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Page 14 of 20
Vegan-friendly Bedding
Question from Lisa Hi Debra, I appreciate all the research you are doing to provide safe alternative products for all. Do you know of organic bedding, matresses and toppers, that are “vegan friendly”, that do not use silk or wool? Thank you very much, Lisa Debra’s Answer Check Debra’s List: Textiles: Beds & Bedding recommendations. […]
August 8, 2013
What Can Happen When Toxic Chemicals are Not Regulated and What We Can Do As Citizens to Get the Regulations We Should Have
My guest is Peggy Cahill, who became ill after being exposed to isocyanate chemicals from the offgassing of ordinary spray foam insulation. She will tell us how this affected her health as well as her efforts to educate, create awareness and advocate at the state and local level. Peggy’ s professional experience has spanned over 30 years working as an advocate at the state and local level for underserved groups, including children and adults with developmental and physical disabilities, inner city children at risk and adolescents with mental health challenges. She holds a Master of Education degree and is presently working as a program development consultant and freelance writer, creating art and culture programs for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and their care partners.
July 23, 2013
Fire Retardants in Sleeping Pillows, Comforters and Quilts?
Question from natalie Hi Debra, Do pillows, comforters and quilts also have fire retardants in them? I used to think only matresses and mattress pad need to have these flammability requirements. But what is the real life scenario, is it a common practice in USA that bedclothes are also FR treated? Thanks a lot for […]
Toxic-Free Alpaca Pillows for a Good Night’s Sleep
My guest Robbin Martinelli the Founder and Owner of USAlpaca Company, which specializes in Alpaca breeding and exquisite Alpaca Fashions, Alpaca Pillows and Pendleton Alpaca Blankets made in America. A former Professor of English Literature and Creative Writing, Robbin’s life now revolves around the agriculture of breeding fine and rare alpacas. At her farm in Virginia, she gives educational interactive tours and follows her passion of creating new American-made alpaca products. Her mission is to provide the consumer with luxuriously healthy products made from all-natural alpaca, called the Royal Fleece, and the Green Livestock. We’ll talk about toxic chemicals in pillows, Robbin’s alpaca sleep pillows (I have one and I’ll tell you all about it!) and why she loves alpaca as a toxic-free material. www.debralynndadd.com/debras-list/usalpaca-company
July 17, 2013
Create a Beautiful Toxic-Free Home
My guest Lydia Corser is a green interior designer and the owner of Greenspace, a green remodeling store in Santa Cruz, California. Combining creativity with a focus on green interior design since 1995 has proven to be a fulfilling combination for Lydia. After helping launch greenspace, Lydia purchased that business in 2007. Today, she is as happy to mix paint as design a green kitchen. Lydia received her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Wildlife Biology in 1986, and an Advanced Certificate and Associate’s Degree in Science in Interior Design from West Valley College in 1998. We’ll be talking about toxic chemicals in interior decorating products and how to choose safe products for your home. www.ecolydia.com, www.debralynndadd.com/debras-list/greenspace
July 15, 2013
How To Remove Odors of Almost Any Kind From Almost Any Thing
My guest is Daliya Robson from Nirvana Safe Haven, who knows more about removing odors than anyone I know. Daliya became “a chemical injury statistic” while working as a realtor, viewing and showing toxic new homes or homes with new carpets, paints, and cabinets. After becoming extremely disabled in 1993 with multiple chemical sensitivities, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and a broken thyroid, Daliya started educating others on the dangers of toxic chemicals and later began providing healing healthy solutions for a nontoxic environment. After 20 years Daliya is still providing solutions for surviving in a toxic world. We’ll talk about the products she sells that remove and control odors of various types and the thought process she uses to solve odor problems. www.debralynndadd.com/debras-list/nirvana-safe-haven
June 26, 2013
Affordable, Basic Platform Bed Frames
Question from Stacey I am searching for affordable, basic platform bed frames for my organic mattresses. I came across one that is “formaldehyde free” but uses an “oil based polyurethane” which “takes a few weeks to outgas,” according to the website (Lifekind). Would you recommend these as safe, or recommend something else… Thanks! Debra’s Answer […]
June 24, 2013
Getting a Good Night’s Sleep on a Natural Bed
My guest is Marlon Pando, President and Owner of White Lotus Home. We’ll take an “under the covers” look at how natural mattresses and bedding are made, discuss materials, and best choices for various sleeping needs. Marlon worked in his family business until he purchased White Lotus Home, a company that has been making natural and organic bedding in the USA for 32 years. www.whitelotushome.com
May 2, 2013
The Many Ways Toxic Chemicals Affect Your Health and What You Can Do
My guest is Dr. Doris Rapp, one of the first medical doctors who began to associate toxic chemical exposures with the symptoms of her pediatric patients. A board-certified environmental medical specialist, pediatric allergist, and homeopath, Dr. Rapp served as Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the State University of New York at Buffalo until January 1996. Dr. Rapp practiced traditional allergy medicine for 18 years. After learning about environmental medicine in 1975, Dr. Rapp began to incorporate the principles of environmental medicine into her pediatric allergy practice. Dr. Rapp is a past President of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine. She is also the author of the bestselling books, Is this Your Child and Is this Your Child’s World, which help identify and provide practical methods of treatment to eliminate substances which can cause illness and behavioral changes in both children and adults. Her book Our Toxic World: A Wake-up Call tells how chemicals damage your body, brain behavior and sex. www.drrapp.com
May 1, 2013
Wall-to-Wall Carpets: The Good, the Bad, and What To Do If You Have Them In Your Home
Daliya Robson is my guest on this show. She became “a chemical injury statistic” while working as a realtor, viewing and showing toxic new homes or homes with new carpets, paints, and cabinets. After becoming extremely disabled in 1993 with multiple chemical sensitivities, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and a broken thyroid, Daliya started a website called The Nontoxic Hot Line to warn people of the dangers of all chemicals. Nirvana Safe Haven became the name of this website after she began providing healing healthy solutions for a nontoxic environment. After 20 years Daliya is still providing solutions for surviving in a toxic world. www.nontoxic.com
April 30, 2013
The Petition Asking Top Ten Retailers to Stop Selling Products That Contain the "Hazardous 100" Chemicals
The man who started this campaign—Andy Igrejas, National Campaign Director for Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families—joins me to discuss their “Mind the Store” campaign. We’ll talk about the campaign, the results so far, why each of us as citizens and consumers need to be involved in changing what’s on the shelf in stores, and what we can do. As consumers we have power. Stores sell what we want to buy. We need to let them know we don’t want toxics. mindthestore.saferchemicals.org
April 25, 2013
Cotton vs Poly/Cotton Futon Cover
Question from Kelsey Dear Debra, Thank you for this website! My husband and I are preparing for the birth of our first child, and I have been using your advice to try and create a safer environment in our home for the coming little one. We are on a very tight budget, but I made […]
April 15, 2013
Will California TB117-2013 Really Reduce Fire Retardants?
TB117-2013 is a new California flammability standard for upholstered furniture (which includes, couches, padded chairs, but NOT mattresses). Because it is not feasible for manufacturers to make different versions of products for different states, the California standard has effectively been and will continue to be the standard for the entire United States. Currently it’s still […]
March 19, 2013
Nontoxic Finish for Unfinished Wood Bed Frames That Protects Against Termites
Question from Cindy I bought two unfinished pine beds at IKEA for my granddaughters that I would like to paint or varnish, but I’m not sure how to go about doing this in the most nontoxic way. I’m not only concerned with toxins, but also termites getting into the wood. Would the wood need to […]
March 8, 2013
CertiPUR-US Polyurethane Foam
Question from Bonnie I have a friend who recently purchased a foam mattress from a company called CertiPUR-US. It claims to be a green item with very little off gassing. I have an older mattress in my guest room and was thinking about replacing it. Any info on them? Debra’s Answer CertiPUR-US certifies polyurethane foam […]
March 3, 2013
How to Get an Organic Bed on a Budget?
Question from Mattress Mama Dear Debra, I would like to replace several coil spring mattresses at once , so cost is a big issue. I have been looking at White Lotus Home and am deciding between the Green Cotton Mattress wrapped in wool with a non organic fabric cover and the Organic Cotton Mattress wrapped […]
February 6, 2013
Talalay vs Dunlop Latex Foam
Question from Bed Question Questioning my recent order of a new “big kid” mattress for my 3 year old son. He has no allergies, I am simply trying to get the toxins out of our house. That said, I purchased a double sided Pure Echo Mattress from mygreenmattress.com. I had one inch of Talalay latex […]
February 2, 2013
IKEA Sniglar Crib
Question from GREENDAD2B Debra – you rock. Just interested as to why the Ikea Sniglar is okay in your book, given the fiberboard. Hoping you have a great explanation so I can buy it and be happy that it’s not only the offspring of the wealthy who get to breathe clean air. Thanks Debra’s Answer […]
January 25, 2013
Non-Organic Cotton Quilt OK?
Question from audrey My mattress, sheets, etc are all organic or green (dye free etc). I need to buy a plain lightweight quilt and the organic ones are so expensive. What do you think about just a regular one – that obviously is washed and aired out so it doesn’t smell (even the organic items […]
January 15, 2013
Beds for Kids
Question from Marie Debra, I am researching safe, non-toxic beds to purchase for my two small children. I need a crib and a toddler bed. I was considering the “MINNEN” bed from Ikea for the toddler bed. The product description states: “Steel, Pigmented epoxy/polyester powder coating. Slatted bed base: Solid wood, 100 % polyester.” Does […]
November 28, 2012
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