Question from cymering

Hi Debra!

My question today is specifically about denim, or jeans. A few days ago I read a post were you said that generally denim does not have any finishes, but that was an old post. Maybe you have different information now. And there is a lot to read about pesticides use in clothing during transportation… Will regular washing before use eliminate these? In some other websites the advice is to buy used, and I understand that this is better for the environment, but will this be less toxic? Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

I’m not aware of any finishes that are used on denim.

Washing alone is not a guarantee that pesticides will be eliminated.

Used is not necessarily less toxic, as used clothing usually contains residues of fragrance from laundry products.

Buying jeans made in the USA would eliminate the pesticides that are applied during transportation to products made overseas. Another reason to buy Made in USA.

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Question from Texas Cook

Hi Debra, My youngest daughter has times of the year that are so difficult because of severe outdoor allergies. I am considering purchasing x box 360 kinect so that we can play sports together while she has to spend so much time inside. I know nothing about the lasers they use for the kinect and I am wondering if they are safe. Thank you for your advice!

Debra’s Answer

I know nothing about this product. Readers?

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Question from ehutton

We are presently in the last stages of renovation after a flood and the only thing left to do is to finish or seal the cement floor in the basement. We don’t want to put down expensive floors that could get flooded again, but we’d like to do something to make the grey cement look a little more appealing, perhaps some white stain or tint. Trouble is, it seems all the paints out there are toxic and cannot be used safely inside a house. All the non-toxic solutions like Milk Paint or Keimfarben cannot be used on a surface that one walks on! And I cannot use AFM products. We used their stuff on many occasions and found them to be lacking greatly in effectiveness and they smelled so bad that they gave my husband, who doesn’t have any issues, a major headache! I am in Canada – so are there any options left? Elke

Debra’s Answer

Readers, your suggestions?

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Question from Angelique

The other day my husband took my car to a different dealer because I had a flat that needed fixing. Normally I tell them not to clean my car in any way, but the service manager convinced my husband that he would only hose off the outside of the car with water. Well, that was true for the hosing part, but they put tire dressing on the tires.

I’m not sure if the tire dressing is what caused the solvent/aerosol propellent fumes inside the car; my husband wonders if they got into the car while it was in the shop. But even after washing the tires with Planet fragrance-free dish soap and leaving the car outside, my husband says that the tires still smell. He had parked the car in the garage overnight and he warned me that the odor was still there.

Is there a way to get the dressing off of the tires? He’s out with the car right now, so I don’t know how the interior is. (Yesterday after it had been driven around with the windows down and then parked outside with the windows open, I stuck my head in and didn’t detect the solvent smell, but I took a quick sniff.)

Debra’s Answer

Try rubbing alcohol. Though it’s a petrochemical product that is slightly toxic itself, it just might cut through the dressing and then it will simply evaporate. Have your husband apply it though.

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Question from ellenelle

My husband spilled motor oil on the cement floor of our garage, leaving a patch of around 12 inches diameter after he blotted it up with paper towels. Of course, it still smells really bad. Does anyone know of any way I can get the rest of it up, preferably using some kind of enzymatic product that will degrade it into harmless components?

Thanks,

Ellen

Debra’s Answer

First you need to absorb the oil into some material to remove it, such as unscented kitty litter or sawdust.

Then apply something that breaks down grease, such as soap, and scrub it with a brush until the residue is removed.

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Question from cvlamarr

Hello

I am a new user. I was wondering if you could help me determine if my new HERITAGE pots (the Artisan line) are safe to use. I have reviewed previous blogs but I havent come across this exact brand. I looked on their website but couldnt find a decription regarding how they are made. They are described as:

Thank you very much,

Carolina

Debra’s Answer

“Extra thick aluminum base: perfect heat distribution and even cooking” is fine as the aluminum does not come in contact with the food. “3 layers of Titanium-reinforced non-stick coating: resists scratches and abrasions” to the best of my knowledge this is still a teflon-like coating, just reinforced with titanium, so I can’t recommend it as safe.

“Exterior non-stick coating: worry-free cleaning and maintenance” if this is a teflon-like coating, it would be releasing toxic fumes into the air during use, even if the coating does not come in contact with the food. This evaluation is based on the little data you gave me.

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Question from photobee

Hello Debra, I have enjoyed reading your books. I wanted to get the most recent information on the dangers of microwave ovens, but have not found anything in “Toxic Free” or on this site. Just the fact that you don’t use a microwave. I would really like to hear the information that helped you to come to this decision. I really would not like to take chances when it comes to radiation. However, I had been led to believe that microwaves are very safe.

Debra’s Answer

Here is an article I wrote I think about five years ago that used to be on my website, but it didn’t get transferred over to the new site. I haven’t done any new research since on this subject, but have no reason to believe they are any safer now.

MICROWAVE OVENS

Microwave ovens are certainly convenient, but are they safe?

While there is not enough evidence to require warning labels on microwave ovens, or to remove them from the market, there is concern both about the safety of our exposure to microwaves and the healthfulness of microwaved food.

THE DANGERS OF MICROWAVES

Even microwave ovens that are functioning perfectly emit microwaves. Safety standards set by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allow microwave emissions of up to one milliwatt per square centimeter (1mW/cm2) when the oven is purchased, and up to 5mW/cm2 after the oven has been in use. Studies on industrial exposure recommend that daily exposure should not exceed one milliwatt for more than one minute. Average home use of microwave ovens far exceed this.

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Question from Lyn Ko

I have been told that the interior enamel of the Staub cookware contains quartz. Is quartz a safe product to have on cookware. How does it impact your health. Thank you for your expert opinion.

Debra’s Answer

Quartz is totally fine. It’s a natural mineral. Nothing toxic about it.

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Question from smorgan

Hello!

I was looking into getting my daughter a mat to practice her gymnastics on. I was concerned about the vinyl and plastic coatings and off gassing of the foams they often use. Do you know of anyone who makes a safe, truly non-toxic sturdy mat?

Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

You might try taping together some SoftTiles. Contact them and see if they have any suggestions.

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Question from Sousou

Dear Debra,

There is a lot of info on your site already about Dacron and Polyurethane for upholstery, but none that answers the specific question of whether it is better to use Dacron (with Flame Retardants “bonded” to the material during manufacturing) or non-Flame Retardant Polyurethane Foam. If you had to pick one to use for a sofa, which one would you pick?

Thanks, sousou

Debra’s Answer

Neither.

When I chose a sofa many years ago, I did what was necessary at the time to have a safe sofa. I had a sofa frame custom upholstered with my specified materials.

Today there are nontoxic sofas readymade, though expensive (see Debra’s List: Interior Decorating: Furniture).

You are not limited to a choice of two toxic materials.

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