Question from Gustavo

Hi Debra!

I read your “Guide to Creating a Green Bathroom” and I see that you put on your bathroom floor one-inch white hexagonal tiles. I’ve always wanted to have small white tiles on my bathroom floor, but always gave up due to the idea of having to clean all of the grout that most certainly would turn brown/black – and with these small tiles you get a lot of grout!!

I see that you used AFM grout sealer, which is nontoxic, but does it really keep the grout as white as it was on installation day? How long have you remodeled your bathroom, is the grout still white and clean? Have you reapplied the sealer so far? Many Thanks!! 🙂

Debra’s Answer

I remodeled my bathroom in 2006, so it’s been a little more than six years. Is the grout as white as it was on installation day? Well, yes and no. It depends on how much traffic on the particular area. And it will depend on how often you clean it and how you clean it.

I haven’t reapplied the sealer.

I would say six years later it’s still protecting the grout. When I clean the floor, dirt comes up easily, it’s not embedded in the grout.

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A new nationwide survey of 2,600 obstetricians and gynecologists in the United States found that most do not warn their pregnant patients about chemicals in food, consumer products or the environment that could endanger their fetuses.

“Virtually all pregnant women have chemicals in their bodies that might harm fetal development.”

Monitoring of pregnant women found about 100 different chemicals, with 43 of them in all women tested. Lead, mercury, toluene, perchlorate, bisphenol A, flame retardants, perfluorinated compounds, organochlorine pesticides and phthalates are among the chemicals, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s nationwide testing program.

“Studies suggest that for many these compounds, low-level exposures in the womb seem to disrupt development of the brain or reproductive systems. Others may raise the risk of birth defects, or lead to cancer, immune problems, asthma, fertility problems or other disorders later in life.

“Yet that information is not reaching most women who are pregnant or may become pregnant.”

Read more…

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A study published in the December issue of Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology found that high levels of dichlorophenols are present in people with food allergies.

Dichlorophenols are a chemicals by-product of chlorine. The most common exposure is from drinking or bathing in tap water, but it’s also found in swimming pools, hot tubs, and any product that contains triclosan (used in antibacterial soaps and bodycare products and in products containing antimicrobials, such as kitchen towels, adding machines and other household items.

Some things to do to reduce your exposure to chlorine:

* get a water filter that removes chlorine from your drinking water and bathing water (an undersink or countertop filter plus a shower filter, or a whole house filter) Debra’s List: Water Filters

* avoid antibacterial soaps and other bodycare products

* avoid antibacterial products

Read more…

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Question from Carrie

Hi Debra, We are anticipating the arrival of our third child in a few weeks and of course, I am in nesting mode and evaluating/re-evaluating all our choices for this baby. We have a co-sleeper made by Arms Reach that we LOVE for the capacity to have the baby basinett attached to the bed. However ours is now about 8 yrs old (we bought it for our first child) and I have been wondering if the concerns of toxic molds off gassing are relevant to this product.

The mattress is made of polyurethane foam and the cover is polyester (when we bought it I hadnt yet found you/your site). Do I need to worry about these things off gassing and creating the same SIDS risks as in the older mattresses? I can buy a new, organic mattress from the company – made of latex and wool and covered in cotton, but while my children have yet to be allergic to latex, I am so I hesitate to do that.

Debra’s Answer

Older mattresses outgas less than newer mattresses because they are more outgassed, depending on age.

I’m not concerned about toxic MOLDS outgassing, unless the mattress has been stored in a damp place.

I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t encase it if you want to.

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Question from MA

I recently purchased a Croscil Garden Mist Comforter. I have it 2 weeks and it still smells like petroleum. I have left the window open and run a fan and nothing helps. Can anyone tell me how to get rid of this terrible odor. It is giving us headaches and sore throats. I would like to keep it but I am thinking about returning it to the store. Help!

Debra’s Answer

I would return this item. I looked online and found the top is 100% polyester, the bottom is 65% polyester and 35% cotton, and the fill is unspecified, so I’m willing to bet it’s polyester too. Polyester fabrics typically have a formaldehyde-based finish that cannot be removed. That’s probably what you are smelling.

Back to the store.

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Question from audrey

I pay for a service to repair things in my condo like the toilet, appliances etc. Once a year they will come and check the air conditioner, drain the line, add freon (which will not be available anymore by 2015 for your info).

They usually spray a fragrance on the coils which I will not do (have mcs). I have had the coils cleaned by a company and spoke to them but they have no idea what can be sprayed on the coils that is fragrance free and non toxic.

Does anyone know of any product that is safe to spray on the ac coils? Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know, but is it really necessary?

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Question from Barb P

I had new windshields installed in both my cars by two different companies. Unfortunately, one car has a terrible odor even months later after being aired out in the sun and with an ozinator. It’s a different brand from the one that doesn’t smell. One mechanic said it was the new seal, but I have no way to prove it. The windshield installer says it’s not his seal or adhesive. Any ideas? I’t hard to smell a seal, but when I put my nose up to it, I do smell the rubber smell, but the installer says he doesn’t.

Debra’s Answer

I think it is the seal.

Ask the installer for the brands of all materials used and look at the MSDS for each. Just type “Name of Product MSDS” for each product and you should be able to find them.

The MSDS will give you the FACTS on the toxic ingredients, not your installer’s opinion.

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Question from Glo

I have severe MCS and have had difficulty finding a space heater that I can tolerate. I wonder if you know anything about a Optimus H-4110 9-Inch Dish Heater. Would like to know what your thoughts are on this heater. Thanks

Debra’s Answer

I don’t have any personal experience with it. But it looks like it has a minimum of plastic parts.

Anyone have any experience with this heater?

Read past posts about space heaters at Q&A: Portable Heaters with Metal Housings

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Question from Richard

Hi Debra, for a long while I’ve been confused about whether imported organic clothing and textiles are sprayed with pesticides before entry into the country. I try to order USA Made organic made products whenever I can but this isn’t easy. Recently I ordered a color grown HABIDECOR rug made in Portugal. It seems fine. However I don’t want to be unwittingly purchasing items that are being sprayed with something so they can be imported into the country. I’ve tried getting an answer for this online without success. Are only raw imported textiles sprayed or finished goods as well?

Thank you for your time Debra. Love your site!

Debra’s Answer

Here’s a link to a forum for architects where they are discussing toxic chemicals in shipping containers because there is a lot of interest now in using shipping containers to make housing: Shipping container floors NOT sustainable AND toxic!

So these are the shipping containers things are shipped in from China and other countries.

Pesticides may or may not be sprayed on the cargo itself. But you have no way of knowing.

Another reason to buy Made in the USA!

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Question from Marie

Debra, I am researching safe, non-toxic beds to purchase for my two small children. I need a crib and a toddler bed. I was considering the “MINNEN” bed from Ikea for the toddler bed. The product description states: “Steel, Pigmented epoxy/polyester powder coating. Slatted bed base: Solid wood, 100 % polyester.” Does this sound safe?

With regard to the crib, I was considering the ” Babi Italia Mayfair Curved Convertible Crib – Oyster Shell or the “DaVinci Jayden 4-in-1 Convertible Crib”. Both of these cribs are sold at Babies R US. Both of these companies emphasize having lead-free paint, being made from renewal resources, and being safer than other manufacturers (reference this link: ). However, I have no way of knowing for certain whether or not these cribs are made from solid wood. I tend to doubt they are, but I cannot find any information to help me determine this.

What do you think about these products and do you have any suggestions of other cribs or toddler beds?

Debra’s Answer

I looked at the Minnen bed and yes, it looks fine to me. You probably don’t want to use that mattress, but the frame is fine.

I also like the Sniglar crib at IKEA. Again, I wouldn’t use their mattress.

Choose a mattress from Debra’s List: Cribs, Mattresses and Bedding https://www.debralynndadd.com/debraslist/cribs-mattresses-and-bedding

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