The Spring Equinox is on Thursday, March 20, this year--the time when the length of day equals the length of night as the days are getting longer. And I'm certainly feeling spring-like here in my "West Coast office" in San Francisco. Gorgeous tulips and frescias and daffodils were everywhere at the farmer's market last weekend, and bunches of them are now sitting on my desk. You can read more about the Spring Equinox on my new blog A Bit of Nature. This year Easter falls very close to the Spring Equinox, so Happy Easter as well! If you have MCS and have remodeled your home, please send me an email. Ecological Home Ideas magazine has asked me to write an article for them on how people with MCS remodel--what are the issues, what products have been used, your successes, unexpected surprises others should watch out for. They want some real life personal experiences, so I need your stories and photos. Please send me an email if you're interested. The deadline for your submissions is THIS FRIDAY, so send me an email today. Debra :-)
HEALTH, HOME & HABITAT #126 ~ 18 March 2008 * CARCINOGEN FOUND IN SOME NATURAL & ORGANIC BODYCARE PRODUCTS If the links don't work on this newsletter, you can view it online at http://www.dld123.com/newsletter/newsletterupdateback.html Health, Home & Habitat Back Issues (tables of contents) * * * * * * * * * * * * * FREE MATTRESS GIVEAWAY * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Every year, White Lotus Home selects one lucky family to receive FREE natural or organic bedding ($500.00 worth of anything they make: mattresses, pillows, covers, duvets, toppers etc). This year, White Lotus Home will select one of my newsletter subscribers. One of you will be the winner! Yay! To enter, do one or both of the following: All entries must be received by midnight (eastern time) April 7, 2008.
Read more about Really Green and order... -- Sylvia Ella Hirsch * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CARCINOGEN FOUND IN SOME NATURAL & ORGANIC BODYCARE PRODUCTS A newly released study commissioned by the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) and overseen by environmental health consumer advocate David Steinman (author of The Safe Shopper's Bible), revealed the presence of the undisclosed carcinogenic contaminant 1,4-Dioxane in leading shampoos, body washes, lotions and other personal care and household cleaning products claiming to be "natural" or "organic". Laboratory tests showed that products certified under the USDA National Organic Program DID NOT contain this toxin, but most of the best selling personal care products claiming to be "organic" (but not USDA certified) contained the cancer-causing ingredient. All leading self-proclaimed "organic" brands have at least a few individual "certified organic" ingredients, but for most of these top-selling brands, the product, as a whole, is not USDA organic certified, thereby allowing the presence of synthetic toxins. Similar studies have revealed the presence of this toxin in conventional personal care products, but this is the first study indicating the presence in misleadingly labeled "organic" and "natural" products. Read more about the study and find out which brands DO and DON'T contain this carcinogen...
GREEN LIVING Q&A BLOG Here are the questions and new comments posted through this yesterday. Remember, you are welcome to share your own comments and experience in response to any of these questions, and post questions of your own. To read and comment on more questions posted previously go to Green Living Q&A blog.
* Safe Dinnerware Take a look at this for one manufacture's idea of what "lead-free" means... * Air Duct Cleaning Home Iron Is there a specific type or brand of iron you recommend? Quietwalk Underlayment I was wondering if you have any experience or know if "Quietwalk" underlayment is okay to use? It is considered a green product. We are new to using chemical free products, LOVE your site! We haven't been diagnosed with MCS but realize eliminating chemicals is the way to go. Any info would be so helpful.
How do I seal caulk I'm sensitive to? Last week I had a soundproofing firm come install a second set of interior windows in my livingroom to lessen city noise. I'm chemically sensitive. Though I tested this relatively nontoxic caulk on a piece of cardboard ahead of time (it's Pecora--and is an acrylic latex that supposedly cures by evaporating water and is used in schools because low VOCs) it is really bothering me and I can't work at my desk. I realize testing 2 inches is not the same as living with about 30 feet of caulk around windows. Best Loaf Pan? I've been making homemade bread recently and have been using a Pyrex loaf pan. It works great, but I'm looking for a larger pan. I recently read on here something about coated ceramic being bad, is that right (I may have my facts mixed up)? I've found a few commercial stainless steel pans and a few enamel/ceramic pans, but I'm not sure which to choose! Toxicity of nylon in sink spray hoses? I'm going to be replacing a kitchen sink faucet, and noticed that many on the market today have a pull out sprayer. This is convenient, but I notice that the spray hose is made from nylon. I am concerned that there may be chemicals that leach out into the water from such a hose. We would be using it for both hot and cold water and drink from our faucet as we have excellent well water ( but a bit on the acid side) Convenience foods Hi Debra, Interstate Highway and 2" x 4" Metal Studs I'm recovering from MCS problems (mostly petro-chemical related) and the neighborhood we live in has too many home owners that use chemical fertilizers and pesticides. So, we are looking for a new home to purchase. factual issue of swimming pool chemical safety? I am an engineer so I end up being pretty facts oriented. I have read enough literature that I am concerned about chlorine in my shower and drinking water.
Dangers of Grapefruit Seed Extract My husband and I have been taking 15 drops of grapefruit seed extract diluted in juice or water for several years now as an immune system booster. In fact, when we've been ill, the amount we've ingested has been much higher. Non-toxic pack 'n' play Hello,
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|  The new, revised, edition of Home Safe Home is now available in bookstores nationwide. Home Safe Home tells what toxic chemicals are generally found in specific household products of all types, and safe solutions you can buy or make at home. It's different from other books on toxic chemicals because the focus really is what you can do to protect yourself and your family and create a healthy home. I bring over twenty years of research and personal real-life experience to this book. * 10 Simple, Inexpensive Things You Can Do To Reduce Household Toxics * How Toxic is Your Home? Quiz (excerpt from the book) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Debra's List ~ 100s of links to 1000s of nontoxic, natural & earthwise products
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ email: debra@dld123.com web: http://dld123.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
"Really Green is worthwhile for all to read. I've learned a lot, and it's a fact-filled and pleasant learning experience. I am enjoying the cradle-to-grave analogy, and the way it makes you think of the resources it takes to manufacture a product. And I loved the way you defined and explained consumerism versus being human. All shopaholics need to read your book, along with each consumer, which includes all of us. Please send me six more copies to give to my friends." 
I also am available Monday through Friday, from 10 am to 4 pm eastern time to answer your questions immediately and personally with a