Question from Melissa D

Hi Debra,

My HOA decided to repaint the parking lots in my townhouse community with some foul-smelling, tar-like substance that is sprayed out of hoses. It smells HORRENDOUS, especially since it is 90 degrees here in Maryland with VERY high humidity. It nearly knocks me over when I open the door. I am wondering if you know how long it normally takes for this stench/toxin to dissipate?

I have a toddler who loves playing outside, so I have been confining him to the deck…but now it smells back there, too.

My kitchen faces the parking lot, and I feel nauseous when I sit at the table (like right now).

Any thoughts on how toxic this stuff is?

Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions – I appreciate your time!

Debra’s Answer

I would say very toxic, but it is likely to cure fairly fast in the hot summer sun.

Any possibility you could stay someplace else temporarily, with family or a friend, or, best..how about a little seaside vacation where there is clean air?

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Question from Polly

Debra,

I received an email about those baby carrots that are so convenient. The ones I buy are labeled Organic. The email said that during processing baby carrots were rinsed w/chlorine, and then w/potable water. I wanted to know what the implications of that would be from a health standpoint. They’re a standby for most mothers who want their children to eat vegetables.

Debra’s Answer

Where are all these emails coming from about food rinsed in chlorine?

I would say it’s a good certainty that this is true for non-organic carrots.

It’s probably not true for organic carrots, though these may be rinsed in chlorinated water.

Just make a general assumption that any produce you purchase prewashed in plastic bags probably has some chlorine residue on it. Your best option is to buy organic produce and wash it yourself in purified chlorine-free water.

I can’t tell you what the health effects might be of eating produce washed in chlorine. It would probably be about the same as drinking chlorinated tap water.

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Question from SVE

I’ve been keeping track of the “Sewing Machine Oil” thread on Debra’s website because I have an old 1960s Singer that uses the standard petrochemical oil that is difficult for me to use because of the off-gassing of the oil while I try to sew.

My daughter bought a Brother sewing machine a couple years ago at Costco that was a special with a coupon. She said Costco seems to have this sale each summer (July or August?). I sat down beside her while she was running the machine and didn’t seem to have a problem with it although I’ve heard that new machines use oil, too, and they are made of plastic. I plan to borrow her machine for a couple weeks to see what happens, then buy the Brother on sale this summer if I don’t have a problem with it. But I’m pretty leery about my plan (that I may not carry out!).

Does anyone who is chemically sensitive use a new sewing machine without having problems with the oil or the plastic? Debra, what hazards should I anticipate with a new machine? Do you know if any sewing machine brands are better than others?

Debra’s Answer

I don’t have personal experience with this. Readers?

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Question from Sue Smith

Does anyone have an opinion on Rainbow vacuum cleaners? We had a demonstration which was very convincing. We especially like the fact that it cleans the air as well as floors & furniture.

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Annette Tweedel

Hi Debra,

Is it okay to use Rid-X in a house with a person who suffers from MCS? My husband puts it in the toilet. If it is not, is there something safer to use in the toilet?

Thank you so much.

Debra’s Answer

Rid-X should be fine for you to use. For those of you who don’t know this product, it’s an enzyme product used as an aid for septic tanks.

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Question from Susan

I am trying to purchase on-line a pair of non-polarized sunglasses, but every pair I look at says that it is coated with iridium. I have MCS and wonder if I would be allergic to this coatting, were I to purchase it. I am disabled and. I can’t go to a store and try on sunglasses of any kind. Does anyone who reads this post have experience or knowledge of iridium coating on sunglasses (or on anything in general). Any answers or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Nicolette

Hi there. Does anyone know the general rule of MDF furniture & the gassing off period? I am contemplating buying this Pottery Barn coffee table & media cabinet, but some of the panels & shelves are MDF, they admit.

I am considering asking if I could buy their floor model, thinking the gassing off would have already occurred. But my biggest question is: Does MDF gass off FOREVER? Or does it go away over time, say a few days or months or whatever.

I’ve searched the internet & can’t really find a definitive answer. I’d be willing to purchase this furniture & let it gas off outside my home even for a while if I know that’s all I needed to do.

Thank you to Debra & anyone else who can help me decide on whether to buy this beautiful “looking” furniture, or not.

Debra’s Answer

MDF is Medium Density Fiberboard. Like particleboard, the wood bits are held together with a formaldehyde-based resin that will outgas formaldehyde.

It’s impossible to predict how long it will take to outgas, as the time is dependent on how much formaldehyde is in the MDF (there are low-emission MDFs, but we don’t know which was used to make the furniture), the temperature, and humidity.

Personally, I wouldn’t buy it.

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Question from Hope Fox

My husband and I are researching Insulated Concrete Forms for our soon-to-be constructed ‘safe house’. Do any of you with MCS have a specific brand of ICF that you can recommend (or not!)?

We are interested in using ICFs for our walls (we have no basement in the design) – we live in upstate NY so we need a well insulated wall system.

I have read endless debates on green building websites regarding the safety of polystyrene used in many ICFs, as well as the blowing agent used to expand the styrene beads, and the flame retardants that are often added. I want to get beyond the theoreticals and hear directly from people with MCS. My husband is gung-ho and ready to use IFC’s…. I am worried about the safety, but can’t find anything to recommend that would be better. We live in a very eco-conscious town, and lots of folks have used Ecoblock brand and Rastra, and contractors know how to install them.

We briefly considered AAC (aerated autoclaved concrete) but it does not really have enough R-value to be of much use in this climate, and the nearest distributor appears to be in Georgia and no one uses it around here.

There is an Air Krete installer in our town, but I wasn’t sure what to use on the interior/exterior cladding and for framing that would be nontoxic, not smelly, and be combatible with the Air Krete.

We expect some level of offgassing to take place despite our best offorts, and are planning to install an HRV/HVAC system.

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Laura

A few weeks ago I went down to the basement to get garden tools and I was overcome with the chemicals of an ant pesticides that had just been sprayed!. A few days later the rec room (garage) was sprayed. Now, the garage is where I had the things I need to grab in my hasty departures from this house – boots etc. and my boxes of books had been put in the basement (which I had gradually been sunning and sorting.) Are those things redeemable if I air them out? I know this is a guess, but how long before it might be safe to go there? Summer and sunny weather here is very short.

Debra’s Answer

Actually airing and sunning the books would help remove at least some of the pesticides. It’s worth a try.

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Question from Dana

Hello,

I am looking for natural remedies for spider veins. Has anyone found anything that works?

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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