Question from petercsantoro@yahoo.com

I am looking for an everyday, comfortable, natural shoe.

I came across a brand called “El Naturalista” and was wondering if you heard of them (didn’t see them mentioned in any blogs here). The pair I am looking at is made of vegetable tanned leather upper with A ” cushioned, recycled, carbon insole and recycled rubber outsole.” I was wondering what you thought of this.

Also found the Vivobarefoot shoe, and the Vibram Five Fingers shoes, which are supposed to be better for your feet and are close to walking barefoot…but I don’t know about the materials and wonder if you know of these and what you think. I would like to try a pair since they were recommended for relieving back pain.

How natural should we get with shoes? How important is it? It’s hard to find shoes made of natural materials that are affordable too… Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

Yes, it is hard to find affordable shoes made with natural materials.

Personally, I spend the extra money and just get fewer pairs of shoes, because toxic chemicals outgassing from shoes can be absorbed through your skin.

El Naturalista sounds good from the description.

Don’t know the other brands and couldn’t find any materials listed on their websites. The photos look like synthetics for both of them.

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Question from Cheryl3

Hi,

In the various pots we’ve considered, I haven’t seen the exact term “hard anodized” regarding aluminum. They refer to their aluminum process as being “encased”, “encapsulated”, aluminum base “capped by stainless steel” etc. So, what other terms are essentially the same or as safe as “anodized aluminum?” Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

Anodized is a specific process where the aluminum is dipped into a hot acid bath that seals the aluminum by changing it’s molecular structure. Once anodized, aluminum will not leach into food. I have seen this term on pots and pans.

Encased and encapsulated aren’t quite the same thing. There is no encasing in anodizing. It changes the molecular structure.

Encased and encapsulated would indicate some kind of covering that would hold something to keep it from leaching. But I don’t know what they would use. Call the manufacturer.

Capped by stainless steel, would be just that—aluminum with an outer covering of stainless steel that would block any contact of the aluminum with the food.

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Question from starlight

We just purchased & brought home a toilet that says it is antimicrobial. Apparently, the entire toilet is treated with whatever makes it antimicrobial, according to the picture. Also, it doesn’t have a wooden toilet seat. What makes it antimicrobial and how safe is this to have in the home?

Debra’s Answer

I would call the manufacturer and ask what they use. Could be triclosan, a pretty toxic chemical.

I was just shopping for a new adding machine (mine broke) and they had an antimicrobial adding machine to eliminate dangerous bacteria on adding machine keys.

Uh-huh. We don’t need antimicrobial chemicals on every single surface.

I love my wooden toilet seat (which, by the way, is naturally antimicrobial).

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Question from Junia

Hi, Debra…

I read about the danger of vinyl wallpaper, that it continues to emit VOC for a long time.

Do you know if after 2 years after installation, it still emits a substantial amount of VOC?

Anything I could do to seal the offgasing?

Thank’s…

Debra’s Answer

The amount of VOC from vinyl wallpaper decreases over time, but how long it takes to completely outgas depends on the conditions in the room, particularly heat.

There is a product called Safe Seal that may work for a sealant. Call the manufacturer and see if it can be applied to vinyl wallpaper and if it will block VOCs.

You would need to specifically use a sealant that is a sealant. Simply painting over something won’t block fumes because paint is not designed for this purpose.

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Question from Cheryl3

This may seem a silly question, but I’ve never had a shower filter. If we get a handheld shower head w/filter and then in the future decide to get the whole house filter, can we just stop replacing the filter but keep the showerhead since the water would then be being filtered throughout the house? Dos anyone know if there would be a problem with leaving the place where you normally put the filter empty? Is it even possible? I just don’t want to have to get rid of the showerhead & hose when we eventually get a whole house filter which we are not able to do just yet. Thanks again.

Debra’s Answer

I don’t see any problem in leaving your showerhead in place when you get a whole house filter. A showerhead is a showerhead.

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Question from Inga

Dear Debra,

We had engineered hardwood floors installed in 2 bedrooms over 8 weeks ago. 7 days later I was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia (both lungs) and am still recovering. The fumes are still there, and I can’t enter those rooms without getting an asthma attack and chest pain. We’re not sure if it’s the adhesive or the finish, but I’m very sensitive. We’ve tried open windows, a dehumidifier, window fans, floor fans, and, recently, a ceramic space heater. We moved our 2 small children into our bedroom and the furniture into the halls; it is getting a little cramped. Should we wait a few more months for the VOCs to off-gass? Should we remove the wood and install ceramic tiles? We are even considering moving…any ideas? Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

I think you will be fine to simply remove the engineered flooring and replace it with ceramic tile. No need to move.

This is why I do NOT recommend engineered floors.

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Question from cymering

Hi Debra!

I am planning to knit some presents for christmas, and I would appreciate your opinion about these:

o-wool.com/

http://www.ecobutterfly.com/

As a Knitter, I guess I am supposed to understand the process they us, but…

THANKS!

Debra’s Answer

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Question from sheazee

H Debra,

I saw a comment you made on another blog – Wild in the city – regarding lead in dishes. I found it super hard to wade through all the comments! Although given that you been doing this for 30 years (wow) I thought you would be someone to trust. If you don’t mind, could you tell me which dishes you personally use? Is white corelle okay to use?

Thank you so much.

Debra’s Answer

I have various dishes that I have gotten from various places over the years.

Some are clear glass, I have some old white Wedgewood china, and some plates I bought at Pottery Barn.

I keep a box of Lead Check swabs on hand. I’ve tested a lot of pieces and haven’t found any yet that tested positive.

However, I should say that Lead Check swabs only check down to a certain level. So they can tell you that there are not high levels, but not that there is zero lead. More accurate is a XRF test, but it is much more expensive.

There is a lot of discussion about lead in dishware at Q&A Safe Dinnerware. A reader had her whilte Corelle XRF tested and it was lead free.

I think there needs to be some kind of certification for dishes where there is an independent XRF test and a certificate that the dishes are tested and lead free.

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Question from sheazee

Hi Debra,

I noticed a comment you made in response to another comment that said you didn’t recommend enamel cookware because it chips but that you might have to rethink that. Would you consider Le Crueset cookware safe then if it is in good condition with no chips as I understand it is enameled cast iron. As far as I understand, the process of making the enamel is toxic but once it is completed, it is safe? I did notice another reader post that they had used a piece of XRF equipment on their Le Crueset and it registered lead content but I am assuming that would likely be in the painted colored exterior which wouldn’t come into contact with your food. I don’t have the money right now to replace all my stainless steel and am hoping at least my Le Crueset is safe!!

Thanks so much.

Lisa’s Answer

This answer has been updated in January, 2020.

You can read about enameled cookware in the Ultimate Guide to Non-Toxic Cookware.

Question from cymering

Hi Debra!

I hope that maybe I can find help here.

My son needs sparring gear for kis Karate lessons. I don’t think I have safer choices for the gloves and protective gear, all is made with plastics and vinyl. But I think that the risk of injury is worse…

My big problem is with the mouthguard. A piece of undescript plastic in his mouth, even if it is for 15 minutes twice a week…

I have found this website, http://www.mogosport.com/. They say all the things that are not in the mouthguard, but of course they do not say what it is really made of. No answer to my email yet.

Any advice?

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know what is in your mouth guard, but here is a previous post where it was known that the mouth guard used for teeth grinding was made from the type of plastic that releases BPA: Q&A: Bisphenol A Exposure From Plastic Mouth Guards.

I see on the website where it says, ” Our technology uses all natural ingredients, is latex and BPA free, and has passed all toxicity tests.”

It’s good that it’s BPA free. Ask them what the all natural ingredients are and for a copy of the toxicity tests it has passed.

Sounds like they are at least aware of the toxicity issues. That’s a good sign. So they should be willing to communicate with you about them. Follow up.

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