Question from Annette Tweedel

Hi Debra, Are there any non-toxic typewriter ribbons out there? Because my husband has an old UnderWood typewriter and the ribbon needs replacing. Thank you very much for the help.

Debra’s Answer

It’s been so long since I used a typewriter I don’t know about the current availability of typewriter ribbons. As for toxicity, a ribbon for an old typewriter for an Underwood (I wrote my first book in 1982 on an old Underwood) would be among the most toxic because the ribbon is exposed to air so it needs solvents to keep the ink wet.

Readers, any typewriter ribbon experience?

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Question from Hate the HE washers and detergents-have ruined clothes

The first HE machine I bought had black mold after 6 months and l/3 of my clothes are ruined with that. The company took it back (only because a class-action suit may be in the works). The second one has a rubber-gasket which off-gasses aome kind of chemicals into the water and after two months of trying to get rid of the problem (its antimicrobial), the big box store said they’d take it back. Problem: after a lot of online research over several weeks all teh top loaders seem to be of poor quality. Of course, the HE washers mold, the detergent has oil in it which builds up and meets with the lint=mildew and mold. What I did not expect was an attack from the gasket and I’m worried about any plastic parts at all doing the same thing because companies are using such cheap plastic these days (haven’t you notice the smell?) So, help asap, what machine should I buy?

Debra’s Answer

Readers, what is your experience?

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Question from Cheryl3

I love certain muffins and just realized they are sold in plastic #7 containers. Would the muffins absorb the toxins at a harmful level or is it just liquids that would be vulnerable? Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

It’s hard to say what toxic chemicals might be leaching from a #7 plastic container. The number is to identify the plastic for recycling purposes, not toxicity.

The type of plastic for number #7 is “other.” Plastic #7 is the code assigned to any plastic that does not fit into the other six well-defined categories of recyclable material.

Plastic #7 includes two main types: acrylonitrile styrene or styrene acrylonitrile (AS/SAN), and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). But plastic #7 might also be polycarbonate that leaches Bisphenol-A (BPA).

Or plastic #7 could be one the new bio-based plastics that use corn, potato or sugar derivatives.

Personally, I prepare food from fresh raw ingredients as much as possible, to avoid exposures from unknown packaging.

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Question from chickadee

Hello again, I am continuing to learn how to connect to this online community and break my isolation.

After contemplating the latex issue, for today, I’ve decided to shop for a latex free mattress. This is my goal of what I would like to find.

The closest I’ve come to finding a mattress, is the Oasis Innerspring. I have been able to try it in the store, but without a box spring. It is not returnable or exchangeable. It is not pocket coil mattress. I tried one that is hard and works for sleeping on my back, only and one that is softer and works for sleeping on my side, only. I sleep both ways.

Understandably the resources for natural mattress seem to offer less choices, in this kind of comfort. Any thoughts and support is appreciated. Thank you, Edie

Debra’s Answer

Readers? Do you know of any mattresses that fit this description?

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Question from Dana R.

Does anyone know about the safety of these? They are dry when you put them on–you peel off the back and stick them on your nails then file off the extra material. Would the nail polish ingredients still be harmful even though they are not wet and do not touch your skin, and is the adhesive harmful?

Debra’s Answer

I suggest you contact the manufacturer and see what information you can get about the adhesive. Post it here and I’ll comment.

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Question from Kcall07

Hello,

I recently purchased an old board game off Ebay, and it came supplied with painted lead figures. It gives a warning saying not to chew or swallow them, and for them not be used by children under twelve, but are they safe for an adult to handle?

Many Thanks

Debra’s Answer

It sounds from the warning like they consider that the paint is a sufficient barrier to the lead. If the paint is not damaged in any way and forms a complete seal, it should be OK for an adult to handle.

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Question from sueRD

Any source for plain wood toothpicks (unflavored no additives) made in USA?

Debra’s Answer

Penley Wood Toothpicks are made in Maine USA.

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I saw this article in a health newsletter that arrived in my email inbox. It had some good tips but was not completely toxic-free. So here’s my rewritten nontoxic version.

Summer is about sweating. Sweat is a good thing, it cools your body down on a hot day, to maintain consistent body temperature.

Perspiration itself is practically odorless, made up mostly of water and salt. When it mixes with the bacteria that live on your skin, however it turns into body odor.

Keeping body odor under control starts with following some basic rules of hygiene:

1. Bathe at least once a day – more often if needed. Showering or taking a bath reduces the amount of bacteria on your skin and also washes sweat down the drain.


2. DON’T use an antibacterial soap. Though antibacterial soaps will kill the bacteria that causes body odor, most antibacterial “deodorant” soaps contain triclosan, a pesticide that can cause liver damage when absorbed through your skin. Just plain, unscented soap works well enough. And you don’t even need to apply soap to your entire body–armpits, upper thighs, and feet are the areas that generate most body odor.


3. Dry your body carefully. Pay particular attention to the area between your toes and to armpits, upper thighs and genitals. When your skin is dry, it’s harder for bacteria to breed.


4. Shave your underarms regularly. This will help keep bacteria from building up there.


5. If needed, use a baking soda to reduce underarm odor. Yes, plain baking soda. I have recommended baking soda to a number of people who have suffered for many years with unconquerable body odor, and they say it’s the only thing that has worked for them. Just take a bit of dry baking soda on your fingertips and pat it under your arms after you’ve dried off from your shower. Your skin should be slightly damp, but not wet. If the baking soda feels too abrasive to you, you can mix it with cornstarch or white clay.


6. Wear clothes made with natural fibers. Cotton, linen, silk, and wool all allow your skin breathe.


7. Wash your clothes often — especially clothes that you sweat in. In summer, when you’re more likely to perspire, change your clothes frequently.


8. Keep your feet dry. Wear socks made of moisture-absorbing materials like cotton and wool and change them often. To allow your feet to breathe, choose sandals and shoes made of leather. Better yet, go barefoot when you can.


9. Watch what you eat. Sometimes eating spicy or fatty foods can lead to body odor.

If your body smells really bad continuously, it might be a sign of illness or toxic overload. It makes sense to me that the body in its natural state would smell good, as do other things in nature, and that a bad odor would be a symptom of something wrong with a body. Check with your health professional if bad body odor persists.

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Question from nukuspot

We have just done an energy audit on our house using the local Green Building company. We have a lot of air coming in from our crawlspace through our floors, and that is the main place we need to seal up to healthier indoor air as well as energy savings. Currently we just have Eco Batt fiberglass batts as insulation under there.

Our choices to seal the area (as per our builder) are to take down the current fiberglass and tape and caulk the gaps in the floor from the crawlspace side, then either 1.) Just put the Eco Batt back up (which would not totally seal the area but would help) 2.) Tape and caulk then apply rigid polystyrene foam boards (EPS) then put the Eco Batt back up. 3.) Take down the fiberglass and use a PU (polyurethane spray foam) product called Spraytite by BASF. The builder would like to do this option since it would totally seal the area and make it air tight. He firmly believes that after a 24 hour period of ‘curing” in which we would have to vacate the home, it is totally non-toxic and safe for chemically sensitive individuals. The BASF folks also tout this product as being safe for chemically sensitive people.

http://www.spf.basf.com/DOCS/ResidentialBrochures/363-3136BSPRAYTITEFAQsforHomeowners.pdf

Even with all this reassurance it will be safe for me (I don’t have MCS but am extremely sensitive to chemicals) I have severe reservations about using the PU spray foam. I hope someone might have some information that might help me in my decision making process. Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

Well, it looks to be nontoxic from the description at the given URL.

Anyone have any experience with this product?

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