Question from Helen

Debra,

Things I’ve been reading lately have emphasized local produce over organic. In Washington state, we have a bounty of locally grown fruit, but most is not organic. A local u-pick blueberry farm (with delicious, gorgeous berries) uses copper sulfate as a fungicide and diazanon. How bad is this stuff?

Debra’s Answer

The MSDS for copper sulfate says:

The MSDS for diazanon says:

These MSDS are easy to find on the internet. All you have to do is type in the name of the chemical and MSDS, for example, “diazanon MSDS”.

My search for diazaon MSDS also yielded:

Teacher poisoned by pesticides in classroom

Chemical Warfare Agents And Toxic Waste Disguised As Household Cleaning Products

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Question from Diana

I was wondering if anyone had experience with the co2 machines for attracting mosquitos and then trapping them as an outdoor control for several acres for mosquitos. I already know about getting control of any standing water even if minute. THere is a ditch running behind the property which makes it hard without some help. I’m getting eaten alive and just want to enjoy the beautiful outdoors. Thanks in advance. D

Debra’s Answer

Readers?

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Question from I.V.

I recently bought a food strainer from Ikea in Emeryville, CaliforniA. The clerk said it was stainless steel. The product or the label itself does not state the metal it is made of. The product stated it was “Made in China”, “design and quality Ikea of Sweden”.

Is there someway I can verify that it has no lead in it as I will probably put hot foods in it that have been blanched or otherwise heated and do not want lead to leach into the food or water if I stick the colander into hot water.

Also, there is a small soldered attachment on the bottom for it to rest on the table and out of the water and a handle which is also soldered to the colander.

Am I being over cautious about lead from China or is this something I should have checked out somewhere before using it for hot foods and in hot water?

Thanks. iv

Debra’s Answer

You can test anything you are wondering about for lead using Lead Check Swabs.

I’m not really concerned about lead in a colendar sold at Ikea. Ikea is pretty environmentally aware and has eliminated a lot of toxic chemicals from their products. I would be surprised if they sold a colendar containing lead.

Still, it’s always wise to test if you have a concern.

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Question from Natalie

Is it ok to scrub food off of the Visions cookware? I just bought some pots and skillets on ebay & was wondering if I scrubbed it really hard if it would leach something in to the food. Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

It’s OK to scrub VIsions cookware. Nothing will come off into the food.

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Question from kpc

I recently had an employee at whole foods tell me that by washing children’s pajamas in dish soap you could remove the flame retardent chemicals. Do you have any knowledge about this?

Debra’s Answer

That doesn’t sound right to me.

Finishes such as permanent press and flame retardants are designed to stay in the fabric for the life of the garment. If it washed out that easily, it wouldn’t meet the federal flame retardant laws, which is why they put the flame retardant on in the first place.

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Question from Michelle

I am wondering if you researched a product called URAD. They claim to be 100% natural and biodegradable.

I have used the the leather cream. It works great to clean, moisturize and it seems to protect the leather a bit. They also have the product in a couple of colors so you can do white leather…brown or black.

I would appreciate knowing if this is a good product. I never use gloves with it. I apply it sparingly. It’s not greasy. I just rinse out the sponge with water and it’s clean.

Thank you for finding an answer.

Michelle

I cannot go into any clothing or shoe stores etc so I have to buy shoes by catalog or on the web. I was wondering if leather shoes would be easier to air out then sneakers with all the rubbery stuff on them. But I would have to find natural shoe polish – does anyone know if this exists? Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

The website says “URAD is mainly composed of Carnauba (natural wax to protect and shine), Lanoline (sheep skin oil to moisturize and also to protect), and mineral salts (to clean).” They don’t give an MSDS sheet, so I don’t know what, if anything, else it may contain, but they do say it is 100% natural and biodegradable.

Give them a call and see if it contains anything else and let us know.

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Question from Sage

Dear Debra,

I am currently looking for a new car seat for my 11 month baby, but all car seats stink. Do you know of any that are less toxic?

Thanks.

Sage

Debra’s Answer

Moms, what do you suggest?

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Question from a.n.

is there a contact lens solution that is preservative and chemical free?

Debra’s Answer

Readers, what have you found?

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Question from Jennifer

Has any one installed bamboo flooring in a semi-arid climate? If so, did you have any problems with contraction or cupping? FYI: We have a swamp cooler but will not be maintaining a constant humidity level.

Debra’s Answer

Readers, any experience with this?

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Question from Louise

This is from a parent on Berkeley Parent’s Network…

Have you seen the article in the latest ”Environment California”newsletter on popular baby bottles that leach dangerous chemicals, bisphenol A in particular? The Environment California Research and Policy Center and an independent laboratory conducted a test on Avent, Dr. Brown’s, Evenflo, Gerber, and Playtex bottles, and found harmful levels of bisphenol A in all of these brands.

About four years ago I contacted Avent to ask about the safety of their bottles, and they sent me information admitting that their bottles had been found to cause cancer in rats. I was horrified, thinking that my newborn was about the size of a rat. Also I had been heating my Avent bottles in the microwave, which I’m sure helps to release the chemicals. I switched to glass bottles immediately.

I also tell everyone I see using these bottles about their possible danger. The safest thing to do, if you want to use plastic bottles, is to look for those made with softer, less clear plastic — generally these don’t have bisphenol A. It bothers me to note that stores like Baby’s R Us, who say they don’t sell anything with PVC, continue to stock Avent bottles.

Low doses of bisphenol A have been linked to a number of childhood ailments and behavioral problems. For the entire report on toxic baby bottles, see www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports.

Debra’s Answer

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