Question from Sandy Van Wagoner

Hi Debra,

Hi…I read that some flatscreen t.v.s outgas the lifetime of the TV. Wondering what your input on this is.?? Is there a website that rates TV’s on the greenest etc. Thanks

Debra’s Answer

We’ll if you are up for reading a lot of complaints about plastic offgassing from tv’s, here’s a whole list of them: www.cnet.com/forums/discussions/sony-52-lcdtv-strong-acrid-smell-out-of-the-box-289843/

OK here’s what I think we’re looking for: the Greenpeace guide to greener electronics, September 2014

Here’s what the guide says about toxic chemicals in electronics (including TV’s):

The presence of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) results in the release of highly toxic dioxins, among other hazardous chemicals, when scrap is burnt. Other examples of hazardous chemicals commonly used in electronics also pose a range of environmental and human health problems.

Phthalates, used widely as softeners for PVC, migrate out of plastics over time. Some are classified as “toxic to reproduction” and are known to be hormone disrupters.

Antimony trioxide is recognised as a possible human carcinogen; exposure to high levels in the workplace, as dusts or fumes, can lead to severe skin problems and other health effects.

Beryllium and beryllium compounds, when released as dusts or fumes during processing and recycling, are recognised as known human carcinogens. Exposure to these chemicals, even at very low levels and for short periods of time, can cause beryllium sensitisation that can lead to chronic beryllium disease (CBD), an incurable and debilitating lung disease.

This guide is pretty long and technical, so here’s an easier-to-read summary.

Forbes: Greenpeace Updates Guidance On Green Electronics

I don’t see that there is any television yet on the market that does not contain these toxic chemicals. Some seem to outgas more than others. I have a Vizio brand flat screen and it has never has a smell that I can detect.

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Last Thursday the House of Representatives passed HR 1599, the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015. Those who oppose it call it the DARK Act—Deny Americans the Right to Know.

I’m not even going to try to explain the pros and cons of this here, you can search the internet for all kinds of information on this.

The point I want to make is that we don’t have adequate labeling of food in this country.

Here is a food label from Europe. It clearly states the produce contains genetically modified soyabean oil. By labeling this ingredient in this way, consumers have a choice to purchase GMOs or not.

I would love to see GMOs on the label in America, but in my opinion, it’s not enough. I think that pesticides should be noted on the label too, as well as country of origin.

Food labels today require most ingredients to be listed. I say most because the law requires all ingredients that “go into the pot” to be on the label. But it’s like if you are making soup at home, you might put in carrots and onions and ham, but that ham might contain sugar and nitrates. It’s the same for food manufacturers. If they put carrots and onions and ham in the soup, all they need to list is carrots and onions and ham, even if the ham contains sugar and nitrates. And the BPA in the can lining that migrates into the food isn’t required to be listed at all.

So you really don’t know what is in processed foods under the current labeling system.

We need to go far beyond GMO labeling. We need a major overhaul of food labeling.

In the meantime, my recommendation is to prepare your own food from fresh organic ingredients, local as much as possible. Doing this, you know what’s in your food and you could even meet the farmers. When I lived in California, I belonged to a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, where I bought a share from the organic farmer and got a share of the harvest every week.

I love to cook! And I know what’s in my food.

Now even the labeling of fresh foods needs a revamp. Some stores voluntarily give country of origin, which is extremely important. And the more you can know about the growing practices, the better.

Many food producers now have a lot of information on their websites.

As a consumer, get curious. Ask. Find out as much as you can. The information is there, even if it’s not on the label.

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Last week, senior US health officials stopped a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposal that would have told dentists they should not use mercury fillings in cavities in pregnant women, nursing moms, children under 6 and people with mercury allergies, kidney diseases or neurological problems. It also urged dentists to avoid using fillings that contain mercury compounds in any patient, where possible.

The good news about this is that the FDA has shifted their position about mercury fillings. The “safety communication” was drafted in response to citizens petitions and an FDA advisory panel of outside experts. The FDA has defended the safety of mercury fillings since the agency’s inception in 1930 and especially during an ongoing, 23-year legal battle with consumer groups. See, we citizens CAN make change!

The bad new is that higher officials blocked the FDA from protecting the health of citizens.

Tampa Bay Times: Health officials kill FDA proposal to curb mercury dental fIlling

Question from Ghita Harris-Newton

Hi Debra,

I would like attractive built in closets. Real wood seems cost-prohibitive. California Closets say they have a low-VOC solution. What do you think of the California Closets solutions?

Debra’s Answer

I called California Closets and nobody had ever heard of a low-VOC solution. Where did you hear this?

Just in general, any time I see something that says “low-VOC” that’s a red flag for me. Because it’s saying it contains VOCs.

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Question from Stacey Santoro

Hi Debra,

I found a table made of wood with a limestone top that I love. However, I am concerned about radon/uranium levels in the limestone. Would you recommend avoiding limestone because of this?

Thanks so much!

Debra’s Answer

No, I’ve never heard of a problem with radioactivity in limestore, but if you are concerned you can test it with a geiger counter.

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Question from Stacey Santoro

Hi Debra,

I am looking for an outdoor patio set and trying to purchase the safest/least toxic one.

I saw one that is made of powder coated steel at Lowe’s, and it is made in China.

I found another set that is made of wrought-iron, made in the USA, but is also almost triple the price of the steel set made at Lowe’s.

Do I need to worry about the set that is made in China?

I’m sure that the wrought iron set is a little heavier, sturdier, but in terms of toxicity/safety, would you recommend one over the other?

Thanks again!

Debra’s Answer

Powder coating is a system for applying paint to a surface using dry paint. The dry paint is in the form of a powder, which is sprayed on the surface. The two major types of powder for powder coating are thermoplastic and thermoset.

There are some toxic substances in the powder, including lead and other carcinogens. This is mostly a concern if you are applying the powder coat to the steel at home. There are many different formulas, however. One MSDS I checked contain no lead, but did contain aluminum. You’re just not going to know because the retailer probably doesn’t know and the manufacturer probably doesn’t know. They just buy “powder coat” and usually are not concerned about the toxic exposures.

It would be unlikely for you to have much, if any, exposure to these toxic substances when using a powder-coated product. It would not release these substances into the air, as they are particles bound into the paint. You may have some of these substances transfer through your skin if you touched a powder-coated item.

So I would say I do recommend one over the other. The safest without question would be the wrought iron. It would also last longer.

SOURCE: eHow: Health Hazards in the Powder Coating Process

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Why it’s important to know where your organic food comes from?

Organic food has reached the mainstream—you can even buy an organic version of Heinz Ketchup (I wouldn’t—still contains sugar)—but where is all this organic food coming from?

Some, at least, is coming from China, particularly organic food sold at low prices in big stores.

Here’s a article that outlines 5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Trust “Organic” From China

In addition I would add, who wants food shipped all the way from China?

I’d rather eat organic food from my own backyard or a nearby family farm.

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I just want to post this for any of you who are having financial challenges as a result of chemical injuries and need some help…or if you know anyone who needs help.

This is a crowdfunding site that focuses on “compassionate crowdfunding” to support humanitarian causes and bring kindness and community to those in need.

The organization does not charge anything for this service. 100% of the funds received are transferred to the person or organization in need as soon as they are received (the donation processor for funds transfer does take a fee, however).

The categories are: medical expenses, memorials and funerals, emergencies and disasters, adoption, education and schools, team fundraisers, pets and animals, volunteer and service projects, nonprofits, missionary work, and veterans.

Click on “Support a Fundraiser” and choose a subject to see the fundraisers that need support. You can also create a fundraiser on that category page.

www.youcaring.com

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Question from Mira

Hi Debra,

I’m wondering what brand of smoke alarms are safest, both wired and not wired. I need some new wired ones for my condo.

In this article I was surprised to see a radiation risk associated with one type of smoke alarm. Evolving Wellness: Alarming Toxic Safety Risks Associated with Your Smoke Alarm

Thank you.

Debra’s Answer

I’ve been writing about this for many years. I just looked it up and I first mentioned this in my book The Nontoxic Home in 1986.

You should definitely get a photoelectric alarm, as the author of your cited article recommends. She did a great job of outlining this whole issue.

In years past these were difficult to find, but now they are common.

Here’s a list of photoelectric smoke detectors you can order from online or find these brands at your local hardware store.

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Question from Jan Harris

Hi Debra,

We get a LOT of dust coming through our air-co. Is there something we can put over the air vents or any other thing to help have less dust? (Our air-co ducts are metal. Could that be a factor?)

Debra’s Answer

I’m not an air conditioning engineer so I can’t answer your question, but am posting it here so someone else can answer it.

The only solution I know of would be to use a freestanding air purifier to reduce the amount of dust in your home.

You may want to have someone check your unit to see if it is pulling in dust from somewhere other than your home living space.

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