Permanent ink pens and markers have caught my attention in daily life twice in the past two weeks, so I was prompted to write about them today.

The first exposure was in a public place where someone opened one of these pens (with a popular brand name) and started writing with it. I was standing three feet away and could smell it instantly.

Then I went to Staples to buy some bold tip pens. I’ve been buying this brand for years…Expo Vis-a-Vis pens. They are “wet erase markers” for white boards, but I use them when I need a bold pen.

I also needed a green pen. I just wanted to buy one green pen. It used to be that you could buy markers one by one but now mostly they are only sold in packages with all the colors. I just wanted one green pen, like a green highlighter pen (which are not toxic, by the way).

So there was this whole rack of individual colored pens at Staples. The label said “Bic Magic Marker Dry Erase. There was an AP Seal on the label and it said additionally “Nontoxic” and “Low Odor.”

So I bought one. IT WAS NOT “NONTOXIC” OR “LOW-ODOR.” I quickly put the cap right back on the pen and decided not to use it.

Update on Solvents Used In Permanent Ink Markers

When I first started writing about permanent markers thirty years ago, the solvents used were toluene and xylene, very toxic chemicals that cause nerve damage. Which is why I confiscated that pen.

But doing more research today I learned that in the 1990s there was a switch to using alcohol (ethanol) instead.

I looked up the MSDS for Bic Magic Marker.

Amazingly it says, “The product contains no substances which at their given concentration and intended use are considered to be hazardous to health.” Later it lists ethanol and isopropyl alcohol as ingredients.

I can’t believe it. I looked up MSDSs for other brands of permanent ink markers and they say the same thing: “Not hazardous under normal use conditions.”

But petroleum-derived ethanol is toxic. When I made my first list of “Top 40” toxic chemicals to avoid in 1984, ethanol was on that list. And anyone who has MCS knows to stay away from alcohol. I personally cannot use these pens, even if the MSDS doesn’t consider them hazardous.

Here is a fact sheet on the health effects of inhaling ethanol:

New Jersey Department of Health Right to Know Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet: Ethyl Alcohol

Exposure to Ethyl Alcohol can cause headache, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, and unconsciousness. It can also affect concentration and vision, Repeated high exposure may effect the liver and the nervous system. Inhalation First aid: Remove person from exposure.

It is well known that ingesting ethanol in alcoholic beverages causes cancer.

Workplace exposure limits for inhalation have been established.

I don’t agree with the “nontoxic” labeling on these pens and markers.

I just want all of you to think twice before buying a permanent ink marker labeled “low odor” and “nontoxic” because it still contains petrochemical alcohol.

Now, The Toxic Free Pens and Markers

There ARE pens and markers with odorless water-based ink.

My favorite pen to write with are Pilot Precise Rolling Ball Pens. They have been my standard pen for years. They write very smooth and the ink doesn’t clump as with ball point pen inks.

For markers, what you want to look for are “water based markers.” Here are some water based markers online, though I haven’t tried them all, so cannot vouch for them. Here are more water-based markers at Blick. If I could get to New York, I could go to Blick and check all these out.

Probably the easiest water-based markers to find are Crayola Markers 10 Classic Colors. These are sold in the art and office supplies aisle in major drug stores and supermarkets.

But I miss being able to go into an art supply store and pick out the waterbased markers one by one in just the colors I want. I especially love Faber Castell PITT Artist Pens. Gorgous colors, no odor. They are meant for drawing, but I like to write with them. You can buy all the colors individually online at Blick (thank you!) or see if you can find a local art supply store that stocks them.

So here’s what I would like to know. What pens and markers have you tried and which do you consider toxic free?

Please comment below.

Thank you!

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Last Friday, the State of California filed a Notice of Intent to list glyphosate as “known to the state to cause cancer.”

If this goes through, will Monsanto’s GMO foods sprayed with RoundUp be required to have Proposition 65 warning labels?

I’ll be watching this.

Written comments received by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 5, 2015 to be considered.

Thanks to Max Goldberg for this consumer tip.

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Question from Inna

Hi Debra,

A few months ago, my husband bought a used 2005 Subaru Forester with leather seats. He loves the car and I sometimes end up riding in it with him, but the smell is hard for me to tolerate. Although you would think it would have outgassed by now, there is still a strong smell in the leather seats – or it might be chemicals used in the leather treatment or conditioning or other components in the “leather” seats, not sure. Is there a way to get rid of the smell without damaging the leather? Doesn’t seem like opening the sun roof would help much given it’s had 10 years to off-gas, plus it will soon be too cold for that here. I’m not normally super-sensitive to leather, using leather purses and leather shoes without any reaction at all. Though I’ve never had leather furniture or leather car seats before.

Thanks.

Debra’s Answer

I’ve had leather seats before in cars and my experience is that the leather does outgas over time. I bought a 2001 car with leather seats in 2005 and by the time I bought it there was no odor at all.

If you have a persistent odor, the leather was probably cleaned with a product that added additional chemicals.

You might contact EnviroKlenz and ask them specifically which of their products to use for this. I asked them once about removing chemicals from leather when I was considering buying a very comfortable leather office chair, but I ended up not buying the chair, so I haven’t tried this. But they told me then it could be done.

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Question from Stacey

Hi Debra,

I am wondering if rhodium-plated sterling silver jewelry (earrings, necklace) is safe to wear.

Thanks!

Debra’s Answer

No toxic effects of rhodium have been reported that I could find. One blog post reported of a toxic danger to workers from rhodium mixed with sulphuric acid, but even in this instance, it was the sulphuric acid that was noted as toxic, not the rhodium.

It appears to be fine, as far as I can tell.

Here is my disclaimer, though. I can only tell you if something is known to be toxic. I can’t guarantee something not known to be toxic really is not toxic or not. Many times substances thought to be safe have been found to be toxic.

But at the moment, to the best of my knowledge, I can’t find anything that says it’s toxic to wear as jewelry.

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Question from Steve

Hi Debra,

A cabinet maker recently sprayed a piece of my furniture with water based clear varathane. According to my research this product contains VOC’s. For how long will it continue to off gas and how long should I wait before it is 100% safe to put the item in my home?

Debra’s Answer

How long it takes to outgas depends on the conditions of the surrounding area. A warmer environment will speed outgassing.

Finishes become “dry to the touch” but are still outgassing. 100% safe means all VOCs have outgassed. The term for this is “cured.” Contact the manufacturer and ask how long it takes for the finish to cure.

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Question from Steve

Hi Debra,

Any consensus as to whether those stainless steel folding steamer baskets are really made of? The box says 18/10 stainless steel. i’m wondering if there’s nickel or other toxic metals added.

Any consensus as to whether those stainless steel folding steamer baskets are really made of? The box says 18/10 stainless steel. i’m wondering if there’s nickel or other toxic metals added.

Debra’s Answer

I have now information on this other that what it says on the box.

Readers, any comments on this?

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Question from Shannon

Hi Debra,

We recently purchased a condo that had been repainted prior to sale.

3 months later it is still off gassing and my asthma is severely affected.

We will repaint with zero voc paint and primer but from what I understand that is not enough.

At what temperature should my central heating be to super heat the paint?

Alternatively if I crank the heat and keep the windows opened on a hot day will it be just as effective or must the windows be closed?

Lastly if I do this over a period of 2 days. 12 hrs on come home then repeat the same process the next day will that work or does it have to look be 24 consecutive hrs? I’m wondering because we are unable to leave the dwelling for 24 hrs. Thanks

Lisa’s Answer

This answer has been updated because I do not recommend bake-outs.

Read more here:

Why I Don’t Recommend Bake-Outs

How to Minimize Odor and Off-Gassing from Paint 

Question from Stacey

Hi Debra,

I just discovered cooler bags and lunch bags called Packit, that are designed to keep food cool up to 10 hours. I love the concept and design of the bags which would be great for kid’s lunches as well as for many other uses.

The children’s lunch bags are made of polyester on the exterior, while the interior is made of PVA. It is also stated that these bags are PVC and lead free. Some of the other bags have a lining made of EVA/PE/high-density polyethylene.

What do you think of these bags? Would you add them to your List of safe products?

Debra’s Answer

I would and I’m going to! I’m in love with these bags too.

They are bags that have a freezable gel right inside the sides of the bag, so foods are kept cold from all directions. I can see these bags being useful for shopping, travel, lunch, so you can really take your food with you.

The materials are plastics, but the least toxic ones. There’s no way to make this product without plastic.

What a great idea! Bags come in 12 sizes, including a grocery-size bag.

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Question from Sue P.

Hi Debra,

I am trying to figure out if a commercially made quilt would typically contain flame retardants or any other harmful chemicals. I have found a quilt online that says the cover is 100% cotton, but the filling is 100% polyester. Are there flame retardants in 100% polyester? Would washing this several times, remove any harmful chemicals? Thanks for your great website and research.

Debra’s Answer

It’s unlikely that polyester fill would contain flame retardants. Furniture manufacturers use layers of polyester to help them pass the flammability tests. It doesn’t burn, it melts.

Many many years ago I was wearing a polyester nightgown. I took it off and threw it on the floor—right on top of my hot curling iron. And I saw that polyester melt right before my eyes. So it passes the flame test, but I wouldn’t want molten polyester on my skin.

Polyester itself is not particularly toxic, it’s usually the finishes that are the toxic part.

But again, polyester is plastic, so if you want to avoid plastic for other reasons, then that’s something to consider. But it’s not toxic.

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Update January, 2020:  So Many Chemicals in Clothing!

read more…