Question from Tammy

Hi Debra,

I need a new sofa. I have a 4 yr old child with severe allergies and autism. I am looking at a used sofa (4 years old) That comes from a non smoking, pet free home.

The fabric they tell me is: felted blended fibers(polyester and resin treated colored)the cushions are gray goose feathers/urethane foam/and polyester fiber.

Even though this sounds very synthetic, is it possible that after 4 years it is safe to bring in my home or at least mostly offgassed? I am having a hard time finding something. The organic sofas are so expensive and we spend a lot on our child’s condition. Thank you so much!

Debra’s Answer

I understand your situation, but I’m not sure that 4 years is old enough for the materials you describe to outgas. I would feel more comfortable with a sofa that is more like ten years old.

Materials do offgas and become safer over time, so the older, the better.

Add Comment

Question from Marjie

Do you know anything about Just Like Sugar? Like Sweet Perfection, it is made from Chicory root but the Just Like Sugar has vitamin C and Calcium added. Have you tried that one at all? I have tried the free sample they send and thought it was pretty good but have never cooked with it. Am just wondering if there is much of a difference between the two–if I remember correctly, it had more of a granulated sugar consistency.

Debra’s Answer

I haven’t tried Just Like Sugar, but I will.

[Later…I did try Just Like Sugar. It is made from “Chicory Maltodextrin, Chicory Dietary Fiber (that’s oligofructose),vitamin C, Calcium, and Natural Flavor. I’m concerned about the first ingredient: Chicory Maltodextrin. Maltodextrin is one of a group of dextrins, which are sweet carbohydrates produced in a laboratory by the hydrolysis of starch. Any starch can be used. Usually it is corn, in this case chicory. It is is a polysaccharide, not an oligosaccharide as oligofructose is. Maltodextrin is easily digestible and absorbed as rapidly as glucose. So it is not the same as chicory root fiber.

Chicory Maltodextrin is the first ingredient in Just Like Sugar. And Just Like Sugar is crystalline. Sweet Perfection is definitely a powder, like a finely ground fiber. It’s a completely different thing.

I’m not sure I trust the maltodextrin in Just Like Sugar. Dr. Bernstein, who has written the most respected books on diet for diabetics, says absolutely no maltodextrin for diabetics.

And I tasted it and it doesn’t taste “just like sugar”. So I’m not going to recommend this one.]

There are other products with oligofructose mixed with other ingredients. I like Sweet Perfection because it is 100% oligofructose.

Add Comment

Question from Reenie Rogers

Hi, I have another question. Is there a natural air freshener (besides opening the window) that can get firewood smell out of the air? Thanks! Reenie

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

Add Comment

Question from M.E.B

Hi Debra –

We have blackout blinds in our room. Our room faces southeast and gets blasted by the rising sun. Every morning when the sun is out and not when it’s overcast, a horrible chemical-esque smell fills the bedroom. After having the crawlspace, attic, and HVAC system inspected we realized it was coming from the blinds. Something on the blinds seems to be reactive once exposed to sunlight for a short period of time. We are going to have them replaced but have you ever heard of such a problem?

Debra’s Answer

It’s entirely possible for blackout blinds to give off an odor.

My husband and I have black cotton curtains that we purchased from Target. They aren’t as thick as blackout curtains, but they greatly reduce the light from streaming in our east bedroom window if we want to sleep in the morning. Last time I looked (September 2007) they were still carrying them. They had no odor after we washed them with soap and water.

Add Comment

Question from JGPZ

I am always searching on the internet for stories relating to people fully recovering from MCS. To date I have found few of these testimonials. And, it seems that those that I have come across specifically relate to someone getting a Candida issue under control which resulted in a dramatic improvement in their chemical sensitivities. It would be great to hear that some folks out there have conquered this condition to the point where they have gained a decent quality of life back. By this I mean getting to the point where someone has the freedom to travel, go to stores, restaurants etc…w/o any or severe reactions and the concern of the exposures.

If you have achieved this level of recovery or know someone that has, please share this positive experience with others.

Debra’s Answer

If you haven’t already, you can read about my recovery, beginning at My Story.

I know some of you have recovered, because you’ve told me your stories. Please do write in and share your successes with others.

Add Comment

Question from Elisabeth

Recently, an office-mate used a large amount of a pine sol/water mixture in a spray bottle in our office in the small kitchen area. I had a severe asthmatic attack after that (burning eyes, throat, coughing, chest pain, difficulty breathing), and everytime I spend even 30 minutes in the office, I get a similar though milder reaction – even after three weeks! I have asked the company to clean up the area, but they don’t see how a common household disinfectant like pine sol could be causing this and don’t know what they should do. They said there is nothing toxic in pine sol and no one else is being affected. (I suspect they think I’m making it up.)

Do you know of any ingredients in pine sol that could be harmful when inhaled, or instances where people have had asthmatic attacks or allergic reactions from (original) pine sol being sprayed in a kitchen area? Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

I took a look at the MSDS for Pine Sol and it contains the hazardous ingredients pine oil and isopropyl alcohol. These are required to be listed by law as hazardous.

Many people have reactions to pine, even in the wood and in Christmas trees. That’s probably what you are reacting to.

Add Comment

Question from dorothy

Happy Holidays, everyone…….Does anyone have experience with Greentek air purifiers they can share? I have a loaner in the house right now, trying to decide whether to buy it, wondered how they compare to Austin, Alleraire, etc. Greentek can be ducted so one purifier can be used for a whole house, depending on size. thanks so much…Dorothy, MA

Debra’s Answer

I have no experience with this one. Readers?

Add Comment

Question from PSG

I’m going to be taking a Color Rendering class as part of an Interior Design curriculum and will be using color markers and pencils. I cannot use markers with solvents or a strong smell due to chemical sensitivities. Please advise me (ASAP) as to the brands of non-toxic markers with the color range required for interior design drawing. Thanks so much. (And now that I know the currently available edition of Home Safe Home is the new one, I’ll get that, but need the marker info right away.)

Debra’s Answer

What you want to do is go to a art supply store and get water-based markers. I use STABILayout markers. Lots of colors. I just searched for a webpage and couldn’t find one. Maybe they are no longer available.

Try asking The Art and Creative Materials Institute. They keep track of safe art supplies.

Add Comment

Question from Julie

Is brown rice syrup okay to give to babies/children?

Debra’s Answer

I haven’t heard that it isn’t. But I would suggest double checking with one of the companies that makes it and reporting back to us.

Add Comment

Question from Mary

I’d like to order duplicate checks. Does anyone know of a brand that doesn’t smell a lot? It’s a pain to have to air them out before using them. Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

I don’t recommend using duplicate checks for the same reason I don’t recommend carbonless carbons. They are made with toxic chemicals that outgas. Though duplicate checks may be more convenient, they are more toxic. I don’t think any exist that smell less, as they are all made with the same technology.

I’ve also discovered that all checks are not alike. The ones with pictures on them use a different ink than the plain checks, and they have a much stronger odor.

I’ve been using checks from Check Gallery, which are printed on recycled paper with soy-based ink. I’ve been happy with them.

Add Comment