO: 7 million deaths annually linked to air pollution
World Health Organization Confirms Air Pollution Is World’s Single Largest Preventable Health Risk

The following week I interviewed Mary Rozenberg, Co-Founder of the Burning Issues website, on Toxic Free Talk Radio. Her website is all about the health effects of fine particle air pollution and what each of us can do to reduce our exposure individually and within our communiites. Listen to the interview at How Smoke From Fireplaces, Wood Stoves, BBQs and More Contribute to Outdoor Air Pollution and Affect Our Health.

I am on a lot of health-oriented mailing lists. This morning I opened an email to find an article that was in The Atlantic a few months ago called Living Sick and Dying Young in Rich America.

Now nothing was said about toxics in this article. The point there was that people are getting sicker at younger ages now, and this is becoming the norm. Our life expectancy is getting shorter.

I for one will suggest that these statistics are due to toxic chemicals in consumer products. Have I done a study? No. But there are many studies that show chemicals found in consumer products are toxic, and I know from simple observation that people get healthier when they switch products to those that don’t contain these chemicals. It’s something anyone can demonstrate for themselves.

In early 2010, the organization Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families released a report called The Health Case for Reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act. Based on more than 1200 studies, the report shows just how toxic chemicals are contributing to many widespread health problems. According to this study, 133 million people in the U.S.—almost half of all Americans—are now living with chronic diseases and conditions related to toxic chemical exposures, which now account for 70% of deaths and 75% of U.S. health care costs.

We all have the choice to reduce toxic exposures in our own lives, but what really needs to happen is to eliminate toxic chemicals broadly, to restore health to the populace of our nation.

To be sick from toxic chemical exposure is so unnecessary.

Source: The Atlantic: Living Sick and Dying Young in Rich America

Are We Losing Our Choice of Safe Landlines Instead of Harmful Cell Phones?

Legislation that would make it easier for phone companies in Michigan to discontinue traditional landline service is making it’s way through the government there.

Does that mean landline phones are about to become obsolete?

Not anytime soon. Any changes would still need to be approved by the FCC.

My concern is that a safe, workable technology may be replaced by a new technology that is known to be harmful to health. And that our choice to have a landline phone would be eliminated.

Source:
Controversial landline phone legislation passes Michigan Senate committee

Below is one woman’s comment.

Why I Cannot Use a Cellphone

Here is my response to the proposed legislation by telecom companies to discontinue landlines. This is despite the fact that wireless radiation has been classified as a class 2B possible carcinogen by the World Health Organization and a probable carcinogen by the EPA.
I would not be able to function without a landline. Because of the previous cumulative effects of radiation (cell phones and other EMR) on my body from using a cell phone and living 150’ from a disguised cell tower, I can no longer tolerate any sort of prolonged wireless radiation, Wifi or smart meter radiation. I have been forced to live in the outback where there is no cell tower.

I am a PR professional who used a cell phone exclusively for 8 years until it made me dizzy and nauseous whenever I held it to my head. My ear on the side of my head with which I used this cell phone is now permanently numb. I count myself as lucky to have given up this cell phone before I developed a brain tumor. Please note that more and more people are now winning legal battles due to the brain tumor damage they have received from cell phone wireless radiation.

Wireless cell radiation (EMR/RF) is now categorized by the insurance industry as a high risk: A major Swiss insurance industry report featuring emerging risk topics acknowledges recent reports of courts ruling in favor of claimants who have experienced health damage from mobile phones.

People like me are the canaries in the mine shaft. Wireless microwave radiation poisoning has been undeniably shown in 4,000+ peer-reviewed academic studies to damage DNA, destroy the blood/brain barrier, and interfere with the production of melatonin by the pineal gland, along with a host of other effects. Living beings can only handle the effects of radiation so long before their immune system gives out. (See: www.EMRActionDay.org/science for a partial selection of scientific studies.)

Because corporate-owned PR firms and media are blocking the flow of this information, I have spent a great deal of time sharing with others the numerous academic studies that prove wireless radiation is toxic. Because of my advocacy work, I have been harassed and threatened by telecom industry shills. However, my ethics and Ivy League education demand that I continue to insist that the truth about cumulative wireless radiation be acknowledged. If we give in any further to this monopoly of money, we will be directly harming the public for all time. You know the tobacco and asbestos stories.

Granted, the companies that make wireless technology are now among the most powerful in the world, making trillions of dollars every year and paying little to no Federal income tax. They use vast PR networks, media/political control, and advertising to hide the proven effects of wireless radiation poisoning from us.

The kicker is that telephone landlines use less than one third as much energy to operate as cell phones do. With 6 billion cell phones, imagine the energy we could save on this planet if we decide to use safe fiber optic hard wiring instead of radiation to communicate with one another.
I am convinced that the unending stream of wireless microwave radiation emitting from millions of cell towers across the planet is contributing significantly to global warming. Now industrial-level WiFi is being installed in the ceilings of classrooms and businesses across America in order to sell massive quantities of wireless technology. However, hard wiring computer technology with fiber optics would be better quality, cheaper to operate, and without the effects of microwave poisoning day in and day out on us and our children.

Alternatives to dangerous wireless technology are disappearing fast. These days it is almost impossible to buy landline phones, cable TV boxes, computer mice and routers, utility meters, etc. etc, that don’t emit wireless radiation. Although there is a large lobby for the needs of the disabled here in America, phone booths are rarely available to the many people like me who have been injured by wireless radiation and cannot use cell phones.

After arriving home recently from vacation, I found out that my mother was on her deathbed. I had tried to check up on her health condition while on vacation, but every phone booth between Southern California and Utah was disconnected or broken. Although I immediately took the red eye to New York to see her, she passed on before I got there. In order to fly to New York, I had to endure a radiation-emitting full body scanner and WiFi emitting from the confines of every airplane. After getting back from my Mom’s funeral, I developed a painful burning condition in my spine for months–another symptom of wireless poisoning.

The phone booths are now all gone. It is inconceivable that the increasing number of people who are being injured by cumulative wireless poisoning could function without landlines. Do not take away the landlines so trillion dollar companies can make a few more bucks. And although cell phones are touted as great for emergencies, landlines are the only device that will still work when the power goes out.

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Question from Ric

Howdy. Thanks for all you do.

Do you know whether normal, quilted oven mitts have flame retardant chemicals in them? I can’t seem to find anything confirming or denying this, but, frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised if they do.

Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

Now you might think that they would, being around fire and all, but to the best of my knowledge, oven mitts are NOT treated with chemical fire retardants.

Oven mitts are made out of materials that are difficult to ignite, such as thick quilted cotton, or materials designed to be fire barrier fabrics, like Kevlar.

No toxic danger from oven mitts that I’ve ever heard of or found.

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Question from Jenna

Hi Debra,

I need some advice on buying a rug. I need a large healthy rug that can withstand pets and children in the living room. I’ve been researching for many months now and am no closer to figuring out what is best. Ideally, I would buy an organic wool rug but I don’t have the budget for one. Here are my options, as I see it:

1. I thought about buying a large cotton rug but I wouldn’t be able to fit it in my washing machine, as it would inevitably get dirty a lot.

2. Flatweave wool/cotton rug from ikea, like this one – http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/30251742/. I could vaccuum it and can blot up stains. The thing that worries me is the moth treatments etc. on the wool. Maybe I could hose it down with cold water and blot it dry when I first buy it?

3. A polypropylene rug. I know these are not ideal but I wondered if I let it off-gas for a while and regularly hose it down outside or wash it in the tub/shower, if it would be a good choice? http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/20203563/

We do have a fresh air exchanger in the house and all wood floors, just to give you an idea on our environment. All of our beds are organic as well and no polyurethane foam in the house expect for a couple of small chairs I’ll be getting to next.

I would really appreciate the help. Thanks so much.

Jenna

Debra’s Answer

1. Well, we don’t know for sure if it has moth treatments, or not, or what type. Please call IKEA and find out.

2. I’m more concerned about the polypropylene rug. Polypropylene is not that toxic, but synthetic latex can outgas. So I would pass on this one.

It’s good that the wool rug is only wool and cotton, and no jute or latex. Find out about the moth repellants.

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Question from Jenna

Hi Debra,

Can you please explain to me why polyester batting is toxic? I can’t seem to find any specifics on it. All I find is that it’s a stable material and, if it remains inside whatever it is (cushion, toy etc.), it’s not a danger.

Debra’s Answer

I’m going to answer your question with a link to a blog post about polyester, written by two intelligent women who I personally know and admire: Patty Grossman and Leigh Anne Van Dusen at O Ecotextiles. You can listen to my interview with them on Toxic Free Talk Radio at Fabrics That are Nontoxic, Ethical, Sustainable…and Beautiful.

They sell upholstery fabrics, so they are interested in textile toxics.

Here’s the link: Polyester and our health

Even though this is about polyester fabric, and you are asking about polyester batting, polyester is polyester and plastic is plastic. It’s made from crude oil and it outgasses who knows what.

Years ago I decided for myself to minimize plastic in my home as much as possible, especially if it’s many hours of contact time, like in a bed, or if it’s touching my skin.

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Question from Joy

Hi Debra.

I’m wondering if you might have any ideas about how to remove a very smelly grease lubricant from my garage door?

I was away this week and my landlord allowed some company to “lubricate” the garage door with this horribly toxic smelling stuff, and it’s getting in the house and causing me to have major MCS reactions.

In my experience in the past, this sort of grease doesn’t offgas very easily.

Should I spray the parts I can see maybe with baking soda water? I need to absorb the smell from it, not so much any grease, but don’t want to cause rust on the metal garage door tracks either. This is a real dilemma, it’s quickly making the house unliveable for me. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Joy

Debra’s Answer

Baking soda isn’t going to handle this odor. I think you need to remove it entirely. You probably need to use something like isopropyl alcohol or chlorine bleach.

The best thing to do is find out exactly the product used and call the manufacturer to find out how to remove it.

Readers have recommended EZ-1 by Foust as a lubricant.