Super Search
This is a powerful custom search engine that will allow you to search my entire site, or just a specific section.
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do oven mitts have flame retardants?
Question from Ric Howdy. Thanks for all you do. Do you know whether normal, quilted oven mitts have flame retardant chemicals in them? I can’t seem to find anything confirming or denying this, but, frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised if they do. Thanks. Debra’s Answer Now you might think that they would, being around fire […]
April 6, 2014
Please Help Me Choose A Rug
Question from Jenna Hi Debra, I need some advice on buying a rug. I need a large healthy rug that can withstand pets and children in the living room. I’ve been researching for many months now and am no closer to figuring out what is best. Ideally, I would buy an organic wool rug but […]
Why is Polyester Batting Toxic?
Question from Jenna Hi Debra, Can you please explain to me why polyester batting is toxic? I can’t seem to find any specifics on it. All I find is that it’s a stable material and, if it remains inside whatever it is (cushion, toy etc.), it’s not a danger. Debra’s Answer I’m going to answer […]
How Do I Remove Smelly Grease Lubricant?
Question from Joy Hi Debra. I’m wondering if you might have any ideas about how to remove a very smelly grease lubricant from my garage door? I was away this week and my landlord allowed some company to “lubricate” the garage door with this horribly toxic smelling stuff, and it’s getting in the house and […]
April 5, 2014
cell phones
Question from Janice Hi Debra- My soon to be 18 year old son wants a new cell phone (smartphone) for his birthday. Any thoughts on CDMA vs. GSM? Is CDMA technology still considered safer? I just did some research and I read that LTE is going to be introduced soon. I know you recommend the […]
April 4, 2014
Denatured Alcohol and Odorless Mineral Spirits
Question from Melissa Hi Debra, We are hiring a contractor to install our new stove and to repair the surrounding cabinetry (which was damaged during attempts to repair the old stove). The contractor says that the only products he will be using are “denatured alcohol” and “odorless mineral spirits,” both of which he says are […]
Dandruff Remedy
Question from sue r. Is there any natural remedy for dandruff? I am extremely sensitive to odors and head is irritated by the ones I have tried. Debra’s Answer Actually, in my very first book, Nontoxic & Natural, published in 1984, there is a remedy for dandruff: baking soda. “Simply rub a handful of dry […]
April 3, 2014
For the Love of Linen
My guest today is Tricia Rose, Founder of Rough Linen, where she makes hand sewn bedding and other household items from exceptional linen fabrics. We’ll be talking about linen as a natural fiber, making things by hand, and living with elegant simplicity. “I didn’t find linen,” Tricia told me, “It came to me. I found this homespun, hand sewn linen pillow slip while I was clearing my grandmother’s cottage in Scotland. It was made by her great-grandmother, in 1840, and was in regular use for three generations. When it came to me I used it to store lavender. Years later, by good fortune, I found a natural linen with the same wonderful texture and feel, and I decided to make bedding in this simple, elemental tradition. I wanted the feeling of connection, appreciation of good materials and handiwork which is part of my heritage as part of my everyday life.” www.roughlinen.com
April 2, 2014
BONA FREE AND CLEAR
Question from Bonnie Johnson Bona floor cleaner has a new one called Free and Simple. Has anyone tried it? Debra’s Answer Readers?
April 1, 2014
Overcoming the Challenges of Finding Toxic-Free Home Furnishings
My guest today is interior designer Sarah Valiant, Founder of Valiant Design Company. We’ll be talking about toxic chemicals in home furnishing and decorating products, the toxic-free products she uses for her clients, and how we can help encourage change in the interior design field. Over the last few years, Sarah noticed a substantial shift with her clients’ wishes for toxic-free options for the decor in their homes. As Sarah herself believes in a toxic-free environment for her own family, she eagerly embraced this change. So much of what we decorate our homes with is replete with formaldehyde, phthalates, VOC’s, flame retardants and toxic glues. With all of these chemicals being severely detrimental to our health, Sarah believes it is imperative that we work to bring to market, options that are safe for us and the health of our families. Sarah was very hard pressed to find healthy, yet attractive design items for her clients due to a severe lack of options on the market and so she decided to develop her own solution. Her company, Valiant Design Co., developed a product line called Healthy Home. Currently it designs and manufactures a line of organic and toxic-free cushions, but Sarah intends to expand that to include furniture, fabric, and bedding in the near future. Sarah acquired a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) from Queen’s University and began her career in event design. She later attended the KLC London School of Design in the UK. After graduating with Honors, she worked for two leading design firms in London and Paris before returning home to Canada to start up her dream company. Her passion to create beauty through functional and toxic-free design drives her from project to project. www.valiantdesignco.com
WalMart Takes Initiative to Get Manufacturers to Reduce Toxic Chemicals
Listen to my interview with Mind the Store Campaign Director Mike Schade to hear more about WalMart’s policy and what other retailers are doing to reduce toxic chemicals. In a stunning bold move, WalMart is now insisting that it’s vendors eliminate toxic chemicals from their products or fully disclose them to the public. *By January […]
Cork Floor
Question from Mira Hi Debra, My finances are such that I can afford a small condo but not a free-standing home. My HOA will not allow wood or tile floors in my 2nd floor unit (the 2nd floor is best for me because I have mold allergies and I’m further away from the ground). They […]
March 31, 2014
How to Live With a Reactive Body
My guest Larry Plesent is the Founder of Vermont Soap, He began making organic soap products because his own body was “reactive” to toxic chemicals in common personal care products. He’s now written a book called The Reactive Body Handbook, which tells what he’s learned over the past 20 years about surviving in our artificial toxic environment. 
Vermont Soap makes “100% natural and non-toxic alternatives to the chemical based personal care products now in general use, including; handmade bar soaps for sensitive skin, anti-aging products, 100% natural shower gels, castile liquid soaps and non-toxic cleaners. Most products made by Vermont Soap are certified to USDA organic standards. Larry is also a writer,philosopher, restaurateur and farmer. www.debralynndadd.com/debras-list/vermont-soap
March 27, 2014
Surviving A Toxic Stay in the Hospital
Question from SallyS Debra, I have MCS and am facing a lot of medical procedures, frankly part of the dread comes from the exposure to all the toxins in the medical arena. From the medications to all the plastic and toxic chemicals used to clean such, all the way to the beds and the food. […]
Pest control in-the-wall system
Question from Andie Hi — am looking for a new home in a del Webb community (retirement for active adults). Many of their homes have a system called Taexx pest control in-the-wall. I googled it and it seems as if the insecticide can waft out through the outlets, etc right into your living space! Any […]
Basement Floor Options
Question from Joy I am looking at flooring for an under grade basement floor. I have been warned not to use solid wood as it will warp. I am looking at engineered wood (Eco Timber), strand bamboo (Prefinished Solid Locking Strand Woven Bamboo Flooring) or Cork (Wicanders). I am told they all use no VOC […]
March 26, 2014
What Major Retailers are Doing (or Not) to Reduce Toxic Chemicals in the Products They Sell
My guest today is Mike Schade, Mind the Store Campaign Director at Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families. The Mind the Store campaign works with the nation’s leading retailers on creating comprehensive chemicals policy. For the previous eight years, Mike was the Markets Campaign Coordinator with the Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ), a national environmental health organization where he led national campaigns to phase out PVC plastic, phthalates, BPA and dioxin. Prior to CHEJ, he was the Western New York Director of Citizens’ Environmental Coalition. Ethisphere Magazine listed Mike as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Business Ethics for 2007 and the PVC Campaign received two awards from the Business Ethics Network. www.saferchemicals.org
Improving Office Building Air Quality
Question from Emily Hi Debra, The office I work in is a very old building (one of the oldest in the city, if I remember correctly), so the ventilation leaves much to be desired. On top of this, the building next to it was recently demolished, sending particles into the air (and nearby buildings) that […]
March 25, 2014
Toxic chemical emissions in apartment
Question from Jay Dear Debra I’ve been a fan of your radio show ever since I experienced the following problem. And I was wondering what advise you could give with regards to a nightmare situation in my apartment. Nine months ago I bought a PowerTec LeverGym (made in www.deathbychina.com of course….) that started “off gassing” something nasty […]
Least Toxic Computer Printer Ink
Update February, 2020: How to Find a Less Toxic Computer
March 24, 2014
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