Submitted questions will be posted with my response by the following Tuesday or before.
Submitted comments will be moderated and approved within 24 hours.
Protecting American Health from Global Shipping Pollution
I just happened to come across this while searching for something else.
The American Lung Association, Environment Defense Fund, and other groups are working to establish an emissions control area in U.S. waters to protect the health of Americans from global shipping pollution.
Some excerpts from their report Protecting American Health from Global Shipping Pollution:
Ocean-going ships impact air quality in U.S. coastal cities and ports and even send pollution hundreds of miles inland…
The large ocean-going ships that travel along U.S. coastlines and dock at our nation’s ports deliver considerable amounts of pollution in addition to the goods they bring. Much of the pollution from these large vessels is concentrated in ports and the densely populated metropolitan areas near ports that, in almost every instance, already suffer from unhealthy air.
The health effects of diesel emissions in general are well documented. Diesel air pollution adds to cancer risk all around the United States. In many places, diesel emissions create the greatest contribution to cancer risk from air pollution…
In addition, because diesel emissions are a complex mixture of chemicals, exposure to this pollution contributes to a wide range of non-cancer health risks, including pulmonary disease, cardiovascular effects, neurotoxicity, low birth weight in infants, premature births, congenital abnormalities and elevated infant mortality rates.
Particulate matter can aggravate respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic bronchitis and has been associated with cardiac arrhythmias (heartbeat irregularities), heart attacks and premature deaths. People with diabetes, heart or lung disease, the elderly and children are at highest risk from exposure to particulate pollution…
Oxides of nitrogen transform into aerosol particulates and also combine with volatile organic compounds in the presence of sunlight to form smog, or ground-level ozone. High ozone levels cause acute respiratory problems, aggravated asthma, decreased lung function, inflammation of lung tissue, an increase in hospital admissions and emergency room visits for respiratory causes, and crop damage. Children with asthma are among those most at risk. Ozone also is associated with premature death.
Pollution from ocean-going ships impacts our environment, in addition to impacting public health. The same fine particles that can be breathed deep into the lungs adversely affecting human health also cause the haze that pollutes scenic vistas in national parks and wilderness areas and creates “brown clouds” in our urban centers.
The constituents of diesel exhaust also contribute to the acid rain that continues to harm sensitive ecosystems across the United States. Acid rain occurs when pollutants like SO2 and NOx react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals in the atmosphere to form various acidic compounds. The result is a mild solution of sulfuric acid and nitric acid.29 When this acid falls back to the earth, it harms our nation’s revered ecosystems–causing acidification of lakes and streams and con- tributing to the damage of trees, like red spruce trees, at high elevations and many sensitive forest soils.
Pollution from ocean-going vessels also contributes to global climate change. In 2006, in U.S. waters alone, these vessels emitted about 55.6 million metric tons of CO2.31 Additionally, ocean-going ships contribute about 1.7% of global black carbon emissions every year. Black carbon refers to the solar-absorbing component of soot, which is released during the combustion process, and is another potent global warming pollutant. Studies show that black carbon triggers snow and ice melting, and contributes to Arctic warming. And in some places, including the Alaska region, shipping can contribute an additional 40% to atmospheric con- centrations of black carbon. Further, black carbon from shipping could have disproportionate effects on air quality near port areas because of the intensity of shipping in these areas.
On the new Debra’s List I now have an icon for products Made in the USA. By choosing these products you reduce the market for globally shipped products.
Spaldin Air Cell-Soy Beds…
Question from charity
I would like to know if anyone has had experience with the Spaldin Air Cell-Soy Green mattresses. I’m in the market for a new bed and have been doing some research on the foam beds. I looked at the Tempur-pedic and was set on them till I read the reviews.
Then I saw the Spaldin mattress on Ellen the other day and was excited because it’s Soy.
Then I was doing more research and was looking at Essentia mattresses.
After doing all this research I am confused. Is the Spaldin Air Cell-Soy all Soy or is it a % of Soy added to other Petroleum products that is called green? Any help would be greatly appreciated, I’ve never blogged before but am looking for a mattress that I can sleep with peace of mind and body on:) Thank You!
Debra’s Answer
I called Spaldin and was told their foam is “100% soy–no petrochemicals in our mattresses.”
That said, I’m not at all sure that is correct. The person I spoke with was a sales rep. Perhaps he misunderstood.
Here in the United States there are several soyfoam manufacturers and they’re all trying to increase the soy content. The most anyone has been able to get is about 17%. The rest is polyurethane. Apparently they are having problems with introducing more than minimal amounts of soy into the mix without compromising the physical characteristics of the foam.
I don’t quite trust Spaldin, as their website has some unclear statements and no way to contact the actual manufacturer.
With Essentia, you can contact the manufacturer directly.
Is This Scouring Powder Toxic?
Question from P. N.
Thanks for all the great data! Do you know about a powder cleaner named Bar Keepers Friend? It’s like Bon Ami but works much better and I don’t get any toxic reaction from it like Ajax, etc. Do you know if it’s non-toxic? Thanks!!
Debra’s Answer
I looked up the MSDS sheet for Bar Keepers Friend and under “Hazardous Ingredients” is listed oxalic acid.
Oxolic acid is one of the strongest organic acids. Though it is abundantly present in many plants, most (notably lamb’s quarters, rhubarb and sorrel), it can irritate the lining of the intesines when consumed, and can be fatal in large doses. Still, we all eat some oxalic acid in common foods every day with no ill effects, including black pepper, parsley, spinach, chard, beets, chocolate, most nuts, most berries, and beans
Though the Bar Keeper’s Friend MSDS warns only of irritation. Here is the safety data from the oxalic acid MSDS:
Oxalic acid is a powder, so there are no chemical gasses to be concerned about, but if you are shaking the powder in the air, small amounts could get in your nose or eyes and cause irritation. And, since you are not ingesting it, there is no danger of poisoning (but keep it away from children and pets).
Personally, I would stick with Bon Ami or just use baking soda. There’s no need to use a product with more toxic ingredients when safer products are available.
Yet, if you find this product to work better, it probably contains so little oxalic acid that it wouldn’t cause any effect greater than irriation, as stated in the MSDS sheet.
Garden bark dust and MCS
Question from tsim
My wife has extreme MCS, and is bothered by the dark red bark that a lot of people use. Is there a “safer” or “better” bark that we could suggest for our neighbors?
Debra’s Answer
Readers, any suggestions?
Chromium plating
Question from guspvt
Hi Debra!
I’ve tossed my George Foreman Grill because of Teflon and now I’m looking for a substitute. I’m looking at some electric grills and I’ve found that the appliance I’m intending to buy, the grill itself went through the process of chrome plating. So, can i consider that the grill is stainless steel or is this chrome plating a different thing? If yes, is it safe if in contact with food?
Thanks!
Debra’s Answer
Chrome plating is NOT the same thing as stainless steel.
“Chrome” is chromium, which is electroplated on to another metal. Chromium is one of the basic elements found on the Periodic Table of Elements. It is a a steely-gray, lustrous, hard metal. It is mined as chromite ore. The toxicity of chromium varies according to it’s form. Trivalent chromium is actually required by our bodies in trace amounts for sugar metabolism (diabetics take it as a dietary supplement to lower blood sugar) and its deficiency may cause a disease called chromium deficiency. Hexavalent chromium, however, is very toxic and mutagenic when inhaled.
I have no reason to believe that chromium electroplated on to another metal would be release into food in any amounts that would be harmful to health. I’ve never read anything that indicates this is a danger.
Safe liquid soap recommendation
Question from Angelique
Today for the first time I tried Magick Botanicals Cleanser/Body Wash. I haven’t tried it on my hair yet, but I was very impressed on my hands. It’s the most odorless cleanser I have found, it worked well and it’s not at all drying. I’ll add a note if I like it for hair.
Debra’s Answer
Air Conditioner Air Handler Mastik Problems
Question from Angelique
I should start by saying that I live in Phoenix, and it’s the summertime. Yesterday, the day they installed our new air conditioner/heat pump compressor and air handler, it was 112.
Debra – Do you have any advice for new air handler mastik fumes? Or do you know if new air handlers/ac units/heat pumps give off gluey/sealant-y/paint-y odors? (I really think we have a mastik problem.)
I thought I knew what getting a new air handler entailed – I handed the guys Gorilla Glue for the PVC pipe, told them to use my vaccum and rags to clean the closet and unit, and had them remove the felt lining from a section of the handler. (They said that the felt was useless for interior use, anyway; interior parts of the handler don’t need it.)
But I didn’t know that they use a type of mastik to seal the place where the handler meets our ducts! For all I know, the product they used was “low voc”; it actually didn’t have a strong odor, but the fumes give me headaches, and they are still lingering after 24 hours. (I am staying in the other part of the house, which has a different HVAC system. I have a safe place to sleep, but I can’t get into the kitchen.)
After they installed it, they tested it with heat and cold, then we ran it with AC and all the doors open (I know!) for thirty minutes. Then they left, and I put it on fan only with all the windows and doors open for hours. They said that air moving through the system would dry the mastik – skim dry in a few hours and totally dry in 24. I also know that heat helps things off-gas.
Since then the doors were shut and the AC has been on except for a short time this morning when I had everything open. (If the AC isn’t on on that side, the other side of the house has trouble cooling.)
Debra’s Answer
My husband says you are doing exactly the right thing, so continue until the odor bakes out.
Electrical Cord
Question from Annette Tweedel
Hi Debra, We have a lamp that stands four feet tall that my husband bought for me for our 1st anniversary back in 1983. And we just recently found out that the cord has lead, so we bought another cord for it. This cord is by Ativa and is 6 ft. long. But in order for my husband to fit the cord in the tubing in the lamp stand he had to shave the cord down to make it thinner for it to fit through the tubing. Is it okay to shave the cord down to fit through the tubing in order for the lamp to work? Anyway, I reacted to it. Even if the lamp is plugged in and not turned on, I still react to it.
Debra’s Answer
If you had asked me this BEFORE you bought the new cord, I would have said don’t buy a new cord, just wrap some tape around the old one.
Even if the cord is lead-free, it’s still made from a plastic you could be reacting to.
I’m not sure that shaving it made any difference.
Safe children’s furniture
Question from jojomamma
Thank you so much for all your time and energy you give! You have been such a help to me!
I am in search of toy storage and a bed frame for my boy. Being on a budget, I have looked at used furniture, but have had no luck yet.
My question is: If a piece does not smell bad, should that give me the green light to bring it in my home? Does that mean it has “offgassed” & is old enough to now be safe?
I wish I could just go to Ikea or Target & convieniently pick something up! It seems that everything “safe” is so expensive.
Debra’s Answer
If you don’t smell anything, it’s probably fine.
If you get it home and discover it has an odor, put it outdoors in the sun for a few days.
Cardboard boxes
Question from Pram
I am wondering what “stuff” is in cardboard boxes; I did a site search but could not find out much; also I could not access all the questions in any topic, maybe I’ll learn!
I have a food pantry in an outbuilding where I store bulk food and my jars of home canned food. There were many flattened stored brown paper bags and many cardboard boxes as many jars were stored in them. Now that it’s gotten warm, the smell in there is so horrible – a sicky sweet noxious smell that I can taste – overwhelmed me so much that I spent quite some time in there removing every box and bag (there are still a few I need to get rid of). It took my a while because it meant taking out jars and putting directly on the shelves, so I was in there at least a half an hour.
That was about 3 days ago and ever since then I have felt nausea, increased ringing in hears, a bit of dizziness, exhaustion, and a bit of impaired breathing. I am chemically sensitive ever since a heavy oversdose of pesticide about 16 years ago (not my choice, a neighbor’s action).
So now I am trying to figure out what is in cardboard boxes, or could it be something that was sprayed on some of them. Any info appreciated. I am now looking around my house for any cardboard boxes or paper bags so I can get rid of them.
Debra’s Answer
The answer is at HOW PRODUCTS ARE MADE: Corrugated Cardboard.
This is a pretty interesting site:
When you are wanting to know how any product is manufactured, this is site is a good place to start.
