Question from Dierdre

Can you suggest an insulating spray foam product I can use around a window?

The code requires that window installers/builders fill any gaps with insulating material – caulk doesn’t count. They usually use the insulating foam, but my builder said he can use fiberglass instead. Do you think this would be better? With fiberglass, of course, I worry about any airborne fibers, but I guess if it’s sealed inside it wouldn’t be an issue. I guess the fibers couldn’t escape via infiltration of air through the building envelope.

Thanks so very much, Debra. And thanks for all the great work you do in general.

Debra’s Answer

Here’s the story about these insulating spray foams.

First, they are all alike. There’s not one better than another, so your contractor can use whichever one they want to use.

They are VERY TOXIC to apply. Like they should be wearing respirators and hazmat suits. But once they cure, these foams are totally NOT TOXIC. So you can have it in your house, but don’t be there while it’s being installed and air your house thoroughly after.

Be careful when looking for a nontoxic insulating spray foam because websites will say “nontoxic” referring to the end result, and neglect to tell you how toxic it is during installation.

Fiberglass would be much better.

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Question from JAD

I run a native plant nursery and we try to be chemical free.

One of the volunteers has brought in volck oil. I looked it up and it is 97% petroleum oil.

We have 3 Chemical Sensitive volunteers and one complained about feeling ill after being in the nursery 5 days after this product was used. Do you think this could still made her ill. I have had a headache this last 10 days and have been puzzled why and maybe this is it?

Before I mention to everyone not to use it I would like some Professional help on what to tell them.

Thank you as always.

Debra’s Answer

I’m looking at the MSDS for Volck Oil and it says, as you noted, that it is 97% mineral oil. Mineral oil is not very toxic, but it is made from petroleum and anything made from petroleum could cause a reaction in someone with MCS, regardless of the toxicity.

But I’m more concerned about the “inert ingredients.” The MSDS says

This product contains a petroleum distillate. Due to the low viscosity of petroleum distillate, it can directly enter the lungs if it is swallowed (this is called aspiration). This can occur during the act of swallowing or when vomiting the substance. Once in the lungs, the substance is very difficult to remove and can cause severe injury to the lungs and death.

This product certainly could cause symptoms.

A safer thing to do would be to just get plain mineral oil and spray that on the plants for pest control. Since mineral oil is the active ingredient in Volck oil, it should work just fine. You don’t need those toxic chemicals.

Question from Mary A.

I just purchased a beautiful handmade pottery mug online. Unfortunately, It has a strong smell of perfume and also of smoke!.. The artist says she stores her materials in her laundry room …hence the perfume smell, and smokes in the garage where some items are stored. She will take the item as a return, however, I would love to keep it if I can ‘deodorize’ it . Any suggestions? also, even if the odor itself is gone, could the substance still be there for me when I drink hot tea in it ? thanks for your input!

Debra’s Answer

Well, this is the first I’ve heard of this! I would just return the mug and find another one you like.

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Question from Mary

Not exactly a question, but I was looking at a pillow case that I had bought years ago through a mail-order company that you had listed in one of your early books. You had named several sources of cotton clothing and cotton bedding, etc. That was a long time ago, before we had the Internet. Looking back, I have to wonder how you found all those wonderful companies. I just wanted to say thank you for providing solutions to so many problems over the years!

Debra’s Answer

You’re welcome. It’s my pleasure. It really is. It’s a delight to discover all these great nontoxic products in a world where so much is toxic and I enjoy telling others about them. It’s a win-win. All of you get to find the products you want and need to be healthy, and your purchases help the wonderful businesses who provide these products to stay in business. I’m happy to be the connection.

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Question from Lauren

Hi Debra,

Thank you so much for your website. I have learned so much from it and I really appreciate the time you put into answering readers’ questions and conducting research.

I know from reading your site that clothes that are cotton/poly blends are treated with formaldehyde, and so I try to stick to 100% cotton clothing for myself and my family.

However, I realized that some of the clothing (like pajamas with “satin” trim) say 100% cotton exclusive of decoration. If the decoration, such as the embroidery, the trim, or in some clothing the drawstring made of ribbon, is polyester but the rest of the garment is cotton, would this item still be treated with formaldehyde?

Also, what about 100% cotton items that are sewn with polyester thread (and how do you know if something is sewn with polyester thread?) are they also treated?

Finally, I am also curious about buttons—we have lots of clothing with buttons and they are all plastic—-is the plastic in buttons harmful (like possibly containing BPA)?

Debra’s Answer

Cotton poly fabrics are treated with a formaldehyde resin to keep them wrinkle-free, however those “decorations” probably aren’t even if they are made from polyester. As far as I know, it’s only the fabric.

Polyester thread would not be treated with formaldehyde as far as I know. Most cotton clothing is sewn with polyester thread because cotton thread breaks too easily. But there are some manufacturers who sew with cotton thread. For myself, I don’t reject an item of clothing over polyester thread.

Buttons are made from many different types of plastic, but I’ve never seen a button I thought was toxic. You are exposed to more BPA handling cash register receipts than you are from buttons.

I wouldn’t be concerned about any of these items as being a source of toxic exposure. However, some people with MCS may react to them because they are made from petrochemicals.

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Question from Debbie

Thank you Debra, for all that you do to help all of us. I sure do appreciate all the help you give.

We had our shower torn out due to mold and are trying to decide on what to rebuild it with. Fiberglass, acrylic, or vinyl is out.

Cultured marble seems easy to clean and there are no grout lines to have to seal yearly and clean with a toothbursh. Having had mold, a solid, non-pourous surface like that makes sense.

However, I am chemically sensitive and am wondering if taking a shower with cultured marble and breathing the steam from the hot water would cause problems?

Please help me as we need to make a decision very soon. Thank you, Debbie

Debra’s Answer

I looked up “cultured marble” to find out what it is actually made from and found that it falls into a category called “solid surface.”

A few years ago I did some research on solid surface products and found that they varied widely in toxicity.

Corian, for example, may emit methyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate vapors, according to their MSDS.

On the other hand, Swanstone, another solid surface countertop, is completely inert, no VOCs, and OSHA does not even require any kind of protection for workers in their factories. It’s certified safe for food preparation. It’s also compression molded to be five times stronger than Corian. So you need to look at each brand individually.

I think if you want a solid surface, Swanstone would be a good choice.

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Question from Eddi

Has any of you heard about the “Scentsy” products? I got one as a Christmas present, but hesitant to use it in case it’s toxic…

Debra’s Answer

Please do not use this. It’s one of many scented products that contain artificial fragrances that are very toxic. Read Q&A: Fragrance is Hazardous to Your Health

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Question from RedondoSun

Hello! I am getting ready to purchase a comforter from White Lotus Home and wanted some advice. I see their wool is not organic, but 100% virgin wool. Is there a difference? Or shall I go for the organic cotton comforter to be safe? Thank you always, Debra!

Debra’s Answer

Actually White Lotus Home DOES have organic wool. So you could choose from their organic wool or organic cotton comforter. I have a wool comforter and I love it!

I asked White Lotus Home President Marlon Pando to respond about the wool. Here is his reply:

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Question from Kathy

I am looking to buy stainless steel drink ware, including straws, to use for both hot and cold beverages. My thoughts conflict on nickle content vs environmental responsibility. Comments?

Debra’s Answer

As a rule I don’t recommend stainless steel anything if there is another alternative, both because of heavy metals that can leach into food and beverages from the stainless steel but also because of the environmental effects of producing steel. Yes, much steel today is recycled, which lessens the impact, but it still requires mining of metals and heavy industrial processes.

I’m not sure what environmental responsibility you are referring to exactly, or what use you have that requires unbreakable drinkware and straws.

Is your question the health effects of nickel from stainless steel straws versus the environmental impact of throwing away numerous plastic straws?

First I would question if straws need to be used at all. I rarely use straws. I have some reusable glass straws, but since I rarely use straws, they rarely get used. If you need a reusable straw, these glass straws would be much better from a health viewpoint than stainless steel, and better for the environment in terms of manufacturing as well. Glass straws may seem fragile, but they are actually quite heavy-duty and well made.

If you really want to use stainless steel straws there probably would be little problem with nickel. In order for a metal to leach into a beverage, there needs to be a factor of time present, and a beverage whooshing through the straw for less than a second is hardly enough time for leaching. What would be more important would be the time the straw is sitting in the glass or the time your lips are on the straw. And then with stainless steel drinkware, the length of time the beverage is in the glass.

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Question from Peru Lover

Does anyone know what kind of varnish they use on soapstone carvings from Peru and how toxic it is?

I want to buy a cute mini animal sculpture but it’s awfully shiny. Seller is in the USA and doesn’t know. Assuming it’s old enough and is done off-gassing, would this be a liver-toxic chemical? (I have liver disease which I think is the cause of my MCS).

I Googled and can’t find anything further than “varnish” or “butcher’s varnish” and “wax”. On Google images, unvarnished soapstone is definitely dull and this shines all over.

Is it possible to strip the varnish at all with like vinegar&baking soda? Anyway any input will be much welcome, sorry if it’s a silly question, I know I should shop safe sellers but it’s just something inexpensive I found and well I kinda fell in love with 2 of them. Thank you so much!

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know anything about this. “Varnish” and “wax” are two very different things and could have varying degrees of toxicity, from very to not at all.

When I am uncertain about the toxicity of something, I avoid the exposure.

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