Question from Mary

Hi Debra,

We are adding a wall downstairs in our storage area. We wanted to used the encapsulated insulation but cannot find it for sale in our area , isn’t that kinda crrazy ???

Now my question: Is it necessary to use the encapsulated insulation in a wall …since the insulation will be enclosed in the wall anyway ?

Thanks for your info….I love your website & have passed it on to our local H.E.A.L. group.

Debra’s Answer

Well, I don’t know, but there are some green builders on this blog, so I’m sure we’ll get an answer!

Readers?

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Question from L.A.

I just bought but haven’t yet used a pillow from Bed Bath and Beyond that is made from ingeo fiber, which apparently is synthesized from corn. It is supposed to be 100% natural and industrially compostable.

I find cotton bedding gets hard as rock (I have a neck problem), but I can’t tolerate wool or feathers, and am reluctant to use latex due to my numerous allergies.

I checked the ingeofibers.com website; it explains the process in which corn is turned to sugar, then fermented and transformed into a polymer (polylactic acid) that is sustainable and not from petrochemicals.

I’ve had no problems with rayon or modal, even though they’re not completely natural, but I wonder if anyone has researched this product as bedding fiber.

Also, in explaining the fiber, the website says that it’s made from lactic acid, which is made from dextrose by fermentation. I’ve read about lactic acid being too high in people with panic attacks, and I may have panic disorder. Could breathing this substance in a pillow be a problem for me? (It has a 300 thread count cotton cover, which I’m thinking of putting in a 600 thread count pillow protector I bought at the same store.)

Debra’s Answer

Interesting…

This would be much better environmentally because it is made from a renewable resource, however, I would caution anyone with a corn sensitivity to beware. I know that people with corn sensitivites can react to substances made from corn even if it is highly processed.

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Question from RDC

I have two questions, please. I know carpeting should be avoided because–in addition to the fact it offgasses–it harbors all sorts of mites, danders, dust, and other allergens. Given its surface texture, won’t cork flooring cause the same problems? Also, with regard to those problems, are area rugs (e.g., oriental rugs) any better than standard carpeting? Thanks for your advice.

Debra’s Answer

I’ve never had a cork floor, so readers, what is your experience?

I find natural fiber area rugs to be fine, and not at all like wall-to-wall carpet. I have had in the past some cotton rugs I could toss in the washer. Currently I have a small wool area rug in my hallway that covers an old air vent that opens to the crawlspace and is hard to walk on. We just take it outdoors and beat it every once in a while.

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Question from Pamela

I removed wallpaper in a home we just purchased. Underneath the paper is black mold. How do I treat this safely?

Debra’s Answer

Mold is not an easy problem to solve, since there are different types of mold which are more or less toxic. I suggest taking a look at Q&A: Crawlspace and Mold for some suggestions.

Also, read about the decisions I made in cleaning up mold in my home at At Home With Debra: Bau-Biologie: Humidity, Moisture, and Mold and At Home With Debra: Bau-Biologie: Mold Inspection and Remediation.

At the very least, I would have two professional mold remdiation inspectors come out and tell you what kind of mold it is and if it poses a danger to remove it yourself. Mold has to be handled carefully and correctly.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also has a good website about mold: A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home that gives mold basics, guidelines for cleanup, how to reduce humidty and prevent condensation, testing for mold, and other helpful information concerning mold.

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Question from R.M.

Something I’ve wondered about and which I’m hoping you can shed some light on:

It’s my understanding that aerosol spray cans were targetted several years ago as a key culprit in the ozone layer depletion. And yet, they are still very much in use. Am I incorrect in my understanding of their impact on the environment? Was the technology changed? Or was nothing done despite their environmental impact?

I avoid aerosol cans as much as possible (almost 100% of the time) but would like to know more about this.

Debra’s Answer

The EPA banned the use of CFC propellants in 1978. An exception was made for some asthma inhalers, but even they will be CFC-free by December 31, 2008.

Here are a couple of links to explore for more answers to your question.

Aerosols and the Environment has more information on CFCs and recycling aerosol cans.

How Aerosol Cans Work shows how aerosol cans are made.

Even though today’s aerosol cans for the most part do not contain CFCs, the liquid gas that acts as a propellant is still a petrochemical, and mixes with the substance being propelled. Many propellant gasses are also flammable, posing yet another danger.

Even if you use an “environmentally-friendly” propellent, aerosols produce a very fine mist, which makes whatever you are propelling more easily absorbed by eyes and lungs.

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Question from Natalie

Hi Debra.

I was just introduced to your site and it seems wonderful! I hope you can help me with something. I am giving a baby shower to my sil who has been eating only turbinado or demerera. I have found a couple of cake recipes which look fantastic, but i am needing some type of punch. do you have any recipes? also, on your frosting recipes…how much of a “part” do i start with?

when it comes to the all natural life…i’m not very knowledgeable. any help and other suggestions on this is GREATLY appreciated!

thank you in advance!

Natalie

Debra’s Answer

For the cake, I recommend my Fabulous All-Organic Special Occasion Cake, which has been a hit every time I have made it. And you can make it with turbinado or demarera sugar if you want to (though these are not the same as whole evaporated cane juice), and use the “maple sugar” option for the measurement.

For the frosting, the “part” you start with depends on the size of the cake. For a regular size 2 layer cake, I would use about 2 cups for the powdered sugar part.

As for punch, I would take some fresh fruit juices, mix them with some sparkling water. Now that it’s getting to be fall, a punch based on apple or grape would be lovely. A bit of lemon will perk up the flavors. No sweetener needed.

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Question from Susan

Well, I’ve decided to go ahead and purchase the Swiffer wetjet…for reasons that are too long to list, but they include 2 teens and one elem, 2 dogs, 1 cat, cabinetmaker husband and wife with fulltime job outside house and PT inside house (I make the kids clean the bathrooms and do their own laundry–except for the youngest). Does anyone have an alternative to the solution? I’ve thought about reusing the bottle after cleansing and just put in Debra’s basic cleaning solution.

Any other suggestions?

Debra’s Answer

This may sound old-fashioned, but I’m a little puzzled about why one would buy a Swiffer. Does it clean better? faster? I’m satisfied with my vacuum and broom and mop.

I’m imagining that you could refill the dispenser with any cleaner you choose.

Readers, any suggestions? (or health or environmental comments pro or con on Swiffer?)

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Question from Joanne

I have been to several places that sell cutting boards and they are suggesting and selling a mineral oil product for the care of the boards. I have used this product (on new boards) for about three months and the smell of mineral oil is always present. Does this get into the food? For many years olive oil was my product of choice and no odor was ever detected. Care was used on the boards to clean with hot soapy water and rinsed well – I even have wooden salad bowls that were treated with olive for many, many years and no odor exists on them.

So should the olive oil idea be scrapped?

Debra’s Answer

In my opinion, the mineral oil would get into the food, as it comes in contact with it.

I’m sure that many a wooden salad bowl has been seasoned by olive oil over the years, through daily use. Old ways are often the best.

There’s a whole discussion on this topic at Wood Conditioner for Cutting Boards and Bowls, with some very interesting comments. Take a look.

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Question from Denise

Debra,

We put some cement on the bricks in the basement, to keep mold from coming in. Was cement the wrong thing to use around my daughter who is cemically sensitive, and will

eventually out gas?

Denise

Debra’s Answer

Cement is an inert material that does not outgas. It is safe for people with MCS.

However, cement is porous and can allow misture to pass through. It won’t prevent mold growth. I witnessed this some years ago when I had a cement block retaining wall holding up a hillside. It was often damp and grew lots of nice moss!

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Question from Ken Boettcher

Can anyone tell me how long formaldehye offgasses from medium density fiberboard once the board is cut and assembled into, for example, an audio booth.

I have a constantly running — and extremely quiet fan in the booth that brings in air from outside and exhausts to the outside. Will this booth be safe to spend three hours a day inside it?

Debra’s Answer

Take a look at the Material Safety Data Sheet for Medium Density Fiberboard. It has a lot of information on the toxicity of formaldehyde, the amount of formaldehyde in this product and the necessity to control the outgassing and provide ventilation.

Contact the manufacturer with your outgassing question, as both temperature and humidity affect the rate of emissions.

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