Art | Resources
Bamboo Charcoal “Air Fresheners”
Question from Elizabeth
Hi Debra,
I have been reading a lot about Bamboo Charcoal “air fresheners” lately.
The products supposedly remove odors, moisture, viruses, VOCs,etc.
A 200 gram bag is supposed to be good for a 90 square foot area.
I am interested however I am not clear as to how a linen bag of charcoal is supposed to clean the air in a room just by placed in the room. I don’t see how the product would have the appropriate air circulation to meet it’s claims.
Do you have any experience or information on these products?
Debra’s Answer
I don’t have any experience with these products, however, there is just no way mechanically that a bag of any kind of charcoal can remove pollutants in the air anywhere close to what an air purifier can remove.
For real all filtration, see the Air Purifier page of Debra’s List.
Mouth Guard Material
Question from Janelle
Hi Debra,
My husband and I have recently become more concerned about all the plastic in our environment.
We are particularly concerned about the night guard that his dentist has him wear because he grinds his teeth at night. I’m wondering about the safety of the night guard.
I tried calling the office that they made it in, but they haven’t done any tests for leaching, he just assured me it was safe.
I did some research and it’s made from: Powder Component: Modified Ethyl Methacrylate Polymer Liquid Component: Modified Ethyl Methacrylate Monomer. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find information on if these substances are safe when mixed into plastic.
The company that makes the mouth guards is Astron and the material is called clearsplint.
Any help you can give me with this is much appreciated.
Thank you.
Debra’s Answer
It sounds to me like you mix the powder and liquid together to make the ClearSplint material. It isn’t added to plastic, it is the plastic.
The MSDS lists both of these materials as hazardous as well as ClearSplint itself.
What I don’t know is if they become less toxic when combined, or more toxic. Not enough data is available for this.
Regardless, it seems that ALL plastics leach to one degree or another. I wouldn’t let my child use this without having more evidence of safety than someone on the phone saying it’s safe.
Saffiano Leather Handbag
Question from Stacey
Hi Debra,
I am searching for a new leather handbag and wonder about the different leathers.
First, I wonder if a “quilted” leather bag contains a synthetic batting to make the quilted appearance.
I also discovered a type of leather called “saffiano leather” which is a textured leather with some sort of coating (not sure, but from what I have read, it is most often a wax). This saffiano leather is supposedly more durable, but I wonder if it is as safe to use as a regular leather.
Thanks so much!
Debra’s Answer
I think it’s highly likely that any padding used in an off-the-shelf handbag would be synthetic.
About the Saffiano leather…First, it’s leather, which has many toxic chemicals to begin with, and second a wax is added, probably paraffin. That’s just more petrochemicals.
Look on the Bags page of Debra’s List. I’ve been adding websites that use less toxic materials. Perhaps you can find something there.
The Sweet Farm
Naturally fermented sauerkrauts made with nothing but organic (local when possible) vegetables, sea salt, and spices. “Our traditional fermentation methods produce fresh, crisp and tangy krauts that pair well with just about any meal. In addition to their great taste, our krauts are full of probiotics, beneficial bacteria that help nourish your digestive system.” If you don’t want to make your own, try these.
Super Edibles
“Foods that have the best nutritional and aesthetic qualities:” nuts and seeds, dried fruits, herbs and spices, teas, cacao and coconut, powdered foods, and extracts and oils. “Superedibles sources the best quality foods from the most trustworthy suppliers we can find. We always choose quality over price. Our aim is to always provide products that are Raw, Organic and Kosher and have superior nutritional qualities. The products we provide are meant to facilitate your nutrition and wellness. We source the finest products for the best possible value. ”
Berry Good Organics
Kits to make organic elderberry syrup, an all-natural traditional remedy proven to work. “Contrary to other elderberry kits, mine are infused with all natural, organic ingredients that enhance its function. With added bonuses such as Organic ginger root, Organic clove, Organic goji berries, Organic turmeric powder, Organic cinnamon, and Organic star anis, mixed with the infamous dried elderberries, you will enjoy a flu free season. My kits are easy to prepare, and are effective for children and adults of all ages. I am proud to offer an organic and powerful alternative medicine that should be a staple in every household.”
Livliga Dinnerware
Elegant portion control dinnerware made of sustainable and durable porcelain. Attractive designs make it easy to put controlled portions on a plate and have it look appealing. Dinnerware is “lead free” and uses only FDA approved, food-safe inks for the decoration.
Wild Mountain Paleo Market
A full selection of organic foods chosen around Paleo guidelines. So if you’re on a Paleo diet, you can eat everything on this site. Includes baked goods and baking supplies, granola, chocolate, coconut products, condiments, crackers and chips, fermented foods, dips and spreads, herbs and spices, jerky and dried meat, nuts and seeds, ut butters, oils and fats, pasta and sauce, salad dressing, seafood, soup and stock sprouted foods, sweet snacks, sweeteners, supplements and much more. You’ll find many foods here that are not on your natural food store shelves, and ideas for what you can eat on a paleo diet. Read ingredients carefully as some items do contain natural sweeteners. Also Paleo body care.
Least toxic treatment to remove mycotoxins?
Question from Jennifer
Hi Debra,
I appreciate your work in the world so very much! I seem to remember a while back you addressed the benefits of fogging to remove mycotoxins. It was about the benefits of fogging with a formaldehyde gas mixture that did not leave any residue in the space treated.
I can’t seem to find any info on that at this point. Can you direct me to where I might find out more about this and/or share your thoughts about this technique for reclaiming spaces affected by these invisible toxins?
Debra’s Answer
I don’t recall addressing this and mold isn’t my field of expertise.
Readers, any information on this?
Here is a very simple and clear article about mycotoxins, what they are, how to remove them from indoor air.
What I can tell you about formaldehyde is that it DOES evaporate completely in a very short period of time. I remember in grade school a teacher left an open bottle of formaldehyde sitting on a counter and the whole bottle evaporated within an hour. The only reason formaldehyde is a long-term problem in particleboard and permanent press finishes is that it is bonded to resins to make it time release. But free formaldehyde evaporates very quickly.
Lunchbox Containers
Question from TM
Hi Debra,
I was using a stainless steel lunchbox containers for my young kid, however, I read stainless steel may leach, although I’m not sure if only when heated?
Glass is not an option right now as he is too young and can break.
Would you go with these made of polypropylene #5 plastic instead of stainless steel? Thanks so much!!
Debra’s Answer
All lunchbox container materials leach something to some degree, so the question is, would you rather be eating plastic or metals? Even, glass, we are now finding, leaches lead and other metals.
There’s a lot more we need to know before I can make a definitive recommendation between these materials. For the moment all I can say is in my kitchen stainless steel is gone except for one pot, but I still have some polypropylene. It’s one of the least toxic plastics.
