Question from Gayle

I live on a pond that is experiencing a huge overgrowth of alge and vegatation. I can’t help if this is due to the extreme heat that MI has experienced , and the lack of rain. The homes around the pond wish to “treat” it. Is there a company whose products you promote as being “environmentally friendly” and as “nontoxic” as can be for this type of treatment? Thanks so much, Gayle

Debra’s Answer

Readers, any suggestions?

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Question from Josh

I haven’t read your latest book “Toxic Free” but in “Home Safe Home” you’ve written about candles but not incense. Have you investigated incense burning and have you ever spoken about it?

Debra’s Answer

I investigated incense many years ago but haven’t written about it in a long time.

Basically, anything you burn produces combustion by-products, which is a combination of toxic gasses and particles. The more completely it burns, the fewer the combustion by-products and the safer it is to breathe.

An example is firewood. Freshly-cut firewood smokes a lot when it burns, “seasoned” firewood smokes very little.

Any kind of smoke is harmful to breathe.

With incense, the point is that it smokes, so there would be combustion by-products that are harmful. Would it be less because it’s natural? Well, tobacco is natural and breathing tobacco smoke causes cancer.

That was my logic in the past. Now we have studies.

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Question from Jeff Mei

I am trying to find information about skin absorption of fluoride in bath water and laundry cloth contacting with skin. I got conflicting infomation. Now we are drinking and cooking with spring water to reduce the fluoride exposure. But we also need to take a shower and do the lawndry for the cloth using fluoride city water. We can not find a perfect whole house water filtration system since both alumnum and bone char are not perfect. We want to avoid a whole house water filtration system if we can convince that fluoride will be entering into human body by skin.

Debra’s Answer

About eight years ago, I did a lot of research on fluoride because they were about to add it to our local water supplies.

Here are some things I can tell you from that research.

The form of “fluoride” in drinking water today is not naturally occurring sodium or calcium fluoride, but fluorosilicic acid, a liquid that is a by-product of fertilizer manufacturing. Fluorosilicic acid itself is corrosive and highly toxic. It’s Material Safety Data Sheet warns “do not breathe vapor…do not get in eyes [or] on skin”.

And fluoride itself can be absorbed through the skin. There are many references. Just google “skin absorption of fluoride.”

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Question from Lisa

What is faux suede?

Debra’s Answer

Faux suede is a man-made fabric used in clothing, footwear, upholstery and accessory items. It is designed to look like real suede, which is a very soft leather made from animal skins.

Faux suede is made from 100% polyester, which is a plastic that can be woven into threads. To make faux suede, manufacturers use threads that are close to the weight and consistency of leather fibers.

Though polyester is only slightly toxic, it does outgas and can cause skin rashes that can be quite severe.

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Question from Mary in Tallahassee

I have complained to my utility about smart meter on my house and asked for an analog device. The utility has responded by agreeing to disconnect the transmission of the meter and having a person come to read the meter. When I pressed for an analog device, the utility said that they are no longer available anywhere. They said that digital is used worldwide. I asked for a used one, but they said that they simply are unavailable and that our utility system is too big for analog. What literature can I send them on the digital issue? How can I get an analog device? I understand that in California they are agreeing to analog for people who refuse digital smart meters.

Is it enough to get the smart meter transmission suspension? I thought from reading this blog that the digital appliance in itself was a hazard even if its transmission is suspended.

Debra’s Answer

Readers? Any advice or experience?

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Question from Nancy

I bought a Natura latex mattress over a month ago. It has been airing in a room with the window open, a fan running and the door closed. I find it still has an odor and I am sensitive to it when I go in the room. My nose itches and my chest hurts. Should I persevere and keep trying to air it? Is there a barrier cover I can purchase in Canada to block the smell?

Debra’s Answer

I find that latex has a natural odor that I personally cannot tolerate and it can last for years.

When I was a child my grandmother had a latex sofa that had a “funny smell” all through my childhood. Many years later when I smelled latex, I recognized that’s what it was.

As far as a cover, anyone have experience containing the smell of latex?

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Question from brandy

My father in law just made a bed for my daughter and finished it with alkyd polyurethane. We have had it sitting in the garage for a month, and then outside in the sun for another month and I find it still smells. I’m wondering if it is dangerous or toxic at this time. If something smells, does that mean VOC’s are still being emitted? I’m considering sanding it down and putting something different on. Is this necessary? What would you recommend?

Debra’s Answer

Different types of wood finishes have different curing times.

But after two months, this should not have an odor.

My understanding is that if it has an odor, then fumes of some kind are being emitted or you wouldn’t be able to smell them.

If it is completely dry to the point where it can be sanded and it is still bothering you, I would remove the finish and apply something else.

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Question from Lana

Dear Debra, I am questioning diaper cream that I have been using on my precious little bundle. We use cloth diapers, so I bought cloth diaper safe cream “CJ’s butter”. It has Fragrance oil as one of the ingredients. Oil makes me think essential oil, but it doesn’t say that, it says fragrance. Is this the big red flag for me to toss it? What is fragrance oil? Thank you so much as always, Lana

Debra’s Answer

My understanding is that “fragrance oil” is petrochemical and toxic.

“Essential oil” is the naturally fragrant oil from plants.

I don’t use any products with “fragrance oil” on the label.

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Question from Lana

Dear Debra, My question is about bedding. I’ve always bought 100% cotton sateen sheet sets. I never bought wrinkle free. Is there a chance that they still could have been treated with formaldehyde? I’m questioning cotton sateen wording. Is flannel and knit the only safe option? Thank you so much. Lana

Debra’s Answer

Sateen is a type of fabric that has a certain weave.

It is a cotton fabric with a luster like silk satin.

Sateen starts with long-fiber, combed or carded cotton, which is mercerized to bring out the sheen. Mercerization involves soaking the fiber in a sodium hydroxide (lye) bath and then in an acid bath. None of these substances remain in the cotton after processing. Mercerization makes the cotton fiber stronger and more easily dyed, and also adds a luster to the fibers.

I think you are fine with sateen sheets. I’ve never heard of chemical finishes being used on sateen.

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Question from Bonnie Johnson

I am about to start radiation for breast cancer after a lumpectomy. The surgery will be tuff enough but have had others so I know how to handle things. I was wondering if anyone out there has dealt with the radiation issues with MCS.

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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