Question from S

Hi Debra, Last spring we replaced our gas furnace to heat pump electric furnace which was an extremely expensive, but we felt a necessary change due to my mcs. While browsing through some of your past readers comments there was some concern from a reader about the air that passes over the coil and oils and chemical used in the manufacturing process are picked up and spread through the house. I am still experiencing alot of health issues even with the new furnace so wondering if this could be and issue and if so how would one find out?? being Thanks s

Debra’s Answer

This is entirely possible, however I don’t have any experience identifying the problem or fixing it. Readers?

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Question from lori

I would like to purchase a framed cork board for students room. Can anyone tell me which are non toxic and don’t smell. They all seem to be made in china.

Debra’s Answer

I have a couple that I purchased at Stapes. No odor on mine.

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Question from heather

Dear Debra,

I have seen on previous posts that AFM SafeChoice Lock Out is an effective treatment to prevent off gassing from couches. My question is, what is the proper application method? Do I need to apply as described in the specification sheet for use on carpet (i.e., in conjunction with SafeChoice Carpet Seal and Carpet Shampoo)? I have emailed the company directly but did not get a response with this information. I would be applying this to a brand new conventional couch we just purchased (oops).

Many thanks,

Heather

Debra’s Answer

I have never actually used this product for this purpose. Try calling the company if you didn’t get an email response.

Readers, any experience doing this? What did you do and how did it work?

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Question from DogLover2

Hi there, I am wondering what is a good throw toy for my dogs. I normally tennis balls, but lately I am suspect of their smell. I bought hard baseballs, but they chew them up, and the hard toys at the dog store aren’t very fun. So my question really is – are tennis balls toxic?

Debra’s Answer

Tennis balls are made of a hollow rubber ball, covered with a thin layer of adhesive covers which holds a layer of felt-like material made up of wool and artificial fibers.

The part that smells is probably the adhesive or the ink used to stamp the name on the ball. Depending on what these are made of, they may be toxic.

You might try looking on natural pet websites for dog toys made of all natural materials.

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Question from BRJ

Hello,

I was wondering how toxic lead flashing might be under a window sill? And if it’s likely a person with MCS could react to it, despite it being outside? I’ve been feeling ill in my bedroom for several months now despite taking everything out of it, and yet I feel ok in the rooms in the downstairs of the house. I’ve been working through all the possibilities so any advice you could give me on the lead flashing would be very appreciated.

Many Thanks

Debra’s Answer

Lead doesn’t outgas, to my knowledge. It can be absorbed through the skin with skin contact and it can be inhaled if it is contained in dust (such as sanded paint), but just sitting there undistrubed, it doesn’t contribute to air pollution.

I don’t think this is the problem. But if anyone else has reacted to lead, I’m sure they will write!

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Question from Dana

In my attempts to eat better I have given up deli meats except for the occasional purchase from my local health food store. Since it is so expensive this is not very often. I do love a good lunchmeat hoagie, though!

I have found out that 2 pretty well known deli meat companies offer all natural products- in so much that the meat is antibiotic and horomone free- this makes me very happy- As I can buy it at my local Price Chopper-albeit still expensive. This week there was a dollar off coupon though- and many times there are weekly sales.

Check out:

thumanns.com/allnatural.html

dietzandwatson.com/go/our-kitchens/ham-kitchen/

dietzandwatson.com/go/our-kitchens/poultry-kitchen/

Debra’s Answer

This is a step in the right direction, however, it would be even better (and less expensive) to roast the meats you like yourself and slice them at home. And buy organic.

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Question from lori

I need to add an exterior door to side of house. I am extremely chemically sensitive and need advice on alternative products that will be need and how to proceed. A cut must be made on the outside stucco to the interior of a bedroom for the door.

Also, I must do this on a budget and need to rent the room out due to the economy.

Will a solid wood door or steel door be less toxic?

I don’t want to create a new problem for myself.

Thanks so much.

Debra’s Answer

A steel door would be less toxic. We have a steel door for our front door here in Florida because it is so humid that wood doors rot quickly. Wood doors may be treated and need painting.

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Question from Margaret

Being chemically sensitive, I have never used fabric softener dryer sheets. Now 7th Generation has come out with a natural fabric softener sheet that uses “plant-derived ester quaternary amine”. Is this a safe ingredient? I need a fabric softener for our aging towels that are getting rough.

I can’t afford to just replace the towels. I’ve tried the plastic dryer balls and they do absolutely nothing. I don’t put anything in the rinse cycle for softening because it would be too hard to catch the start of the rinse cycle, since I do other things when the washing machine is running or may not even be home.

I use 7th Generation’s unscented liquid laundry soap and tolerate that OK. I know some people say to hang laundry outside instead of using a dryer but that is not practical for me because it is too cold and snowy in the winter, esp. in our north-facing backyard, and in the summer, we have thunderstorms almost every afternoon because of the mountains (and I am often not home to bring in the laundry if it storms).

Debra’s Answer

Your towels may be getting rough because they are holding on to soap residues or minerals. Try washing them with baking soda and water only–about a cup of baking soda per washload.

I couldn’t find “Ester quaternary amine” anywhere I looked, but here is a breakdown of the words. An “ester” is an organic compound similar in structure to a salt. So that word just tells you the form. An “amine” is derived from ammonia, with one or more hydrogen atoms replaced by other atoms. “Quaternary” simply means a atom is attached to four other atoms. So this would be a salt-like substance derived from ammonia with four atoms attached.

So I can’t tell you the health effects, but I can tell you that there were no reports of health effects that I could find.

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Question from Carrie

Hello – I just found out that my 7 year old daughters teacher is having the children clean their desks at the end of the day with Clorox wipes. Myself and a few other mothers, felt this was unsafe.

Do you agree, and if so, what can you recommend they use? She is not only hoping for a clean desk, she was using Clorox to fight germs as well.

Thank you so much 🙂

Debra’s Answer

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I was quoted last Thursday in an article on natural mattresses in the New York Times: NY Times: The Stuffing Dreams Are Made Of?

I recommend reading it as they did a great job describing the problems in the mattress market at the moment, with major manufacturers wanting to jump into the growing market for natural beds, but not making beds that are 100% natural.

I was disappointed that their aim was to expose the problems, rather than report on the excellent manufacturers who ARE making all-natural and organic mattresses and bedding items.

You can explore natural bed websites at Debra’s List: Textiles: Beds & Bedding.