Question from Guadalupe

Hi Debra,

I’m in the market for something to cover the gap between my stove and countertop. I like the silicone insert strips, but the ones I’ve found are 20 1/2 inches long, and shorter than I need. I am considering Chef’S Plate Spacetape, but am concerned about its materials. I called the manufacturer and was told the tape is made of PTFE (Teflon type nonstick), and that their PTFE will not outgass unless heated to 500 degrees F. And it stays put via a food safe silicone adhesive which Chef’S Plate manufacture themselves as well. I asked if the adhesive had other ingredients besides silicone and got no answer. What do you think of the safety of this Spacetape? Thanks in advance!

Debra’s Answer

Well, I looked for this online and couldn’t find it at all.

I think the space between your counter and stove won’t reach 500 degrees.

The adhesive will probably outgas within a few days, if it has an odor at all.

Without seeing it, just from your description it sounds like it would be OK, but I would test a bit first before installing it.

Is there another option? I have a small gap between my stove and counter too, but I just leave it open. I don’t feel like I want to use that tape just to not have a gap.

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Question from petercsantoro@yahoo.com

Just wondering what type of cutting boards do you recommend? I found a bamboo cutting board (from co. called Leeds) and am wondering if this is safe to use. Is bamboo treated with anything? Does it need to be organic? Also, are bamboo utensils okay or do you prefer another material? Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

My cutting board is maple, I think. I’m not aware of anything toxic on a bamboo cutting board. It probably has some type of finish, but that would vary with the manufacturer. Ask them what it is finished with.

I’ve never seen wood labeled as organic.

I have lots of wooden utensils of all types of wood. Bamboo is fine as far as I am concened. It has been used in Asia for centuries.

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Question from Bill Tallevast

I am looking for very non toxic no odor if possible products for adapting the interior of my Suburu Outback in case I have to live in it for a undetermined period of time. I use to not be respiratory allergic in it but further exposures in trying to find a place to live have resulted in more sensitivity. I also need to know manufactures and how to contact. I HAVE BEEN UNSUCESSFUL IN FINDING A METAL AIR FLITER UNIT FOR THe AUTO. I assume I need to cover the whole interior from floor carpet, seats, ceiling ,etc. I am also looking for a place I can live in. Thanks Bill

Debra’s Answer

Here’s your all-metal auto air filter: E.L. Foust Auto/RV Air Filter. It plugs into your cigarette lighter. I used to have one of these many years ago when I needed it, and it works very well.

I also re-covered the seats of a car with heavy-duty cotton canvas and that worked very well. In this particular car, the top came off and it didn’t have a fabric liner, so I didn’t need to do the ceiling.

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Question from sunshine

Hello,

Recently I accidently used a hot iron on my ironing board – I forgot to put the towel under the thin cover (I had substituted an organic towel for the foam) – and I actually melted the coating on the board itself. It was an inexpensive metal board with I think an epoxy coating. Luckily I was ironing in the hall with the doors closed to the various rooms as the acrid smell really stuck to anything plastic while I was doing it, and afterwards I could not keep the board in the apartment, and actually I had to recycle it since I could not wash the smell off (obviously due to the fact I burnt it).

I’m wondering which type of ironing board anyone has had success with? I see there are some at Ikea, but wasn’t sure if these would offgass like other items they sell. Also, I have located a very high end board, manufactured in England, by the company Minky. The board says that it has a heat resistant silicone coating on top of the metal. Would this be a preferable board to buy? As well, I know that all the covers are usually chemically treated with Teflon, are there any out there that aren’t?

(I was hoping not to buy a used board since the majority of people use scented laundry products and iron chemically treated clothing.)

Thanks Debra.

Debra’s Answer

I just have a regular metal ironing board that I bought at some hardware store.

For the cover, I don’t know of a commercial cover that isn’t treated with Teflon, however…

Here are instructions for making your own ironing board cover!

http://www.sewing.org/html/tailorironing.html

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Question from HAH

what is a good e-cigarette product?

Debra’s Answer

I can’t say I recommend one brand over another, but will say that I recommended e-cigarettes in my new book Toxic Free, as an alternative for smokers to get their nicotine without subjecting the rest of us to carcinogenic second-hand smoke.

From my book:

“I don’t want to encourage smoking at all, but I do want to offer a “better-than-doing-nothing” alternative for smokers: e-cigarettes. These battery-powered atomizers provide inhaled doses of tobacco-flavored nicotine by delivering a vaporized liquid nicotine solution to the lungs. When a smoker’s body absorbs the nicotine, the smoker exhales a harmless water vapor that resembles smoke. This enables the smoker to get a nicotine fix anywhere without creating harmful secondhand smoke. Nicotine itself is a poison and I certainly am not saying it is not toxic. But if you are addicted to nicotine, or know someone who is, e-cigarettes eliminate all the extra exposure to the toxic chemicals in smoke, for yourself and others.”

And my editor thought that was a great idea. 🙂

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Question from Angelique

A plumber was just telling us about a polyethylene coating for outgoing pipes. It’s installed by placing air-filled bags into the pipes. The coating is on the outside of the bags. It sticks to the pipe walls and dries, sealing leaks. I’m not sure how any VOCs from the wet material could get back into the house (especially if you blocked your drains) but I thought I would see if anyone has heard of this product or has had experience with it.

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

I don’t see how polyethylene would emit toxic vapors in this use, as it doesn’t in other uses.

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Question from Tiffany Newman

I make nontoxic bath and body products and I’d like to start selling them. However, it is vital that my workspace as well as the lotion containers be disinfected. I have been using alcohol. Everyone I know uses bleach/water solution. I’d prefer not to use either one as they give me a headache and are contrary to what I am trying to do. That said, I also don’t want to get sued if there is bacteria in my lotion. Are there any less toxic bacteria killing cleaners out there that I could also use to sterilize my bottles? Thanks

Debra’s Answer

Are you using glass or plastic bottles? Glass bottles could be sterilized by immersing them in boiling water.

Many essential oils also have disinfectant properties. I wrote about this on page 110 of my book Home Safe Home.

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Question from Katie DP

Hi Debra,

I’m looking into trying ManPans cookware because they claim to be safe, non-toxic, non-leaching, energy-efficient, eco-friendly, and made in the USA. Their website (www.manpans.com) describes ManPans as made of hard-anodized aluminum with a water-based, natural quartz-like finish that’s permanently bonded to the aluminum for a smooth “stick-resistant” (not quite non-stick) surface that doesn’t react with food or chip off. You can even use metal utensils on this extremely durable, non-reactive surface (though I prefer not to use metal).

I currently like my Xtrema ceramic pots for cooking numerous things, and was exploring options for a frying pan and also a steamer (I don’t want to cook on metal surface or in silicone). I’ve been reading your Green Living blog’s posts about cookware, including Cuisinart’s Green Gourmet line which I was about to try for a frying pan… then I came across ManPans, which I am considering now, too. Even though it’s only “stick-resistant,” I especially like the claim of the durable, non-reactive, non-toxic permanently bonded surface, so maybe it’s worth a try. I contacted them for more info on what this surface is, exactly, and how they know it’s inert, but never heard back. I’m interested in what you’d think of them (especially if you have any thoughts in regard to health/safety and non-toxic aspects).

Thanks

Debra’s Answer

Can’t say. I contacted them and never heard back. I’ve never seen these pans in a store. I’d love to get one, but don’t have money to buy everything I’d like to try.

Has anyone used these? Or anyone want to buy one for me to evaluate?

I think they should send me a sample.

I’m concerned they are not responding to either you or me.

UPDATE 8/23/11

ManPans DID send me a sample pan when I again requested one after posting this blog.

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Question from petercsantoro@yahoo.com

I need to replace some vinyl shades in a few windows in my home, particularly in my children’s playroom. Is it true these contain lead? They were in our home when we bought it about 3 years ago and I didn’t realize they were a problem.

I have looked for natural, non-toxic shades or curtains and they are extremely expensive.

Do you have any tips or suggestions for what I can use that is safe, non-toxic, especially for my small children’s playroom? What about just cotton sheers from any store? Are these safe and untreated?

Lastly, we had bought supposedly “natural” shades for our bedrooms with a panel to block light. Can I be sure these are safe or could these be off-gassing chemicals… Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

I have purchased 100% cotton curtains from Target and IKEA and they were fine after I washed them.

I can’t comment on your shades without seeing them.

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Question from petercsantoro@yahoo.com

I purchased an outdoor tablecloth for my teak table on our outdoor porch. I noticed the tablecloth is acrylic coated cotton. My family eats at the table all the time. Is this tablecloth toxic? Should I take it off and not allow my children to eat off of it? The problem is that all outdoor items, including furniture and cushions, seem to have chemicals or coatings of some sort. I have an outdoor teak sofa (on my screened in porch) and the cushions are polyurethane foam and polyester fabric ( called “Sunbrella” material). Would you recommend removing these cushions? Any suggestions on what to use instead? Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

Yes, virtually all fabrics designed to be “weatherproof,” that is, it’s OK to leave them out in the sun and rain, have some sort of plastics or synthetics involved.

Acrylic on a tablecloth is not that toxic, especially if you leave it outdoors where it will offgas quickly due to the weather. Personally, I minimize my use of plastic as much as possible, so I don’t buy these. I just bring a fresh cotton tablecloth out to my picnic table under the trees when I want to use it, then toss the tablecloth in the washer when I’m done.

As for the sofa cushions, the polyurethane foam is just as toxic and has just as much fire retardants as if they were used indoors to make a sofa or a mattress. I would remove the cushions myself. I don’t know what else to use that would be weatherproof.

Polyethylene or nylon would be the least toxic materials to use outdoors. You could make slipcovers for the cushions with Reflectix and then slipcover them with a nylon fabric and that should be fine, but I doubt you will find anything like this readymade.

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