Question from

I have sensitivities to multiple chemicals as well as a latex allergy and petroleum products.

We are having to replace our mattress and have settled on a wool bed such as you have described, with topper, wool pillows and a slat frame bed which has been finished and has off gassed x 3 years plus. However, I’d like to have latex strips applied having had an opportunity to lay on beds with and without the strips.

The bed frame we hope to buy had 60/40 strips applied 3 years ago and we are told there is still a slight odor but nothing like when they were new. We will be buying sight unseen (unsmelled) and I’d like your opinion as to these strips after several years – would you worry or do you know of any other alternative to apply to the slats on the bed frame? Our thinking is to go with this opportunity and hope for the best but know we can remove the strips if I react – I’ve heard of a coir bed rug but it too has natural latex and the maker admits to it having a smell so thoughts anyone? Thank you all!

Debra’s Answer

I have these latex strips on my wood slat frame and at first they smelled. I left them outdoors for about six weeks.

I’ve had them for, I don’t know, seven or eight years now and they still smell a bit.

Given your sensitivities, I would be extremely cautious about using them. I agree they do make a difference, but I would rather use something else. I’m thinking of making wool felt pads. I’m going to talk with Shepherd’s Dream.

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Question from Lana

Dear Debra. I am researching a mattress for my daughter. I wanted cotton or wool or both, and the most affordable so far for me is Naturepedic organic cotton quilted deluxe.

The only problem – it contains PLA fibers somewhere in the mattress. I know it is polyester derived from plants, but is it ok to have it inside the organic mattress? They said that it was tested for off-gassing.

They also said they don’t use any fire retardants and are able to comply with the law due to this mattresses design.

Is this possible? Can I trust this statement? I also liked White lotus green cotton wrapped in wool mattress, but since green cotton is not organic I thought it didn’t make sense. The organic option of it is double the $. Thank you so much. Lana

Debra’s Answer

Yes, it’s all true. I don’t see that PLA fibers are a problem. It’s a plant fiber. It doesn’t offgas.

You can trust the statement about no fire retardants.

Question from Chris

We would like a to find a way to provide safe drinking water for our child who is moving into a college dorm. Any recommendations? Unfortunately, she won’t have a sink in her room. There’s a big bathroom down the hall. The Brita pitcher would be convenient, but I’ve heard they aren’t terribly effective.

Debra’s Answer

I agree Brita filters are not very effective.

If you need a pour-through filter, your best bet is a Berkey. Their Travel Berkey filter makes 1.5 gallons of water and is sized for apartments and hotel rooms.

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Question from Lisa

Hi Debra, I appreciate all the research you are doing to provide safe alternative products for all. Do you know of organic bedding, matresses and toppers, that are “vegan friendly”, that do not use silk or wool?

Thank you very much,

Lisa

Debra’s Answer

Check Debra’s List: Textiles: Beds & Bedding recommendations. Nearly all the recommended companies have mattresses and bedding made from organic cotton.

You might consider wool if it has been sheared in a “friendly” way. I’ve read that some wool is a byproduct of sheep slaughtered for meat and there is cruelty in the handling of sheep in the wool industry.

But I know for a fact that some wool (such as the wool used by Shepherd’s Dream) is sheared from the living animal in a humane way. Not all wool comes from “the wool industry.”

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Question from Help please

Hi. We are staying with family for a few months while in transition to purchase a home. My sister just purchased a kitchen set and used scotchguard to protect the chairs. They were sprayed outside but then brought into the house. We moved in a week later. She is never going to replace the set and doesn’t agree with my thinking however is there anything I can put on these chairs to remove the scotchguard or eliminate it as much as possible. We basically live in the kitchen. And the kids are always sitting here. Thanks so much!!

Debra’s Answer

Since you just need a temporary fix, aluminum foil will block any fumes that are outgassing. If that won’t hold up, you can get something called “foil-backed building paper” at any home improvement store and tape it over the chair cushions. That would be easy to remove when you leave.

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Question from Cindy

Does anyone with mcs have dentures? Has anone gotton them and sucessfully wearing them.Im concerned aout the outgassing and any toxic material in them..Im told there are different materials used and different “grades” of dentures.. such as the best or top of the line and going down…also the materials sues to keep them in.. some people dont have to use anything others do.. I am facing having to get dentures and I would appreicate any help or sugestions or your storys ….. I dont know what they are made of.. Im still checking into all this.. but it seems I may have no choice..

I sincerely thankyou for any help.

Debra’s Answer

I have no experience with dentures.

Readers, any suggestions?

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Question from Dorothy

Hi Debra, We are building a new house and our ventilation contractor recommends a product that is installed in home furnaces from Global Plasma Solutions. There website is www.gpshvac.com

The specific product (GPS 2400) is listed below. Have you ever heard of this product? They say it does not create ozone problems and helps kill off various things like MRSA and ecoli.

” The GPS-2400 is a carbon-fiber needlepoint, bi-polar ionization generator rated 2,400 CFM or up to 6 tons nominal capacity. The GPS-2400 is designed for air handler mounting. The GPS-2400 housing is made from formed ABS plastic and includes ion output indication and an integral mounting tab for easy installation to the air handler wall or fan shroud.”

Debra’s Answer

It looks to me like it’s a negative ion generator designed to be mounted in your HVAC system. I don’t see a problem with it.

Why is your contractor recommending it? Is it needed?

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Question from Emma

I like to cook chicken on my broiler pan a lot. I have been using the pan that came with my Kitchenaid oven, which I am thinking is probably aluminum. I have been shopping for a new one and seen stainless steel or porcelain coated steel but not sure what would be better. Can Debra or readers a recommend a good broiler pan?

Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

Of the two you mentioned, the one with the porcelain coating is better. Porcelain coatings are like putting a layer of glass over the metal, so in effect it is like cooking in a glass pan.

Especially avoid broiler pans with plastic nonstick finishes.

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Question from Mary

The woman in the apartment below me uses some sort of air freshener/disinfectant that smells like a gas station bathroom. It smells like somsething that would be hard on the liver. Rather than a spray, I think it must be some sort of electrical device that constantly emits this odor. She has little use of her legs, so I suspect she has a problem with incontinence. Many days this odor comes in here through an open window, or up through the floor if the window is closed. She is also deaf, so I have to discuss this with her mother who has been very defensive in the past. I’d like to know what this product they use is if anyone has any best guesses, and I am wondering whether anyone can think of a substitute that would be less toxic. Even natural products like essential oils would be a problem for me. I don’t know whether an air filter would solve their problem. I am wondering what others with incontinence problems use. Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

I suggest that you contact Daliya at www.nontoxic.com, 800-968-9355. She would love to talk with you. She has several products that are not scented that may work. Write back and tell us what she says.

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Question from Tanja

Hi Debra, What a great blog you have!

My husband and I are moving into a new apartment next week. They are replacing the old carpet and putting in new wall-to-wall carpet everywhere. Probably of a lower quality too because the landlord wants to save money (we offered to pay more in rent if he puts in hardwood instead but that didn’t work).

I try to live as green as possible, eat mostly organic, am replacing old furniture, etc. and I was worried from the beginning but everything else about the place is great so I couldn’t justify passing it up.

Now a couple days ago I found out I’m pregnant with our first child. Needless to say, I’m freaking out about the carpet right now. I already know I want to move when the lease is up in a year before the baby stars crawling but what about the pregnancy? I’m planning to vacuum a lot and get an air purifier but I feel like I just want to break the lease. I can’t think straight right now. What should I do? My husband understands my concerns only to some extent. Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

The best advice I can give you would be to break the lease.

New carpet has a long list of hundreds of toxic chemicals, and your baby is most vulnerable to toxic effects while in the womb. I don’t want to scare you, but exposures to toxics while in the womb can result in developmental effects later on in life. If there is one point in life to be careful, it’s now.