Question from KER

Hi Debra,

I was wondering if Polyester and other Petroleum based clothing give off VOCs? & if they do give off VOCs how long would it take to outgass them?

Debra’s Answer

Polyester and other synthetic fibers made from petroleum do offgass VOCs–chemicals that offgass are volatile, as in Volatile Organic Chemicals.

How long it takes for them to outgas depends on the fiber and the conditions and the amount of wash and wear. The VOCs decrease with time. I personally don’t wear them at all, regardless of age.

Question from Debra Lynn Dadd

Last week on Good Morning America there was a segment on sugar. This statement was made.

“Consumers are now also being offered agave, a sweetener promoted as natural but which is all fructose, she said. Agave is processed and has calories. This kind of sugar gets packed on as fat in the liver, she added.” She promoted using Honey instead.

So many people say that they are tired of something coming out as healthy or unhealthy and 6 months later they say the opposite.

What is your take on this.

Debra’s Answer

[Sigh] I just need to say first that after more than 25 years of studying the health and environmental effects of consumer products, it is clear to me that there is a lot to learn and know. At this point in time, there is A LOT of information being put forth through various media channels that is incorrect, simply because the people writing about it don’t have the background understanding to know what the issues are, or, in the general media, time to do the research.

The general media interviews an expert. Then they write their own version of what that expert said, based on their own understanding–or misunderstanding, as the case may be.

Regarding what was said on Good Morning America, first of all, agave is not “all fructose”. Second, it does have calories, but not any more than honey, which is recommended.

Regarding their claim that agave is “processed”…Let’s look at processed sweeteners for a moment. All sweeteners that come from a natural source are processed to concentrate them to some degree or another.

The natural source for honey is the nectar of flowers, which is then “processed” by bees to concentrate it into honey.

The natural source for maple syrup is maple tree sap, which is boiled down to remove water and concentrate the sap into maple syrup. Further removal of water yields maple sugar.

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After sending out my most recent evaluation of agave in my Sweet Savvy newsletter on September 14, I received some of comments. Click on COMMENTS below to read them.

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Question from Betty L

Hello Debra,

I just recently discovered your website and love it. I would like to know if you know anything about a new cookware called copper fusion by Chantal, Made in Germany. They claim to have a stick resistant surface without any type of chemical or nonstick coating. I would appreciate any comments you may have about this cookware. thank you

Debra’s Answer

Just looking at the Chantal Copper Fusion website, it looks pretty good to me. The two key features are the copper, which is best for heat distribution, and the enamel finish, which is good for cooking because it is more inert than stainless steel and other metals.

I personally have never used enamel-finish cookware because the enamel tends to chip. I don’t know if there is new technology which makes this not chip, and I can’t vouch for it being non-stick.

Readers, what is your experience with enamel-finish cookware?

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Question from Mary

Hi Debra,

What do you recommend for non-toxic removal of the old vinyl flooring?

Also, what is non-toxic for installing the natural, sheet , linolium?

thanks !!

Mary

Debra’s Answer

I’ve removed old vinyl flooring simply by scraping it off. You can usually loosen a tile and go from there by placing a putty knife or a crow bar under the edge. I have then simply placed the new flooring over whatever adhesive remains, after scraping off whatever excessive globs there might be.

As for the adhesive for laying natural linoleum, I would check with the manufacturer or an installer. I haven’t ever laid natural linoleum, so I don’t have any inside information on that process.

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Question from llyana

I have MCS and I’m putting in 2 new pre-finished wood floors in my home.

I was told by a green building service to have the contractor use a polyethelene vapor barrier instead of an asphalt/felt/paper vapor barrier for less off-gassing. Now it seems you can’t nail the floor through a vapor barrier (it would defeat the purpose) so they are recommending floating the floor, which means glue-ing the wood together instead of nailing it down. So, now I’m worried about the glue being an issue for me.

Any thoughts or advice?

Debra’s Answer

Personally, I’ve never used a vapor barrier under a pre-finished wood floor and I’ve laid it over wood subfloor and concreate subfloor. So the first question I would ask is “Is the vapor barrier really necessary?”

If you need to glue, I’ve had excellent success using standard yellow woodworker’s glue to lay floors. Don’t let them use toxic adhesives.

My first choice for you would still be to nail it in, so see if you can eliminate the vapor barrier altogether.

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While looking for something else on the internet, I came across a website about walking sticks.

What caught my eye was the reason for walking sticks (also called “staffs”):

Staffs allow a typical hiker to reduce the “foot-felt” body weight by as much as 20%. Since the hiker is leaning on the staff rather than his foot with each step he takes, the feet have less work to do. Try standing on a scale and leaning on a staff. When you lean over on the staff (that is on the ground), your body weight goes down. Switching from left to right hand with the staff balances this weight savings while evenly distributing the aerobic benefits of the upper-body exercise. You win big both ways.

 

Other uses for walking sticks in the wild are: to clear spiderwebs, to part thick bushes or grass, as a support when going uphill or a brake when going downhill, as a balance point when crossing rough terrain, to test mud and puddles for depth, and as a defense against wild animals. Hmmmm…defense against wild animals. Could be defense against attackers in a city (just read that originally, one of the reasons travelers on foot carried walking sticks was to protect themselves from thieves–indeed you can read all about using a walking stick for self-defense at http://ejmas.com/jnc/jncart_barton-wright_0200.htm).

In times past, when walking was a major mode of transportation, walking sticks were common; now not so much so. But there are times when I do a lot of walking around town, and my feet do start to hurt. Maybe a walking stick would make it more comfortable to walk long distances.

This webpage has tips about choosing walking sticks and even instructions on how to make your own: http://walking.about.com/cs/poles/a/walkingsticks.htm.

Here’s another informational site with a lot of good information: http://www.backpacking.net/walkstik.html

Some pros and cons of using a walking stick:

• http://www.personal.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/poles.htm

A list of articles on walking sticks:

And because I was inspired, I went looking for some sites that sell walking sticks:

• http://www.4walkingsticks.com/
• http://www.kywalkingstick.com/
• http://www.mssticks.com
• http://www.whistlecreek.com/
• http://houseofcanes.com
• http://www.fashionablecanes.com
• http://www.borispalatnik.com/
• http://www.walkingstick.com/
• http://www.coloradowalkingsticks.com/

Walking is such good exercise and gets us out of doors, we would all do well to do more of it!

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Question from Robin

My ALL Free & Clear hypoallergenic laundry detergent that comes in a 300ml dispenser carton has leaked onto the top of my metal washing machine. It has eaten away at the metal on top and left a bubbled ridge. It also leaked on my ceramic tiled sink area and has left an impossible to remove white calcification. The ALL company representative recommended that I hire someone to come in that specializes in ‘clean-up’ to fix the problem.

1. Do you know of a safe way to remove the All laundry detergent that has left a white clacification on the ceramic? I have tried leaving soaked wet towels for days on the area and then using scrub brushes. Nothing works!

2. Any suggestions for a more natural laundry detergent for sensitive skin?

Debra’s Answer

Don’t know about removing the All. Readers?

For the laundry, I recommend Maggie’s Soap Nuts! Gets clothes very clean, very soft, and no irritating residue. Completely natural and biodegradable.

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Question from mtv

Seeking more information on prefinished hardwoods for ‘new’ house. Did put some in last year when moved in house temporarily. Wonder which finish is ideal. Or guidelines… Ours planks aluminum something..in hindsight there must be something better. I was loopy and sick. I searched back blog issues and did learn that we can purchase at store and let it outgass for a while. That is great to know.

So much of this illness is hindsight. Thanks for Debra’s book, care, and website.

Debra’s Answer

I haven’t done a survey of all the brands of prefinished floors and their finishes. When I am looking for a wood floor, I just go find what I like, buy a few pieces and bring it home and live with it before installing a whole room or a whole house.

Readers, what prefinished wood flooring have you had success with?

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Question from Marie

We just bought a new house that has 3 bathtubs/showers that are one-piece acrylic. When I read the manufacturer’s documentation, they of course recommend buying their own cleaning products and say not to use any abrasives. I clean my current bathrooms (all porcelain and tile) with baking soda and vinegar, and I’m wondering if the baking soda is considered abrasive. Also, I use Bon Ami for harder surfaces, and even though it says it doesn’t scratch, will it damage my acrylic surfaces?

Debra’s Answer

I don’t know anything about cleaning acrylic.

Readers?

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