Question from Reenie Rogers

Hi, I have another question. Is there a natural air freshener (besides opening the window) that can get firewood smell out of the air? Thanks! Reenie

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from Elisabeth

Recently, an office-mate used a large amount of a pine sol/water mixture in a spray bottle in our office in the small kitchen area. I had a severe asthmatic attack after that (burning eyes, throat, coughing, chest pain, difficulty breathing), and everytime I spend even 30 minutes in the office, I get a similar though milder reaction – even after three weeks! I have asked the company to clean up the area, but they don’t see how a common household disinfectant like pine sol could be causing this and don’t know what they should do. They said there is nothing toxic in pine sol and no one else is being affected. (I suspect they think I’m making it up.)

Do you know of any ingredients in pine sol that could be harmful when inhaled, or instances where people have had asthmatic attacks or allergic reactions from (original) pine sol being sprayed in a kitchen area? Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

I took a look at the MSDS for Pine Sol and it contains the hazardous ingredients pine oil and isopropyl alcohol. These are required to be listed by law as hazardous.

Many people have reactions to pine, even in the wood and in Christmas trees. That’s probably what you are reacting to.

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Question from LW

I had been using Clearly Natural Unscented Soap (glycerin based) without any problem for a year. Then there was a change in the product that has been denied by the company, but it is definitely a different product.

What kind of gentle, unscented soaps are out there? What are others using?

Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

I personally can and like to use handmade soaps with natural fragrances, so I can’t recommend an unscented soap I use, but I’m sure you’ll get many responses!

My general recommendation is to check out the websites that sell handmade soaps at Debra’s List: BodyCare: Skin: Handmade Soap. Many of them sell unscented soaps and since they are all handmade, you can talk with the people who are making them and find out what’s in them.

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Question from Julie

Is brown rice syrup okay to give to babies/children?

Debra’s Answer

I haven’t heard that it isn’t. But I would suggest double checking with one of the companies that makes it and reporting back to us.

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Question from Stephanie

Hi. My partner and I are in the process of buying a house in Pittsburgh. We are about to hire a home inspector to check out the house for any structural damages, etc. I have chemical sensitivity and want to hire someone, as well, to check out the house for environmental issues — I think these include mold and radon, but I’m not sure what else I should have the house checked for and who I should hire to do these things, as I’ve never been through this process before. Are there special environmental inspectors? How might I find them? What else should I be aware of? Thanks!!!

Debra’s Answer

Well, you could hire me. I do that kind of inspection and can travel anywhere to do it. My specialty is toxics, so you’ll get a good toxics inspection, but there are other factors, too.

You could also hire a Bau-Biologist, who is trained to check for molds and moisture conditions, emfs, radiation, and more. You can read about a Bau-Biology inspection I had at my house at AT HOME WITH DEBRA: My Bau-Biologie Home Inspection. Visit the International Institute for Bau-Biologie and Ecology to find a Bau-Biologist near you.

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Question from PSG

I’m going to be taking a Color Rendering class as part of an Interior Design curriculum and will be using color markers and pencils. I cannot use markers with solvents or a strong smell due to chemical sensitivities. Please advise me (ASAP) as to the brands of non-toxic markers with the color range required for interior design drawing. Thanks so much. (And now that I know the currently available edition of Home Safe Home is the new one, I’ll get that, but need the marker info right away.)

Debra’s Answer

What you want to do is go to a art supply store and get water-based markers. I use STABILayout markers. Lots of colors. I just searched for a webpage and couldn’t find one. Maybe they are no longer available.

Try asking The Art and Creative Materials Institute. They keep track of safe art supplies.

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Question from jab

I recently bought a new gas grill…I currently use tin foil to bake/grill. ie wrap foil around potatoes….I assume the aluminum is very toxic and should be avoided. I have never used parchment paper, but am wondering if this is a good alternative. I read on one site to put a pc of parchment paper on top of the tin foil , put fish on top of the paper and then roll up the tin foil to seal. Is this still not healthly for me? Are there products out there such as parchment bags that seal like tin foil does. Can I put a pc of parchment paper on the gill and lay food on it to grill (for easy clean up)? will it burn? Is using tin foil really bad for you!?

Debra’s Answer

Let me explain what parchment paper is. It’s paper coated with silicone (for more on this, see Q&A: Silicone baking mats vs parchment paper). It doesn’t burn when you bake on it in the oven, but it would burn exposed to an open flame on a grill.

Aluminum is something you want to avoid. I don’t recommend aluminum cookware. However, the worst foods for aluminum are acid foods like tomatoes. You probably wouldn’t get much exposure by wrapping a potato in aluminum foil. If this is a concern for you, bake your potatoes in the oven.

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Question from LH

I have a question about enamel coated cast iron cookware (a la Le Creuset).

My husband and I adore our simple cast iron cookware, but have recently read that it is not advised for those with Hepatis C, which he has.

We both love to cook are always looking for safe and effective cookware.

I am intrigued by the new Mario Batali line of “Italian kitchen” cookware, a low priced knock off of Le Creuset. I would like to know more about the current safety of both Le Creuset, made in France and Mario Batali, made in China.

At one time the lead and cadmium levels in enamel coated ware was controversial. The info I have found says that has been corrected, but being skeptical about the USA standards and enforcement, I wonder if you have any other source of info or advice.

Also, I am wary of anything made in China. I would love to try this Mario Batali cookware but wonder if it is worth the health risk. Is Le Creuset?

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know the answer about lead and cadmium.

With regards to Le Cruset vs Mario Batali, as much as I love Mario Batali as a chef, I would go with the Le Creuset. Here’s why. Le Creuset is a long established French company, who makes a high quality product for the discriminating French, to whom cooking is paramount. Manufacturers in China just don’t have the same level of care. I’d get “the real thing.” And if anyone has corrected the heavy metal problem, it would be Le Creuset.

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Question from Mary

I’d like to order duplicate checks. Does anyone know of a brand that doesn’t smell a lot? It’s a pain to have to air them out before using them. Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

I don’t recommend using duplicate checks for the same reason I don’t recommend carbonless carbons. They are made with toxic chemicals that outgas. Though duplicate checks may be more convenient, they are more toxic. I don’t think any exist that smell less, as they are all made with the same technology.

I’ve also discovered that all checks are not alike. The ones with pictures on them use a different ink than the plain checks, and they have a much stronger odor.

I’ve been using checks from Check Gallery, which are printed on recycled paper with soy-based ink. I’ve been happy with them.

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Question from darfalfa

My husband and I are making a harvest plank table for our kitchen from pine planks. I really want a rustic, hand scrubbed look, but I also need to darken or stain the wood, ideally to match our kitchen cabinets. I’ve been reading a lot about a product called “DuraStain” for the actual staining, then perhaps using a “Salad Bowl Finish” product to seal the wood. However, many of these products claim to be non-toxic once cured and food safe, however, they cannot be sold in California. Please keep in mind that I have a 2 1/2 year old son, which is why I’m looking for a “safe” product and in turn the reason I’d like to protect our table from spills, and accompanying mischief. Any help would be appreciated in navigating my way through these products. Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

Hmmm…if they are nontoxic and food safe, they should be able to be sold in California.

Readers, what are your suggestions?

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