Question from darenso

Hello Debra

I have just read your answer of some years ago about shoe polish and just tried the Tapir shoe polish. It does contain ammonia, and sometimes I can feel the vapour in my eyes but it is very slight and does not cause any irritation.

Can you tell me if you would be concerned regarding the ammonia?

Also in the UK I have found a shoe polish contain beeswax,carnauba wax, white spirit and natural turpentine. I thought natural turpentine is ok but since read, although from trees it is very toxic and can cause cancer

Thank you

David

Debra’s Answer

I generally recommend avoiding ammonia, however, how much of a chemical you are exposed to certainly contributes to it’s toxic effect. So much so, in fact, there is a very famous saying “The dose makes the poison,” meaning that the amount of exposure is a greater factor in the poisoning than the inherent toxicity of the substance itself.

If you must use shoe polish, Tapir is one of the least toxic. I would recommend using it outdoors.

In the other shoe polish, I’m actually more concerned about the white spirit in the shoe polish. Also called Stoddard solvent, enough exposure can lead to central nervous system effects.

Myself, I never use shoe polish of any kind. I’ve made choices in my life to not require wearing shoes that need to be polished.

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Question from Hope Fox

We are doing renovation work on our old house in order to improve a wet basement (we want to get rid of an environment where mold can grow!). Our contractor has submitted a proposal that would surface repair any major foundation cracks, apply a tar foundation coating, followed by a Platon membrane system. Do you know of any alternatives to a tar-based foundation sealant that would be as effective in this application? I appreciate the advice!

Debra’s Answer

Take a look at a product called Penetrating Waterstop by AFM. If this isn’t the right one for your application, ask them which of their products would be the one to use.

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Question from Rubys Mom

What do you think of The 10″ Green Earth Frying Pan by Ozeri, with Smooth Ceramic Non-Stick Coating (100% PTFE and PFOA Free) ?

Debra’s Answer

The descrtption sounds good, but I’ve never actually seen one.

Readers, any experience?

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Question from vlavianos

Does anyone know about the safety of magnetized water? My daughter has interstitial cistitis and apparently drinking magnetized water could be helpful. Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

I know of no negative health effects.

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Question from JAD

I was told that I was Chemical Sensitive in 1993. I crashed when my husband painted the cedar on our Mi home with oil based stain while I was out for the day in 2008. After a few months I decided I needed to find help. I Googled “How to Cure MCS” and found Debra’s site and found a link to my now Environmental Allergy Specialist. Debra’s site pretty much says the same thing my Dr. has, but he tested me for allergies and found out that I was very allergic to Soy and Glycerin. He told me that if you are fighting allergies your body has a harder time fighting the chemicals. I have switched all my medical needs to his office and it has been slow but I have made great progress.

I volunteer at a FL State Park for 6 months and had announced to the other volunteers the only way I could continue is if they came in chemical free anytime I was around. I was very ill when I asked this of them, it wasn’t over night but most of the volunteers complied and they saw my health improve every time I came back from MI. They started asking questions and then 2 volunteers asked if I would do a talk on the subject non-toxic living.

So I invited all the volunteers, 7 were able to make it. I told them up front that I was not there to sell them anything and was only going to share information. I also told them that as much as I appreciated them all trying to help me that this was for them. I just wanted to share what I had learned from my Dr, Debra and others.

I shared information about Chemical Sensitivity and some of the symptoms that we all suffer from and that other suffer from chemicals and don’t know.

I told them about a young lady that just visited us. She thought she came chemical free. She used Free and Clear on her wash but just once so I had to have her wear my clothes why she was there. She told me about the headaches that she was getting and I suggested she keep using Free and Clear and she avoids other fragrances. I explained to her if she is having problems now that she could get worse. She made the changes I suggest and when I heard from her two weeks later she said her headaches were all but gone!

We talked about cleaning products and told them what I used (Shaklee, 7^th Generation….) and gave them information from the EWG site on what to stay away from.

Debra’s Answer

What a great idea! This is something we can all do. May this be the first of many “hands-on” nontoxic education parties! Thanks for sharing, Jackie.

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Question from EMC

So I’m using glass as much as possible.

But I have kids who run around outside a lot and wanted to know if its better to use the stainless steel versions like Kleen Kanteen or a BPA free plastic for these outdoor periods?

I assume that the leaching is more problematic when heated, is that right? But which one is more resistant?

It’s hot year round here, bottles are often left in the scorching sun or baking in a bag.

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

I can’t evaluate which is the lesser of the two evils.

Sitting in the sun would release more plastic when heated, so I would probably go with the stainless steel, if those were the only options.

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Question from samsam

Hi Debra,

I was wondering if putting a couple of cotton slipcovers on a normal sofa is effective in containing the fumes? I can’t find any non toxic sofas on the east coast (of Cananda or the US.) Is there a normal brand that is less toxic?

Thanks,

sam

Debra’s Answer

No, this will not work. Fumes go right through the spaces between the threads. You need something with no gaps, like a sheet of polyethylene plastic or aluminum foil.

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Question from Donna L

Hi Debra,

I’m doing a little redecorating and have two questions. Many sofas now contain soy in the cushions. I know soy when ingested is considered an endocrine disrupter, but what about if inhaled? Can soy even offgas if it’s in a cushion?

Secondly, I purchased some 100% cotton drapes from Pottery Barn, and the description stated that they were CPSC compliant for flame resistancy without being chemically treated. What does this mean? They’re going to be hanging right under a heat vent, so I’m concerned if they contain a flame retardant at all (in case the heat causes them to offgas).

Thank you so much for your help with this and everything else you do!

Debra’s Answer

I would think that soy would outgas from a cushion. I’m sure most people with soy allergies would tell you that.

If the drapes say they are not chemically treated, by law they should not be chemically treated. That doesn’t mean that they aren’t as there is such thing as deception in labelling. But it’s likely that they are not chemically treated.

“CPSC compliant” simply means that they meet the CPSC standards for being flame retardant. The CPSC does not specify how to achieve being compliant, only that they comply.

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Question from Gigi

Is anyone familiar with Dri-Out for Termites?

I have looked at Tim-bor, however, I was told that I would also need a soil treatment.

Is Dri-Out as non-toxic/safe as the manufacturers say?

It is a dry micron size desiccant powder that clings to the exoskelton and dehydrates the insect within two hours of contact rather than affecting the nervous system.

According to the MSDS and Technical Sheets, it is a SYNTHETIC amorphous silica, not to be confused with silica such as quartz or other naturally occuring silica. It has a Health Rating of 0.

It does not seem to be carcenagenic.

Debra’s Answer

This appears to be a nontoxic product by its description.

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Question from allyv

Hi Debra,

I’m searching for a rocking chair or comfy reading chair for my 2 1/2 year old. We already have a pottery barn kids hybrid anywhere chair which she loves but I recently found out the foam contents of that chair is polyurethane along with 30% recycled soy material (whatever that means). In your opinion, is that pottery barn chair safe to keep in her bedroom? she likes to keep it next to her bed. And second, what is another chair you recommend (we’ll put one for her in my son’s (baby) room so she can read books, etc.

Thank You,

Ally

Debra’s Answer

If it were me, I would remove the chair with the polyurethane foam.

Just last week when I was in New Jersey at White Lotus Home, they recommended a company they know called Room Doctor. They make affordable chemical-free solid wood furniture. They just might be able to make any chair you want.

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