Question from Dana

Hello:

I am just starting the search for the best way to have clean, healthy water. Currently I am using Pur- until I find and can afford a better alternative. It seems to me that it is contradictory to purify water using a partly plastic filter into a plastic pitcher. What do you think? Are the plastic chemicals just going to leach into my “purified water”? If I was to have the water run thru the filter and then immediately pour it into a glass pitcher would that suffice? I was planning to get a whole house water purifier next year- but of course my husband has replumbed our basement using pex tubing so I don’t think that will do much good-purified water running through stupid plastic pex- you can see this is a touchy subject. Now I will have to purify at our most used locations- Shower and kitchen sink I guess. It is just so overwhelming- all the garbage we have to come into contact with nowadays. I wish the best to all who are trying to make changes in their lives to be green. Thanks for this awesome site, Debra!! 🙂

Debra’s Answer

Yes, it is contradictory to purify water using a partly plastic filter into a plastic pitcher. The plastic will leach into the water.

If you can’t afford a whole house filter, at least get an undersink filter for your kitchen sink and a shower filter–big enough to actually do a good job at filtering the water.

Pur doesn’t do much.

There’s a whole chapter in my book Home Safe Home on how to choose a water filter.

Add Comment

Question from Laura

I live in a household in which toxic chemicals are used.Some changes have been made,but it is rare for me to be able to stay in the house throughout the night because the fumes of products(some oil paints, some “personal care” products) come in around the bedroom door. Is there some way to prevent the fumes from coming into the bedroom so at least I could sleep? Right now I have a towel at the bottom and a double cloth hung over it.

I haven’t any means to move,and it’s 20 degrees outside.

Debra’s Answer

You could also add felt weatherstripping around the edges.

Readers, any ideas?

Add Comment

Question from Jane

I’ve read over all the questions and answers currently posted on interior paints and haven’t seen this exact issue covered, so I’ll ask it here.

Our very good painter has recently finished doing some interior painting for us, during which I discovered I had sensitivities and bad reactions I’ve never experienced before in my entire life! In the course of his work, he had to repair a damaged area in our dining room ceiling, and after completing the repair, used oil-based paint to paint over the entire ceiling. He said it was needed in order to cover up the repaired area. If I had had any idea, in advance, of the suffering that would cause me, I would have stopped the process before it started.

The smell was initially very strong from the paint, and, unfortunately for me, our workman was storing his supplies, paints and so forth in our garage! Never again! The paint has dried, my symptoms (horribly exacerbated postnasal rhinitis)have abated to at least the manageable level, but I’m still worried. Certainly after the painter removed all of his materials from the garage, my symptoms abated immediately, though they’re not gone completely.

Are there still chemicals in the air from that paint, though it appears to have dried and the room has been heated? (The work was finished three weeks ago.) I see many comments about paint smell, and that is no doubt horrible in many cases. But my concern is the chemicals in the air, whether they have any discernible smell or not.

For example, when people walk over a golf course with grass that has been treated with chemicals, they do not necessarily smell anything. But they are still stirring up the chemicals that have been used with every step. Does something similar happen with oil-based paint?

I’m ready to insist on watercolors from now on if I have to!

Debra’s Answer

Oil based paints contain different chemicals from water based paints. They are much more toxic and take MUCH longer to cure.

Even if a paint is dry to the touch, it is still not completely dry through and through. It continues to outgas until it is completely dry. Oil based paints can take months to cure. There are still chemicals in the air.

Oil based paints are so toxic that they are not allowed to be sold in some states.

I would continue to heat the room until the paint is completely cured. You’ll know it’s cured because you won’t smell the paint and you won’t have symptoms. It might take a week of heating the room.

I’ll say this again: never use oil based paint.

Add Comment

Question from Linda

Hi Debra, i love your website, there is so much great info here for people living a green, healthy life. My question is can you give me any info on how to clean unfinished raw wood floors. We are putting wood floors in our whole house one room at a time. In our master bedroom we used zinsser shellac to seal the floor. In our girls room and our hallway we used diamond floor finish, water based. We are now starting our living room area and i and thinking of leaving the floor natural without any finishes and putting down organic cotton and organic hemp rugs. What would be your advise on keeping them clean naturally. Thank you

Debra’s Answer

I’ve never had an unsealed floor, so I have no experience with this. One of the reasons to seal a floor is that unsealed wood is difficult to clean.

Readers, your experience?

Add Comment

Question from Linda

Hi Debra. I want to use a floating row cover for my garden next year. This is a description of it from care2.com

Using a physical barrier like a floating row cover will prevent insect pests from reaching your plants and chewing them or laying their eggs on them. Floating row cover is a fabric made of spun polypropelene fibres. The fabric itself is very lightweight and will sit on top of your plants without causing any damage. The fabric allows both light and water to penetrate it but prevents even the smallest insects like flea beetles from getting to your plants.

The fabric is sold at most garden centers under many names like Reemay, Agrofabric and Agribon and comes in a variety of different weights.

My question is, will any toxins leach from this fabric into my garden, since this is obviously not a “natural” fabric. Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

Polyproylene is not toxic. It is used for many food containers. It is commonly recycled, (look for the number “5” recycling symbol.

Add Comment

Question from Marcia

Hi Debra:

I was wondering if you are familiar with Kevlar Fibers being used for flame retardant in Sterns and Foster Mattresses instead of Antimony or PBDE’s which are very toxic. Supposedly Kevlar Fibers are what Bullet-proof materials are made from and these are woven into the mattress coverings.

Thanks, Marcia California USA

Debra’s Answer

Kevlar is a plastic, made by DuPont from petroleum. It is not toxic or carcinogenic, according to the MSDS for Kevlar.

While searching for data on Kevlar, I came across this article from Dr. Mercola: Is Your Mattress Making You Sick?, which states that he bought a Stearns and Foster mattress because it was fireproofed with Kevlar instead of antimony or PBDEs.

I don’t agree with Dr. Mercola. These mattresses may not have antimony or PBDEs, but they are still made from other toxic plastics. They are LESS toxic, but can’t compare to the benefits of sleeping on a natural bed.

Question from P.Wicks

Have you heard of a fruit sweetener called Fruit Sweet? It is made from pear, apple and pineapple juices boiled down into a syrup and used in baking. I found it at a place called Wax Orchards on Vashon Island in WA state. I can’t use any of the sweeteners without some problems but this one seems to be fine for me. The ratio is 2/3 to 1 cup of sugar and reduce the liquids by 1/3. So far all the sweet yummy things I have made have been wonderful.They also have fruit sweetened chocolate fudge sauces made from this syrup that are to die for. I also bought a cookbook written by Mani Niall, who has a bakery in CA, that uses Fruit Sweet in his baking. So far all the recipes I have tried have been terrific. At last my sweet tooth has been satisfied and my blood sugar is enjoying a nice rest!!!

In the sugar section you said you had used fruit sweet by wax orchards and were going to try it again, but isn’t that just fructose which is supposidly not healthy for you?

Debra’s Answer

I have heard of Fruit Sweet and was using it some years ago. Then I wasn’t able to find it.

I agree with you, it does work well. I need to add it to my list.

Add Comment

Question from Priscilla

I’m wondering if I can make your scrumptious sounding pumpkin muffins into bars instead. Would I have to change the recipe at all? I’m not much of a baker so I’m not sure….

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

You can make them into bars. Just put the batter into a cake pan and bake.

Add Comment

Question from B

Hi Debra,

I am searching for ideas on a non toxic food steamer but cannot seem to find anything. Can you please suggest one or point me to the post that can? I have a one year old and I am desperate to start steaming organic broccoli for her but not in our old plastic steamer (that I confirmed with Oster is a #6.)

Anyhow, thanks in advance.

Debra’s Answer

There are two simple nontoxic steamers.

One is a stainless steel folding rack that coils up and then opens to fit most size pots. You can get it practically anywhere cookware is sold.

The other is a covered bamboo steamer that is used to make Chinese food. You can buy these online if you don’t find one locally. Try an oriental food store, if you have one where you live. Just search on “bamboo steamer”. They come in different sizes.

I have both and far prefer the bamboo steamer. In fact, I don’t use the stainless steel one at all any more. It’s going in my upcoming garage sale.

Add Comment

Question from evelyn

It seems my mcs is triggered by organic cotton. Have people had luck with washing organic cotton products to get the oils/ or whatever causes the smells- out?

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

Add Comment