Question from Donna

Hi Debra, I’ve searched high and low for an office chair free of flame retardants. I sit at work for the most of eight hours, so a wood chair wouldn’t work. I thought I’d found the answer when I found the Bradley Bungie Chair by EuroStyle made of bungee cords. However, when it arrived, it had a very strong chemical odor. After some research, I found that the cords are most likely made of synthetic rubber, but they are covered in some type of thick material. Do you think this chair is safe?

Thank you!

Donna

Debra’s Answer

This looks to me to be a chair made up of a lot of plastic. Without knowing the exact materials used to make it, I can’t tell you how toxic it might be.

My general rule of thumb is: if it smells bad, I don’t buy it.

Here is an office chair that was designed to be less toxic and more sustainable, though I’ve never seen one so I can’t vouch for it. I also don’t know the price range. http://c2ccertified.org/products/scorecard/mirra_chair

Readers, any suggestions? I sit on a wooden chair with a wool pillow. All day long.

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Question from Judy M

Silpat Non-Stick Baking Mat: Is this product safe to cook with or does it leach chemicals into the food? If it is safe, can you line a non-stick coated pan with it to protect from leaching of chemicals from these coatings? Thanks for your help. Roll over image to zoom in

Debra’s Answer

Though some disagree with me, I’ve done the research (see Q&A: Silicone baking mats vs parchment paper and have concluded that Silpats are OK to use. I use them myself almost every day.

I don’t know if they would block the fumes from a nonstick baking sheet, but I use mine over aluminum/steel baking pans to block the aluminum. Seems to be working fine.

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Question from Christine

I just bought a home and am having the floors refinished. I plan to move in in a couple months. I’m concerned about the finish though, as I have a toddler. I can’t find a new refinisher because I put down a deposit. Will the finish off gas sufficiently? I thought it would, but then I realized I’m buying all this zero VOC paint, but putting poly on the floors?!

Debra’s Answer

Yes, you should be concerned about the VOCs in floor finish as well as the VOCs in paint.

I don’t know what type of finish you are using, but please ask the floor finisher to use a water-based finish. An oil-based finish will take months to cure before it is safe.

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Question from hairdryer

I was looking to purchase a hair dryer called T3. It is tourmaline enhanced, ceramic and ionic (negative ions). Do you see anything harmful with this description?

Thanks

Debra’s Answer

There’s nothing toxic about tourmaline and ceramic, but what about the plastic housing?

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Question from Tanya

Is spray paint toxic after it dries and the smell is gone?

Debra’s Answer

I would need to look at the ingredients of any specific product.  The greatest risk is inhaling the product while you spray.  If you do use it, I would certainly use a painter’s mask when applying.  The solvents will eventually evaporate off once it’s fully cured.

Odor can be an indicator of toxicity but it is not entirely reliable.

Question from comforters

My mother will not use any down comforters because she fears the ducks/geese may have been contaminated from sources; ex. radiation from Japan’s disaster, etc. Is there any way to assure her these products are safe to use?

Debra’s Answer

I have never seen any reports on toxic chemical exposure from goose or duck down, however, down and feathers are porous materials, which means they can easily absorb anything they come in contact with. So this is one of those cases where I can’t guarantee they were not exposed to anything, but there have been no reports that I know of regarding toxic exposures from this source.

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Question from Joe

Debra, Are you familiar with ecos paints? They are a South Carolina paint company that produces paints that they claim are water based, VOC Free paint. Solvent-free, Glycol-free, Eco-friendly, Allergy-safe finishes. Totally free of all pesticides, herbicides and toxins.

I recently purchased some from painting my basement floor and was holding off while i do more research. Do they seem as safe as the ones you are familiar with?

Thanks,

Joe

Debra’s Answer

According to their description, these paints are BETTER than most of the paints I’m familiar with that come in a can.

Can’t wait to try them.

Readers, any experience with these?

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Question from Diana

Dear Debra – I typed in toxins in clothes and read the article provided.

It answered one of my questions that had to do with whether more expensive clothes had less toxins in them. Might have known! I just bought some jeans and a warm-up outfit at Kohl’s. They are all outside, day and night.

I’ve read that soaking them in baking soda and later water diluted with vinegar will take care of the smell. However, I’m wondering if the toxins are still there doing damage to the wearer. I’m guessing they are.

If so, this rules out all department stores and leaves only organic clothes (haven’t found many of those) and consignment shops where clothes have been washed many times.

Could you comment on this?

To me it seems like a silent holocaust — aimed especially at juniors. Mudd and So manufacturers are two that have cute jr. clothes but the smell on them is enough to knock you out. Just bury your nose in them and inhale. Then taste the inside of your mouth. Next, run for your too toothbrush.

Debra’s Answer

Yes, average clothes DO contain a lot of toxic chemicals that we need to watch out for.

The best thing to do is wear organic. There are many online sources of organic clothing, some of which are on Debra’s List: Textiles: Clothing.

I have to say, though, I find this to be easier said than done. It’s difficult for me to find suitable organic clothing in my size, style, and budget. And so I do what I’ve been doing since before organic clothing was available, and that is, wear ONLY 100% natural fibers.

I find of the clothing I purchase if I wash them before I wear them, I have no problem. But I am wearing very simple clothing. I have a drawer of 100% cotton tank tops and a drawer of 100% cotton capri pants and mostly I wear those. I can just reach in the drawers and pick any top and any bottom and they all coordinate because I stick to neutral black, beige, brown, blue, and cream for the bottoms and buy both neutrals and colors for the tops.

I also have a couple of 100% natural fiber jackets.

All clothing usually has “sizing” on it, which is made from scented cornstarch. I find this washes right out.Beyond this, if clothing smells bad to me in the store, I just don’t bring it home.

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Question from Mick

Dear Debra,

Thank you for this very useful website and your book. I have been using xtrema cook wear for the past two years. I was about to purchase an additional pot when I got interested in the ingredients that are using for the ceramic and the glaze. I could not find this information anywhere. It is true that their pots don’t leach metals but since it is such a highly sophisticated technology maybe there is another toxic chemical in this mix that is not tested for??? Since nobody knows what is in it, then nobody actually know what to test for. They tested for metal leaching but that was kind of pointless since they don’t use metal in the manufacturing. So while it is a good marketing tool, it would have been more useful to the consumer if they disclosed what is the material that they are using and then provide tests that these materials are not leaching to the food. Did anybody see the list of material that they are using and the method they use to manufacture? Maybe I didn’t look well?

Debra’s Answer

Here is the response I received from Rich Bergstrom, Founder of Ceramcor, the makers of Xtrema:

I would also add that after more than thirty years researching products I have found that the integrity of the company makes a big difference. There are those who are dedicated to things being toxic free and those who are just making claims. Rich is dedicated to making a healthy product and has decades of experience in the industry. So he knows what to do. I’ve been using his cookware for several years with no ill effects or concerns. In fact, I just bought their new 10 quart pot so I can finally make soup in a ceramic pot.

I’ve also studied glazes and lead and cadmium are the two ingredients to be concerned about. But as Rich says, if there are no added metals in their glaze, no synthetic chemicals and no synthetic materials, it isn’t toxic.

Question from Tara

We are putting in a new kitchen faucet and new cabinet pulls. Do you have any advice on the best finish for these items? I will be handling the faucet and the door pulls often while handling food so I want to be sure nothing toxic will rub off onto my hands. I thought stainless would be the safest, but for the door pulls, I can only find a nickel finish in the size we need. For the faucet, I found a stainless faucet from Moen and one from Delta, but Moen’s faucet has a Spot Resist finish and the Delta faucet has a Brilliance Finish. Moen’s website didn’t have much on the Spot Resist finish, but Delta’s Brilliance Finish said they embed molecules deep into the finish through a process that uses various gasses and zirconium. Would I be better off going with a chrome finish for the faucets? The chrome faucets don’t seem to have these special finishes.

Thank you so much for your advice!

Debra’s Answer

I am at a loss at the moment as to how to respond to this.

Let me just tell you my thought process.

When I first became aware of things toxic, it was about products that offgassed toxic fumes into the air. And so I was just looking for products that didn’t offgas.

It wasn’t until only a few years ago that I began to be aware of metals, their dangers, and exposures.

While I don’t wear costume jewelry because the nickel gives me skin rashes, all my faucets are brushed nickel. I have had no problem with them at all.

Now, because lead can be released through touch and absorbed through the skin, I am now questioning other metals. OK I just looked it up. “Nickel is poorly absorbed through the skin.” If you want to know about other metals, search for “[name of metal] skin absorption.”

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