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Empire Home Fresh Carpet

Question from April

 

Thank you so much for all your priceless info! Seriously. Thank you for this resources. I don’t know what I would do without it! I’m wondering if you’ve reviewed or have any insight into Empire Today’s Home Fresh carpet? It’s being touted as low to no VOCs and hypoallergenic. Not much is said about the installation materials. I’m wondering if this is a valid low cost option. I would greatly appreciate any info you can offer.

 

Lisa’s Answer

In general, I don’t recommend wall-to-wall carpet as it collects and traps dust and VOCs from the air in addition to the VOCs emitted by the product itself.  I looked at the website and it doesn’t give much information.  They say that it has no VOCs (that is highly unlikely because the backing is made from plastic.  It’s a better plastic than some carpets use but any plastic will emit something.). It doesn’t list any certification to help verify any of their claims.  I would ask them for a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) as well as any testing they have done to verify these claims.  Once you get them post them here and I can take a look.  As you point out, the installation materials also need to be considered.

Building a Non-Toxic Home

Question from Jordan

 

In your “about me” description you mentioned you have built a few homes using nontoxic/low emitting materials. My family and I are going to be building our first home and would like to do the same. I am interested to know how you did this and materials used. So more on this topic would be helpful and I would be willing to pay for a consult as well if that is something you do.
Looking forward to seeing/reading all your knowledge on non toxic living.

 

Lisa’s Answer

I will be doing paid consultations in the coming months but I am not right now.  If you need to start right away I recommend hiring a BBNC, which is a Building Biology New-Build Consultant.  They are trained specifically for this purpose.  A great place to start is to get the book “Prescriptions for a Healthy House”, 3rd edition, by Paula Baker-Laporte.  A 4th edition is in the works but I’m not sure when it will be out.

Dining Chair Emergency

Question from Jordan

 

Congrats and thank you on being a non-toxic expert! I could really use your help. We are in dire straits trying to find dining chairs. We have been looking for several months and still have nothing. We are looking for vegan, organic/non-toxic, sustainable, fairly made chairs that are soft and comfortable. We also need the seat height a little higher than a lot out there. Aye Aye Aye!! If you have any resources to direct us to, you would be saving our lives. This chair search is giving me a stroke LOL

 

Lisa’s Answer

I’m not sure what your budget is but I’m sure you are aware that to meet all of the needs you lay out prices will be fairly high.  Do you need a cushioned chair?  If so, I recommend Medleyhome.com.  They have a customizable dining chair that meets all of your needs.  I’m not sure about the chair height but they might be able to make a custom size for you.  You do need to select the option for natural latex fill if you want it to be truly non-toxic.  If you are okay with a solid wood chair there are many more options.  You could even have a cushion for it made with natural fill.  Check out Debra’s List for non -toxic furniture manufacturers.

Sheets

Question from Barbara

Looking for some no iron safe sheets. What is your recommendation? Thank You

Lisa’s Answer

Sheets that are labelled as “wrinkle free” or other no iron claims should be avoided because they often contain formaldehyde.  I always recommend GOTS certified organic sheets.  I have found that flannel sheets require the least ironing of the different types of GOTS certified organic sheets I have used.

Dental Office Scented

Question from Bonnie

Last year my dentist office had very strong smelling “natural” air freshner. They were using a small pulg in tabletop machine in each room that had a mist coming out of it. I think they said it was one of the eseential oils. I told them even the essential oils were harmful as I read it somewhere. The dentist said he would remove it if I could prove it was bad for chemical sensitivity, to send what I read. Do you have info I could send him? I have been going there about 20 years.

Lisa’s Answer

Here is an article I found referencing the problem.  I’m not aware of any scientific “proof” but this does identify that it is an issue for sensitive people.

Matchbox and Hot Wheels Cars

Question from Miriam

My quick question is: have you ever investigated Matchbox cars or Hot Wheels?
My longer question, which I know may have to wait, is: How do I research this?  Leadsafemama.com says they’re safe as of the last 20-30 years (from lead) but I found an article from 2015 that says they were found to contain ‘toxic’ chemicals – but can’t find more than this:
My son desperately wants some and I’m not sure how to proceed.

 

Lisa’s Answer

 

My son was obsessed with Matchbox and Hot Wheels when he was little so I get it.  He is now starting freshman year of college…it goes fast:). At the time my main concern was lead, I worked very long hours and didn’t have the time to do as deep dives as I do now.  A big factor is if he will put them in his mouth.  I assume he is past that age, but if not I would hold off.
The study sited in the article below is no longer up so I can’t see the testing methodology.  Most of the studies for heavy metals in toys are subjected to solutions to mimic saliva and digestions because the assumption is they will be mouthed or possibly digested by a very small child.  So, if a metal is leached under these conditions it does not necessarily mean that there is exposure when played with as intended.
The good news is that the U.S. regulation of toys is getting better, unlike in other segments.  All toys made in and imported to be sold in the U.S. must meet the ASTM standard F963 which tests for 8 metals including arsenic, mercury, lead, chromium, cadmium, barium, selenium, and antimony.  The regulations were strengthened in 2016 and 2017.
They do not test for cobalt at the federal level, which is what was identified in the attached study.  Oregon and Washington State have stricter requirements for children’s toys and require companies to report on the presence of a longer list of chemicals of concern.  Cobalt is one of them.  You can use this cool database to look up companies to see the presence of chemicals of concern in their products.  I looked up Mattel which makes both Hot Wheels and Matchbox and it does, indeed, show that cobalt is present.  It does not tell you anything about exposure or limits, simply that it is used in the product.
Interestingly, cobalt is the most reported material in this database.  It is widely used in children’s clothing but also present in toys and jewelry.  It is a colorant often, but not always, used for blue coloring.  The health effects of the type of cobalt exposure a child gets from consumer products is not studied.  Most of the studied effects are from industrial settings.  It is a possible allergen and there are dermatological studies.  You can read more here.
I would still choose a major manufacturer like Mattel over a cheaper version.  Heavy metal contamination from use of recycled materials can be greater in lower cost products.
I think this is a personal choice.  My choice would be to allow it if he is old enough to not put them in his mouth.  As an extra precaution he could wash his hands after playing with them.  I would focus more on eliminating cobalt exposure from clothing by buying organic cotton and ideally GOTS certified clothing.

Air Fryers

Question from Catherine

Hello, I recently came across your site and so happy that I did !I would like to purchase a air fryer and would like to know your opinion . I had my eye on a air fryer that QVC is selling but I saw that it had a California warning label. Are air fryers safe ? I know that they are a healthy way to cook, but are they toxic ?

Lisa’s Answer

 

I haven’t researched air fryers yet but I, too, am curious.  The California warning label is often due to lead in the cord of small appliances.  I am not concerned about this as an exposure unless you you have small children who might have access to the cord.  What I do want to look into is the coatings used on the inside of the appliance and the type of energy used to cook the food.  Check back soon and hopefully I’ll have some answers.

Sofa

Question from Shelly

Do you onow anything about the daniel sofa from four seasons? My daughter is toxic week from aldehyde and we moved and I haven’t really found the source of it but now it might be our bedroom furniture so I can paint that will save seal but I’m wondering if I need to cancel my new sofa order. My bedroom furniture is from Ashlea and it says made in Vietnam. We’ve had it for three years. And my daughters sofa says that it’s phase 2 California formaldehyde compliant. So her issues might be from my furniture. It might be really bad because I’ve really suffered with constant UTIs and pain. Now I’m wondering if it’s some chemical in the furniture or maybe it’s the formaldehyde anything that you know that you can share is much appreciated.

Lisa’s Answer

 

There are several chemicals of concern that could be found in a traditional sofa.  The most concerning are flame retardants.  You could call the company and ask if they contain any.  Here is an article that references other concerns.  Most traditional sofas, including the one you mention, is made with polyurethane foam, which can have many chemicals of concern.  California Phase 2 (CARB Phase 2) only measures the content from the wood components.  It does not tell you about the foam and fabrics.  You can check out Debra’s List of safe furniture makers.

Electric Glass Kettle

Question from Kate

I have metal allergies, including to nickel and chromium. I REALLY miss my electric kettle. There are electric kettles w foodgrade 304 stainless steel (which i understand contains nickel and chromium) bottom and lid and borosilicate glass sides and lip (eg ASCOT). Q: Does boiling water leach nickel and chromium from stainless steel?  I know acidic food would.

Lisa’s Answer

 

I wrote an article about leaching from stainless steel into water.  One study showed that stainless steel did not leach into water in any tested scenario.  Most studies test stainless steel using acid solutions so more research is needed to provide a more definitive assessment of leaching into water.  One factor that determines the amount of leaching is surface area and given that only part that comes in contact with the water is the bottom, leaching would be further limited.  If you did not have allergies, I would say it’s a good choice. But given that you have allergies to metal I suggest you check with your doctor. I know some people with metal allergies avoid all stainless steel.

Bathtub

Question from Tracie

Sorry to bother you but i have looked for info and have had no luck on what tub to get because i cant afford to much. i was wondering if i got one that is plastic with a acrylic coat if it would work because a full acrylic tub just cost to much. if you have any idea i would be very grateful. i am very sensitive and can only eat 15 foods.

Lisa’s Answer

 

I’m sorry you are having a challenging time.  If you are very sensitive, I can’t tell you what you will or will not react to because everyone is different.  I can give you some general advice about the relative toxicity of different options.  I usually recommend porcelain enameled steel or porcelain enameled cast iron but I know those can be pricey.  Have you consider buying a used one?  I’m not sure where you live but stores like Restore sell used building products.  Just be careful not to buy one built before 1996 because the glazing could contain lead.

I don’t recommend acrylic tubs because they are made with petrochemicals and offgas.  I don’t know what type of plastic is in the core of an acrylic coated tub so I can’t really speak to its toxicity.

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