Submitted questions will be posted with my response by the following Tuesday or before.
Submitted comments will be moderated and approved within 24 hours.
Nanoparticles in Our Food
[this is a press release reprinted with permission]
The November/December 2012 issue of E – The Environmental Magazine (now posted at: www.emagazine.com) features a package of articles devoted to the increasing presence of nanoparticles in our food supply.
On the surface, nanoparticles seem to offer many potential benefits: By adding them to foods and food packaging, they can help deliver nutrients, act as thickening agents, enhance taste or flavor or ensure longer freshness of food. But these tiny microscopic versions of silver, zinc, titanium dioxide and other metals and nutrients, largely because of their microscopic size, may cause adverse health impacts.
The problem is that scientists are still determining the health and environmental impacts of these tiny particles, even as industry is forging ahead. Each of these nanoparticles has a distinct way of reacting with the human body, and there is little research to assure us that ingesting these microscopic materials is safe. Even more alarming, there is no information readily available to consumers alerting them as to which products contain nanoparticles, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not keep records on the matter.
E Magazine asked a spokesperson at the FDA: “Where are the nanomaterials most often found within food products?” He answered: “FDA does not maintain a list of food products that contain nanomaterials, so we cannot reliably answer this question.”
Foods Containing Nano
Despite lack of a comprehensive listing, we know that nanoparticles are in the food supply, and have been for at least a decade. Recent research found that foods with caramelized sugar, including bread and corn flakes, contain carbon nanoparticles. Many nutritional supplements — or “nanoceuticals” — come equipped with copper, silver or iron nanoparticles. Nanoparticles can be used to purify water, as anti-caking and gelatin-forming agents, and in packaging to protect against UV light, prevent the growth of microbes or detect contamination. And titanium dioxide lends white pigment to most toothpastes and many processed foods, including Mentos, Trident and Dentyne gum, M&Ms, Betty Crocker Whipped Cream Frosting, Jello Banana Cream Pudding, Vanilla Milkshake Pop Tarts and Nestle Original Coffee Creamer.
Nanoparticles also enter the food supply unintentionally. Biosolids from wastewater treatment plants that are used as fertilizer contains zinc oxide nanoparticles from sunscreens and other products. Research has found that soybeans grown with this fertilizer take up the nanoparticles in their leaves, stems and beans.
And nanoparticles in food wrappings, used to protect the food from contamination, could be contaminating our bodies instead. “We know that there’s nanosilver in food wrapping and food packaging,” says Jennifer Sass, a senior scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). “That nanosilver releases ions, so those ions could be getting into the food. The ions are toxic, they are the antimicrobial part of the silver.”
Because companies are not required to label their products as containing nanomaterials, and only do so voluntarily, it is primarily the companies that make supplements, who wish to tout their copper, silver or iron nanoparticles, that give consumers a clue as to what’s inside.
What’s the Worry?
Nanoparticles, whether in consumer goods or in the food supply, are being treated as though they are equivalent to their larger counterparts. In other words, the government considers silver and nano-silver to be essentially the same. But their tiny size means they function quite differently within the body, the full ramifications of which are still coming to light. In 2011, researchers discovered that silver nanoparticles, when inhaled, cause lung toxicity or inflammation in exposed mice.
Similarly, inhaled copper nanoparticles increased the risk of pulmonary infections in mice. Carbon nanotubes, used in super-strong plastics and for computer chips, have presented a particular worry, when research found in 2008 that the particles can damage lungs in a similar fashion as asbestos, which the particles resemble in shape and size.
Ingesting nanoparticles may cause more subtle health problems than inhalation. The particles, due to their small size, can pass into the bloodstream and then accumulate in organs. Once there, writes the American Society of Safety Engineers, they can “disrupt and impair biological, structural and metabolic processes and weaken the immune system.”
And recent research discovered that when chickens consumed large quantities of polystyrene nanoparticles, approved for human consumption, they blocked the animals’ ability to absorb iron. Cornell researcher Gretchen Mahler, one of the authors of the study, says: “The nanomaterials that are being developed all have very different reactivity with human tissues. This means that you can’t apply results with one type of nanoparticle to all other nanoparticles — you have to test them all individually.”
No-VOC Paint for Cement Basement Floor
Question from camster
what low voc basement floor paint would you recommend? Could you help it outgas by heating the room up high?
Debra’s Answer
Both Aquapoxy and AFM Safecoat have no-VOC paints designed specifically for application to cement floors.
And remember, cement makes a great nontoxic floor, even in other rooms of the house. If you have a cement slab, it’s less expensive to simply paint it than lay another flooring on top. I’ve seen some beautiful cement floors painted with wonderful textures and patterns.
Is This Minivan Too Toxic?
Question from Stacey
Since we are expecting a third child, my husband and I purchased a new Toyota Sienna minivan. I preferred to buy a model that was a year old, but was not able to do so. We were stuck buying a brand new vehicle if we wanted that particular minivan. I at least chose the beige leather instead of cloth for the seating. I did not check out this vehicle on Healthystuff.org before purchasing, and am now worried that my children and I (especially being pregnant) will be exposed to a lot of toxic chemicals in the new car. Do you have any suggestions/recommendations to make it any better? I am tempted to cancel the order since we have not received the car yet…but it is a great vehicle for us and for our needs. The minivan does have a lot of windows, but would a moonroof be a good feature to have? I wasn’t sure if this would make a difference, plus it was an extra, significant cost. I feel I should have done more research, but time is something I don’t have much of… Thanks so much, Debra, for all of your great info
Debra’s Answer
The thing about life is that we are constantly having to make decisions about risk–the benefits we receive from doing something versus the potential of harm.
I realized this a couple of years ago when I was speaking an a conference for insurance agents. Want to present my subject in terms they would relate to, I started reading about insurance and learned about risk management. It so aligns with making decisions about toxics that I included a whole Appendix about Risk Management in my book Toxic Free.
The whole field of risk management is about taking action to minimize loss.
A hazard is something that has the poetntial to cause harm or loss. If you know something is a hazard, and know the likely loss that would result from doing it, then you can do something to eliminate or lessen the loss. There is a standard protocol for risk management that I outline in my book.
You need to assess the risk and then decide if you are willing to subject yourself and your children to the risk in order to have the benefits of this car.
Now without going into all the details of all the possible toxic chemicals that are in car interiors, I will tell you that my personal risk assessment is that I wouldn’t do it. It just wouldn’t be worth it to me to have that level of toxic exposure, especially while you are pregnant, and especially with a newborn. The risk of long term health damage is just too great.
What is TPE?
Question from Bronwyn
Hello Debra, I recently received a suction-cupped placemat for my baby. (To be specific, it’s the “Tiny Diner” by the Summer Corporation). The product is made of “TPE”. I haven’t been able to find much information about this material other than the fact that the company says that it is “BPA, Phthalate, PVC, and Latex-free”. Do you know if this material is food-grade?
Debra’s Answer
I’m finding conflicting information on TPE.
TPE is the acronym for thermoplastic elastomers, also called theroplastic rubbers. They are usually a mix of a plastic and a rubber that results in a substance that has the properties of both.
There are six generic classes of commercial TPEs:
However, on websites selling products made from TPE, some claim it is made from hydrogen and carbon, totally nontoxic.
And then, I found this comment from a customer who bought a TPE yoga mat:
Fleabusters
Question from JC in VA
We’ve been in the flea battle for a couple of months and based on all the bites my son has, we feel like we’re losing the battle! We’ve been trying the natural methods as I am very anxious about using chemicals so lots of vacuuming, laundry, pet bathing, cleaning, salt, etc.
Our vet suggested we try a product called fleabusters but before doing so I wanted to get your thoughts. The fleas we have don’t seem too terrible but since my son plays on the floor a lot he seems to be the most affected – and since he plays on the floor so much I am hesitant to coat the carpet in something. Thanks so much for your input and for all your work in general!
Debra’s Answer
Well, I don’t see a list of ingredients on the Fleabusters website, but it sounds like a mixture of boric acid and diatomaceous earth.
I would suggest that you use just plain diatomaceous earth, which you can get at Home Depot, or many other places online and locally.
This is so safe your son could get covered in it and eat it and it’s not toxic. The only caveat I know about it is to not use too much because the dust can be harmful to the lungs.
Diatomaceous earth is like a big sharp knife to a flea. It cuts their bodies and they dry out. It’s mechanical, not chemical.
Nontoxic Disposable Diapers
Question from Carrie
I am expecting our third child in mid-December and re-evaluating our diapering choices. With our last we did cotton prefolds and wool covers, but my husband isn’t willing to do something “that complicated” again.
All the other cloth diapering systems count on PUL for their water resistance which seems to defeat the purpose of trying to be “non toxic”.
I’m now wading through the disposable non toxic options or “eco-diapers” and trying to see what is safest. One thing that seems to be debated is the safety of the Super Absorbent material used in most commercial diapers SAP – sodium polyacrylate. Can you tell me what this is and how toxic it is?
There don’t seem to be any brands out there without it – the question appears to be the amount they use.
OR, if you and/or your readers have any suggestions for non-toxic disposable diapers, I’m all ears. Thanks, Carrie
Debra’s Answer
Well, I don’t have any experience with diapers, but I’m sure my readers will have something to say on this subject.
Sodium polyacrylate is a plastic known as “waterlock” that has the ability to absorb as much as 200 to 300 times it’s mass in water. Health Wyze Report: Toxins in Disposable Diapers has this to say about sodium polyacrylate:
However, shouldn’t this gel be INSIDE the diaper and not be touching the skin?
On the other hand, there is this from gDiaper:
I was able to find a few brands of disposable diapers that seem to not have sodium polyacrylate and other toxicants. There are other brands of so-called green diapers but many do contain sodium polyacrylate. It looks like these don’t (please correct me if you find out otherwise).
[all the links I posted here in 2012 are gone in 2018]
Heat Treatment for Pest Control
Question from Jay
Dear Debra, do you recommend heat treatment as a non-toxic pest control option? If yes, what are the precautions that you would recommend taking? For instance, would a heat treatment release chemicals in my home? Is there any item I should “protect” from the treatment?
Thanks in advance.
Debra’s Answer
Yes, I do recommend heat treatment for pest control. I’ve used it myself.
Here’s a good article on heat treatment for pest control that answers your questions about heat and pest control.
New Scientist: Pest control that’s too hot for bugs to handle
Yes, if you heat your home, it will release any volatile toxic chemicals that are there to be released. But that’s an added benefit as far as I’m concerned.
The only thing I am concerned about for heat treatment in general are people, pets, and plants, but you should use your own judgement regarding things like delicate antiques or old plaster.
Lead Exposure from Stainless Steel?
Question from green-earth
Hi Debra, I was wondering if you think that there might have been any contamination of metals in this situation.
I decided to boil a pair of eyebrow tweezers in a stainless steel pot to sanitize them, but I’m not sure if the eyebrow tweezers themselves were stainless or not, and I think they were made in China. After they were done boiling, there was a black rim in the bottom of the pot and I’m not sure why.
Do you think I should be concerned about lead in this case? The pot was put in the dishwasher too, so do you think that if there was lead in the pot it would be a concern for the rest of the dishes? Thanks
Debra’s Answer
First, there is no lead used to make stainless steel. Even if your tweezers were made in China, I don’t see any reason why they would randomly add lead to the stainless steel formula. Stainless steel does contain other toxic metals (see Q&A: Stainless Steel Leaching into Food and Beverages), but it does not contain lead. It may even not even set up correctly if they added lead to the formula, so I doubt that any stainless steel contains lead.
I’m not sure why there was a black rim at the bottom of the pot, and I’m not concerned about the rest of the dishes.
I am concerned that you are using stainless steel pots for cooking. There are better choices (see Debra’s List: Food: Cookware)
Nontoxic Hiking Boots
Question from Dianna
Hello. I am moving to Colorado, and I am looking for warm hiking boots that are non-toxic. Any suggestions?
Debra’s Answer
It’s been a long time since I’ve worn hiking boots. Used to wear them all the time when I lived out in a forest in California.
If I remember correctly, I didn’t particularly have a problem with them. I had a pair that were all leather with rubber soles.
Some of the toxic elements of a hiking boot could be tanning chemicals used on leather, synthetic materials, waterproofing…
Readers, any brands you like? I just have no recent experience with this living in Florida where I wear sandals 364 days of the year.
Amazing Whip-It Cleaner
Question from joan
My daughter just purchased The Amazing Whip-It cleaner and wanted to know if it was safe to use. It claims to be “natural”.
Debra’s Answer
All I can do is evaluate the information they give, I don’t have any inside information other than what is presented.
I looked at their MSDS sheet, which would list the hazardous ingredients it contains that are required to be reported by law (if any) and there were none.
I called the company and they told me that it is 100% natural, the ingredients being eucalyptus oil, citrus oil, coconut oil, corn and salt, so yes, it IS natural and biodegradable. My only reservation about this for some of you is that I know some people are sensitive to eucalyptus oil and some sensitive to corn, so I wouldn’t recommend it if that’s you.
It’s an all-purpose cleaner that targets tough stains on clothing, carpet, vinyl, and hard surfaces as well as for use in automotive, marine, restaurants, offices & much more.
I just ordered some to try as I get a lot of food stains on my clothes. Will let you know how well it works.
