Question from TA

Debra, do you know if wool alone is sufficient to pass the flame test required by law for mattresses? I see natural mattress companies that claim they use no fire retardant because wool is naturally flame resistant, and that’s how they pass the flame test. But then I see other natural mattress companies claiming that wool alone won’t pass the test and therefore some type of fire retardant must be used (and they sometimes directly state that companies who claim to use only wool aren’t telling the full story, because they must be using something else to pass the test). Shopping around for natural mattresses gets very confusing and frustrating.

On a similar note, how can one be sure of ANY of the claims made by mattress companies? They say their mattresses are incredibly pure, free from any toxic chemicals, and so forth. But then I find something on another site stating that the mattresses from the super-pure-and-natural company have been tested by a lab and found to contain toluene and formaldehyde. Is it possible those are false accusations, perhaps from a competitor who wants to hurt their business? Yes. Is it possible that those things are true and we’d be breathing in those chemicals if we bought said mattress? Yes.

When spending thousands of dollars on a natural mattress, how can one be sure that the product truly is as wonderful as it appears to be? If I were to spend the money on a Savvy Rest mattress, for instance, can I trust that wool really is the only fire retardant being used and that we won’t be breathing in toluene and formaldehyde and other harmful chemicals if we sleep on it for the next 20 years?

Debra’s Answer

Yes, wool alone is sufficient to pass the flame test required by law for mattresses.

As for your other question, it’s difficult. By law companies are supposed to tell the truth. But they don’t always. Over the years I have gotten to know some of the companies and trust them because of our long-standing relationship. Some companies aren’t interested in talking with me, and I also hear things. But you can also just look at their website and see what they are promoting. For example, if a company promotes that they are “certified” by a certification they created and they are the only product certified, well, what does that sound like to you?

Also, look at their certification certificates. Are they up-to-date? If you go to the website of the certifier, can you confirm the product is certified?

The companies I trust are the ones who have current third party certifications and are forthcoming about their materials, particularly describing them on their website. They welcome my phone calls. Some, I’ve even visited their manufacturing facilities. I even SLEPT in the workrooms where they make Shepherd’s Dream mattresses.

I don’t like companies mudslinging each other. For me, the best presentation a company can make is to clearly present their materials and let the customer decide.

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Question from Nina

I went to clean our fireplace with a wet/dry vac to try and rid the home from the smell of the fireplace since we use it very seldom. As I was vacuuming up the soot and ashes I didn’t realize the vac was blowing everything back into my home!! I opened all the doors and windows and vacuumed and dusted everything, however I have small children in the home (who weren’t home at the time) but I want to make sure the air in the home is safe. Any recommendations? Thanks

Debra’s Answer

My inclination is to say that if you dusted and vacuumed then it’s probably fine. I might run your HVAC to pick up particles. Hard to tell what might still be there, not picked up, if anything.

Readers, any suggestions?

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Question from Gina

Hi Debra,

Hope all’s well.

You may know about the Responsible Down Standard. To reduce demand for down made with crowding, force-feeding and live plucking. Glad to see this issue finally being addressed!

www.triplepundit.com/2014/10/responsible-down-standard

Love,
Gina

Debra’s Answer

Thanks for sending this.

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From Debra Lynn Dadd

I don’t know if this was intentional or not, but today, two new food guides were released.

The first to come into my email inbox is the 2014 Good Food Org Guide, produced by The Food Think Tank in partnership with the James Beard Foundation. It highlights more than 400 organizations across the United States leading the way toward building a better food system. Good to see so many groups working to improve our food supply!

The second announcement was from Environmental Working Group, announcing their new food database Rate Your Plate. With information on more than 80,000 foods and 5,000 ingredients from 1,500 brands, EWG’s unique scoring system rates foods based on nutrition, food additives, contaminants and degree of processing.

I have to say, I think Rate Your Plate will be more useful as an educational tool to find out what is in your favorite processed foods, rather than a tool to find something safe to eat. I’m not sure how useful the ratings are going to be here. I looked up “pickles” and only 7 brands were rated “1” (best). I clicked on one and they weren’t organic. This is what happens when you combine concerns. You get a weighted score instead of a clear score in one area. So it’s not a tool for finding organic pickles, but it will show you the 282 brands of pickles rated 5 (not so good).

The benefit I see is that you can type in virtually any processed food on the market that you might be eating and find out how bad it is.

I’m going to stick with my homemade fermented garlic dill pickles. Organic ingredients, no processing, no additives. Beneficial probiotics.

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From Debra Lynn Dadd

I always love it when there are clear-cut standards for labeling. On October 15, Whole Foods introduced a whole new system to help their customers identify fruits, vegetables, and flowers as GOOD, BETTER, or BEST.

Known as “Responsibly Grown,” the rating system assesses growing practices that impact human health and the environment.

Growing practices are reviewed for

– Pest management, including prohibited and restricted pesticides
– Farm worker welfare
– Pollinator protection
– Water conservation and protection
– Soil health
– Ecosystems
– Biodiversity
– Waste reduction and recycling and packaging
– Air, energy, and climate

Having such a standard makes an impact in the field, well, literally in the field. Already farmers are working to move up to get a higher rating.

There are a lot of details, so I’m just going to send you straight to the website, so you can read all about it: Whole Foods: Get to Know Responsibly Grown

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From Debra Lynn Dadd

Well, this is pretty cool. Now you can get a domain name that ends in .organic! Like debra.organic. But there’s a catch and a benefit.

You have to qualify. The names are reserved for members of the organic community. Any organization that wants to purchase a .ORGANIC domain must be engaged in the organic sector and meet the criteria established by .ORGANIC.

Here’s who may be eligible to register a .ORGANIC domain

• Certified organic producers, farmers, distributors and the like
• Certified organic textile and skincare providers
• Organic restaurants and venues
• Certifiers in the organic community
• Publications, journalists and bloggers catering to the organic community and industry
• Non-profit, not-for-profit and trade associations that primarily serve and represent the organic community
• As this rolls out, it will be interesting to see how this can help consumers identify organic products.

Like how can consumers find these .ORGANIC businesses? They are not listed on the .ORGANIC website that I can find. Nor could I find the standards by which they are reviewed. I just typed “.organic” into google and got nothing.

Great idea. Let’s see what happens.

get.organic

From Debra Lynn Dadd

Here’s another reason to not use fluorescent lights.

According to an article published in the American Journal of Public Health, increased us of fluorescent lighting my increase UV-related eye diseases by up to 12%.

“The safe range of light to avoid exposing the eye to potentially damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation is 2000 to 3500K and greater than 500 nanometers. Some fluorescent lights fall outside this safe range.”

The light that comes from fluorescent lighting is similar to that of sunlight, bringing UV exposure indoors to homes.

The paper gives many details about fluorescent lighting and it’s dangers.

SOURCE: Eye Disease Resulting From Increased Use of Fluorescent Lighting as a Climate Change Mitigation Strategy

Compact Fluorescent Lights May Save Energy but Can Harm Your Health

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Question from Bonnie

I have owned a sleep number bed for about 4 years. The volcanized rubber air chamber still puts off a very strong odor. I can not even turn my pillow over because it will smell to strong. My bed sheets have the odor. In the past you recommended a aluminum camping sheet to block odor from a chair. I tried this and it did not work. I have a medical problem and it is the only bed I can tolerate, traditionbal innerspring is bad for me.

I heard about charcoal absorbing bed blankets. I talked to MDE and they said they are unsafe. Do you have a suggestion. I want to try the charcoal.

Also due to an ankle problem the only shoe that helps me is New Balance. The odor is horrible and takes many months to leave. Can anything speed up the process?

Lastly, what do you use for handwashing dishes? Thank You

Debra’s Answer

It is very difficult to remove the odor from rubber whether in a bed or a shoe. Readers, any suggestions?

I see no reason why a carbon blanket would be unsafe. Many people with MCS use them successfully.

I wash my dishes with a variety of different products, as I am always trying new things. Currently I’m using BioKleen Natural Dish Liquid. It has a nice citrus smell that I like.

Question from mskleimo

Do you have any sources for non-toxic hair dyes or highlighters especially ones that can be used in foils which keeps it out of direct contact with my scalp? I have become sensitive to the ones I have used for years. I have tried Palette by Nature but it cant be used in foils. I just tried Naturtint but it still has peroxide and PPD which I would like to avoid. The Palette by Nature says its free of those 2 but is too runny to use in a foil. thanks!

Debra’s Answer

First, the least toxic hair dye is henna. It comes in many colors now. But I don’t think it can be used with foils.

Maybe it’s time to consider not using foils. Maybe try henna, or no hair dye at all.

Readers, any suggestions?

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Question from Calico

I am still searching for a tolerable bathtub mat. You have an old discussion thread, and nothing new. Is there anything out there? Food grade silicone would be great but can’t find one. I just finished airing out a Heavea pure rubber bathtub mat. Once inside the bathroom I can smell it. Also in process of airing out the Vermont Country Store square/ perferated bathmat… After 2 months it is now the light scent of the rubber swim caps from the 1960’s. Have not brought it inside yet. Both of these had possiblities as they were not overwhelming straight out of the package. I even tried a silicone dot yoga towel but it would not stick to the tub. Anything new out there.

Debra’s Answer

Readers? Any suggestions?

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