Question from Susannah

Hi Debra, our landlord is replacing the window in my son’s bedroom. He used some toxic glue (don’t know the name) and we’re ventilating to get rid of them smell while my son sleeps in a different room. I’m trying to find out how long it might take to off-gas. Also, he has yet to put in a foam sealant around the frame. We’re trying to find a non-toxic one and I wondered if you knew of one. Thanks for your help!

Debra’s Answer

How long it takes for a glue to outgas depends on the glue. It could take a week or more. Heat will speed outgassing.

As for a nontoxic foam sealant…I don’t know of one offhand. I did a quick search and they are all made from polyurethane foam. Be cautious about how they are labeled. I saw a few that said they were “nontoxic” but then I looked at the MSDS and found toxic chemicals.

Readers, what have you used instead. I’ve actually never installed a window that I recall.

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Question from Daisy

What are your thoughts re the safety of Bali Cellular Shades.

Here is their answer to my query re. their toxicity:

The current cellular fabrics are produced with 100% polyester staple fiber. Depending on the type of fabric either a blend of wood pulp or the use of a metalized film is incorporated to meet specific requirements. Our suppliers for these products have improved their methods of processing and utilize environmentally friendly chemicals and allow adequate cure time so as to minimize or eliminate VOC concerns. The Northern Lights fabric is a polyester and wood pulp blended fabric processed in a method that allows only one process step making it eco friendly (Green) product. The method of applying color is water based and oven dried. The print suppler thoroughly dries the fabric to a point that color will not rub off and the moisture content is low providing a fully cured product. The Midnight fabric has a metalized film which has to be laminated with adhesive and cured in a hot room before shipping. The sub-vendor that provides color allows extra drying time to cure the print ink. This extra drying time has proven to be beneficial in curing the product and eliminating VOC concerns.

Debra’s Answer

It sounds like they are familiar with the potential problems and are doing things to minimize outgassing.

I have no experience with the product, but it sounds like it would be fine.

Readers, any experience?

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Question from April

I am interested in a polyureathane flooring coating for a floor at work. Once cured do they off gas? Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

Once cured, a polyurethane floor finish does not offgas. It gives a hard, protective surface that will last a long time.

Be sure, however, to get a water-based product such as Varathane Crystal Clear Floor Finish. I’ve used this brand with excellent results. But there are others. Look for “water-based” on the label.

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Question from Sara

Hi Debra,

I continue to love your website and weekly updates, and I have referred several friends and women on my local list-serves to your site! 🙂

We will be purchasing a house in our neighborhood that was built in 1941. We will need to renovate the house and also create a small addition.

For now, two questions come to mind:

We need to update the plumbing pipes in the house since they are threaded iron with very little pressure and signs of deterioration. Which options for plumbing pipes would you recommend? The soft “food safe” plastic pipes s

I have a good sense of how to aveem to be popular around here, and I also know that copper is available but very expensive. What would you recommend?oid formaldehyde in cabinets, floors, etc? However, what about framing and sub-flooring materials? Any tips on which products I should ask the contractor to use for the small addition?

Thanks so much!

Sara

Debra’s Answer

I’ve written about pipe before on various posts

Q&A PVC Plumbing

The soft “food safe” plastic pipes are PEX, which is made from polyethylene, one of the safest plastics.

There’s something less-than-perfect about each type of pipe. Copper is considered the best choice overall, but it can leach into the tap water, particularly if water is left sitting in the pipe. I needed to install some new pipe when we did our bathroom remodel, and we chose copper.

Whatever type of pipe you use, it’s best to have a water filter anyway, to remove pollutants from incoming tap water, and let the water run a bit to clear the pipes before drinking or showering.

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Question from Becky

I have Fibro pain and have tried lots of different beds including latex but couldn’t sleep on them. I have been only able to sleep on a sleep number air bed but I worry about the toxins from the bed. Do you know of a toxin free airbed? What about comfortaire?

Debra’s Answer

I haven’t done any research on air beds because the air bag is generally made of plastic.

If you would contact the manufacturers of these two beds and find out the materials used, I can tell you if they are toxic.

Readers, any toxic-free air beds that you know of?

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Question from Di

I’m looking for a mascara that doesn’t run and is waterproof….. I used to use Marathon Mascara, but they stopped making it. I have MCS. thanks. di

Debra’s Answer

Readers, any recommendations?

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Question from di

I’m looking for a way to use a wifi device and not feel the effects of the device. I’d like to be able to turn it on when I need to use it and then turn it off and unplug it. Any suggestions on the best device and a way to shield? thanks. di

Debra’s Answer

I’m going to let my EMF expert readers answer this one.

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Question from Concerned Mom

We are looking for play sand for our toddler – the type of sand that is used for playing in sand boxes or sand tables outdoors.

We found Quikrete brand at Home Depot, but then discovered negative reviews on Amazon stating that it produces a large cloud of dust (concerns about inhaling silica dust), that some people had rashes, scratchy throats, etc, after exposure to it, that it isn’t safe for children, and that even though it is supposedly screened/cleaned, this product is “filthy.”

And the MSDS for the Quikrete play sand does mention the respiratory concerns about silica, but of course they refer to continuous occupational exposure and state that this sand is safe for children to play in. However, it seems to me that a child sitting and playing in sand is also being exposed continually and repeatedly.

So it looks like we’ll be returning this product to Home Depot rather than opening and using it.

But that leads me on a search for an alternative. I also noticed the Sandtastik brand on Amazon, with lots of positive reviews and claims that it is safe, non-toxic, contains no free silica or quartz, etc. But I don’t know what to make of it.

But that leads me on a search for an alternative. I also noticed the Sandtastik brand on Amazon, with lots of positive reviews and claims that it is safe, non-toxic, contains no free silica or quartz, etc. But I don’t know what to make of it.

What would make a play sand safe?

Obviously we don’t want the ones that are reported to be scratchy, dirty, and causing rashes. But other than that, is there particular wording that would indicate that it is a safe product?

Children play in sand at the beach and it’s a natural substance. Yet I saw remarks about some play sand being man-made, about sand at the beach containing carcinogenic substances (referring to the silica and quartz, I think), and so forth.

I’d just like to find a safe product for my child to play with, and while I’m used to checking things out thoroughly, it would be nice if something – anything! – were easy to buy without becoming a research project!

This is from the FAQ on the Sandtastik website:

WHAT DO WE MEAN WHEN WE SAY THAT OUR SAND CONTAINS NO FREE SILICA OR QUARTZ? Firstly, let’s examine sand found in dunes and on beaches. Toxicologists have proven that some of those tiny little grains of sand may contain known natural carcinogens. A carcinogen is a substance that causes cancer. Substances like silica and quartz through prolonged exposure to skin, inhalation or ingestion have potential health risks. Sandtastik sand is made from the feldspar family of rock which does not contain any carcinogens. It is 100% pure safe sand. www.sandtastik.com/faq

This is the product info page: www.sandtastik.com/100-sand/101-white-play-sand/1280-play-sand-50-lbs

I am also wondering how they make it white rather than the typical sand color. This product is also far more expensive than the play sand at places like Home Depot, and it takes multiple 50-pound bags to fill up a sandbox.

So while I’m willing to pay more for safe things for my child, I’d like to know that what I am buying truly is safe, and how to tell if this is a good product or if I should keep looking.

Debra’s Answer

Here’s an answer from a nontoxic mom who did some research on this.

The problem with free silica and quartz occurs in sand made from crushed rock.

If you’ve ever looked at beach sand up close, it’s rock that has been worn down by the water. Crushed rock creates a lot of dust, and thus, the dust hazard of this type of sand.

The recommendations are

look for river or beach sand in landscape and gardening store.

Buy Safe Sand (this site has more information about the problem.

Question from Allison

Debra, Thanks again for all your help. For painting a bathroom, do you recommend using a paint that contains mildewcide? AFM Safecoat will add it, if I request it.

If I do have the mildewcide added, will it be any danger to my health once the paint is completely dried and cured?

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

Oh, this is a difficult question to answer because “mildewcide” refers to a broad range of chemcials, some of which are more toxic than others.

The bathroom is a room where there is a lot of moisture that could cause mold to grow on walls.

One way to control mold growth is with a mildewcide in the paint.

What I did was tile up seven feet on all the walls, and then applied colored clay plaster from American Clay. The clay plaster absorbs moisture when it is present, and releases it back into the air when the air is dry, so there is no buildup of moisture on the surface of the wall for mold growth.

My best recommendation for bathroom walls is tile and clay plaster.

Contact AFM and find out what mildewcide they use and then evaluate it’s toxicity. That will give you your answer.

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Question from Nancy

We just moved to a beautiful country setting here in NE Arizona, however the distant hills (about 20 miles away) have prescribed burns by the forest service and it’s quite often. (I learned this AFTER our move!) During sleep hours, the smoke rolls into our area and into our house. I have terrible allergies and have to close the vents, but it’s not enough. Is there any kind of vent filter I can use to keep smoke from coming in that way? I currently use 2 air purifiers in the bedroom, but it’s very frustrating knowing that smoke is always coming in from the attic, and the purifiers aren’t taking care of the problem the way I need. Any help is appreciated!

Debra’s Answer

It sounds like you need to seal up cracks and any openings that are allowing smoke to come through.

Do you know or can you find out when the burns are going to be so you can close your vents.

Readers, have any of you had this experience?

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