Question from Beverly Shutes

Hi Debra,

The popcorn on my living room ceiling is cracked and falling down. I have found someone to repair the ceiling for me and they have stated that once the popcorn is scraped and removed, they coat the ceiling (which is poured concrete) with a product called Plaster-Weld. http://www.larsenproducts.com/plaster-weld-2.

They stated that it smells terrible for a couple of hours and request you leave, but then the smell goes away. It is necessary to bond the plaster to the concrete. After application, they skim coat, prime and paint (Benjamin Moore Natura no VOC paint).

The MDS for Plaster-Weld is here: http://www.larsenproducts.com/download/plasterweld_msds.pdf

I’m not sure of any alternatives, but I try to keep things as chemical free as possible for my baby and I. Do you have any thoughts on this product?

Debra’s Answer

The MSDS states that the health effects are minor irritation, but the product should be used in a well ventilated area.

My experience has been that many products have odors and offgas during application, and then when dry can be completely inert.

I agree you should leave while it’s being applied, but once it is dry, I don’t see a problem.

Readers, any experience with this product or alternatives to suggest?

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Question from Jorjia Blom

Hi Debra,

This bed is supposedly non-toxic:
http://www.mommypotamus.com/favorite-non-toxic-mattress/

Have you heard any feedback from anyone with MCS regarding this product?

Debra’s Answer

Supposedly is right. Here’s what I learned about this bed: Intellibed Mattress

Has anyone with MCS purchased one of these beds?

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Question from Chris Condon

Hi Debra,

I have a question about cars outgassing. Many people who are chemically sensitive buy used cars in preference to new to avoid the new car chemicals. Do cars that have been driven in hot climate outgas faster and better than cars driven in cold climates? And how about humidity? Do cars outgas better in humid than dry climates or vice versa? I imagine that if you want to buy an outgassed car you might be better off going to Tuscon or Phoenix, where they have fierce summer heat combined with low humidity, buying it there and driving it back home, provided Phoenix and Tucson are not too far away. I would assume a car driven in the Arizona summers would outgas its chemicals faster than anywhere else.

From past experience I gather than the chemicals put into leather are much more toxic than the chemicals put into cloth automotive upholstery. Worse still, based on my own experience, leather never completely outgasses its chemicals, so that buying a used car in preference to new is not a satisfactory solution with respect to leather, because no matter how old the car is, there are always some chemicals still coming out of the leather. (I once had a beautiful Saab, but was still having allergy problems while driving it even when the car was 7-8 years old and supposedly completely outgassed. )The best solution for chemically sensitive people is to avoid cars with leather upholstery altogether and stick to cloth. But if you can suggest some way to completely outgas leather, I might change my mind on leather.

Debra’s Answer

Car interiors outgassing is one of the most difficult challenges for MCS. I’ve written about this before, so will just answer your question and summarize.

Yes, a car in a hot climate will outgas faster than one in a cold climate. Your logic is correct.

I’m not sure I would agree that the chemicals in leather are worse than the chemicals in cloth. I much prefer the leather myself, but everyone is individual with MCS.

Things I have done to minimize exposure from car interiors are:

• Use an air filter such as the Foust Auto Air Filter
• Install a sunroof so the fumes can rise and escape without bringing car exhaust in through the side windows being open
• Reupholster (yes I’ve done this—reupholstered the bucket seats in a sports car with cotton canvas.

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Question from Suzanne Foster

Hi Debra,

I have removed the carpeting from my bedroom and bathroom. The concrete floor has several large cracks in it from where the building has settled. Is there any non-toxic product to fill the cracks?

I am very sensitive to smells and will not be able to move elsewhere while and after it is done.

Thank you so much for all that you do.

Debra’s Answer

First, here’s an article that outlines the basics of filling cracks in cement: WiseGEEK: How Can I Repair Cracks in Concrete?

It says to use a siliconized latex concrete caulk or concrete patching compound. Both are likely to contain some toxic ingredients.

But you can follow these instructions and just use regular concrete powder mixed with water for the patch.

A lot of concrete crack fillers are designed to fill concrete cracks outdoors, thus the toxic ingredients for waterproofing. But indoors you don’t need this.

If you need to, put a thin “skim coat” of concrete over the entire floor so the crack repairs will not be visible.

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Question from Kiki Li

Hi Debra,

I recently read your book Toxic Free and have been doing my best to transition into living a chemical free lifestyle. I work in the beauty industry and was an avid Botox and dermal filler client which I have stopped doing since reading your book.

I would like your opinion on the safety in terms of toxicity of treatments such as thermage and fraxel which uses radio frequency and lasers.

Also I assume without saying that Botox and dermal fillers are unnatural and toxic but I would like your confirmation as well.

Debra’s Answer

You don’t have to look far to find information on the side effects of botox injections. Just search on “botox health effects ” and you’ll get warnings from The Mayo Clinic, WebMD, drugs.com and other mainstream medical sites.

Botox is a drug made from a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum called botulinum toxin. A neurotoxin. That means it’s toxic to the nervous system. When you get a botox treatment you are just injecting a toxic substance into your body.

There are three types of dermal fillers, each with their own health effects. Here’s a good article on WebMD that gives a breakdown of available wrinkle fillers, their basic ingredients, how they work, and their pros and cons: WebMD: What you should know about wrinkle fillers.

If you want to reduce your wrinkles, it’s best to use a natural product, such as Touchstone Essentials’ Super Serum I personally know people using this all-natural product and I’ve seen dramatic changes in their skin. You can see a before and after picture.

There are other natural skin restoring products that reduce wrinkles by nourishing the skin topically and from within. Better to choose one of those.

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Question from cheseldm

Hi Debra,

I found this company on line and thought you and your readers would be interested. I am not connected with this company. Just interested in creating a non-toxic home.

www.diynaturalbedding.com

P.S. Thank you for your wonderful website. It has greatly help me and my husband.

Debra’s Answer

Oh this is great! Thank you! I’m going to put this on Debra’s List.

DIY Natural Bedding is about letting you have your mattress and pillow your way. They have all the natural materials (including GOTS certified organic fabrics). They have patterns so you can get materials and make your own mattress at home, or they will sew it for you. You choose and control everything.

Mattress fill is latex or wool, more choices for pillows. They even sell the notions, like zipper by the foot.

I just spoke with Deborah and she’s going to be a guest on Toxic Free Talk Radio on Tuesday, 24 February 15. Listen live or play the archived recording.

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Question from L Budin

Hi Debra,

I would like a list of furniture manufacturers who make furniture that is free of carcinagens and toxic odors. I am asthmatic and have gone thru two different sets of bedroom furniture that I now have to discard. Help!

Debra’s Answer

I don’t have a list of manufacturers, but you probably have some nontoxic wood furniture right in your own community.

Look in the yellow pages for “unfinished wood furniture.”

I have purchased most of my furniture at unfinished wood furniture stores. Most of the pieces still don’t have any finish on them—just bare wood. But you can finish them yourself with any nontoxic finish.

Everything I didn’t buy at an unfinished wood furniture store I bought used at auctions or salvage stores. My desk where I write every day is an old oak library table from Stanford University that was taken apart and was sitting in pieces at a salvage yard. All the edges were frayed but it was a beautiful table. My husband sawed the edges off and put an edging of purpleheart wood and a nontoxic finish. It’s the most gorgeous desk in the world. $50 for the desk and I don’t remember how much the purpleheart wood was, maybe another $50. So $100 and lots of love. I should take a picture…

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Question from sttlove

I purchased a new Maytag gas range, but have been unable to use the oven because the fumes make my eyes burn and give me a headache. I called the company and they said it is a coating and it needs to burn off, but it still hasn’t. I suspect that it is the insulation inside the oven that is bothering me.

Would an oven that doesn’t have self-cleaning be less toxic because it would have less insulation and coatings inside?

Are there any recommendations on a gas oven brand or model that is less toxic?

Or, should I continue on my hunt for a used one that has finished its off-gassing?

Debra’s Answer

You’re best bet is to get a used oven that has finished outgassing.

The last oven I bought was a Whirlpool gas range that was a floor model. It had been sitting there quite some time and when I brought it home there were no odors of any kind. I think it was because it had been sitting out on the floor for months.

Mattress fill is latex or wool, more choices for pillows. They even sell the notions, like zipper by the foot.

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Question from Craig

Hi, Debra. This is Craig. I contacted 3 USDA organic companies regarding the question: “For the skin, is it more important to use a organic moisturizer/lotion, or an organic oil?”

Badger Balm: http://www.badgerbalm.com/
Terressentials: http://www.terressentials.com/
Herbal Choice Mari: http://www.herbalchoicemari.com/

Hi, my name is Craig. I have a question. My skin is more of a dry/sensitive type.

For the skin, as a man, what products would work for skin that is a dry/sensitive type, and is it more important to use a organic moisturizer/lotion, or an organic oil?

Thank you for your time.

Craig Fri, Jan 16, 2015 at 7:55 PM
Hi, my name is Craig. I have a question. My skin is more of a dry/sensitive type.

For the skin, as a man, what products would work for skin that is a dry/sensitive type, and is it more important to use a organic moisturizer/lotion, or an organic oil?

Thank you for your time.

To: Craig
Hi Craig –
Great questions! In return, I have a few questions for you. What kind of skin products are you interested in? Ones that moisturize? Cleanse? Products used for shaving? Sunscreen? The reason I ask is because we have a large selection of skin care products that work a little differently from one another. As a whole, I would say that anything in our Unscented line would be great for dry/sensitive skin. Also, given that it is unscented, it lends itself to being gender neutral.
In regards to lotion vs. oil: with lotion there are the added ingredients for product stabilization as well as for the lotion itself. With oil, you’re basically cutting to the chase and using the base ingredients for moisturizing your skin: oil + essential oils. In our Body Oils, the main ingredient is Jojoba Oil, an oil that most closely mimics our skin’s oil, thus allowing the body oil to be absorbed into the skin fairly quickly.
Hope this helps! Feel free to follow up with any additional questions.

Your friendly Badger,
Caity

Caity Stuart – Customer Service
W.S. Badger Company, Inc.
custserv@badgerbalm.com | 800-603-6100
www.badgerbalm.com

To: Cust Serv Inbox <custserv@badgerbalm.com>
Thanks for the reply. I’m more interested in moisturizing.

Cust Serv Inbox <custserv@badgerbalm.com> Mon, Jan 19, 2015 at 2:00 PM
To: Craig
Hi Craig –

Again, I would stick with the Unscented line. If you’re wanting something for the face, the Unscented Face oil is a great everyday moisturizer. It is best used when after a shower or cleansing of the face. It is also beneficial to use at night before bed as an overnight treatment.

For the body, I would go with the Unscented Body Oil.

Let me know if you have any additional questions!

Your friendly Badger,
Caity

Caity Stuart – Customer Service
W.S. Badger Company, Inc.
custserv@badgerbalm.com | 800-603-6100
www.badgerbalm.com

#2 Terressentials:

Craig Fri, Jan 16, 2015 at 7:51 PM
To: terrehelpdesk@mailworks.org
Hi, my name is Craig. I have a question. My skin is more of a dry/sensitive type.

For the skin, as a man, what products would work for skin that is a dry/sensitive type, and is it more important to use a organic moisturizer/lotion, or an organic oil?

Thank you for your time.

terrehelpdesk@mailworks.org <terrehelpdesk@mailworks.org> Sat, Jan 17, 2015 at 4:55 PM
To: Craig
Hi Craig —

Many people with sensitive skin just rave about our Fragrance-free line
of products (http://www.terressentials.com/fffacialcare.html). You
could try the Fragrance-free Gentle Bath Gel (made with organic olive
oil castile soap and moisturizing oils) for washing the body and the
Fragrance-free Facial Cleanser for the face. For daily moisturizing, we
recommend our Fragrance-free Facial Lotion and Body Lotion; for deeper
moisturizing of face and body (perhaps overnight), the Fragrance-free
Moisture Cream (pure, organic shea butter) is great.

Our organic Cocoa Butter Body Oil is great when your skin is warm and
damp, right out of the shower. Whether you use a body lotion or oil (or
our super-moisturizing Body Cremes) depends on your personal preference,
but the lotions do have certain healing herbal extracts (such as green
tea and lady’s mantle) that are not contained in the oils. Check out
all of the ingredients on our website.

I hope this information is helpful. Thanks for your interest in our
products.

Mary
Terressentials

Last is Herbal Choice Mari: Nature’s Brands:

Craig Fri, Jan 16, 2015 at 7:37 PM
To: Service@naturesbrands.com
Hi, My name is Craig. I have a question. My skin is more of a dry/sensitive type.

For the skin, is it more important to use a organic moisturizer/lotion, or an organic oil?

I’m looking at the organic jojoba oil. http://www.naturesbrands.com/hcm/organic-jojoba-oil.html?gclid=CMGxsaXimcMCFdcUgQod8jMAGg

Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Natures Brands <Service@naturesbrands.com> Tue, Jan 20, 2015 at 11:12 AM
To: Craig
Hello Craig,

Thank you for your inquiry. The organic jojoba oil works very well for dry skin; however oil seeps into the skin very quickly and a cream will slowly release its moisturizing oils. It is good to try both to see which one will work best for your skin.

Hope this helps,

Customer Service

Over 150 Certified USDA Organic health and Beauty Products
Natures Brands
www.NaturesBrands.com
Service@NaturesBrands.com
Toll Free 1-888-417-1375
Tel 210-599-1109

Debra’s Answer

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From Debra Lynn Dadd

New research from Rutgers University has now associated a common pesticide with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children.

Apparently, pyrethroid pesticides may alter the development of the brain’s dompamine system, which is responsible for emotional expression and cognitive function.

Read more: Environmental News Network: ADHD linked to pesticide exposure

Pyrethroids now constitute the majority of commercial household insecticides. Heretofore they were considered to be generally harmless to humans in low doses.

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