Question from Violet56

Can anyone recommend how to dispose of carbon water filters, that are in a system, contained in a housing, under the kitchen sink, attached with a spout on the counter. (it is a CBR-210 R water filter). I have been using them for the past 27 years and very happy with them….but, when I throw them in the garbage, I always feel badly. I asked the company a few years ago and they said that they were working on it…..any ideas? Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

Readers? Maybe take it to Household Hazardous Waste Collection?

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Question from petercsantoro@yahoo.com

I will start to purée my infant’s first foods. For my first child, I used a glass blender, a Breville with a stainless steel bottom and blade. I need to purchase another one, and figure the glass is best for baby’s food (no BPA in glass). Would you recommend this one or is there another you like, or another product for making baby food? What about the Vitamix blender? I see that it is plastic but I believe it is “BPA” free. It seems to do a lot more than a typical blender so other than the fact that it is plastic, I like the product. Any thoughts on the Vitamix?

Debra’s Answer

I like my Vitamix a lot. The only problem for me is that the canister is fairly large and I usually am making a smaller amount of food. They have a smaller canister you might want to get.

The big advantage to the Vitamix is it’s power. I bought mine because I like to make smoothies with ice and blender ice cream and crushed ice and was having problems doing this with regular blenders.

I’ve just been very happy with mine.

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Question from Jan harris

My wonderful 100% organic cotton sheets have been washed often and now have an odor — probably from the chemicals I’m detoxing — which I’m sensitive to. Is there any way to rid the sheets of this odor?

Debra’s Answer

Readers, any experience with this?

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On January 19, 30 states filed legislation to protect children from toxic chemicals in consumer products.

Read more at www.saferchemicals.org.

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Question from DoTheRightThing1978

Hello and thank you for the chance to get some info on this…

I have recently switched to cleaning with baking soda, vinegar, castile soap, and essential oils. My hands and skin are quite sensitive and I feel the oils very strongly on my skin. Plus, the baking soda and vinegar tend to dry out my hands quite badly, so my solution was to get gloves. However, I find this ironic! Using rubber gloves with a chemical powder inside them in order to protect my hands and skin from the natural stuff just doesn’t make sense to me! But I do need the gloves, especially for the times I am doing a massive bathroom, tub, tile, and even the walls cleaning!

Hope you can help… Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

Readers. what are your recommendations? I don’t use gloves.

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Just before Christmas 2010, the Senate passed ‘food safety’ bill H.R.2751, previously S. 510, that will put the FDA in control of the nations food supply.

Vermont citizens have made a declaration that the agency and government have no right to determine or restrict the food choices of the People of Vermont.

“The Vermont Resolution for Food Sovereignty”, written by the Vermont Coalition for Food Sovereignty, it makes a statement to the United States government and the FDA that I wholeheartedly support. That we can grow and share food is an inalienable right that cannot be taken away.

The Vermont Resolution for Food Sovereignty

WHEREAS All people are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, and among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; and

WHEREAS Food is human sustenance and is the fundamental prerequisite to life; and

WHEREAS The basis of human sustenance rests on the ability of all people to save seed, grow, process, consume and exchange food and farm products; and

WHEREAS We the People of Vermont, have an obligation to protect these rights as is the Common and Natural Law; and in recognition of the State’s proud agricultural heritage; and the necessity of agricultural, ecological and economic diversity and sustainability to a free and healthy Society;

THEREFORE, Be it resolved, that We The People, stand on our rights under the 10th Amendment to the US Constitution and reject such Federal decrees, statutes, regulations or corporate practices that threaten our basic human right to save seed, grow, process, consume and exchange food and farm products within the State of Vermont; and,

Be it further resolved, that We The People, shall resist any and all infringements upon these rights, from whatever sources that are contrary to the rights of the People of the State of Vermont.

 

Read more at Vermont Takes Action to Resist FDA Take Over With a Resolution All Should Adopt.

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Question from UlliV

In my effort to slowly replace everything plastic in my closet with natural fibers I came across two companies/websites that will most likely become a staple in my clothes shopping. Both are outside the U.S. though, one in the UK, the other in Iceland.

www.woolovers.us

www.nordicstore.net

I have ordered 2 sweaters from woolovers and a hat and gloves from nordicstore and am waiting with anticipation for them to arrive. Both orders already shipped.

I find it hard in the U.S. to come across real 100% wool clothing that doesn’t cost a month’s salary and is still manufactured in a sweat shop, be it in China or elsewhere.

The closest I could come to real and authentic on the American continent is this: www.native-languages.org/clothing.htm Their wool sweaters are wonderful and handknit and just what you want in a cold winter but of course cost accordingly.

Debra’s Answer

Thanks Ulli! I’m sure others will appreciate having these resources.

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Question from Cheryl3

We have a one floor home mostly carpet and some tile (which usually mop not vacuum). We are considering a Hoover Platinum bagged upright w/cannister (model UH30010com). We need something light because I’m not good w/heavy/cumbersome things. It has a HEPA filter and gets excellent reviews (for dust control and other issues) on Amazon, priced in the low to mid $200’s. It has a self sealing bag to contain the dust when emptying it, but my question is: is this effectively the same as a “Sealed HEPA System”? We’re not super allergic to dust but do want to reduce it substantially. I didn’t want to go too expensive because down the road (not for awhile though) we hope to get rid of the carpet and have hard wood floors installed. The canister is for dusting, furniture and bare floors. Any thoughts or experience? Thanks very much.

Debra’s Answer

HEPA is a specific type of filter that is extremely effective at collecting particles.

If the label doesn’t say “HEPA” it’s not the same thing.

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Question from petercsantoro@yahoo.com

I am trying to find a good HEPA vacuum. I like the Miele series 7, but they all have “integrated PVC bumpers” to protect your furniture, etc… Does it matter that there are PVC bumpers? I’ve heard to avoid anything with PVC, so should I stay away from these vacuums in my home?

Debra’s Answer

We have a Miele HEPA vacuum and LOVE it. The entire unit is plastics, as are all vacuum cleaners. Ours has never had an odor.

You may not be able to find a vacuum cleaner without PVC. I’ve never looked for one. There are things in this world that if you are going to use them, there is going to be some exposure. But if the bumpers are hard PVC, they wouldn’t outgas much. I don’t know the model of my Miele, but it doesn’t have bumpers.

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Question from saphire

I have lived in my apartment for five years and have been searching a lot for a nonsmoking place to live. I am in Placentia, California, 62 years of age, a cancer survivor and want to live a healthy life.

The one apartment that I found is very expensive and I may just have to stay where I am. My concerns regarding staying are that there are many smokers here. Last year the lady downstairs smoked continuously and I could smell this at all hours. It gets hot in the summer and had to close window. I then was concerned about air conditioning and the smoke getting through the vents. Yes, she has moved, but what if someone else moves in and smokes, or their visitors? There are cigarette butts all around the property and management will not agree to banning smoking inside, outside and all around because there are too many smokers here. They do not want to lose money, although I see quite a few vacancies. (I have talked and explained all the pros of having this a nonsmoking property, but they just want to get people in and keep them).

I would be gone if I had family around or could find a place suitable. If I end up signing the lease in two weeks then what “really good air filter” can I get to rid the air of the toxins from the smoke. Smokers pass by the apartment so I do still get this.

Does the smoke really travel through vents? I read that it does all the time and then someone will tell me that that is ridiculous and that apartments are all individual units and that the vents are not joined. Is this the case sometimes?

Would appreciate any suggestions on “Good air filter” for getting rid of the toxins from smoke.

Second issue: I walk down a hallway to get to the elevator and there is a perfumed odor. A resident told me that they put air fresheners in the vents because someone had complained about the smell.

Debra’s Answer

I understand your predicament.

With regard to the vents, it depends on the building whether they are connected or individual. Ask your building manager. If they are connected, then pollutants from other units certainly can come into your unit through the vents.

Cigarette smoke contains both particles and gasses, so you need a filter that removes both. A good combination would be HEPA and charcoal.

Update April, 2020.  Read more in the Portable Air Purifier Buying Guide.