Question from Linda

Hi Debra, love your website, I am on your site everyday. I recently found out that after chickens are slaughtered they are rinsed with water and then they are dipped in a chlorine wash. Perdue, Tyson and even Giant Eagle’s Nature’s Basket brand are treated with chlorine. Is this safe?

I just switched to Whole Foods house brand, it is not organic, but is free range, airchilled. Is organic chicken and free range chicken dipped in a chlorine solution? I am not even sure if it is safe, maybe it is, i am just so confused about why every thing is so polluted with chemicals. Perdue assured me there is no residue on the finished product.

Please tell me if it safe to eat chicken and turkeys that are processed this way. USDA recomends a chlorine wash, that is what the companies told me. Please help me understand. Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

OK. Here is the link to the USDA National Organic Program: http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/nop. This is the place to look up any questions you have about what is allowed in organic food and what isn’t.

The Regulations are in the right hand column, under General Information. Click on “Regulations.” The Regulations also reference the “National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances” which is above the Regulations, under “I Want Information On.”

Chlorine is not a prohibited substance in organic food production, however, the amount of chlorine in the water must not exceed the amount of chlorine allowed in the Safe Drinking Water Act. So it seems that straight chlorine bleach could not be used, although I couldn’t find that specifically in the Regulations.

A “chlorine wash” is a low-concentration chlorine bath used to kill micro-organisms that may cause illness. The idea behind organic chickens is that they would be raised to be healthier and with better hygiene, therefore not needing the chlorine wash.

I read a blog where people were complaining about the chlorine smell on chicken and others were recommending buying organic.

We buy Coleman organic chicken and have not noticed any chlorine smell.

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Question from Mattie Brown

A friend wrote me about Xygen Air as a way to reduce odors in the house. Is is safe? I have read that one should not be in a closed area with Ozone. Even if it reduces odors, does it take away the pollutants that make me sick?

Debra’s Answer

First, the best thing to do to clean the air in your home is to reduce pollutants at the source. Number two is to just open the windows and use ventilation to bring in fresh air and move pollutants out.

I took a look at the Xygen Air Rejuvenator. It’s basically a negative ion generator and an ozone machine. The negative ion generator removes particles from the air. Chemical fumes “piggyback” on particles, so removing particles does remove some chemicals, but not all. Over my years of research I’ve come to the conclusion that carbon and HEPA work better as air cleaners, but I have no objection to negative ion generators if you want negative ions in your home.

As for ozone, what is good for your body is oxygen. Ozone is made up of three oxygen molecules bonded together. The XygenAir “outputs ozone at the rate 25 milligrams per hour, and fills the air with activated oxygen.” I’m not sure what that statement means. Sounds like it is emitting ozone, but the ozone would have to break down to turn into oxygen. I don’t know enough chemistry to evaluate if that is a true statement or not.

If you want more oxygen, get some fresh outdoor air, not an ozone machine.

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Question from Linda

Hi, Debra, I love your website. There is so much great info on your site for everybody.

I have a question, it is very simple, I use organic white distilled vinegar that i buy at whole foods 365 brand, and it gets expensive to use as much as i do, i use it for cleaning only, heinz distilled is so much cheaper, so my question is is it worth paying extra for organic vinegar for cleaning?

The reason i buy organic is because i am afraid that non organic distilled white vinegar could contain pesticed residues, does it? I have tried to research pesticide residue in distilled vinegar but i could not find any info. I clean my whole house with vinegar, i am afraid if i buy non organic i would be spreading pesticides and other chemical around my house. THANKS FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL INFO.

Debra’s Answer

I use Heinz vinegar for cleaning. We buy in it gallon bottles. Do buy Heinz, as it is made from plants. Some cheaper brands are made from petroleum.

I’ve never noticed any problem with it.

It’s always a better choice to buy organic anything because the pesticides used to grow non-organic plants get into the environment and eventually into our bodies, one way or another. But often the product itself does not have pesticide residues because they are removed during processing. I just smiled because I realized that it “second hand pesticides” are much like “second hand smoke”–the smoker is inhaling the smoke through a filter in the cigarette, but the bystander doesn’t have a filter, so their exposure is worse. Likewise, by the time most products are processed, there is very little pesticide residue (except for produce or flowers, which are not processed), but the pesticides used go into the environment full strength.

I do buy organic apple cider vinegar to eat.

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Question from Annette Tweedel

I got this email from greenfeet.com on garden hose and wanted to find out what you thought about it. Is this garden hose really safe? GatorHyde Drinking Water Garden Hose

This kink-resistant GatorHyde drinking water garden hose is tough enough for commercial use, yet flexible enough for the home gardener. Nickel-plated ends and premium, recycled polyurethane prevent harmful chemicals from transferring from the hose making it the only hose on the market that’s drinking water safe*. The Gatorhyde drinking water garden hose is made from 50% recycled polyurethane. It’s lightweight and as strong as its namesake.

Compared to the leading garden hoses, the GatorHyde Garden Hose is twice as light and three times as durable. Whether you live in an area with extreme weather or are somewhere with a milder climate, this environmentally friendly hose can withstand temperature changes without losing its flexibility. Tangle, kink and abrasion resistant, it’s a snap to coil and store when you’re done using it.

Washing the car and watering the flowers just got a little bit easier.

*Use common sense. All hoses can come into contact with harmful chemicals like those used with nozzles, garden sprayers or chemicals used to treat lawns. The inside of a hose is dark and damp – perfect conditions for a bacteria soiree. It’s recommended you run the water until it’s cool before drinking.

200 PSI working pressure

Debra’s Answer

Greenfeet has good standards for choosing products.

If it is food-safe polyethylene, that would be fine. It says “50% recycled polyethylene,” what is the other 50%?

It certainly would be safer than other hoses that are not designed to be safe for drinking water.

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Question from Patti

I live across the street from a Cotton Field also and, thankfully, they no longer do crop dusting, but they still spray poison and I get hives intermittently if exposed to the poison. We often get sick, as in sore throats when they spray the defoliant. Are there any ways to protect the house as far as the air goes?

Debra’s Answer

Can you move?

You would have to make the house air tight and filter all incoming air, but I personally wouldn’t want to live in a house where I couldn’t open the window and get fresh air.

Can you tell us more about what’s being used on those cotton fields, how often they spray, etc?

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Question from KS

I’m staying in a house that had wool carpet laid in January. It’s still offgassing and is making me ill (respiratory symptoms, headache, burning lips). I think it’s the underlay and backing that’s the problem. The carpet wasn’t glued, and wasn’t treated for mould or insects.

Is there any way to speed up the offgassing? I am keeping the main room heated and leaving the outside door open as much as possible but it is winter here so not so easy.

Would steam cleaning help?

Is there a sealant for wool carpets?

thanks.

Debra’s Answer

Steam cleaning won’t help.

There is a carpet sealant made by AFM Enterprises. You should check with them to see if it can be used on wool carpet. But I don’t know this will help if the underlayment and padding are the problem.

You’re doing the right thing by using heat.

Is there someplace else you can stay?

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Question from Connie

Hello, I wondered if someone out there can recommend, or point me in the right direction, as to an air conditioner – window unit or portable that might be tolerable for a chemically sensitive person (me). Many, many thanks!

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Pat

I am stil looking for a sealent to use in the bathtub around the drain. My old one wore out and plumber’s putty is way to toxic. I’ve been told to look for a product called Dow Corning 732 multipurpose silicon sealent with no biocides. But I can’t find it in a store. Does anybody know about this stuff? Or something else that would work?

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Greyson

I am considering replacing my amalgams and I am looking for a filling material that is safe for someone with MCS. I have looked at past posts and having done the usual dental biocompatibility tests. I agree that they are not accurate enough, although possibly good as a starting point. From what I have read, the process of placing a sample of the possible dental material in the mouth for an extended period of time is probably the best method of testing biocompatibility. The material I am leaning towards is “high noble gold”- high content of gold with only one other metal, platinum most likely, because of sensitivities to plastics. Any experiences with this? Any success stories and the materials used would be appreciated.

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Cindy

I just returned from my local farm market. The lady I buy eggs from said she rubs them with mineral oil to make them shiny and keep them from absorbing odors from the refrigerator. I said to her “isn’t mineral oil petroleum based?”. She said no, it’s very safe and she implied it’s a common practice to rub the eggs with mineral oil. I didn’t want to argue without more info, so I came home and goggled. Yes, eggs are washed with mineral oil, food grade of course, FDA approved.

Here’s a description from www.eggcartons.com – it explains why this is done:

The surface of an egg shell is covered with thousands of microscopic holes which makes it quite porous. A natural coating referred to as the ‘bloom’ helps seal the holes, preventing bacteria from entering. As the egg ages, the bloom is worn away, which allows moisture to slowly escape and air to enter, forming the ‘air cell’. Bacteria may also enter, and contamination may result. When eggs are washed to remove germs that may be on the surface the bloom is also removed, so a thin coating of oil is applied to take the place of the bloom. This works in the same way as the bloom, keeping the contents fresh for longer periods. The bloom also provides eggs with a natural luster or shine. Mineral oil not only protects your eggs as a sealant but it also restores the luster, the shine of the egg.

Food Grade Mineral Oil makes a great egg shell sealant. One method to preserve eggs is to warm the oil so it is as warm as your hands can work comfortably. To apply the oil, dip clean cloth in it and wipe the egg so that every bit of the shell has been coated. We carry a hand spray (see additional items) use of this hand spray makes coating eggs quickly and more efficiently. After coating the eggs place them (small side down) in egg cartons or egg trays and store in a cool place. The eggs should keep at least 6-8 months.

This food grade mineral oil is an odorless, tasteless, crystal clear, food grade white mineral oil. It meets or exceeds requirements of US FDA regulation 21 CFR 172.878 and CFR178.3620(a) for direct and indirect food contact. It meets or exceeds standards of the US Pharmacopoeia (USP) and the National Formulary (NF). It meets standards for approval as H1 and 3H lubricants for use in food processing plants under the jurisdiction of the USDA. This product is also Kosher approved. It is the lightest viscosity of mineral oil we offer. Great for use in Cosmetics, Health and Beauty, Bee Mite Control, and Many More Applications.

Debra – I eat a lot of eggs. Isn’t the mineral oil absorbed thru the shell into the egg itself? Should I be searching for eggs not washed and treated with mineral oil? Or am I over reacting?

Debra’s Answer

Yes, mineral oil is made from petroleum. There are apparently different grades of mineral oil with different levels of purity. Small producers such as your egg lady at the farmer’s market may or may not understand this. If she didn’t know mineral oil is made from petroleum, she may not know the difference between food grade mineral oil and the stuff you buy at the drug store.

In Guidelines for Certification of Organic Eggs and Meat Birds by Vermont Organic Farmers (VOF) Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, I found the following:

To me, the above means that whatever you put on the shell of the egg will get into the egg. Chlorine (sodium hypochlorate) is allowed, but so are other substances, so we don’t know which is used unless we ask. So eggs may be chlorinated. Hydrogen peroxide would be fine. Sodium hydroxide is lye, not toxic, but caustic (an eat through skin). Sodium carbonate is washing soda (OK). Peracetic acid, in simple terms, is like a mix of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide, so that would be OK.

Note it says that mineral oil may NOT be used on eggs because it can permeate the shell. This, however, is only the regulation for this particular organic certification group in Vermont. I tried to find the national USDA standard for eggs, but couldn’t find them easily (readers, if you can find these, please post a link).

I would venture to say that non-organic eggs are most likely coated with mineral oil. Organic eggs probably are not. But it’s best to ask this question of your egg producer, and also what they wash the eggs with. Here’s where is IS a good idea to buy eggs at the farmer’s market, because you can ask the farmers directly. It’s OK with me if you want to print my response here and take it to that farmer who is putting mineral oil on her eggs. Does she sell them as “organic”? I don’t know how much mineral oil actually gets through the eggshell. I don’t think you’re overreacting. Obviously, these organic farmers think it is enough of an issue to not allow it. It’s considered a “food additive.”

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