Question from Nicole

Lisa’s Answer

I would need more information than is provided on their website but there are some red flags.  The crib is described on some reseller websites as made of 100% beech wood.  On the Stokke site it is described as solid beech wood but then further down in the details it says it is a combination of solid beechwood, Beech laminate and beech plywood.  I find this very misleading. Laminate is made with adhesives so I would need to know what type of adhesives are used.  Plywood may contain formaldehyde.  I don’t see any certifications to confirm that they use formaldehyde-free plywood.

Also, the natural color has a finish that I would need to know more about.  The white and grey are stained and I would need to know more about the stain used.  You can call the company and ask if the have Safety Data Sheets for the finishes and materials used.  If you get those I can look at them to tell you more.

Question from Mir

Lisa’s Answer

Based on the information available in the links, greenrubbertoys.com seems like the best bet.  While I have a couple questions about their products, I am impressed with the information they do provide.  They are made with natural latex.  You might want to confirm that it is 100% natural latex with no additives but even if it isn’t, it’s a better choice than the others. They provide testing results for each product line.  Toys with brown paint may contain very low levels of lead, far below allowable limits.  Have your kids wash their hands after playing and of course, make sure they don’t put them in their mouths.

I would avoid anything with PVC.  The Target item has PVC.  The Hearthsong item has a Prop 65 warning label for Toulene, which means it is probably made of PVC.  I couldn’t find any information on materials on the Bullyland, battatco or Desertcart websites.

PEVA and EVA are two non-PVC vinyls.  They are typically safer than PVC because they don’t contain chlorine, and don’t typically contain phthalates.  They are however, petroleum-based plastic and can contain a number of chemical additives.  For example formamide is a hotly debated ingredient in EVA foam.  I know it’s really hard to find toys that have no plastic.  I think the natural latex dinosaur is a good choice!

Question from Anu

Lisa’s Answer

The Amish futon frame looks to be a good, non-toxic choice.  I would just confirm that the linseed oil is 100% linseed with no added ingredients.  Some very sensitive people do react to linseed oil.  It is not toxic but it can be a problem for some.

I’m not sure if you are looking for mattresses specifically at the futonshop or are asking a vernal question about mattresses.  Here is a good link to an article that Debra wrote about Naturepedic.  In her explanation about why Naturpedic is the best non-toxic mattress it tells you what to consider when buying a mattress.

Question from Roya

Lisa’s Answer

I can’t tell you exactly what made you feel ill because everyone is different, though people with hypersensitive have reported reacting to this unit as well as other air purifiers.  The housing is metal though the wheels are made of plastic and some off gassing will occur.  Some people have found that allowing it to run at full power outside or in a garage for a few days helps.

This is a very good unit.  There are a few others that I think are better but you can read more about that in my Portable Air Purifier Buying Guide.  You can read other people’s comments at the end where some reader’s indicate which air purifiers they have reacted to.

Question from Pia

Lisa’s Answer

I assume you are referring to the carbon in the filter.  Carbon is safe.  Just make sure you are replacing it as directed.  When the carbon becomes saturated it can re-release impurities back into the water.  I recommend avoiding plastic coffee makers as discussed in prior posts.

Question from Bonnie

Lisa’s Answer

I’m not a doctor and can’t tell you the exact health impact of a one-time bleach exposure for someone with a thyroid condition.  I don’t recommend using bleach.  Most bleach products contain several ingredients so I can’t give you specifics about how harmful the product is without knowing the ingredients.  In general, sodium hypochlorite, a common bleach ingredient has been shown to cause skin and respiratory sensitization, eye irritation, and neurotoxicity.  It is also very toxic to the aquatic environment.  Cotton used for fabric is washed and processed to remove impurities.  I am not aware of any reports of negative health effects from organic cotton due to manure.

I’ve written recently about the possible presence of lead in ceramic dishes and cookware.  The FDA recommends using lead test kits as a way to determine if it’s safe to eat or drink from your ceramic ware.  This type of test is helpful but limited.  It’s important to understand what you can learn from it and what you can’t.

Lead test kits became popular after the EPA established the 2008 Lead Renovating, Repair and Painting rule (RRP) that allows certified contractors to use certain lead test kits to determine if regulated lead-based paint is present in housing and other facilities where children are present.  Because the tests were designed to test paint some brands , such as Scitus, specifically state that they are not intended for ceramics.  It’s important to make sure the test you buy is appropriate for this purpose.

3M LeadCheck is the Best Brand for Testing Ceramics.

3M LeadCheck is an easy-to-use swab that is rubbed on the surface of the item you are testing.  If it turns red it indicates the presence of lead.  The directions on the package state that it takes just 30 seconds to determine the presence of lead but it’s worth noting that a Consumer Reports review found that it can take up to 2 hours if there are low levels of lead!  Make sure to wait this long to see if the swab turns red.

This Test Can Tell You if Lead Is Present but Not if It’s Free of Lead

The limitation of the 3M LeadCheck test is that it only detects lead down to 600ppm.  That means that a product could contain over 500ppm of lead and still test negative. For perspective, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) limits the amount of lead in children’s products to 100ppm.  Because no level of lead is safe, this is simply not a sensitive enough test to determine that a product’s safety.  If you get a positive result on your dishes or cookware, stop using them.  If you get a negative result it does not necessarily mean that no lead is present.

Lead test kits can be helpful for identifying lead in children’s toys, ceramic tiles, older porcelain enameled bathtubs, sinks and toilets.  Just remember that a negative reading doesn’t necessarily mean the item is free of lead.

Question from Audrey

Lisa’s Answer

I understand that your question is about getting rid of the smell but I’d also like to address the question of is the chair free of toxins.

First, regarding the smell, musty odor is due to mold or mildew.  To get mold or mildew there must be a source of moisture.  Is the humidity high in your home?  If so, you may want to look into a dehumidifier.  If not and you do not live in a humid climate, opening your windows and using a fan can help.  You could also try leaving the chairs in the sun for a period of time.  You can try to apply the vinegar which may help neutralize the odor.  I can’t tell you whether or not that will damage your fabric.

Regarding the potential toxicity, I am concerned about two things.  First, there could be mold in the cushions.  You could open them up to check.  If you cannot confirm that there is not any mold, I would not keep them.  Also, if the cushion is made with foam it could be a source of many chemicals of concern such as formaldehyde and fire retardants.  As foam gets older it breaks down and gets into household dust.  Even if it doesn’t smell it can still be exposing you to chemicals.  I don’t recommend upholstered furniture unless it is made with non-toxic fillers such as natural latex, wool or cotton.

Question from Bonnie

Lisa’s Answer

Thanks for sharing this information.  It’s frustrating that there is not better disclosure from manufacturers.  I am not surprised that the product specialist was also not aware of this.

Question from Diana

Lisa’s Answer

Shellac is typically lower in VOCS than lacquers but not all are the same.  It’s possible that you could be trading one problem for another.  Also, I’m not aware of any shellac product that provides independent testing that it blocks VOC off gassing.