Question from Louise Omoto Kessel

Dear Deborah,

Hi! My little boy, age 6, is sensitive to sugar and also very oral, he likes to chew on things (plastic, modeling clay, etc!). I would love to find a chewing gum that I felt comfortable giving him from both sugar and dental points of view. Can you recommend anything?

I found a chewing gum at our local coop that is called BETWEEN! Dental Gum and the package says it’s GOOD for your teeth. It has xilatol, Sorbital, malitol, glycerin, and menthol in it.

I don’t know anything about Sorbital or malitol. What can you tell me?

Love, Louise

Debra’s Answer

Sorbital and malitol are both sugar alcohols, similar to xylitol.

When I was reading your post, before I got to the end I was thinking “gum with xyylitol” so this one seems to be fine.

The only drawback I know to the sugar alcohols is that if you consume too much they can cause diarrhea. So if that occurs, cut back on the gum.

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Question from Mary Kathryn

Last week, I experienced sever itching, painful, throbbing blisters all around my toes and heels. The dermatologist said it was from an initial contact dermatitis caused by a chemical reaction. I have no idea where I came in contact with a chemical.

I love to use the Swiffer Sweep and often times, while cleaning, walk over the damp floor. I’m wondering if the contact with the wet Swiffer Sweeper floor caused my reaction. It felt like I was walking on tapioca pudding as the bubbles were irritating, itchy, painful and have now left a purplish skin behind. Hopefully, the skin color will return to pink. The druggist told me to use hot Epson salts and cortaid ointment. Just recently, I saw on the web to use cold oat meal paste ….. no wonder if hurt.

What do you think?

Debra’s Answer

Yes, there are several chemicals in wet Swiffer sheets that are irritants.

Question from sj

I have been using silicone ice cube trays for aout two weeks and when the ice cube melts in the drink, there is white particals floating in the drink. Is that from the silicone material?

Debra’s Answer

It doesn’t seem logical to me that silicone ice cube trays would release anything that would look like a white particle floating around in the water. I’ve used silicone ice cube trays on occasion and they were fine.

I have experienced water with white particles in it that I believe were minerals or some kind of sediment.

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Question from cl

We have chloramine in our water and started looking for a shower filter. I came upon one that states it has KDF and GAC filters. It is Crystal Quest CQE-SP-008. Do you think it’ll work?

Debra’s Answer

As far as I know, neither GAC (granulated activated carbon) or KDF remove chloramines. What is needed is either “catalytic carbon” or “organic activated carbon” (made from coconut shell, not coal) to remove chloramines.

I haven’t yet seen a shower filter that will remove chloramines, but this is certainly needed. If anyone knows of one, please let me know.

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Question from Fran

I am sure this is probably next to impossible but this was my last resort. My son is allergic to refined sugar and I have been baking with brown rice syrup and honey. I wanted to experiment with date sugar and carob chips but all the ones I found are porcessed in the same facility that processes tree nuts. He has a severe anafalaxsis reaction to tree nuts which is why I need to bake everything for him. He is really good about it but I feel so terrible when he would do anything for a chocolate chip cookie. Does anyone know of any manufacturer or anything else that I could use.

Thanks!!!

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Joyce Harman

I am looking at buying a yurt to live in. Most are covered with vinyl which i would not live under if you paid me a lot of money. But i have found one that is acrylic covered canvas, with canvas on the inside. Do you know if acrylic outgasses much?

Joyce

Debra’s Answer

Acrylic outgasses some, but not as much as polyester.

I’ve been in yurts with canvas covers and never noticed an odor. If the acrylic is on the outside, any outgassing would likely occur to the outdoors.

I would suggest you get a sample of the fabric first and test it for yourself before you buy a yurt, and also go visit yurts with this type of cover. See for yourself what you smell and how your body feels.

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Question from Ella

I have a dresser of solid wood which is many years old.

The top two drawers are fine, but the bottom three are infused with this unpleasant odor. It is impossible to put clothing in them, as the items pick up the smell and need to be washed. I’ve tried vinegar, baking soda, rubbing perfumed soap, spraying perfumes inside the drawers and nothing works. Someone suggested putting a layer of lacquer to seal the wood. It would really stink then to someone who is chemically sensitive.

Is there ANYTHING I can do? Or is it best to use them for paper storage?

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Cathy

Hi Debra,

We are in the market for a new waher and dryer as our current appliances have died ater 15 years. We are have noticed a new of brand that we have never heard of, offering eco friendly products-Fisher Paykel. They seem to make innovatives appliances, but we are concerned about their durability. They are expensive so we don’t want to make a mistake on such a large purchase. Any feedback?

Cathy

Debra’s Answer

I personally haven’t researched washers or dryers recently for my own use (we’re still using the old ones that work), so, readers, what’s you’re experience. What eco-friendly washers and dryers do you use and like?

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Question from KER

Hi Debra,

I was wondering if Polyester and other Petroleum based clothing give off VOCs? & if they do give off VOCs how long would it take to outgass them?

Debra’s Answer

Polyester and other synthetic fibers made from petroleum do offgass VOCs–chemicals that offgass are volatile, as in Volatile Organic Chemicals.

How long it takes for them to outgas depends on the fiber and the conditions and the amount of wash and wear. The VOCs decrease with time. I personally don’t wear them at all, regardless of age.

Question from Taylor

We are contemplating purhcasing a 7 yr old home but an inspector, using air samples, found a high mold count (7000) for Cladisporium. The crawlspace has block walls and a concrete floor and is dry and clean. A thorough visual inspection found a small area that had a light colored substance on the floor joists. How do we remove this? My wife is very sensitive to many chemicals and cannot tolerate bleach, either. Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Debra’s Answer

We had the mold in our crawlspace professionally removed (see Bau-Biologie: Mold Inspection and Remediation), but if you have only a small area, I would recommend using heat. Mold cannot live above a certain temperature or in dry conditions, and heat changes both.

You might want to have a professional take a look at it and see what they suggest, as you really want to handle this completely so you don’t have a bigger mold problem in the future.

Readers, any other suggestions?

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