Question from Tara Atkins

Hi Debra,

I’ve seen products called Mosquito Bits and Mosquito Dunks.

I’m wondering if you think these are safe for use around the yard when we get standing water after heavy rains, for instance.

I’m having trouble finding something safe and effective to apply to our skin/clothing to repel mosquitoes, because I am very sensitive to fragrances, and even the essential oil based products seem to be bothering me.

But if we can have fewer mosquitoes outside in the first place, that would be a good start. I’ve also seen liquid applications containing garlic or cedar oil, but I’m wondering if the smell would be too overpowering for me.

Debra’s Answer

Living here in Florida, I know all about this and have tried a lot of different things.

Your Mosquito Bits and Mosquito Dunks are actually a biological mixture attached to ground corn cobs, so I don’t see that it would create any chemical fumes to be concerned about.

The website says they are nontoxic to all other wildlife, pets, fish and humans and is labeled for organic gardening by the EPA.

I think this is fine to use. I would use it in my garden.

But, I just go around and empty the containers that have standing water, or kept them upside down so they don’t collect water in the first place.

Add Comment

Question from Elizabeth M.

Hi Debra,

Thank you for your informative site.

I have a question that i am hoping you can answer.

I bought a small metallic bag from old navy about 8 years ago and it has been in storage.

I pulled it out and the coating has started to peel.

I looked at the label and it says polyurethane over polyester.

Unfortunately, it was stored around two other bags and some of the chips stuck to the other two bags.

Do you think that there is a chance that there is anything toxic in the small pieces that are coming off? should i safely discard all three bags? Thank you in advance for any help you can provide!

Debra’s Answer

Polyurethane and polyester as raw materials are not very toxic to begin with. It’s usually the finishes that are toxic.

And plastics, such as these, tend to become less toxic over time.

I’m not concerned about this purse being toxic after 8 years.

Add Comment

Question from Teresa Venatta

Hi Debra,

We are in the market for dinnerware and was wondering about the safety of Crate and Barrels Roulette Blue Band dinnerware. We like the look, just want to make sure it’s a safer option for families…(it was made in Portugal and is one of the best selling items)

Debra’s Answer

I suggest at least getting a Lead Check swab kit and testing one plate before buying an entire set. You’ll have to purchase the plate but can return it afterwards if it doesn’t pass the test.

You can buy them in the paint department at Home Depot.

Add Comment

An article in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal announces that the fast food chains Taco Bell and Pizza Hut plan to remove artificial colors and flavorings from their food.

Taco Bell is aiming to replace the ingredients with natural alternatives by year-end. They are also planning to remove additives like added trans fats and and additional artificial preservatives and additives by the end of 2017.

This is a great first step.

Back in 1978 when I first started considering toxics in my food, eliminating foods that contained artificial colors and flavors and preservatives was my first step. I’ve come a long way since and hopefully fast food chains will too.

The article says the companies are doing this “he face of changing consumer tastes.” We have power. Companies will give us what we want or go out of business.

This is a very good indicator things are moving in the right direction.

Wall Street Journal:Taco Bell, Pizza Hut to Remove Artificial Flavors, Coloring

Add Comment

Question from Paula Finn

Hi Debra,

Thanks again for all you do!

Would you be concerned about landscaping with decomposed granite? It may contain crystalline silica, which I believe is carcinogenic to breathe.

Debra’s Answer

I wouldn’t be concerned about this.

Crystalline silica is bound up in the granite. You would have to walk on it heavily and repeatedly for even a tiny amount to be released as the pieces of granite rub against each other. If it’s not in a walkway, this wouldn’t happen.

Even in a walkway, just a few people walking on it once or twice a day still wouldn’t be enough to release the silica.

Question from Stacey Santoro

Hi Debra,

I saw a stool in Pottery Barn that I really liked; however, the seat is made of a padded leather seat. I called the main contact number, and of course they did not have detailed information other than that the seat is made of leather with a foam padded seat. Can I assume that any padding such as this is toxic and contains flame retardants? Thanks so much!

Debra’s Answer

The standard foam in padded furniture is polyurethane foam. With the new California flammability laws going into effect now in 2015, it’s unlikely that new furniture contains fire retardants, but it’s always good to check.

I’ve just been going through this, looking for a padded office chair. All polyurethane foam.

Add Comment

I remember, more than thirty years ago, when I believed that if a product was sold in a store it was safe. Because the government wouldn’t allow a product that harmed consumers to be sold.

Nothing is further from the truth.

Here’s an article from the New York Times that explains our current situation with regards to toxic chemicals:

New York Times: Think Those Chemicals Have Been Tested?

Add Comment

I find it very interesting that Lumber Liquidators is having troubles after a story on 60 minutes reported the store was selling flooring that emitted excessing formaldehyde.

There is now a federal investigation going on, their stock has fallen dramatically, their CEO has quit…

If this kind of reporting were to happen for other toxic products, it would greatly speed their removal from the marketplace.

www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-05-21/lumber-liquidators-ceo-steps-down-amid-tainted-flooring-probe

Question from Noel Kehrlein

Hi Debra,

Do you know anything about this product?

www.plantairpurifier.com

Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

This air purifier sounds doubtful to me.

Here’s their explanation.

The Plant Air Purifier uses a common houseplant to clean the air. Plants have natural air-cleaning abilities, but to use plants as air filters is difficult due to the numerous houseplants necessary to clean air sufficiently and efficiently. This is the capability of the Plant Air Purifier; one Plant Air Purifier has the cleaning power of 100 standard houseplants. The Plant Air Purifier achieves this through a unique design that increases airflow past the root system which is the host of toxin consuming microbes.

Air containing toxic elements passes through the porous growing media and activated carbon by means of a high velocity fan. The activated carbon within the media attracts chemicals and holds them until the microscopic organisms (microbes) eat the toxins. The byproducts of the consumption process are nontoxic food and energy for themselves and the host plant. Over time microbes adapt to their environment and the chemicals they are exposed to; they quickly acclimate to the amount and type of toxins in the air, thus becoming more efficient at consuming these chemicals.

They aren’t using the plant technology at all developed by Dr. Wolverton (the basis of their advertlsing). The plant is just sitting on top of activated carbon and it’s the microbes in the roots that eat the toxins.

If you are interested in this type of technology, the O2 purifier  that I recommend is much more specifically designed in terms of collection of the pollutants and presence of microbes. I don’t see any air testing here, and it just seems inadequate in size and power.

Add Comment

Question from Lanet Morales

Hi Debra,

I recently went to H&M since they are coming out with more of the natural fiber clothing like cotton, linen…. There is an organic cotton line (SUSTAINABLE-CONSCIOUS) which I notice is sometimes mix of 50% organic cotton and 50% lyocell. I have never heard of Lyocell before and I am not sure if it has been treated with toxic chemicals, if the material is natural and something I can wear and not inhibit toxins, comparing to polyester cheap clothing other companies sell.

I also noticed that high brand names of my clothing use Lyocell and Modal as well so I am assuming this is not something cheap like polyester.

Here is the link to one shirt that might help: www.hm.com/us/product/34134?article=34134-A

Thanks!!

Debra’s Answer

Lyocell is a type of rayon. Rayon is made from regenerated cellulose fiber of various types. In the past, rayon was usually made from cotton fibers too short to spin into yarn. Lyocell is made from wood pulp. I’ve not heard of any problems with it and it is used as a blend with many natural fibers to make them less expensive.

Add Comment