Submitted questions will be posted with my response by the following Tuesday or before.
Submitted comments will be moderated and approved within 24 hours.
Particle/Press Board: Will it fully out gas and become safe?
Question from wt
hi,
we’re remodeling my house, and my husband put some “sound board” on the studs under the dry wall to help with sound reduction. this “sound board” smells HORRIFFIC! it seems very similar to particle/press board. we’re hoping that placing the dry wall over it, would essentially seal it, so the smell/toxicity cannot come out. however, not sure if that theory will work. or, are considering getting rid of the sound board all together.
if, in fact, this sound board is similar in composition to press board/particle board….do these types of materials EVENTUALLY FULLY OUTGAS? or is this something that does not, and needs to be ‘sealed’ with some sort of sealant?
knowing the answer to that question, would help us to determine how to proceed with this project.
and real quick, on the topic of press board: if i have a press board dresser from ikea…will this eventually outgas? (I’ve had these drawers for about 3-4 years..and my it still stinks!) my clothes left in it, wreak of the formaldehyde (ick!). since i wear primarily 100% cotton, are my natural fabrics absorbing the formaldehyde from the drawers??!! :O
would appreciate your thoughts..
Debra’s Answer
First, “particleboard” and “pressboard” are two different things.
Particleboard is made of wood shavings held together with a formaldehyde-based resin that outgasses. You can see the wood shavings throughout the board on both the flat side and the cut side and it has an odor–strong when new.
Pressboard is made from smaller wood fibers that are held together by a process using pressure and steam. It is a thin, brown board, with one smooth side and one textured side. It comes in a solid sheet and perforated with holes to make “peg board”. Pressboard is completely odor-free and I consider it to be a nontoxic product.
It sounds like what you have installed is particleboard, or a similar product.
Formaldehyde offgasses from particleboard until there is no more formaldehyde to offgas. It is very intense when the particleboard is new and decreases over time. I read that the half life of formaldehyde in particleboard is three to six years, but can still contribute to indoor air pollution 12 to 24 years after installation (Spectrum–Newsletter of the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation, Vol 26, No. 1). This seems reasonable to me. How long any given installation takes to full outgas depends on the conditions. More heat will make it outgas faster.
There is a product which can be applied to particleboard to block fumes, made by AFM Enterprises. I used this product many years ago with success, when I purchased a table that I thought was solid wood, which actually contained one piece of particleboard about 1′ x 3′ one inch thick. I applied the vapor barrier finish and was able to use the table with no problem.
Mercury Thermometers and Your Family’s Health
I want to pass along to you a pamphlet I just found called “Mercury Thermometers and Your Family’s Health”.
I knew that mercury is a dangerous chemical, but didn’t really understand how hazardous a broken thermometer can be, how to properly dispose of a mercury thermometer, or that non-mercury thermometers are available (I actually have a digital thermometer, but didn’t buy it as a mercury alternative). All this is covered in this easy-to-read pamphlet.
Natural Treatment for Nail Fungus
Question from Ali
Debra,
My daughter is 6 and has terrible eczema. It effects her nails, which have become fungus and makes her skin peel off around her finger tips. Also in the inner arms is bad.
Do you have any recommendations for nail fungus so I can avoid a toxic chemical or medicines, she is so young?
Thanks
Ali Roberts
Debra’s Answer
I don’t have any personal experience with nail fungus, but it’s a good idea to use natural remedies as the FDA has warned that anti-fungal drugs have been linked to severe liver damage and death.
There is a long list of possible natural cures posted at Earth Clinic: Cure Nail Fungus–everything from apple cider vinegar and hydrogen peroxide to tea tree oil and coconut oil.
If anyone has successfully used natural rememdies for nail fungus, please respond to this post and let us know what you did.
Getting the Smell Out of a New Refrigerator
Question from Debi
How can you get the smell out of a new refrigerator? I have never had a new fridge before so was not aware it would smell so bad!
I washed it out with soapy water and then have put a bowl of baking soda on each shelf…4 days later, it still smells. It smells like it is more of the vinyl around the edge of the fridge keeping it airtight versus actually inside the fridge but then again I can’t get in there and close the door to see if it smells.
I remember a few years ago we had put a bottle of nail polish in the butter bin in our fridge door and when we went to use the butter it tasted like nail polish. I am afraid to put fod in there because I don’t want it to taste like the plastic smell we are smelling.
Any suggestions?
Debra’s Answer
This IS a problem with new refrigerators, as they are full of outgassing plastic. And the outgassing plastic WILL get into your food.
My general advice is to purchase a used refrigerator, as the plastic does outgas over time, but last summer I myself purchased a new refrigerator because i just fell in love with the design.
It’s what’s called a “trio” because it has two refrigerator doors that open on top from the center, and one freezer door on the bottom. Inside there are glass shelves and easy-to-reach-and-open see-through bins for produce. It is just a joy to use. Several companies make them. The brand I bought was Kenmore at Sears (I’d give you a link, but it was too long).
I was concerned that the interior would have an odor, but the model on the floor didn’t have an odor. So I took a chance, and the one that was delivered to me didn’t have an odor either. Perhaps this was just a fluke, I can’t guarantee it, but this was my experience.
As for your problem, I would have suggested baking soda. Does anyone else have a suggestion that has worked. Readers?
How safe is Clorox Bleach?
Question from Laura
I’ve used Clorox Bleach steadily for years. It’s the only thing that seems to ‘clean’. The products sold in stores ( i.e. Clorox Softscrub, etc.) used to mask the bleach smell that have bleach in them, don’t do the job as well as just bleach alone. I usually blend a few drops of bleach on a rag with Polmolive dish soap to do my kitchen counters then rinse afterwards. The smell IS strong but goes away after a few minutes.
Is using Bleach unhealthy on the lungs? I really like the stuff and don’t want to stop using it but if it’s toxic then I’ll have to find other options.
Thanks for any info on this.
Sincerely,
Laura
Debra’s Answer
Product labels on chlorine bleach warn only of the danger when accidentally ingested, however, the inhaled fumes also pose a hazard. Toxicology books report that chlorine is “toxic as a [skin] irritant and by inhalation.”
The Material Safety Data Sheet for Chlorox Bleach states:
Many people do have adverse reactions to chlorine. The chlorine in bleach is the same stuff people often want to remove from drinking water.
Personally, I don’t use chlorine bleach or any products containing chlorine, and I remove it from my water for drinking, cooking, and bathing. That would be my recommendation for you, too.
Content of Metals
Here is a very interesting page that contains information on the content of various metals:
Metals Information — About Metals and Platings.
It tells, for example, what alloys are used to make various types of gold, sterling silver, brass, surgical stainless steel and other metals used in jewelry-making. It addresses allergies to these metals. It tells what plating is and where lead can be found in jewelry.
It’s a good basic resource for metals.
Safety of Rubbing Alcohol for Pest Control
Question from jmarlene
Dear Debra,
I found your site tonight searching for safety of rubbing alcohol.
Living in a townhouse complex, confronted suddenly with roaches. They began to enter from behind a bathroom mirror. Have lived here for 15 years and have not had a problem until now. I have tried vinegar, bay leaves, neem oil, lemon oil, tee tree oil, and soapy water for 2 weeks. Each had an effect which did not last long…new little darlings kept coming out.
I finally called an eco-friendly pest eliminator. In anticipation of their arrival next week, I tried one more item: rubbing alcohol. It is working, however, searched on web for safety, and that is how I found your site. I am concerned about the flammable vapor. I have placed cotton pads in corners of the kitchen and bath, and swabbed the area lightly around the animals water dish. It has been 6 hours exactly and so far none have appeared.
Still concerned about flammable vapors, although the vapor scent does not last long.
Also ordered 2 copies of your book. Can hardly wait to read it.
Debra’s Answer
Here is the MSDS for Isopropyl Alcohol (Rubbing Alcohol). It says that the “flash point” is 53. A flash point is the lowest temperature at which a liquid can ignite. The lower the flash point, the easier it is to ignite the material. So 1 would be really flammable.
The MSDS also says “fire may produce irritating or poisonous gasses” and “may be poisonous if inhaled or absorbed through skin. Vapors may cause dizziness or suffocation. contact may irritate or burn skin and eyes.”
If you are wanting to kill these creatures, I recommend boric acid. It is a lot safer to have around the house that rubbing alcohol.
Anodized Cookware in the Dishwasher
Question from Cathy
I just found out you’re not supposed to put anodized cookware in the dishwasher. We don’t do it it often but occasionally if my husband is cleaning up (rarely happens) the pans will go in the dishwasher. I can’t see any evidence of damage to the surface of these pans but want to know if they are possibly unsafe to use. I hope you can answer my question.
Debra’s Answer
My husband Larry is the dishwasher in our house, so I don’t have a lot of attention on what is safe to put in the dishwasher or not. But it seems that some cookware is dishwasher safe and some isn’t. I would follow the manufacturer’s advice on this.
At first I answered this question by saying putting your cookware in the dishwasher probably wouldn’t ruin it, but read the comments for the experiences of readers who DID ruin their anodized aluminum cookware by putting it in the diswasher.
New Flannel Sheets Smell Like Gasoline After Washing
Question from Erin
I recently purchased new flannel sheets for my children’s beds. My son has been sleeping (I washed it first) on it for the past two weeks and his asthma has been terrible. I was thinking it was from the outside air. However, I took their sheets off this morning and washed them again. When I took them out of the washer I noticed a very strong chemical smell, almost like gasoline. Is this possible? Would I be better off purchasing old second hand cotton sheets for my children to sleep on?
Thank you for any advice or information you might have.
Sincerely
Erin
Debra’s Answer
I’ve been sleeping on cotton flannel sheets for years. I’ve probably purchased at least two dozen sets of sheets from various places and they have all been completely odor-free. Except once. There was a pattern printed on the sheets that was with a kind of plastic-ish ink. It was laying on top of the fabric, not in the fabric. It was scratchy and smelly, so I just threw them away.
I don’t know why your sheets smell, but it is not typical. I wouldn’t decide against cotton flannel sheets based on that one experience.
You may be able to remove the odor by washing in baking soda or vinegar, or by hanging the sheets in the sun. If that doesn’t work, toss these and get new sheets.
Nontoxic Luggage?
Question from Cheryl
I really need a new suitcase for my trips back east to visit family. I need something with some shape to it because I live out of the suitcase the whole trip as I visit various family members. I borrowed a popular commercial one for a recent trip and found that my clothes picked up the smell of the suitcase. Do you have any recommendations that do not have heavy outgassing ? I’m assuming that the tapestry/cloth suitcases could be okay but wanted to check with you first.
Debra’s Answer
I’ve been struggling with the luggage question for months.
I have a set of old leather luggage that I love–old style too, with belts in addition to latches. I’ve been using it for about twenty years and have taken it everywhere I’ve traveled. The belts and latches have all broken and been replaced, but now the spines are breaking and I really don’t think they will make it through another airplane trip, being tossed around as they do in airports.
Knowing I would be taking this trip to San Francisco this week, I’ve been looking for new luggage for months and running into the same problems. The synthetic luggage just STINKS! And I didn’t want to contaminate my clothing. Also, I wanted luggage with wheels this time around as I am tired of carrying it or strapping it to wheels.
I too wanted something with structure, which is why I wasn’t just getting the immediately obvious option: cotton canvas bags. Port Canvas has a wonderful selection of affordable, sturdy cotton canvas luggage, but it is soft.
I checked out the tapestry/cloth suitcases, but, alas, they too smelled because they are made from synthetic materials. Many years ago I purchased a linen and leather garment bag. I wish they still made these.
The most natural suitcases I could find were made by Hartmann. Made with leather and natural fibers, these do not smell at all, but they cost in the neighborhood of $800 a piece. I’m just not going to spend $800 on a piece of luggage that is going to get thrown around at the airport and anyone could pick up at baggage claim. That’s just a theft waiting to happen.
