Question from Stacey

Hi Debra, I am looking for an organic playmat for my baby.

I found one by Nook Sleep Systems. The fabric is made from eucalytus and organic cotton. The interior of the playmat is made from PETE (recycled water bottles). Supposedly, the eucalyptus is antimicrobial.

Other playmats I have found are cotton but with polyester fill, or completely polyester. I did find one that is completely organic but is very expensive.

I also found playmats made of “high density foam,” supposedly phalate and lead free, and/or mats made of “high density non-recyled, EVA foam.” They are much cheaper, but would you use these for children/baby? Could these contain flame retardants? Thanks again!

Thanks so much for the great information!

Debra’s Answer

Well, first, I wouldn’t put an infant down on a eucalyptus cover. I haven’t seen one of these, but if they claim it is antimicrobial, there must be enough eucalyptus oil present to have that effect. I grew up in California where there are a lot of eucalyptus trees, and the smell often made me sick. I am of the belief that we should support and strengthen our immune systems to fight bacteria, not put antimicrobials, even natural ones, all over everything.

I’m curious why you think the 100% organic cotton playmats are expensive. I’m looking at one here that is 100% GOTS certified organic cotton with organic cotton fill. It’s only $68 and the Nook one is $120.

I would get the one that is 100% organic cotton.

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Question from HairCare

I understand the chemicals in standard hair dyes are not great to use. However, while pregnant the colorist put in TCA drops into the dye mixture to reduce free radicals.

It looks like the TCA drops are all natural (they contain Mineral Oil, Vitamin E, Jojoba Oil), however, do you know if this would be safe to mix with hair dye…would any other chemical mixture result that would be unsafe.

If this was used 1 time during my last trimester do you forsee this causing any issues? Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

First, mineral oil is made from petroleum, so that’s not a “natural” ingredient.

I looked at the website and I don’t think you have anything to worry about.

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Question from Cecilia

Dear Debra, My daughter participated in a Photography class recently and they used a technique called “cyanotype”. In this case I am talking about a t-shirt. Would it be toxic for my daughter to wear a t-shirt with a design made using this technique and this chemicals? Thank you!

Debra’s Answer

This wasn’t hard to find.

Cyanotype is a photographic printing process that gives a cyan-blue print that we know as “blueprints.” The process uses two chemicals:

It’s basically ammonia and iron. The ammonia smells bad in blueprints and is toxic there, but in a t-shirt, once you wash it there should be no ammonia remaining.

I think it’s fine once it’s washed.

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Question from HG

I recently read an article about a 2008 study conducted by the Silent Spring organization suggesting that floor finishes, particularly one called Fabulon, used in the 1950’s and 1960’s contained high levels of PCBs that continue to out-gas and contaminate home dust for decades. Do you know if it is possible to identify floors that could have been treated with finishings that had PCBs and if there is something people can do to mitigate this exposure pathway?

Debra’s Answer

Here’s the entire article from Environmental Health journal: “PCB-contiaining wood floor finish is a likely source of elevated PCBs in residents’ blood, household air and dust: a case study of exposure”. It says:

I don’t know how one would identify such a floor.

If you have a wood floor with a clear finish and your home is vintage 1950s or 60s, you might have a Fabulon finish. If you are concerned and want to remove any possible danger, put a layer of foil over it and put down an new floor.

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Question from Irene

Hi Debra, Is trisodium phosphate a natural additive? Is it safe? I see it listed as an ingredient in cereal. Thank you very much for your help!

Debra’s Answer

It’s natural in that it is a naturally occurring mineral, it’s not manmade. But it is considered a poison and is found in many cleaning products. It is commonly used to clean walls before painting.

But there is also a food grade trisodium phosphate that is used as a food additive. Apparently trisodium phosphate is added to cereals that go through an extruder–that’s anything that has a shape, like chex– to help them maintain their shape. Better to just eat the whole grain if you’re going to eat cereal (I don’t eat grains at all).

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Question from Matthew

Hi Debra, I am wanting to buy a Berkey water filtration system, but won’t be able to afford one for a while. I found this one online: http://www.homespunenvironmental.com/Bucket_Drip_Filtration_System_p/sk-1001.htm. Could this work as an alternative to the Berkey? Thanks and looking forward to your insight!

Debra’s Answer

What are you wanting to remove from the water? This ceramic filter removes on dirt, debris, and bacteria. So it isn’t removing any toxic chemicals, and would not be useful for tap water because tap water has already been processed for these pollutants.

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Flu shots are still being heavily promoted here in Clearwater, Florida.

But it wasn’t difficult for me to find articles from doctors recommending that we NOT get flu shots. FYI, I have never gotten a flu shot in my life.

For one thing, they don’t seem to be effective. “Studies have shown that if you vaccinate every single healthcare worker in a hospital, it doesn’t decrease the numbers of cases of flu at all … zero decrease,” says Dr. David Brownstein MD. (Forced Flu Shots are Outrageous: Top Doctor)

Apparently The effectiveness of the vaccine depends on a person’s immune response (Beware of High-Dose Flu Vaccine: Top Doctor). So the vaccine will not be as effective for people whose immune systems have been weakened by age or toxic chemical exposure, which is just about everyone, unless you are doing something to reduce your toxic chemical exposure.

Another reason not to get a flu shot is they are vaccines, and vaccines can contain some pretty toxic ingredients. They are not just sterile water and antigens. According to the Center for Disease Control’s Pink Book, some toxic substances that may be in your flu shot include formaldehyde (a common preservative in vaccines), phenol (another preservative), 2-phenoxyethanol, antibiotics, disodium phosphatem glutaraldehyde, MSG, sodium borate, and aluminum.

It’s much better to bolster your immune system throughout the year and particularly during cold and flu season.

Here are some tips for supporting your immune system, so it can defend your body from foreign invaders of any type.

1. Minimize your exposure to toxic chemicals. Many damage the immune system in particular.
2. Take liquid zeolite to immediately lessen your body burden of toxic chemicals. Liquid zeolite is also known to decrease the viral load in your body. Once the concentrations of heavy metals in your body are reduced, zeolite attaches itself onto viruses, dismantling the parts that form the complete virus, thus preventing viral replication.
3. Take zinc. Zinc is vital to your body’s immune response 15-20 milligrams will help boost your immune system and help your body fend off the flu in the first place.
4. Take at least 1000 units of vitamin D daily (I take 5000) and get some sun when you can (be careful not to burn your skin).
5. Get enough sleep to support your immune system.

If you support your immune system throughout the year with these and other natural means, your body will have the best chance to fight whatever comes it’s way.

Here is a great blog post about why you shouldn’t get a flu shot that contains peer reviewed literature: What Science Says About Getting a Flu Shot.

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Question from Betty

We had our stippled ceiling painted in May with a ultra flat alkyd calcimine recoater and I am still smelling gaseous fumes. Would repainting with AFM Safecoat transitional primer solve this problem. We have tried baking soda, vinegar, lemons, vanilla, charcoal, air purifier, fans. The area is a loft and the air flow is not the best as there is not a direct window that can be opened. Can you help?

Thanks

Debra’s Answer

Readers, any experience or ideas?

I don’t have any personal experience with AFM Safecoat transitional primer. I would suggest that you call them and see if they think this or another one of their products would be appropriate.

If this paint was applied in May and it is now November, there is something wrong. Even the worst paint should have no odor by now.

One thing you can do is cover the ceiling with aluminum foil and tape all the seams and edges with aluminum foil tape. This will block any fumes. Then put up a new ceiling by covering the foil with sheetrock or any other material of your choice.

Heat and moving air should outgass it. If not, after all these months, I would just cover it with foil and be done with it.

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Question from Anonymous

Dear Debra,

We recently ordered a lot of new furniture from Ashley Furniture store (bought in CA, made in China) and I am nervous about all the chemicals that may be in my air. We got a dining room table and hutch, and kitchen table that have a chemical smell. I did order a test kit from ACS and I am going Safe seal the wood furniture. However, what can I do to protect myself from the chemical exposure from the sofa’s and loveseats? My husband and I have a 4 year old and we’re currently “trying” to have a baby. Any advice would be appreciated. I recently ordered some zeolite drops as well.

Debra’s Answer

Yes, definitely the zeolite drops.

If you had asked me before the purchase, I would have said “Don’t purchase this furniture.”

I don’t know any way to “protect” yourself from standard synthetic sofas and loveseats with fire retardants. I personally had my sofa and chairs custom upholstered years ago with natural fiber fabrics and filling.

Readers, any suggestions?

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Question from RP

Someone lined my oven with aluminum foil that melted on the bottom the next time I turned my oven on.

Debra’s Answer

I’m not aware of any toxic exposure from aluminum foil heated in the home, though manufacture of aluminum produces greenhouse gasses and fluoride emissions (Aluminum: The Element of Sustainability). At any rate, the amount of aluminum foil is so small the emissions would be negligible.

Toxic household exposure from aluminum is generally from contact of food or water with aluminum pots or aluminum foil.

I would try just soaking it, aluminum itself shouldn’t stick to your oven, perhaps it stuck to some other substances that was spilled on the oven during baking or roasting.

I don’t see any problem using the oven if there is a little bit of aluminum permanently melted there. There are many other things to be concerned about that are much more toxic.

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