Question from Ali

I live in an apartment that I love and they have wall to wall carpeting. I have heard so many things about the toxic effects of carpeting. I am moving into a new apartment in the same building and they are putting in new carpeting.

Is there anything I can or should do to air it out before I move in or to make it less toxic (if possible)?

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

This is a perfect use for AFM Carpet Seal. I once worked in a rented office where I couldn’t take up the carpet, so I applied this. It’s clear and you can’t tell it’s even on the carpet. It really made the difference between being able to work in this office and not being able to be in it at all. So it’s worth a try.

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Question from Kathy Paris

Hi Debra,

I love what you are doing for consumers. I wish you worked for the FDA–we would sure be healthier.

My question is–do you know what canned soups, tunas, beans, etc. do not contain the epoxy resin, Bisphenol A? I have looked everywhere and they mention that some tuna, beans, soup, etc cans contain this plastic lining but they never list the brands. (Environmental Working Group has done a lot of research but doesn’t list the brands). I have written many and so far, only Trader Joes doesn’t use this chemical in its canned products.

Have a great day, Kathy Paris

Debra’s Answer

I don’t have a list of brands.

One of the problems of putting together such a list is that it can change faster than I could keep up with doing the research.

Kudos to Trader Joe’s for choosing bisphenolA-free cans and making it known. That’s really what all manufacturers need to do.

Now, if you do the research and find more, I’m happy to post them here!

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Question from LR

Geo-Matt 100% Polyurethane Foam 3 inch mattress bed topper is great, but it has strong chemical smell. Is it treated with something? Will airing prior to use fix the problem smell?

Debra’s Answer

No, it’s not treated with something and airing it out won’t help. What you are smelling is the polyurethane plastic itself. I recommend tossing it out and getting a wool topper instead.

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Question from Linda

i’ve had this problem for years – computers break when i use them. apple has replaced 2 laptops and 1 ipod for me because they couldn’t repair my brand new machines, my imac’s continually squirrely, and windows applications and programs often freeze or otherwise freak out when i am using them. someone else can step in right after me and have no problems at all. the worst part – i love the technology and all it entails.

this truly is not a complaint that’s masking an inablilty to learn & problem-solve.

i first was suspicious of this problem when in a ‘technology in education’ masters degree program during which we all worked simultaneously on our own laptops & i was the only one who often couldn’t maintain my data, link properly to the server, use certain aspects in a program, etc. these issues happened with my computer, its replacement, and those i borrowed.

anyway, i started having hurt feelings(!)and a bit of paranoia. have hesitated loading my replacement ipod for fear of messing it up….

is my personal electricity causing this? how do i adjust it?

i’ve tried visualizing a buffer surrounding me when sitting at the computer. no luck. someone recommended wearing purple ribbons on my wrists.

Debra’s Answer

I have heard of this with other people and have experienced it myself.

One day things went wrong with all my electronics, so I just gave up and went shopping. I walked into a Radio Shack store and all their electronics started going haywire too!

Our bodies certainly have their own electromagnetic fields which can affect the electrical and magnetic fields around us just as the electrical and magnetic fields around us can affect our bodies. Fortuneately for me, this doesn’t happen with me very often!

Not sure what to recommend to you. Readers?

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Question from Wenwei

hello Debra,

I will move into a brand new house very soon. Can you advise what to do?

I remember that I saw a page in your website that you suggest to heat the house for 24 hours for three to five times. Somehow I couldn’t find it anymore.

Can you advise what is link if I remeber right?

Thanks.

Wenwei

Debra’s Answer

Ah. The post you are looking for is Q&A: Anything I should do before I move into my brand new home?

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Question from Denise

is it ok to cook on anodized aluminum. i have a whole set a calphalon, but i am concerned about using them with my chemically sensitive daughter. thanks

Debra’s Answer

Most aluminum cookware manufactured today is anodized. When a cookware label says it is made from anodized aluminum, it means that the aluminum was dipped into a hot acid bath that seals the aluminum by changing it’s molecular structure. Once anodized, the aluminum will not leach into food, and so would not contribute to aluminum exposure. Anodized cookware is safe.

There are several posts with more discussion about anaodized aluminum. Click on the large purple “Search” button near the top of the right hand column of any page of my website and enter “anodized” for links to the other posts.

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Question from marilee

Does anybody have a recommendation on which brand of natural latex mattresses is better? They are both all natural latex but there is definitely a price difference.

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Evelyn K

I got some unfinished pine shelves and used Minwax finish from the hardware store to finish them. I didn’t realize there are less toxic options… and for some reason I didn’t think about off-gassing before I did it. My living room looks great, but I have been running a fan in there with the windows open for a week and I can still distinctly smell the odor of the finish. The living room connects to the kitchen and the hallway without doors, so closing it up and heating it may be difficult- possible if I hang a curtain over the hall entry I suppose. What are my options for removing this smell?

Debra’s Answer

You don’t say if it is oil-based or water-based finish. Oil-based will take longer to cure.

I suggest putting them out in the sun. The heat will help them dry and cure faster.

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Question from Deb H.

I am slowly trying to eliminate plastics in my house. I noticed from your blog on “how I do laundry”, you use wooden clothes hangers. I was wondering where you get them, do you look for untreated wood, are they stained, polyureathaned or raw, and about how much do they cost. I know replacing my plastic hangers will cost but I don’t want to bring anything else toxic into the house.

Thank you for all your helpful info.

Debra’s Answer

I’ve purchased wooden clothes hangers at a variety of stores like IKEA, Bed Bath & Beyond, Linens ‘n Things, Target, etc. They are not hard to find. They are not sustainably harvested and do have a nontoxic finish on them. I’ve never purchased any that had an odor.

You can easily buy them online if you don’t find them in your local stores.

Question from gail smith

Hello:

I am looking for an upright vacuum cleaner that doesn’t have the odor of the newness when used.

thankyou,

Gail Smith

Debra’s Answer

Like many other products, my best recommendation for this is to purchase a used model that has already outgassed.

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