Submitted questions will be posted with my response by the following Tuesday or before.
Submitted comments will be moderated and approved within 24 hours.
Aveda
I want to make a comment about Aveda, which was sparked by reading an ingredient list on a bar of Aveda soap and also by a post I received today in which the reader wrote, “I think of Aveda as safe, natural and cruelty-free…”
I have mixed feelings about Aveda, and have for years.
They are doing many great things. Their website talks about using green ingredients (and explains what they mean by that), wind power, and their commitment to the environment, yet their products also contain ingredients that don’t belong in a natural product.
While staying in a “green hotel” recently, I picked up the bar of Aveda soap in the bathroom that was offered to me as a guest. The wrapper was 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Good. It said it was “made with pure aroma from organically grown plants”. Good. But it also contained many other ingredients that were more akin to a supermarket soap than a natural soap, such as propylene glycol, fragrance (usually this means artificial, and actually, no organic essential oils were listed on the ingredient list), trienthanolamine, tetrasodium EDTA, and Yellow 5. I didn’t use this soap. I pulled my bar of natural soap out of my travel bag and used that.
To their credit, I see that Aveda is rethinking their ingredients and phasing out things like parabens and EDTA (you can read their ingredient policy at http://www.aveda.com/pdf/ourmission/
ingredients_policy.pdf). I admire the direction they are going.
But the fact remains, at this moment there are Aveda products on the shelves that do contain some less than natural ingredients.
I’m not objecting to the fact that these products contain these ingredients, but rather to the fact that Aveda strives to have an image of being completely natural and eco-friendly. On their website, for example, they do not give the full ingredient list of their products, only the “key” green ingredients.
Contrast this with a company like Lush, for example, who sells products containing similar ingredients, but clearly indicates via color coding which ingredients are “natural/organic” and which are “safe synthetics” (see an example of this at http://usa.lush.com/cgi-bin/lushdb/062?expand=Soap). Lush is perfectly clear about their ingredients and they don’t pretend to be a natural product. Lush products are also thought of by consumers as “natural” products because they are fresh and have some natural ingredients. The difference is that Lush doesn’t promote their products as being natural.
I haven’t recommended Aveda products over the years for this reason, and still won’t add them to Debra’s List. But I’m keeping my eye on them, because they are moving in the right direction.
Recycled tires on playground
Question from scott
We live at an apartment complex with a playground. The other day I noticed the apartment maintenance department filled the playground area with shredded up tires to make it less dangerous when kids fall. Is this safe?
Debra’s Answer
The EPA has a useful page on Management of Scrap Tires from a solid waste viewpoint, but mentions nothing about possible health effects.
Black Magic: The Art of Making Tires describes the manufacturing process of making tires and the materials used. Many types of rubber are used, both natural and synthetic, as well as other chemicals.
While it is best for health and the environment to find ways to recycle tires, I’m not sure putting them on a playground for children is the best idea for their health. Heat from the sun could cause the tires to outgas who knows what chemicals that might effect their health. I’d rather see those ground up tires used for road fill or something not so closely in contact with children.
I think this is a case where an idea is good for the environment, but not necessarily good for health.
Restore the Earth Cleaning Products
Question from Becky
I bought some liquid laundry detergent and it really works. It is by a company called “Restore Products” in Minnesota. It seems like the ingredients are safe and natural, but I’d like some other opinions. I didn’t find this company on Debra’s List, so I’m a bit worried!
Thanks,
Becky
Debra’s Answer
These products are fine, so much so that I added them to Debra’s List at Restore the Earth Cleaning Products.
Just a note…just because something isn’t listed on Debra’s List doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with it. I have about a thousand more websites in my files that I am adding as fast as I can. So if it’s on Debra’s List, I recommend it, but if it’s not on Debra’s List doesn’t mean I don’t.
Does commercially grown cotton outgass after washing?
Question from Debbie Sleigh
Dear Debra,
Is there any evidence (scientific tests), that commercially grown cotton that has been washed in hot soapy water several times, outgasses toxic volatiles or has any toxic substances that are absorbed by human skin?
I have a lot of friends who have tried to find the answer but haven’t been able to. I told them that if anyone can, you can!
Sincerely
Debbie Sleigh
Debra’s Answer
The only scientific tests I know of I already mentioned in Q&A: Pesticide residues in fabrics:
As for the finishes, any “permanent press”, “easy care” or similarly labeled cotton would have formaldehyde finishes that do continue to outgas. In my book Home Safe Home I wrote:
So for myself, I’m not concerned about residual pesticide exposure (though some with MCS can still feel it), but I do avoid formaldehyde finishes.
All new fabrics are coated with sizing, but this comes right out with the first washing.
Greenwashing and How to Identify It
Greenwashing is the act of misleading purchasers regarding the environmental benefits of a product or service or the environmental practices of a company.
It was a problem in the early 1990s
Dandruff Treatment
Question from Katie
Hi,
I’m wondering if anybody knows of an effective natural treatment for dandruff. I’m not talking about dry scalp- I’m talking about a severe scaly flaky fungal scalp problem. My husband has this problem and was using Nizoral shampoo for a long time, both prescription and OTC (the active ingredient is Ketoconazole, an anti-fungal).
The Nizoral helps a lot. The problem is that I can’t tolerate the fragrance, and I am a little concerned about the safety of Ketoconazole (which I’ve researched). Therefore I’m looking for alternatives.
Additionally, some of the alternative or more natural shampoos I’ve seen contain sulfur ingredients, which I am very allergic to, so we probably better steer clear of those, too.
If it makes any difference, my husband has sensitive, fair, oily skin (prone to acne breakouts), and shares this scalp/skin situation with a couple of his family members (a genetic link perhaps). I’d appreciate any suggestions!
Thanks! Katie in CA
Debra’s Answer
Readers? Your suggestions?
My husband has dandruff off and on, and when he does, he simply eats more raw vegetables and it goes away. So perhaps dandruff is a signal from the body that something is amiss and needs correcting, rather than cause to use a toxic consumer product.
Sealing in Foam Mattress Off-gassing
Question from Judith
Hi, Debra,
Absolutely love your website!! It is the most informative on the greatest variety of subjects I have ever seen.
I have a new problem. My mom just moved in with us and she purchased a new foam mattress (completely made up of foam, no springs, no other materials) from IKEA to use in the basement of our townhouse where she will be living.
She has been using this type of mattress for decades so this is what she is used to. I never thought that it would offgas enough to smell it even on the second floor of the house. On the main level I am affected enough that my nose and mouth are burning, which are my first symptoms with most synthetic offgassing in the air. AND we have been having several windows open 24 hours a day since the weather is still pretty good here in Virginia. I am dreading the colder weather when we have to close most windows! Do you know of any type of covering (like the emergency blankets made of some type of very thin “space” material?) that would keep the offgassing sealed in? I am so hoping she doesn’t have to give it up as she thinks it is the softest mattress available. Thanks so much for all you do!!
Debra’s Answer
Actually, a space blanket would probably do it, as you would need to have something with a layer of metallic foil.
You would need to seal the mattress completely i.e. use two blankets, top and bottom, then seal the edges with foil tape.
Readers, any other suggestions?
Grains with Gluten
Question from GingerLou
Just f.y.i.: barley, spelt (which is a form of wheat), oats and rye all have gluten. It has also been suggested that those sensitive or allergic to gluten not eat quinoa, amaranth or teff. There supposedly is an amino acid very similar to one found in soy in these grains that can trigger a gluten response. Did you know that most people who are allergic to gluten are also allergic to soy?
I am down to eating, for flours: sorghum, rice, chickpea … corn. I have my own countertop mill and grind my flours from groats or whole dried corn(not popcorn). Sorghum is the one I use most, chased by a bit of brown rice to clean my mill.
Debra’s Answer
Plastic In New Appliances
Question from joyce
I need new appliances and am wondering about the plastic outgasing problems with dishwashers and refrigerators. In the store, they smell terrible when opened. Would a stainless interior in a dishwasher make the added expense worthwhile?
And how long will the outgasing last?
Debra’s Answer
Plastic on the interior of appliances IS a problem. It does outgas over time–how long that takes depends on the appliance and the manufacturer.
I used to only purchase used appliances. Not only are they outgassed, but there is the added environmental benefit of getting more life out of an appliance that still has life left in it.
In the past ten years, I’ve purchased two new refrigerators because I couldn’t find what I wanted used. I’ve noticed that different brands smell more or less and that the specific units that were delivered to my home actually didn’t smell much at all, and whatever odor there was dissipated in a few months. I don’t remember the brand of the one I purchased ten years ago, but the refrigerator I currently have is a Kenmore Trio.
It would be so great if someone could do some research on the plastics used in appliances and if there is a difference between brands. I just haven’t had the time… (but I’ll be happy to post it here if anyone wants to do it).
Properly Disposing of Dangerous Fabric Protector
Question from AmyJo
My mother-in-law gave me an old bottle of Scotch Gard Fabric Protector to use on my son’s new area rug. I have researched and found out that this is a very dangerous product that can be fatal and is very bad for the envoronment. I need to dispose of it but don’t know the safe way to do that. Can you give me advice on what to do with this old, unsafe can?
Debra’s Answer
Call your local Hazardous Waste Disposal service. Your county Solid Waste agency should be able to direct you. They should have some place you can drop it off between Hazardous Waste Disposal Collection Days.
