Question from Min

Hi again, Debra! We did have another question as well:

Do you or any of your readers know of soundproofing materials for walls that would be safe for the chemically-sensitive? If so, where can these materials be purchased?

Debra’s Answer

Remember, there is a search box for this blog at SEARCH box. Type in “soundproofing” and you’ll get Nontoxic Soundproofing.

I would love any further ideas you all have on this subject.

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Question from Gloria

Hi Debra,

Could you tell me what to use instead of Crisco in baking, and how much to use? I really enjoy your newsletter and all the hard work you put into it.

Debra’s Answer

Well, you could use organic butter for sure, but if you want a shortening product like Crisco, try Spectrum Shortening, made from organic palm oil. I think you could also use coconut oil (professional bakers used to use coconut oil). All of these fats “firm up” like Crisco.

You would just use the same amount of these as you would Crisco in your recipe.

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Question from KL

Is there a safe product that removes ink stains from leather without damaging the leather?

Thanks for the advice.

K.L.

Debra’s Answer

Good question! I’m dealing with some ink stains myself at the moment, on clothing.

What I did was email the manufacturer of the pen and ask them how to remove the ink stain. They replied with the names of a few products which I haven’t tried yet.

I found for clothing that rubbing alcohol and soap work together, but the soap didn’t work without the alcohol. But the alcohol smells. I’d like a nontoxic way to do this, but I may need to use something like alcohol, rather than throw my clothes away (a pen got in with the wash and ruined about two dozen pieces of clothing).

Another thing I’m considering doing is taking them down to a dry cleaner and letting them try their hand. Then I can wash out whatever residues of spot remover remain.

Anyone have any suggestions for removing ink stains from leather or fabric?

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Question from Kim

Hi Debra,

We love your site; thank you for this wonderful reference.

Our family needs to make a decision on a new dock. I prefer cedar for many reasons but worry about health and environmental issues with what to treat/weather proof it with AND if we can get wood that is not chemically treated in the first place.

Does anyone out there know of any green marine suppliers?

Thank you!!

Debra’s Answer

There are some water-based DECK finishes that I gave in Q&A: Water-based Deck Finish, but I don’t know if these would stand up to the constant water exposure of a dock. You might contact these manufacturers and see what they suggest.

Readers, does anyone have any experience with this?

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Question from jkw

Because I’m extremely chemcially sensitive, I’m looking for very good and very bad experiences, as well as brand names, regarding reactions to new flooring with 1) cork flooring and 2) laminate flooring.

Debra’s Answer

OK, readers. What do you recommend?

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Question from Denise Arias

Debra,

I need an air purifier for the car. Can you recommend a certain brand?

Denise

Debra’s Answer

Many years ago I had an air filter in my car. I used the auto air filter from E. L. Foust Company and I was very happy with it.

Readers, do you have experience you’d like to share with any others?

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Question from Carol

Hi Debra,

I have chemical sensitivities and two years and three months ago I had to move after new vinyl double pane windows were put in all the windows in all the apartments in the building I was living in. I moved out during the installation period, when the smell was incredibly terrible. I tried moving back over a course of I think it was almost two months. Both times I became horribly sick on the second night back home. (Flu symptoms and vomiting.) So I moved out but now have an opportunity to move back. The apartment I am living in currently has vinyl windows so I know I can handle older vinyl. I am wondering if there might still be a risk after this period of two years and three months.

Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

The older vinyl is, the less it releases toxic fumes, for they already have been released . For an average healthy person, two years and three months is probably fine. Since you are so sensitive and have been sensitive to vinyl, I would test out being there for a day or two before committing to living there.

Personally, I wouldn’t live in a home with vinyl windows.

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Question from Christine

Unfortunately, I learned a little too late about a potential health hazard that is not often in the limelight. Please have your water tested for nitrates. This test is usually not included on regular well testing. It is especially important if you live around any agricultural areas, as nitrates often come from the decomposition of manure. For my family, it produced numerable digestive complaints, along with bluing around the lips for my young children. Nitrates can also cause blue baby syndrome, and is especially dangerous for children under a year old. Nitrates CANNOT be filtered completely out of water unless it is distilled. To lower the level of nitrates , one can use a reverse osmosis or special ionizer.The level of nitrates are also INCREASED with heating and boiling the water.

Wishing you all well,, Christine

Debra’s Answer

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Question from Christine

If you are searching for a fun healthy popcorn popper, you may want to try BACK TO BASICs stove top popper. There are different styles. Look for the one that is stainless steel. It was so fun to use the first time, my daughter was jumping up and down in excitement. It can be used on most any stove top surface and works great on my ceran stovetop. We just crank the handle as popcorn is heated in the pot . We bought ours at target for about $30. May I also suggest trying organic all vegetable shortening ( palm oil) made by Spectrum to use with the popper…yumMMM!

Enjoy

Christine

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Question from Howard Herscovici

Hello,

Recently there was an incident in our area of some people getting very ill, and one person dying, from drinking punch that was stored in containers that had windshield wiper fluid.

It got me to thinking of the toxicity of this stuff that we spray all the time into the environment.

Does anyone having any stats on this? It would be interesting.

Wondering if anyone knows of a product, commercial or home-made, that does the job. I am up in Ontario and it gets pretty cold here, way below zero. So it can’t freeze. That might be the hard part.

Anyway, look forward to being part of this blog. There is a lot to learn.

Debra’s Answer

I think we’re going to need to figure this one out all together.

For those of you who are not aware of what windshield wiper fluid is made from, it’s methanol, a very toxic solvent (see Methanol Poisoning Overview). In addition to our own exposure, when we use methan

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