Question from Lyn

Hi Debra,

I am in process of finding an eco-friendly computer and found the website www.GreenMachineShop.com. Are you or any of your readers familiar with this company? I have been debating between a laptop or a pc and the claims that the owner makes regarding computers for those that have chemical sensitivies is quite interesting. Do you have any opinions on this?

I am also looking for an ergonomic office chair and am concerned about the materials used in a new one especially because of my chemical sensitivities. I have looked at the Herman Miller Aeron chair (see www.hermanmiller.com for specs) in a local furniture store and could not detect any fumes. But there were other scents in the store so I can’t be quite sure. The contents of the chair are made up of 62% recycled materials.

Another line of chairs recommended to me is by VITRA, which I haven’t yet tried. I do know that Relax-the-Back had chairs that worked for my body (pre severe chemical sensitivities) but I can barely stay in their store npw for 5 minutes even with a mask on. In addition to chemical sensitivities I have carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndromes and fibromyalgia.

Thanks in advance for your feeback.

Lyn

Debra’s Answer

I’m not familiar with this computer company and there’s a lot more information on their website than I have time to digest this morning. However, they do have a lot of interesting things to read about the toxic chemicals in computer, so I’ll take a look when I have more time. They seem to be saying they are making a less toxic computer. I need to check that out more thoroughly and welcome any comments from anyone who has experience with them or wants to check it out more.

Re desktop or laptop, what made a difference for me was the flat screen. I have both a laptop and a desktop and both have flat screens.

Re the chairs. Recycled does not mean nontoxic. It’s good you smelled it. Maybe they would let you borrow the chair for a day or two and return it if it doesn’t work for you. Most stores have money-back return policies.

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Question from Kiyo Jannereth

Most Christmas tree farms spray their trees with pesticides right before the season starts so that the trees are pest free for harvest.

There are numerous articles about migrant workers getting sick from pesticides on tree farms.

Also, some trees (in Florida and from up-north) are sprayed with dye so that they do not turn yellow while sitting in the lot or at home. (I never knew this until a farmer set me aside and told me!)

Before you visit a tree farm, be sure to ask if they spray with pesticides and/or dyes.

The following farm in Dade City, Florida sprays their trees with dye but does not spray with pesticides (the only one that is pesticide free that I could find in Dade City or anywhere near Tampa). Florida Christmas Trees are not as nice as Northern trees, but it is worth the try if you want pesticide free trees.

Lazy Lay Acres

Debra’s Answer

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Question from HelenK

Hi,

I recently purchased a new mattress for my two year old son. It is a combination of wool and foam and I am concerned about any possible outgassing. I hear that activated carbon blankets can assist with reducing/eliminating toxic odours. Do you know anything about these products? Are they safe to be used on children’s beds?

Debra’s Answer

Another reader also asked about carbon blankets this week. She said, “I’m wondering if anyone has had good experience using this to block off-gassing. I’ve heard about it for use to cover mattresses. I’m thinking about trying it to cover seats, which affect me pretty strongly, and also wondering if it could be useful in cars, which also affect me strongly. ”

Activated carbon blankets are available from Nirvana Safe Haven I’ve never seen one or used one. From the description it sounds like they are felt (no material specified) embedded with carbon.

Anyone have any experience with these?

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Question from Kristin

I am looking for a completely non plastic travel mug. I honestly dont know if such a thing even exists, but with knowing everything about plastic that we do, I’d hope it would be out there somewhere.

When I say non plastic I mean 100% plastic free, a plastic handle would be ok, just as long as no plastic touches the liquid, no plastic lids, spouts, inserts, etc. Please let me know of you can help!

Debra’s Answer

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Question from vsic4

I don’t if the dandruff question posted earlier applies, but my scalp has been dry, and flakey with white flakes. I was using some shampoos from the natural section of the store but i think it made my scalp more flakey. How can I bring more moisture or oil to my scalp so there’s not a bunch of little white flakes in my hair and my scalp doesn’t feel so dry?

Debra’s Answer

I suggest you try the remedies at Q&A: Dandruff Treatment.

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Question from BIGBELLY

I have a 2 year old and am expecting a new baby around christmas. I cannot afford to buy a new natural mattress but am concerned about my children sleeping on a bad toxic surface. I thought about buying the snugglewool blanket (made with pure merino wool) and letting the newborn sleep on it as it would protect her from the off-gasing of the mattress, would that be correct or do you have any other suggestions?

What about buying a silk sleepsack to sleep on ? Would that be healthier ?

Also, should I buy some wool liners for the car seats and stroller, should I be concerned that the fabrics and/or plastic material off-gas ?

Debra’s Answer

Wool blankets do not block the fumes from the outgassing of mattresses or car seats or strollers. A wool blanket is a good idea on it’s own merit, but not to block fumes.

Silk is fine as a material, too.

Moms, what suggestions have you?

You might find some answers to your questions here:

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Question from TKC

I was recently in Walmart and wanted to buy some chewable Vitamin C. I stood there for a while reading the ingredient lists and trying to decide which was the most “natural.” Can you buy “natural” vitamins at Walmart or are you better off going to a health food store? And what ingredients are acceptable as additives?

Thanks for any advice!

P.S. Love your newsletter! It has been very helpful to me!

Debra’s Answer

Oh, this is a big question, so I’ll try to give you a quick and easy answer.

What is the most “natural”? That would be 100% whole food organic supplements, as the nutrients would be closest to as they appear in Nature.

“Natural”, however, in the food and vitamin industry, means only “without artificial addditives”. The ingredients themselves still have pesticides.

If you are choosing vitamins at Wal-Mart, look for those that don’t have artificial colors or flavors and derived the vitamin from a natural source. For vitamin C, the label should say it’s from oranges or acerold cherries, or some real food.

What ingredients are acceptable additives? That’s a HUGE question, for there are artificial additives )not acceptable) and natural “additives” (which may be fine). A good book to learn about additives is Ruth Winter’s A Consumer’s Dictionary of Food Additives.

You might want to also look for vitamins at your local natural food store or online.

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Question from Betty L

Hi, Ready to buy a new electric hot water heater. Interested in the Marathon, very energy efficient. Very well made. Impressed. Only concern is that the tank is made of polybutene. Any chance

of leaching anything harmful into the water? Polybutylene, maybe another form is listed as a pesticide. I also have a Jacuzzi tub so I will be soaking in the water.

What do you think?

Thanks.

Betty

Debra’s Answer

Maybe someone else can answer this better than I. I actually never thought about what was inside a water heater. Hmmmm.

About polybutylene, there is a lot of information on the web about this plastic and failure of polybutylene pipes. Just type “polybutylene” into your favorite search engine.

Anyone know more about what is standard for the lining of water heaters?

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Question from HELLEN HEAVEN

I recently decided to buy my 2 year old son a comforter. I had decided that I would go for down, and then changed my mind when I saw the price.

I also thought that a polyester filled comforter would be more practical!

Then I got home and started to worry about what’s in the polyester, being slowly released ….. any ideas what I should do, how can I find out if even the feathers are treated in some way?

Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

I would choose a down comforter over polyester. However, people with feather allergies prefer polyester.

Polyester is a material I personally avoid, and polyester fabrics are treated with formaldehyde. However, in the larger scheme of things, the toxicity is relatively minor.

You might try looking for a used down comforter, or buying one on sale after Christmas. Try an off-price store, too, like Ross or Marshall’s for a down comforter at a more affordable price.

There are, of course, comforters filled with other natural fibers. Mine is filled with organic wool. But these are no less expensive than down.

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