Question from Jan harris

Last spring we used an ozone air purifier in my daughter’s bedroom for 2 hours to eliminate mold in the air conditioning unit. Then we aired the room out thoroughly.

She has not been able to return to the bedroom since, even tho we have completely changed out the air-conditioning vents–replaced them with all metal ducts and a new air conditioner.

I have removed everything from her bedroom, but she still gets very ill if she just walks in the bedroom and she can’t even be in our house for more than 15 minutes at a time.

Do you have any ideas that would help us? This has been a nightmare.

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Dennis

I drive an older 1998 Honda Civic, whether it be the lovely Florida climate or nature of the beast, my steering wheel is disintegrating. The top seems to be the worst there’s fine dust and particles that gets all over my hands and causing me some concern, anytime I drive anywhere I have to look for a rest room to wash my hands off. Which is a whole nother nightmare altogether.

I’ve looked at the few mega marts and auto stores here and all the covers have some kind of rubber backing that I can smell not even picking them up. Not to mention what the material on the top is, etc..

Anyone have any ideas what to do with an old steering wheel, Wool isn’t going to work either as I’m allergic to it, so I’m not really sure what to do.

Debra’s Answer

In the past I have used leather steering wheel covers–the kind you lace on. They come in a perforated type and a solid type. I would think this would hold your steering wheel together and protect your hands.

If you don’t want to use leather, you could simply make a steering wheel cover out of any material you want and sew it on with a big needle and thread, like lacing on a leather cover.

Readers, your ideas?

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Question from Dalia

Dear Debra,

my child’s school is undergoing MAJOR remodeling…I put a very good quality filter in his classroom but it is not making even the smell go away(15#s of carbon in it)…I use a smaller version at home and it does a pretty good job.Any ideas to solve this problem?

Thank you sooooomuch Dalia

Debra’s Answer

I would put the air filter very close to your child’s desk. It will make a “cloud” of clean air within the larger room. It should be blowing in his direction.

If you feel that your child’s classroom is toxic, you have the right to remove him from that harmful environment. Perhaps he needs to be tutored at home for the duration.

Talk to some of the other parents and see how they are feeling. Perhaps some other arrangements can be made.

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Question from anonymous

Dear Debra,

First, I want to say thank you for all your fantastic work and effort in sharing all the information you’ve gathered. It is so needed!

I have MCS among other health conditions (which of course are all interrelated… candidiasis, EMF sensitivity, SAD, depression, etc.), and I am recovering from a long year filled with episodes of binge eating. I read in the autobiography section of your website that before you realized you were chemically sensitive, you also suffered from some of these other conditions, including binge eating. Can you tell me a bit more about how MCS and binge eating are related? I know that my low seratonin levels contribute to SAD, depression, and binge eating, etc., but I’m curious to learn more about the link between the MCS and bingeing.

Thank you for any information you have on this.

All best wishes!

An Anonymous Friend

Debra’s Answer

My observation was that when I was exposed to a toxic chemical, that exposure would create an uncontrollable urge to eat.

I don’t know the exact mechanism in the body for this, but it was always an urge to eat sweets and other carbohydrates.

I also know from experience that chocolate will stop a chemical reaction. I’ve seen that in my own body and with many others.

So I suspect that this urge to eat was my body’s way of trying to counterbalance the chemicals it was being exposed to.

As I reduced my chemical exposures, this binge eating went away and I was able to then choose the healthy foods I wanted to eat.

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Question from sophia

Dear Debra and Readers,

Can anyone suggest some excellent lines for skin care that are non-toxic. I have explored many of the lines that are carried ion Whole Foods, but have not found anything that really works well and or doesn’t make me red. Also, I would love to hear feedback on organic make-up lines, as I have not found a Line that I really love, yet, despite trying over a half dozen eco/organic lines.

Thanks,

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Lucy

Debra,

I posted an entry here several years ago about minimizing the impact of swimming in chlorinated water. Since then, at my doctors advice I stopped swimming in pools. This winter I just needed the water and the workout and have returned once again to the pool. I Love the exercise and how it energizes me and seems to reduce overall reactivity in my nervous and immune system. But the chlorine…

Currently I slather myself with my usual pure hemp lotion in the morning on days before I swim and then again before i get in the pool. I recently found this lotion on a swim wear site called Kiefer. I was told that it contained “surgical grade silicone” which made a seal. I don’t know which ingredient that is or if surgical grade silicone is safe for people like us. I wonder what you think about it. Am I trading one toxin for another or does it seem worth it for the benefits? Here is the ingredient list

Kiefer Swimscreen Dermal RX Lotion

Ingredients: Deionized Water, UREA USP, Isopropyl Myristate, Dimethicone, Propylene Glycol, Trithanolamine 99% Carbomer, Lactic Acid, PVP (Hexadecene Copolymer), Silk Amino Acid, Sodium Laureth Sulphate, Imidazolidnyl Urea, Methyl Parben, Propyl Paraben, Benzalkonium Chlorine, Tetrasodium EDTA.

CAUTION: Do not apply to the soles of feet – Lotion is slippery when wet!

Debra’s Answer

Well, this is an interesting concept.

My first thought is “makes a seal?????” The skin needs to breath. If this seal keeps water away from the skin, does it also prevent air from penetrating the seal? What about perspiration generated by the body? Can it get out though the seal? I’m just having a hard time visualizing the mechanics of this.

Without going in to analyzing each ingredient, I don’t see an ingredient on the list that I recognize as silicone. PVP is a plastic and it’s got three preservatives, among other petrochemical ingredients.

To answer your question simply, I’m not sure this is better than the chlorine.

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Question from Wisconsin Mom

I’m considering purchasing a house, but have fairly severe MCS. Everything seems to be a go on this particular house except that it has a cedar deck on the back, and I can’t breathe properly in the presence of cedar. The wood has been painted (though I don’t know whether the underside has been), and I did tolerate standing on the deck for a bit, but I’m afraid that long term exposure to it could be a problem. If anyone has experience with or good ideas about sealing cedar so that it won’t offgas, I’d really like to hear it. I really don’t want to have to spend thousands to tear off and replace the deck, or to remove it entirely and risk having someone take a three foot plunge to the ground.

Thanks for any help you can give!

Debra’s Answer

Readers, any experience with this?

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Question from gayle

I’m looking to stain and finish my wood floors. I was planning on using Vermont natural Coatings for the finish. The installer recommended “Duraseal quick coat”. Have you had any experience with this product??

Thanks,

Gayle

Debra’s Answer

I don’t have any experience with the Duraseal product, but I LOVE Vermont Natural Coatings. My husband is about to finish the top of my desk with it.

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Question from ES

I just moved into a house that I had been in several times before, and never smelled any odors of any kind, including cigarette and other smoke odors. The house had been empty, and generally closed up, for about 6 months. I had it painted about 4 months ago.

The house had been rented and part of the terms were no smoking, no pets.

I had it painted with no/low VOC paint, and that day, I did smell smoke, but thought the painters had probably been smoking. The textured ceiling has not been touched, and the entire floor is porcelain tile.

When I went to bed the night I moved in was the first time I smelled smoke. I’ve been smelling it almost ever since, and it’s affecting my health.

I wake up in the morning and my mouth feels coated with goo. Now I’m beginning to taste a metally substance. I think some of my respiratory problems are also associated with it, but am not sure. I have never seen evidence of smoking, including butts in the yard or such.

Does such paint have that kind of odor associated with it? After 4 months?

Debra’s Answer

I have never heard of this. Readers?

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Question from Dennis

I’m know I’m rarity it seems, a guy with MCS, I just found your site. I been trying to find underwear, that I can wear with out getting sick for months now. I’m currently not working and have no source of income and thus can not afford to purchase organic undies at $17-$30 a pair, Is there any other alternatives?

I’ve purchased and returned numerous brands of conventional underwear including Fruit of The Loom (the worst offender), Hanes, and Jockey. I’m not sure what there finishing these with but they all had this horrible sweet sickening smell. I got them all from different stores as well thinking maybe it was the store. Just opening the package made me quit sick for several days. I tried soaking one pack of underwear in Seventh Generation scent free, & baking soda for 24 hour and the smell seemed to actually get worse.

Thank you for your great site, and thank you for your time!

Debra’s Answer

You could always go without…

Readers, which brands do you find most chemical-free?

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