Question from RMD

We recently purchased a new Hunter ceiling fan. Upon opening the box and removing the parts, a strong chemical type odor filled the bedroom. Are these toxic fumes? Should we return the fan or let it air out in a well ventilated room before installation?

This product was made in China.

Thank you for your help.

Debra’s Answer

I would probably air it outdoors for a day or two and if the odor didn’t go away, I would return it. I’ve purchased Hunter ceiling fans and they had no odor, so perhaps this one is defective.

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Question from Sunnyside

I have some green mold on the back of our home and the deck (located next to a ravine). My wife has problems with MCS and cannot tolerate bleach, so what product/solution is recommended and how should it be applied? Is grapefruit seed extract a possibility? Others?

Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

My husband and I removed some green mold from an exterior painted wall with a steam cleaner. It worked great!

Readers, what have you done to successfully remove this mold?

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Question from sheila norgate

Hello Debra. First off, thanks so much for doing the webinar tonight. I appreciate it – and your efforts – very much.

With bottled water, how do we get around the problem of the plastic leaching into the water? I use a metal water bottle and refill it but there are times when I have to buy bottled water which of course comes in plastic only.

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Debra’s Answer

There is no way to get around the problem of plastic leaching into the water if you buy water in plastic bottles. There are times when I, too, need to buy water in plastic bottles. And we just need to do it. Consider the options: no water leads to dehydration and death, bottled water gives some plastic leaching, tap water contains even more toxic chemicals. So do the best you can and use bottled water only when necessary to prevent dehydration.

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Question from Sara

Hi Debra, I am expecting my baby in 1 month and I need to get a good crib mattress, and I have been reading alot on line, but still feel confused on what to get for my baby crib ( pacific rim ), I have read about different types of organic non-toxic mattress. I am worried that with no special cover to keep the vomit/ urine/ moisture away, that over time there would be problems with mold and other things in the mattress, I am not sure if the wool inside the mattress or the wool puddle pads will be enough to keep all the accidental spills away. Is there a special plastic cover that can be used to prevent this problem, but also will be safe and non-toxic. sorry for the long question, but I am not sure what is the best thing to do, I haven’t seen an organic mattress up close, but it looks like you can’t just wipe it like the regular mattress.

thanks for your help,

Debra’s Answer

Since I have no personal, first hand experience with this, readers, could you answer these questions about natural crib mattresses?

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Question from Dianne

Hi,

Thanks so much for running your blog. It has been a great resource that cannot be found anywhere. I really appreciate your effort.

I have a question that needs a desperate answer but no where to find out. I am hoping you can help.

I have been using a 40 year old foam mattress on our futon couch.

And I have another futon mattress that is only 3 years old but treated with fire retardant. I just bought a wool bed so I need to get rid of one of them. Which one would you consider to be less toxic? Which one would you get rid of? The 40yr old foam mattress crumbles a bit on the edges. I zipped it with a heavy cotton cover. Probably not healthy but I wonder if it is okay to be used as a couch. Thanks so much again!

Debra’s Answer

I would get rid of the newer one. After forty years, that old foam is better than the new foam.

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Question from Karen in Florida

Recently, due to BPA in tin can linings. I have been purchasing my peeled and diced tomatoes in Aseptic packaging. I have also for many years kept standby milk in the same manner, not to mention juice boxes containing not only juice but soy products etc, that are commonly available today.

My concern is that the packaging is ‘safe’? (At this point not even addressing the UHT Technology used to sterilize the milk)

According to the Aseptic Packaging Council the aluminum liner, which keeps the light out, thus preventing spoilage, is coated with low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Also according to the Aseptic packaging council the LDPE has been tested and found to not contain bisphenol A (BPA), nonylphenol, and phthalates.

So, is it safe? Especially considering the acidity of tomatoes?

Thanks

Debra’s Answer

From everything I’ve read, LDPE is safe for food contact. I know of no information to the contrary.

Of course, in the larger picture, it is made from crude oil and doesn’t biodegrade, but I know of no toxicity issues in it’s use.

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Question from Lisa

Dear Debra,

More and more, I notice that shoe soles are advertised as being made from recycled rubber. Are there any health concerns you would have from wearing shoes made of this recycled rubber? I am guessing that the recycled rubber is most likely from car tires.

Do you have any information about this?

Many children’s playgrounds use shredded rubber tires as a bedding material to cover the ground.

Is this safe for children to play on?

Debra’s Answer

This is one of those cases where recycling is good for the environment, but the material being recycled isn’t so good for health.

A report called Artificial Turf: Exposures to Ground Up Rubber Tires – Athletic Fields, Playgrounds, Garden Mulch states that their lab tests on ground tires “contained volatile organic hydrocarbons (VOCs) with carcinogenic potential, which could be extracted from the crumbs in the laboratory. Health reports from workers in the rubber fabrication industry and in the rubber reclamation industry describe the presence of multiple volatile organic hydrocarbons, semivolatile hydrocarbons, and other toxic elements in the air. Studies at tire reclamation sites report the leaching of similar sets of chemicals into the ground water. Occupational studies document a spectrum of health effects, ranging from severe skin, eye, and respiratory irritation to three forms of cancer.”

In addition, a “second set of experiments tested the chemicals released from the tire crumbs used for “in-fill” and commercial rubber mulch. Ten metals were leached from the samples of tire crumbs and the tire mulch in the first experiment. Twenty-five chemical species were identified with 72% to 99% certainty in the mass spectrometry and gas chromatography analysis in the second experiment. Nineteen were identified with over 90% certainty and five with over 98% certainty. Confirmatory studies provided a definitive identification of four of the major chemicals released.”

So I’d say, no, not safe for children to play on.

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Question from Deborah Barnett

Debra, my husband wants to remove the ceramic tiles that are falling apart around bathtub,the soap bar came loose, tiles have been there since seventies.I prefer to have a tub surround but most are plastic.I do not want more tiles inside around the bath tub,expensive too. Do you know of any thats not plastic? Thanks Deborah Tenn.ps. tub surround im looking for.

Debra’s Answer

I know of no shower surround that is not plastic. I suggest replacing the tile.

You can buy fairly inexpensive tile at Home Depot, salvage yards, and tile closeout places. It doesn’t have to be expensive. We once bought all the tile we needed for our whole shower and bathroom floor for $80 at a salvage yard. And it was brand new, still in the crate. A contractor had just bought more than he needed. And it was beautiful tile.

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Question from Sunnyside

Are there any problems, or cautions, regarding power washing of pressure treated wood (to get rid of green mold and dirt) that does contain arsenic? Any recommendations on product to use? Also, does anyone have any suggestions on a product (paint, etc.) that could be used to seal the wood by an individual who has sensitivities to some chemicals?

Debra’s Answer

Don’t power wash. According to The Pressure Treated Wood Information Site

“power washing which can break the bond with the metals and cause metal contamination”.

Lots more information on CCA on this website.

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Question from Amanda

AAAAH! I need help! I am renovating my 30 yr. old bathroom and replacing the tub with a stand up shower. The contractor coordinator explained the process step by step, and said they’d be using a thick rubber liner befor mudding the shower floor. The rubber is now in, and it stinks in here. I went in to investigate and discovered it’s PVC! I phoned the coordinator and she explained that there are only two code approved options (I’m unsure if it’s county, state or national codes)and those options are PVC membranes and fiberglass, which I heard is even worse. My local green building supply guy said he knows of no other membrane alternatives, but there is a coating to prevent offgassing, but it needs 24 hours to dry, and the mudding guy is coming first thing in the A.M.. He mentioned that the mudding and tiles should suppress the offgassing, but I’m still worried about the environmental impact and future tumors! Is there anything I can do in the next 15 hours?

Thank you in advance for any help… It’s really smelly in here, I have a headache, and my lips are tingling!

Amanda in the Tampa Bay area

P.S. Why the heck is PVC still legal?!?

Debra’s Answer

It will be OK. Once the liner is covered with tile, you won’t smell a thing. We have a PVC liner in our bathroom, so I know this from experience. It will be completely sealed in.

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