Submitted questions will be posted with my response by the following Tuesday or before.
Submitted comments will be moderated and approved within 24 hours.
Pre-finished glued down hardwood floors
Question from nontoxicmom
We are about to install new wood floors throughout our house. We’ve chosen a prefinished oak hard wood floor. It has been strongly recommended that we use the glue down method of installation. I know there are eco friendly glues available, but I’m afraid the installer won’t warranty the floors if we go that route.
First, has anyone had any experience with the amount of time it takes to outgas the toxic version of glue?
I understand there are 3 types of adhesive: water based, urethane based, and acrylic.
I assume the urethane would be the worst, but what about the acrylic? I won’t move my family back into the house until any toxic smell is gone, so I’m trying to figure out how long it will take. If it’s months, then I need to find a different solution…
Debra’s Answer
I have many times installed flooring with ordinary yellow wood glue, which is water-based and nontoxic. There is practically no odor and it dries quickly.
I once lived in a house for twelve years with this type of installation of wood floor with no problems. It was installed over a painted wood subfloor.
At this very minute I am sitting on a floor installed eight years ago over cement slab with yellow wood glue. Again, no problem.
The trick is that you need to pour the glue down and then use a mortar spreader to spread it, so there is continuous glue under the wood, not just little streaks.
New Database Lets You Report Toxic Products to The Consumer Products Safety Commission
A new service at SaferProducts.gov allows you to report toxic products to the Consumer Products Safety Commission online, and lets you search for and read reports on specific products of interest to you.
It lets you search by popular categories or specific your own detailed search.
So if you find toxic problems with products, here’s a place to report them.
Do You Know Where Your Honey Comes From?
Here’s an article about “honey laundering” and how some honeys may not be as pure as they seem:
Another reason why you should buy local organic honey, directly from the beekeeper if you have that option available (look for a local beekeeper’s association or try your local farmer’s market or local natural food store).
New USDA Label for Products Made from Renewable Resources
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a new official label for certified “biopreferred” products that will start appearing on products in the next few months.
The idea is to help environmentally conscious consumers find “certified biobased” products that are “composed wholly or significantly of biological ingredients—renewable plant, animal, marine or forestry materials. The new label indicates that the product has been certified to meet USDA standards for a prescribed amount of biobased content.” The seal will on products from makeup to household cleaners.
Initially, the minimum amount of “renewable ingredients” required to qualify was 51 percent. That makes sense to me. A majority. However, due to objections from vested interests, when the label is introduced, products need to contain only 25 percent renewable ingredients.
The good news is that the label will list the exact percentage of the product’s renewable ingredients so you can choose if a product is bio enough for you.
Read more at TakePart Decodes the USDA’s New ‘Green’ Product Label
Safe Silverware
Question from blythegraves
What are some alternatives to stainless steel silverware and recommended companies/brands that produce them? I use wooden utensils to cook with but I’m looking for daily silverware to replace the typical stainless steel ones.
Debra’s Answer
Personally I use silverplate, but I’m not sure about recommending it because I know it wears off.
I think the best bet is to use wooden chopsticks or eat with your fingers.
Palm wax or Beeswax
Question from lindaann36
Could you please tell me which candle would be safer to burn, Palm wax candles or Beeswax candles. Thanks
Debra’s Answer
In my opinion, they would be about the same.
Women’s dresses and men’s suits
Question from Annette Tweedel
Hi Debra, My husband and I are trying to find some dressy clothes for me and him. For me, a dress or skirt, possibly knee length, calf length or ankle length. I don’t know what size I wear, maybe an 8, I don’t know, I know my waist is around 30. And my husband is looking for suits. He wears about a 42 regular. This clothes is to wear to church at anytime of year. Are there any suits out there that don’t have polyester. Is it possible to get a suit that is all cotton or organic cotton? We know they have wool, but we are trying to go cheap. Thanks for the help.
Debra’s Answer
There are many suits that don’t have polyester. You can get 100% wool at many men’s stores, though you may have to have the lining replaced to cotton. There are also cotton suits and linen suits sold at better men’s stores. Dress Head sells organic hemp jackets and suits for men. They also have some very pure clothing for women.
How to Avoid GMO food
Question from GJ
can you imagine the impact if every one of us grew our own 100% certified organic garden? (http://www.gardenguides.com/599-starting-first-vegetable-garden.html)
It is estimated that about 75 percent of processed foods sold in the U.S. contain at least some genetically modified food ingredients. Unlike many other countries, there is no law in the U.S. requiring the labeling of foods that contain GM ingredients, but if you know how to identify which foods are most commonly genetically modified, you can reduce how many GMOs you eat. The best way to avoid GMO products is by buying unprocessed 100% certified organic LOCAL WHOLE FOODS.
*Here are some ways to avoid genetically modified foods:
Read the PLU labels. If the five digit PLU number starts with “8,” the food is either genetically modified or genetically engineered. If the five digit PLU number starts with “9,” it’s organic. Also, by watching for the absence of either the 8 or 9, which means the produce is neither organically grown or genetically modified, you can recognize traditionally grown produce. Ensure your produce is not genetically modified by reading the number on the sticker, and by buying 100% certified organic. 100% certified organic is by law never genetically modified!
•A 4-digit number indicates the food was conventionally grown and may or may not be genetically modified.
•A 5-digit number beginning with an 8 is a genetically modified food. However, not all GM foods can be identified because PLU labeling is optional.
Debra’s Answer
Cleaning HVAC coils with high heat steam
Question from Reenie
Hi Debra, I’ve shared your site with many in our area. My comment and question has to do with clean HVAC coils. There is a company in Tallahassee FL called Rejuvenair that has gotten positive media publicity about this method. Yet I continue to read other research that says, no, do not clean with this steam method. Have you heard about this? Has anyone on your site used this method and if so can they share comments. Thanks so much! Here’s an article on this method: www.goodway.com/hvac-blog/?p=2562
Debra’s Answer
I don’t have any experience with this method.
Readers?
Diapering
Question from citigirl
Hi Debra, I’m researching cloth diapering and am overwhelmed. Clearly the best option is cotton diapers with a wool cover, but wool is expensive, needs extra care, isn’t good for long car rides, and is not so friendly for babysitters, daycare, etc. The all-in-ones or pockets are more like disposables but all have PUL.
I read your old post mentioning that diaper covers could be made from polyethylene. I can’t find any that are, though.
If it’s between “green” disposables like Nature Babycare vs. cloth with PUL covers, which is safer for my baby? For the purposes of this discussion I’m not concerned with the environmental impact, only the health impact.
Also, you mentioned in your Gdiapers post that they are made from a safer PUL. How do I know what other diapers might use that safer PUL? (I’ve tried Gdiapers and don’t like them.) Thanks!
Debra’s Answer
I couldn’t find a post of mine where I said diaper covers could be made from polyethylene.
Regarding the safer polyurethane, you would just need to ask if the PUL was MDI food grade polyurethane–that’s the safer one.
If your choice is between Nature Babycare and PUL covers, based on the Nature Babycare description, I would go with Nature Babycare. I don’t see anything toxic about the materials they are using, and their plastics are biodegradable.
