Question from chorvath24

We have a 1 month old, and I wanted to purchase a new fridge and found a great deal on a floor model. Would this be safe to have in the house and use knowing what we know about plastics and off gases? I think this would be a better option because it was out of its packaging and opened and closed often as it is a floor model. We would be storing breast milk in there and we would like to know if its safe.

Thanks

Debra’s Answer

Floor models will be more outgassed than refrigerators right out of the box, however, I can’t tell you if it is “safe” because different manufacturers use different materials and they all take different amounts of time to outgas.

I think if you are storing your breast milk in glass, it would be unlikely plastic emissions from the interior of the refrigerator would get into the milk if the bottle were well sealed.

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Question from Angelique

The exterior of our house badly needs painting. We live in Arizona. This is the “open window” time of year. Summer is the “everything offgasses fast in the heat and keep your windows closed” time of year. I was thinking that summer would be a good time to paint because everything would dry very fast and the sun would really bake everything, but then I wonder what kinds of problems I might have with paint fumes getting inside the house and getting trapped there. Also, I’ll be going away for a week in June. I don’t know if it’s better for the painting to happen when I’m gone, or if I should be here to supervise. (They don’t just have to use my products, but also they have to use brand-new equipment for our jobs.) I haven’t started researching paints yet. Any ideas would be welcome!

Debra’s Answer

Must be time to start painting, because I got this question from two people this week!

I’ve had mixed experiences painting the exterior of my house. Logic tells us that because the paint is outdoors, it would smell less than when painting indoors. But that is NOT true.

I once painted the exterior of my house with a natural paint that had strong natural odors and I had to leave my house for three days.

So in response to your question, my suggestion would be to

As for paints, readers, what exterior paints have you used and liked?

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Question from JAR

I have severe MCS. We need to have the exterior of our house repainted. The original paint on the house is standard Benjamin Moore oil-based with biocides. We live in Southeast Texas, where it’s very humid. Can you help us find a paint that will be safe and that will work on top of the original paint?

If we have to order paint, how can we see and make a decision about color?

Thanks, JAR

Debra’s Answer

Readers, what exterior paints have you used and like for people with severe MCS?

As for colors, you can get color swatches, but I would also get a small sample of the paint to test before you commit to many gallons to paint the entire house.

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Question from Ronda

Hi Debra – First let me say how happy I am that I can always go to your website to ask a question or find an answer. You are providing such a great and valuable service.

I’m looking for 2 twin size mattresses for my kids. All of the wool ones that I’ve found on different websits are out of my budget. My husband doesn’t like he futon option becase he thinks they are uncomfortable.

We have a place by us in California that makes their own mattresses called Custom Comfort. They have a page talking about their green design. I was going to talk to them about a cotton mattress because they don’t seem to offer wool.

Here is what they say about the fire retardants. What do you think about this? Inherent FR barrier Materials: In keeping compliant with FR regulations set forth by the government we use an inherent patented FR barrier which is atypical of the FR chemistry used in most mattresses. Its inherent properties make it safe both for the environment and for the consumer.

Debra’s Answer

I think it’s great that you want to buy your mattress from a local business and more local businesses should offer them.

However, they need to tell you what the fire retardant is and all other materials used in the mattress. There are a number of ways now to meet the federal regulations with less toxic substances and materials.

DON’T RELY ON UNSUBSTANTIATED CLAIMS. If the promotional material doesn’t tell you ASK. If you get the info and don’t know what the substance or material is ASK ME.

You might also ask them if they will build a mattress to your specifications.

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Question from n rose

Does anyone know about the safety of Lodge Cast Iron cookware (sold at Wal mart). I have used stainless for years, and wanted to get a cast iron pan. What should I be wary of? The mfg process says it is seasoned with a special soy oil and baked at high temp.

Any recomendations?

Debra’s Answer

I’m fine with Lodge Cast Iron and have included it on Debra’s List.

In fact, I recommend this brand because many other (often brandless) cast iron pans are “seasoned” with paint that chips off. See Cast Iron Skillets Made in China.

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Wal-Mart is banning polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, a class of compounds used since 1976 as flame retardants in such products as electronics, furniture, sporting goods, pet supplies, curtains and toys, sofas, cameras and child car seats. In a recent notice to suppliers, the company said it would begin testing June 1 to make sure products do not contain PBDEs.

This Washington Post article tells more about how various retailers are taking the initiative to ban chemicals of concern and the difficulties our federal government faces in getting through old regulations that prevent them from banning these chemicals.

The Washington Post: Wal-Mart bypasses federal regulators to ban controversial flame retardant

We should encourage these businesses and others to continue to refuse to sell toxic chemicals, one by one if necessary.