Question from RR

Hi Debra,

Can you recommend an “MCS-safer” exterior wood preservative?

Wve-groue are building an abond cabin (6-8 inches above ground). Instead of using pressure treated wood, we plan to use untreated Hemlock lumber. (We are finding Hemlock less smelly and less reactive than Pine). But we need something to preserve the exterior Hemlock, specifically for the joists and the underside of the cabin. We know we can use Vermont Natural Coatings for the interior wood, as you suggested that in another post of yours. But what can we use for an exterior wood preservative?

We are thinking of using LIFE TIME WOOD TREATMENT product, found here:

www.valhalco.com/index.htm

Have you heard of it or do you have any other suggestions? This is from their website:

“LifeTime Wood Treatment is made up of naturally occurring plant and mineral substances, combined in a special, 60 year old recipe handed down through generations of a family of craftsmen. A safe chemical free product. LifeTime contains absolutely no solvents. Wood treated with LifeTime is completely harmless to all living things.”

Thanks,

R

Debra’s Answer

This sounds like a very interesting product indeed. I have no experience with it, but would like to know more.

Readers, have any of you used this?

Why don’t you get some and do a test before buying enough for the whole house. And let us know what it’s like.

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Question from A NEW MOM

Hi Debra,

I am interested in making reusable sandwich bags for my children. I would like to use nylon because it is sturdy and so that I can wash it in the dishwasher. Do you know if nylon is safe for holding foods?

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know if nylon is considered “food safe” by the FDA, but I know of no toxicity to nylon. Toothbrush bristles, for example, are made of nylon. I don’t know of any reason it wouldn’t be OK.

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Question from AK

Have mcs and don’t handle organic clothing well. Have been looking for several years for women’s 100 percent cotton sweat pants. I cannot seem to locate this item on the web or from any catalogs that I get. Any suggestions?

Debra’s Answer

I’ve had a hard time finding them too. I used to get them at a flea market in California. Since living in Florida, I wear cotton sheeting drawstring pants in the summer and cotton corduroy in the winter.

Readers, any suggestions?

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Question from MR

I recently purchased a Culligan shower filter in order to reduce my exposure to the chlorinated water in my home.

This shower filter contains a bacteriostatic this is suppose to filter out the bacteria in the water, if any.

Is this bacteriostatic related to triclosan? Am I eliminating one hazard but creating another by using this shower filter?

Debra’s Answer

The product description of this filter says “The bacteriostatic filter will retard the growth of bacteria within your shower head.”

Bacteriostatic means that the material in the filter–KDF 55–retards bacteria growth but does not kill it or remove it. There is no added toxic bacteria-killing substance.

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Question from PJ

I would like to refill my own glass bottle with bulk olive oil at the grocery store, but I have not had good results cleaning the bottle. I use hot water and dish washing liquid. I soak the bottle, fill it with soapy water and shake it. I do this several times. Unfortunately, a thin film of oil remains. I find the narrow neck bottles easier to pour out of, but impossible to get truly clean. Any suggestion would be appreciated.

Debra’s Answer

Readers? Any suggestions?

I just put some dish soap in the bottle and shake it around and it comes out clean.

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Question from Bonnie Johnson

Hi Friends and Debra

I just purchased a new Health Pro Plus from IQAIR. I watched it being demonstrated in the store and was really excited. I have some remodeling coming up and wanted a safe haven in my bedroom at least. I got the new one home and out of the box and there is a new plastic smell that I believe is the housing of the unit. I have it sitting downstairs in hopes it will offgas soon.

Anyone have any experience with these machines? For the price I am somewhat dissappointed in that smell. I own several Hunters and never had a problem but they don’t do what this one does. How long do I let it sit?

Bonnie Johnson

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Cari

Hi, fire king jadite, the vintage stuff, is an opaque light green. I guess it is borosilicate glass from what I read. Is this lead free? I cannot find more out about this topic. I have read it is ok to microwave in, but not use in the dishwasher. I would like to feel safe in using these old dishes for everyday. Thanks for everything!

Debra’s Answer

Jadite derives it’s distinguishing color from the addition of uranium to glass, thus giving jadite it’s alternate name, uranium glass. The amount of uranium ranges from trace amounts to about 2 percent by weight. Some pieces made in the 1800s, however, contain up to 25 percent uranium.

Most uranium glass was made into tableware and household items. It fell out of use when uranium was needed to make atomic bombs in the 1950s.

Jadite will register radioactivity on a geiger counter, but the amounts are so low they are considered to be harmless.

To answer your question about lead, I would say that jadite probably does not contain lead. All I could find was that it contains uranium and glass. Lead is typically used in a glaze for color or within the glass to make it sparkle, as in cut crystal.

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Question from lil

Is there a fragrance free electric dishwashing product on the market ?

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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