Question from HEG

Hi Debra and readers,

I am trying to identify the best source of drinking water for my family. We live in a highrise so a personal full home filtration system is not feasible. We currently drink spring water out of glass bottles from different brands including Mountain Valley, Saratoga Springs, Aqua Panna, Voss. I am wondering if it is best to continue doing this (and spending lots of money) or if a Brita or other very basic tap filter would suffice and be healthier and more environmentally friendly. I want to drink the cleanest water possible so if that means buying glass-bottled spring water then that is ok, but if the Brita water is just as clean then I will make the switch. thank you.

Debra’s Answer

In my opinion, water from a Brita filter is not as clean as Mountain Valley Spring Water. In addition, filtering tap water is not the same as drinking spring water from a glass bottle.

In my opinion, you’re already doing the best thing for your situation.

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Question from jiwaskow

Has anyone recently bought kitchen appliances (especially dishwasher and fridge) and has learned which offgas the least yet are still good?

For example – is Kenmore more or less smelly than GE? Or vice versa?

Also seeking least off-gassing washer and dryer.

Debra’s Answer

I don’t think there have been any studies that answer this question. And I’m pretty sure there isn’t a brand that is conscious about making kitchen appliances that don’t offgas.

Within the last few years, I purchased a new Kenmore refrigerator and a new Frigidaire stove and both were fine for me.

I suggest you search this blog for specific appliances (i.e. refrigerator) and see what comes up. Appliances have been discussed many times.

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Question from Judith Fleet Wisdom

I could swear I saw this information on one of your online resources, but had to interupt before I read it carefully.

I cannot bathe in my bathtub if it’s epsom salts I need to use, which I do. I could sit or even stand in a bucket while showering (or not). I’ve not even thought of the issue of toxicity till I saw your comments. I have simply failed to find something (rubbermaid, whatever) that had a footprint that allowed me to stand with my legs in a safe position; i.e., with enough space between them to allow me to be balanced.

I measure the rectangular size that would work: It is about 21″ wide (side to side) and l4″ front to back. If the level of water were to allow me to soak my feet up to my knees it would have to be about l5 – 17 inches high. But that might make it too heavy. though I’d fill it and empty it in the bathtub. I’d like it to have a handle.

I’ve been all over the place on the web and have found nothing re size appropriateness. And when I tried to use the bucket that is used to clean the floors with (ich) it made me feel unbalanced because it caused me feet to be too close.

I also don’t want to spend an arm and a leg, quite obviously, as we have so many special things it is almost impossible to survive and not be a millionairre.

Any help would be much appreciated. And, I must be able to order it online and if need be on the phone (though I’d like to see it); for I can’t get very many places.

Debra’s Answer

I don’t recall publishing something on this before.

Readers, any suggestions?

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Question from Donna L

I’m in the market for a new sofa and want one without PBDE’s. The most affordable one I can find is at Ikea, but the frame of the sofa is made with particleboard, fiberboard, plywood and polypropylene. Ikea’s website states that they use strict guidelines governing formaldehyde and other VOC’s in their products, but I am still unsure about this sofa. Do you think I should keep looking? I have found other sofas, but they are so expensive. Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

Ikea does have policies concerning toxic chemicals in their products. As an international company, they are aware of regulations and programs in the European Union, which are stricter than what we have here in the USA.

You can read more about Ikea and their chemical policies at:

There are now many materials that are being made with chemicals that are less toxic than before. This doesn’t mean that they are as toxic-free as you or I might want them to be. This is where we need to look a policies and see how stringent they are.

At this price level, a sofa from Ikea just might be less toxic than others of a similar price and less toxic enough for you. Every bit of toxic exposure we reduce helps, even if it isn’t 100%.

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HealthyStuff.org tested over 3,300 home improvement products. Here’s a summary of what they found:

Heavy metals and other additives are commonly found in residential flooring and wallpaper. These chemicals include lead, cadmium, flame retardants, tin compounds and phthalates — harmful chemicals that are linked to asthma, reproductive problems, developmental and learning disabilities, hormone problems and cancer.

Home improvement products are largely unregulated for chemical hazards and contain hazardous chemicals additives, called phthalates, at levels prohibited in children’s products by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC prohibits the presence of 6 phthalates in children’s products at levels greater then 1,000 ppm. Download flooring phthalate test results.

PVC building materials were 7-times more likely to contain hazardous additives, compared to non-vinyl alternatives tested in this study. All PVC materials tested – 1,350 of 3,019 contained hazardous additives; Non-PVC materials – 18 of 273.

Over 1/2 (53% – 1,234 of 2,312) and 15% (119 of 793) of flooring had one or more hazardous chemical additives.

Levels of hazardous chemical additives in flooring and wallpaper are commonly found in household air and dust at levels 5-100 times higher then outdoor concentrations.

There is no adequate system in place to regulate or restrict these chemicals, whether they are made in the US or abroad. Changes in the law are needed to keep lead and other toxic chemicals out of home improvement products.

Read more at www.healthystuff.org/departments/home-improvement/about.findings.php.

At HealthyStuff.org you can search thousands of brand name products to find what toxic chemicals they contain. You can also search for products that contain low levels.

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Question from Aspenlane

What is the safest home termite treatment? We have had our home treated with natural borax foam with mediocre results. We need something that will wipe out subterranean termites without wiping out the health of our family. Any ideas would be welcome! Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

This subject is covered on pages 157-158 in my book Home Safe Home.

It’s impossible for me to give specific instructions on how to handle your termite problem since I don’t know the conditions or extent of your termite infestation. Some possibilities are to install termite shields, cut out and replace infested wood, or use one of the new nontoxic alternatives used as freezing or electrocution.

My best advise is to find a local nontoxic pest control company and have them inspect and make a recommendation. There are many nontoxic alternatives available today.

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Question from HEG

Hi Debra and readers, I don’t use wifi, but I do have an internet cable that runs under my bed to my computer on the other side of the room from the cable/internet connection. Therefore, it is probably about 2-3 feet from my head when I sleep. I was wondering if you think this would be of any concern and if I should run the cable around the other side of my bedroom instead? Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

I would run the cable as far from your bed as possible.

I don’t have a computer in my bedroom at all.

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