Question from mtv

Does anyone know of any safe non-stick cooking pots & pans? I am fine without them, but my husband really likes to cook his eggs simply and with ease. I leave the room when he uses the pan. I recently heard an add for non stick pots & pans that can withstand up to 800 degrees,unlike the traditional teflon coated pans that heat and let out toxic material. Thanks

Debra’s Answer

Cooking eggs without a nonstick pan was discussed in Q&A: Teflon on George Forman Grills? (scroll down the page). Maybe one of these suggestions will work for your husband.

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Question from mtv

We are in a house for a year or so. We have some carpeting. Any ideas how to clean this? The house is 6 years old. Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

I suggest using steam cleaning. You can either rent a carpet steam cleaning machine or have a service do it for you. Either way, just use the steam, not the shampoo that comes with it.

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This website has information about latex allergy and chemicals that are used in the making of latex and their health effects.

DERMNET NEW ZEALAND: Allergy to rubber accelerators

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Question from Jim Ott

Debra, I noticed in the pictures of your bathroom remodel that you installed a glass shower door. What type of caulk did you use to install this door? I have been having a hard time finding a nontoxic waterproof caulk. Thanks, Jim

Debra’s Answer

We used DAP Silicone Caulk, which is easily available at Lowe’s and Home Depot. It’s the least toxic one we’ve found that is sold in general stores. It has some odor, but it dissipates within a day.

If any of you have found less toxic caulks, please post a comment so we can have them here.

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Question from Fran Saunders

Can anyone please tell me how to get rid of ants in my fridge? They don’t seem to be interested in the food, but swarm together on the walls of the fridge.

Thank you.
Fran Saunders

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Lyn

Do you know of a natural alternative to the chemical (Raid) bug bombs for use in a basement?

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know of a natural “bomb”-type product that will kill all the bugs in your basement.

See the Pest Control page of Debra’s List for links to organizations that can help you find a natural solution to your pest problems.

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Question from Greyson

I would like some comments from those that have purchased new, non-toxic furniture from various sources such as Furnature. Have your experiences been good? Is it best to stick with used, out-gassed furniture? Some concerns I have are with the strong smell of organic cotton- does all furniture made with it have a strong smell? Non-toxic furniture is a big investment and only worth it if is truly satisfactory.

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

I personally have never purchased furniture from any of these websites, as I already had all my furniture before these were available, however, I would suggest that anyone considering ordering get samples of all the materials to be used FIRST, and make sure they are OK for you. Remember, especially if you are chemically sensitive, that each body is unique and what is tolerable for others may not be tolerable for you.

That said, readers, what is your experience?

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Question from Donnie

I’m looking for a distilled white vinegar that I can use for cleaning, that does not contain corn or sulfites. I’m allergic to both of them. Apple cider vinegar works for some things, but not others. I know that Heinz white vinegar is made from corn, and have had some very nasty reactions to the fumes from it. Do you know of any brands that are corn and sulfite free, that I can use? Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know of any. Readers?

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Question from KLP

Do the “natural” peanut butters (the ones with only peanuts and salt) REQUIRE refrigeration for health reasons or is that only a suggestion on how to keep the natural oils from separating? Thanks so much for sharing your vast knowledge.

Debra’s Answer

Personally, I always refrigerate mine, but I’ve noticed that in my local natural food store, where they make fresh nut butters, they don’t refrigerate them. They are just sitting on a shelf next to the nut grinder.

On the other hand, these nut butters probably sell fairly quickly. Perhaps there is a reason one might need to refrigerate nut butters for long term storage.

Readers, any thoughts on this?

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Question from Tracey from Chicago

I just got married the day before we closed on our new house. It’s already been five months, and I have not been able to live in it. I’ve been living with relatives out of state. The new house makes me so sick, I can only visit for a few days here and there, and only when all windows are constantly open and the hvac system is off. My last visit ended with me in the emergency room with difficulty breathing and chest pains. The doctor said it was inflammed bronchial tubes.

It may be left over residue from Ethyl Mercaptan, since there was an undetected propane leak in the home for over two months, before we bought it. OR…it might be the formaldehyde, as I seem to smell it the most when in the basement and near the kitchen cabinets.

We hired odor experts to come in and blast the place with Hydrogen Peroxide Generators for over 24hrs, which cut the fumes by 90% or more, but three months later it is building up again.

Our basement is unfinished with wooden beams on the ceilings, exposed plywood from the floors above, concrete slab foundation and blown-in insulation that is held in place with some sort of a fabric stapled to the studs. The basement is 2,000sf, and the entire house is 6,000sf.

We thought about carbon filtered air purifying systems, but the off gassing has to pass me as it comes out of the materials before it can reach the system…so there will still be exposure to it.

Are there any kinds of really super strong sealants that can be sprayed on…but what about insulation? Is there anything in concrete that would off gas?

Debra’s Answer

This is a fairly complex question that is difficult to answer from a distance. I would really need to come look at it.

What it sounds like is that you have had various treatments to “clear the air” of the pollutants, but the source of the air pollution is still there, continuing to emit.

My advice would be to figure out what is emitting the chemicals and remove or seal it, otherwise it is going to be an ongoing problem.

Also, did something happen between the time you purchased the house and it closed? Was it always this way? Was the problem not apparent when you were initially looking at the house?

It is very very important to consider toxic exposures of a house BEFORE you buy it. Best is to find a home that is nontoxic to begin with, or be sure you know how to remediate any toxic problems before you buy.

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