Submitted questions will be posted with my response by the following Tuesday or before.
Submitted comments will be moderated and approved within 24 hours.
How to clean my car without chemicals?
Question from andigirl
Just wondering how to clean my car, clean the rugs and everything without using chemicals? I want so much to take it to get done but because of my sensitivities I dont think I should. If anyone could help me I would greatly apprechiate it…as I have a 3 year old and a 5 month old so lots of spills 😉
Debra’s Answer
We just vacuum the interior of our car. We don’t have children, so don’t have a lot of spills. We clean the dashboard etc with a damp sponge.
Readers, what do you use?
I Need Furniture Polish
Question from Gigi
Debra,
I am in need of furniture polish in order to polish geniune wood paneling, book shelves and wooden beams throughout my family room. I have MCS so I refuse to use Pledge, etc.
I read the section in your book regarding homemade furniture polish. There, you recommend mineral oil or an olive oil recipe. However after reading through these blogs I came across a posting where you stopped using a product due to the fact that it was 20% mineral oil. I also saw the posting against olive and vegetable oils as they become rancid. I read that walnut oil is good, however, it is a “drying oil” that does not soak into the wood.
Can you clarify what your recommendations are?
Debra’s Answer
Readers, what do you use? I actually don’t use furniture polish at all, though I have a lot of wood furniture. They all have a water-based finish on them that doesn’t require polishing and protects the wood.
Health Care Goes Green
Last week I had the pleasure of attending the CleanMed 2010 conference in Baltimore. More than 500 healthcare professionals came to learn how to make their practices and facilities less toxic and more green.
I’m happy to report there was a high level of interest and enthusiasm in making healthcare, well, more healthy and eco friendly.
Here are some organization with more information on things healthy and green specifically oriented to the healthcare field.
Are Recycled Metals Radioactive?
“Thousands of everyday products and materials containing radioactive metals are surfacing across the United States and around the world. Common kitchen cheese graters, reclining chairs, women’s handbags and tableware manufactured with contaminated metals have been identified, some after having been in circulation for as long as a decade. So have fencing wire and fence posts, shovel blades, elevator buttons, airline parts and steel used in construction.”
“Thousands of consumer goods and millions of pounds of unfinished metal and its byproducts have been found to contain low levels of radiation, and experts think the true amount could be much higher, perhaps by a factor of 10.”
Apparently there are some isolated cases of recycling facilities inadvertently melting recycled metal with metal contaminated with radioactive materials. How widespread this may be is not known.
“The precise degree of that danger has not yet been definitively determined for low-level radiation, such as that contained in commonplace goods and materials…According to a 2006 report by a National Academy of Sciences panel, there is a direct relationship between radiation and an increased risk of cancer. Prolonged exposure can also lead to birth defects and cataracts, studies have shown.”
“There are no reports of anyone dying or being hurt in the United States after contact with the contaminated metal goods and materials. But the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency leaves no doubt that tainted metal poses a particular threat.”
The way to measure radioactivity of metal is with a geiger counter. You can buy a geiger counter on eBay for less than $100.
Most metals today, whether labeled “recycled” or not, contain some percentage of recycled material because it just makes sense economically and environmentally. The solution here is not to eliminate recycling, but to be more careful about the manufacture of recycled metals.
scrippsnews: Recycled radioactive metal contaminates consumer products
New study shows brain cancer link to cell phones
An international study has linked extended mobile phone use to an increased risk of developing brain tumours.
The 10-year study– the world’s largest study of the health effects of mobile phones, involving more than 5000 brain cancer patients in 13 countries–found those in the top 10 per cent of phone use are up to 40 per cent more likely to develop cancer.
Just 30 minutes of mobile talk time daily was enough to put participants into the top 10 per cent category in the study,
Industry study shows brain tumour link to heavy mobile phone usage
Safe Economical Choices for Sofa?
Question from mylittlestar
I just recently found this site and it has been a great source of information! I am curious is anyone has any suggestions for a safe economical sofa? I looked at some of the sites on the GreenList, but I can’t afford $5k for a sofa. Also, most of the vendors on this list have the “modern” look, which I don’t care for. I just want a traditional sofa that is safe with a baby in the house and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. I know this is asking a lot, but am hoping that someone has some suggestions! I appreciate any ideas that anyone may have.
Regards,
Rhonda
Debra’s Answer
Genetically Modified (GMO) Cotton
In addition to genetically modified (GMO) foods, there is also GMO cotton. GMO cotton is genetically modified with “Bt”, a protein crystal from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, so as to be resistant to the American bollworm — a moth larva that devours cotton bolls.
According to the newsletter Seeds of Deception:
A 2005 report by medical investigators in India describes an ominous finding. Hundreds of agricultural workers are developing moderate or severe allergic reactions when exposed to Bt cotton. This includes those picking cotton, loading it, cleaning it, or even leaning against it. Some at a ginning factory must take antihistamines daily, in order to go to work. Reactions are only triggered with the Bt varieties.[24] Furthermore, the symptoms are virtually identical to those described by the 500 people in Vancouver and Washington who were sprayed with Bt. Only “exacerbations of asthma” were in one list and not the other (see table).
(We are unaware of similar reports in the US, where 83% of the cotton is Bt. But in the US, cotton is harvested by machine, not by hand.)
The experience of the Indian workers begs the question, “How long does the Bt-toxin stay active in the cotton?” It there any risk using cotton diapers, tampons, or bandages? In the latter case, if the Bt-toxin interfered with healing it could be a disaster. With diabetics, for example, unhealed wounds may be cause for amputation.
Cottonseed is also used for cottonseed oil—used in many processed foods in the US. The normal methods used to extract oil likely destroy the toxin, although cold pressed oil may still retain some of it. Other parts of the cotton plant, however, are routinely used as animal feed. The next part of this series—focused on toxicity—presents evidence of disease and deaths associated with animals consuming Bt cotton plants.
So if you find you are reacting to cotton, this may be another reason.
More links:
Genetically Modified Foods Unsafe? Evidence that Links GM Foods to Allergic Responses Mounts
Picture Frames
Question from joyinjesus
Thank you Debra for this wonderful website!
I have MCS and am trying to slowly go through my house and change out things that are toxic for non-toxic, or just get rid of it if I don’t need it. However, my health is bad so it is a very slow process.
I had bought some pictures (prints) years ago that I had planned to frame to decorate the bedroom and living room with. I had never bought frames and mats for them. Now I am wondering about the chemical issue of frames/mats/glass.
Can you tell me what would be the best way (for MCS) to frame the prints?
Do any of your readers have any creative ideas to use non-toxic materials for frames if purchased frames are not good. Also, I have a lot of sand dollars that we had picked up at the beach when I was healthier that I would like to incorporate into the scheme. Now, with the MCS issue, I am not sure how to do that.
The pictures in the bedroom are of the sea. (Three of waves, one larger one that is just peaceful with palm trees.) The one in the living room is floral with sea in the background. I spend a lot of time in bed and it would be nice to have something nice to look at. The larger one is just resting on the top of my mirror right now.
Debra’s Answer
I have never had any problem with toxic exposures from frames, but I have always chosen either metal or wood frames. The glass can block a lot of fumes that might come from ink on prints.
President’s Cancer Panel Warns to Watch Out for Chemicals in Consumer Products
Last week, the President’s Cancer Panel released a new 200-page study that calls for stricter regulation of chemicals that cause cancer, which are routinely found in everyday consumer products.
They also recommend steps we can take as consumers, such as buying organic food, checking radon levels in our homes, filtering drinking water, and avoiding plastic containers that contain BPA.
The President’s Cancer Panel is about as mainstream as you can get. It is a small group of three experts who review America’s cancer program and report directly to the President.
Read more about the report at New York Times: New Alarm Bells About Chemicals and Cancer.
Read the report at National Cancer Institute: Presiden’ts Cancer Panel Annual Report 2008-2009: Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk–What We Can Do Now
Nu Wave Oven
Question from Deborah Barnett
Does anybody know if the Nu Wave Oven’s are okay to use? If they’re healthy to use?
Debra’s Answer
This oven is made totally of plastic, including the part that surrounds the food. I don’t know the type of plastic, but do know that heat releases plastic fumes. This isn’t a product I personally would spend time researching. If you want to find out what type of plastic it is, I can tell you more.
