Question from June

Has anybody used Wet and Forget? It’s for removing stains and mold from outside patios. You just spray it on and leave it…the rain is supposed to wash it away….there are concerns about pets listed on the label…Is it even safe to breathe? Would appreciate any information anybody has…Thank you…June

Debra’s Answer

Here is the MSDS for Wet and Forget

It lists the health effects.

Readers, any experience with this product?

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Question from Melissa

I am trying to find out the safety of a product called Bio Oil. I want to use it on my dark under eye circles. I have heard such positive reviews but it contains mineral oil, so I’m leery. Any advice?

Debra’s Answer

The ingredients are: Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Triisononanoin, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Isopropyl Myristate, Retinyl Acetate (Vitamin A), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Anthemis Nobilis (Roman Chamomile) Flower Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) (Lavender Oil), Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil (Rosemary), Calendula (Calendula Officinalis) Flower Extract, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil (Sunflower), Glycine Soja (Soybean Oil), BHT, Bisabolol (L-Alpha), Parfum/Fragrance (Fragrance), Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Coumarin, Eugenol, Geraniol, Hydroxycitronellal, Hydroxyisohexl 3 Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Limonene, Linalool, Alpha Isomethyl Ionone, CI 26100.

I don’t like products like this, which contain some good healing things in a base of mineral oil made from petroleum and useless artificial fragrance.

The active ingredients are the botanicals. It would be better to get a similar product that is 100% natural, or even better, 100% organic.

There are many remedies for dark circles under the eyes and many causes. They can be a sign of a malfunctioning organ or a nutritional deficiency.

Better to find the cause and handle it than use a product such as this.

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Just want to pass along a very well researched article about why we should stick with our incandescent light bulbs.

“People are reporting migraines, rashes and epileptic seizures caused by the CFLs. Lessor concerns are general ill feelings, achy joints, anxiety and common headaches. I’ve had one report of school children gaining 20 IQ points when moved from a CFL environment to natural light augmented with incandescent light.”

CFL Fluorescent Light Bulbs: More Hype Than Value

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Question from Get Dr Oz to ban air-fresheners!

Wondering if we can’t get organized & contact Dr. Oz so he does a show on the toxicity of air-fresheners and perfumes and all-around phthalates-containing products?

There’s a lot of ignorance out there & the biggest scam is calling these air-pollutants “air-fresheners”.

Who’s with me and how can we do this!?

We need lots of emails from tons of IPs to make an impact here.

Perfumes need to be banned from the workplace, and chemicals such as air-fresheners from apt. buildings (bathrooms, gyms and other common areas & eventually from people’s apts. as they waft onto other apts.) so maybe we can get the ball rolling by spreading awareness to those clueless souls who wait hand & foot on the good Dr instead of doing their own research but do take what he says as gospel.

Dr Oz has been rehashing the same 2 topics ad-nauseatum: how to lose weight, how to get skinny and how to lose wrinkles, how to get young-looking like a broken record for years on end.

Debra’s Answer

OK. Here’s where you can make a suggestion for a show: http://www.doctoroz.com/contact

Fill out the form and in the Subject menu choose “I have an idea for a segment.”

I suggest you say whatever you want to say about fragrance and why Dr Oz should talk about the subject.

Then give them this link to Scent-free Victory! and tell them to read the letter from Dr. Anne Steinemann about the toxic chemicals found in scented products.

Tell them to have me as a guest on the show. Give them this URL about my book Toxic Free.

Pass this on to everyone you know. Post a link to this blog on your Facebook and Twitter pages and anyplace else. Now. Today. Let’s send them a lot of messages all at once and see if they pay attention.

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Question from Annette Tweedel

Hi Debra, Is there anything toxic about Stackable Plastic Storage Drawers?

Debra’s Answer

You just need to check and see what type of plastic they are made from. Polyethylene and polypropylene are the least toxic plastics used to make this product.

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Question from Pam

Hi Debra, Do you know of any chemicals that on old furnace might emit, other than carbon monoxide? Our furnace is 23 years old and is giving me a headache when it runs, but it has been checked out and is in good working order. I’m stumped as to why this is happening. Also, I’m a little worried about getting a new furnace—odors, etc. Do people with MCS generally have any problems when getting a new furnace? Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

Old furnaces can emit much more than carbon monoxide. The burning of any type of fuel produces a whole group of toxic chemicals known as “combustion by-products.”

These include benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, radon, PCBs, dioxins and many more. Different types of fuel produce different pollutants. To find out what might be produced by your furnace, type “combustion byproducts” and the type of fuel, such as “combustion byproducts coal.”

“Good working order” may still be emitting pollutants that can make you sick.

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Question from audrey

My mattress, sheets, etc are all organic or green (dye free etc). I need to buy a plain lightweight quilt and the organic ones are so expensive. What do you think about just a regular one – that obviously is washed and aired out so it doesn’t smell (even the organic items smell in the beginning). I am leary because it will be on my bed, but the expense of the organic ones are a bit more than I can afford. Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know the size of your bed or your “affordable” price range.

If you’re not going to go organic, I would choose something as plain and simple as possible, such as: coverlets from Garnet Hill.

Or this dream quilt also from Garnet Hill which is on sale right now.

Garnet Hill has been selling natural fiber bedding since before I started writing thirty years ago. Ask them about finishes.

Stay away from cheap quilts that may have polyester and formaldehyde.

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Question from Alex

Does anyone here shop ebay? Any tips on how to address sellers?

My very polite inquiries fetch replies that fall into 4 categories:

Very few are honest.

The others are either truthful about no chemical items, or truthful about their houses being smoker’s homes or chemicals-wafting homes

And the 4th category is quite colorful & leaves me puzzled: they either reply flippantly, are rude, make insensitive jokes or tell me that “everything has an odor” &, although they do not use any chemicals in their homes, they cannot guarantee where the (non-toxic, odor-free, natural) product has been!

It’s very frustrating, as an impulsive buyer (don’t judge please) to have to query them first; by the time they reply I’ve often changed my mind & these are things I need.

Debra’s Answer

I’m not sure what your question is.

It seems that all of the ebay sellers you have contacted are responding negatively, which to me indicates they are not the right sellers for you.

All the websites on Debra’s List sell the type of products you are looking for and will answer your questions, I’m sure. I’ve even marked some who are accustomed to the needs of those with MCS.

I think the problem is not how you are addressing them, but you are addressing people who may not even know what you are talking about.

That’s why I created Debra’s List. So you can find businesses that understand and offer nontoxic products.

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Question from Russ

I have a couple questions in terms of finding a healthy place to live for those of us with MCS.

In my case I’m looking at rentals.

Remodelling: Many rentals will have either a recently remodeled kitchen/bath, recently re-finished hardwood floors, or fresh paint. Most MCS info I’ve seen says these places need to be avoided. Do folks here agree with that or might some of these places still work. I’m especially interested in the case of refinished or new hardwood floors.

I know that gas forced air heat is a big no-no (except maybe if it is a high-efficiency sealed combustion furnace). But what about hot water radiant heat that is fueled by a gas furnace in the basement. Is this still a no-no due to combustion products rising up into the rest of the house?

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

I wish I could give you a general answer, but these issues really need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

A recently remodeled kitchen/bath is likely to have new particleboard cabinets that reek of formaldehyde. Usually, but not always.

Recently refinished hardwood floors might have very toxic oil-based finish or much less toxic water-based finish. How much the floors are outgassing depends on how recently they were finished. You may be able to use heat to speed up the outgassing.

Fresh paint also depends on the type of paint used. Oil-based paint is difficult to outgas, but a low- or no-VOC paint or even regular latex paint can be easily outgassed with heat.

With a gas heater in the basement, whether or not that is OK has to do with the amount of air that seeps up into the house from the basement. If it is well-sealed, it may not be a problem.

If you find a place you like, I can help you determine if it can be fixed to be less toxic with a paid phone consultation.

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Question from Bohdan Lychacz

Staples is a large chain in Canada selling business supplies.

Just recently they started piping in fragrance throughout the store. Here is the response to my letter of concern.

I want your readers to know that yesterday I sent my husband into Staples ahead of me into the store to check for the fragrance they had vented in. He gave me the all clear.

The sickening fragrance was no longer in the air.

I hope this is a permanent decision on their part.

I am heartened by their decision to suspend the air fragrance.

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