Metal leaching in electric space heaters?

QUESTION:

Debra,

Recently, I learned that spilled mercury from a thermometer can actually vaporize into the air and be quite dangerous if it lands on a heater. If this is true,then how do we know we are not breathing in metal vapors from electric space heaters that usually have metal heating elements in them? I am thinking especially of the ALUMINUM inner casing that I have on the inside of my new ribbon/coil heater.

Many heaters, including the radient ones seem to have this aluminum in them. I am definately having symptoms that are the same as the symptoms I had when I used to cook in aluminum cooking pots. What I want to know is which heaters have stainless steel inner casings?

I am thinking of trying a ceramic heater. But don't know what the metals are in it. And if it is better to use metal than plastic, then which metal will not leach out into the air? I see no ceramic heaters today that have no plastic casings.

Also, which ceramic heaters blow less air out by a fan? Though the best heater I had was a fan blower heater, it created alot of lint around my room and in the air ( which is dangerous if you have radon gas present in the house. )

Any advice?

POSTED BY VICKI M. :: NEW MEXICO USA :: 12:14 PM

Is this house still outgassing?

QUESTION:

I plan to move long distance from NYC to north carolina into a house. I need fresher air and a change of pace My question is the house is 10 years old. Should I be concerned that the drywall, cabinets etc are still outgassing? There hasn't been anything recent done to it. BTW I have moderate MCS.

POSTED BY AC :: NEW YORK USA :: 10:30 AM

fragrances in potential new home

QUESTION:

Debra,
We have been searching for a new rental home in Miami for months now. We have so many environmental criteria and as a result it has been hard to find the perfect place. We finally found one with tile and hard wood floors (no carpet or laminate), no pesticides used, no new paint, not a new building, a non-smoker currently lives there, etc. Our only problems are that the current tennant uses a lot of artificial fragrance products - many candles, incense burners, glade plug-ins, fabreeze, etc. It is truly overpowering! My question is whether the dangers of these products will be gone once she vacates, and we have the place ventilated and thoroughly cleaned with green cleaning products (including a vapurclean treatment all over), or will the toxins linger? We have an infant so we want to be sure.

Also, is there any danger from using a clothes dryer that someone has previously used fragranced dryer shhets in?

Thank you for your feedback!

POSTED BY HEG :: FLORIDA USA :: 1:11 PM

New bedroom furniture has a strong odor and pregnant!

QUESTION:

I have been up coughing all night and found your website while trying to search for an "indoor air specialist". Yesterday I recieved the wall unit that I had designed and ordered for our bedroom. Right away I smelled a strong odor in the room and was concerned about chemincal exposure because I am pregnant. I know that because I "designed" this unit it is not "returnable", however I am feeling like if there were chemicals used in the processing of this piece of furniture that are making me cough I should be able to do something right?? It was very expensive and if it is possibly making me sick and maybe even my little one I want it out of here! Is there someone that can come in and tell me if the level of chemicals in that room is toxic or safe so that I can tell the company to take back the furniture and give me my money back?

Thanks!

POSTED BY DBROWN :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 2:05 PM

Java Logs Safety for MCS

QUESTION:

I have heard that the pressed, environmentally friendly java logs put out less particles and could possibly be used in a wood stove. Does anyone know about this?

POSTED BY CATHY DEVOE :: WASHINGTON USA :: 5:37 PM

Safety of propane furnace

QUESTION:

Hello Everyone,

Does anyone know if a propane furnace will affect a person with MCS? It will have a whole house electonic air cleaner attached. We would use carbon monoxide sensors in the home. Thanks for your input.

Cathy

POSTED BY CATHY DEVOE :: WASHINGTON USA :: 2:15 PM

Fresh Wave Natural Odor Neutralizer - Super Gel

QUESTION:

At the vacuum center today, they were selling Super Gel beads for areas that have an odor and/or damp areas. Instructions say just open the jar or put in a shallow bowl. The ingredients label lists water, a variety of essential oils and soya. But I wonder what makes them a gel? The soya? The owner of the shop told me the individual gel beads eventually get small and hard, about the size of a grain of rice. Has anyone done research on this or used them? I wonder if this product is a) safe for life including humans, pets, fish etc., and safe for the environment. Thanks!

POSTED BY REENIE :: FLORIDA USA :: 11:44 AM

Safe INDOOR mosquito removal?

QUESTION:

Other than smacking them, I mean. My home, indoors, has a mosquito problem.

Does anybody know something safe that can be done to get rid of them?

Thanks very...('scuse me, scratching)...much.

POSTED BY LAURA :: VIRGINIA USA :: 12:30 PM

offgas regular paint HEATER ?

QUESTION:

Hi,

I am trying to offgass a room that had been painted with regular paint three months ago, the smell is still very strong and cannot go into those rooms. I read someones comment here a while back that the heat needs to get just over 100* to work.

( I cannot find the post)

I have tried to find a way to do this but am not having any luck. All the space heaters have thermostat regulators that only go to 80* or they use propane (thats not going to happen:)I desperately need to get this done so I can live a relatively normal exisistance (and that is putting it gently:) if you have knowledge of what heaters will work and where I can get them I would appreciate the help.

My friend said he worked in an autobody shop and they used infrared heaters, but would not know how or where I could get on to use.

Thanks.

Catherine

POSTED BY CATHERINE :: WASHINGTON USA :: 3:04 PM

Packets of Damp Rid

QUESTION:

I saw packets of a product I think was called Damp Rid at a home where I was green cleaning. It smells a lot like moth balls. Is this stuff safe? Toxic?

POSTED BY REENIE :: FLORIDA USA :: 2:46 PM

Corian

QUESTION:

Corian is a synthetic material developed by DuPont, used as substitute for granite or marble countertops. I've found it impossible to find any information about its "greenness"--in other words, is it toxic?, does it out-gass?, does it belong in a kitchen or bathroom that must avoid all toxicity?

POSTED BY FRED :: GLOBAL PEACE CENTRAL :: WWW.GLOBALPEACECENTRAL.ORG :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 8:23 AM

Xygen Air: Is it a safe way to clean air in home?

QUESTION:

A friend wrote me about Xygen Air as a way to reduce odors in the house. Is is safe? I have read that one should not be in a closed area with Ozone. Even if it reduces odors, does it take away the pollutants that make me sick?

POSTED BY MATTIE BROWN :: HAWAII USA :: 2:40 PM

Air conditioning

QUESTION:

Hello, I wondered if someone out there can recommend, or point me in the right direction, as to an air conditioner - window unit or portable that might be tolerable for a chemically sensitive person (me). Many, many thanks!

POSTED BY CONNIE :: NEW MEXICO USA :: 7:12 AM

Indoor air: Heat & Carpet

QUESTION:

Hi,

I would like to live in a place where most houses and buildings have tile or hardwood or other safe floorings and not carpet. Otherwise, it is really hard to find a job or house to live in where there's no carpet. I think the hotter a place is, the less people install carpet in homes and businesses, right? So other than Texas, what are the states where most houses have hardwood or tile floorings and not carpet?

Heat is another problem. A lot of houses use forced air furnaces, and dust, mold, and other pollutants come out of the vents. I am allergic to dust. If a person smokes in a room, another person can smell it in another room. Radiators are better, but most newer places don't use radiators anymore. What are the states where most houses don't use heaters or forced air furnaces?

Air conditioners can also emit dust, but I am not sure. Some houses have both central heat and air. Other than radiators, what kind of heat is better for our health? Electric heat is good, I suppose. What kind of AC is the best?

I would like to move to a place where most houses have hardwood or tile flooring and no forced air furnaces.

POSTED BY YH :: MICHIGAN USA :: 6:20 AM

Plug-in air fresheners

QUESTION:

My elderly aunt just moved into an assisted living facility. This is the type where each person has a small apartment, but there are common living and dining areas. She has lung disease and is very sensitive to odors and chemicals, and is bothered by the plug-in air fresheners used in the common areas and hallways. The facility tried removing the air fresheners but the air smelled stale. Does anyone know of something that would continuously remove odors without adding odors or chemicals to the air? Thanks.

POSTED BY FRAN H. :: TEXAS USA :: 2:30 PM

Air conditioning and indoor air quality

QUESTION:

Dear Debra

I love having the windows open, but since we live in Florida we don't want to let the house get too hot and humid. My husband is also allergic to pollen and since I have small children I don't want open windows at night for safety reasons. Our house is fairly new and tight and I'm concerned about indoor air quality. So, to improve indoor air quality, I was wondering if it is worth it to have our A/C changed to let filtered outside air in. We do have a good air filter that we change often, but I am concerned that the outgassing of new construction is polluting our indoor air and not going anywhere.
Thanks for your help

POSTED BY MIEMIEMUIS :: FLORIDA USA :: 9:23 AM

Outgassing from Window Replacement--How to Remediate

QUESTION:

Hi Debra,

Three months ago, my single paned windows were replaced with double paned vinyl framed ones in my very small apartment. I haven't been able to live there since. If I go in even briefly, I begin to have trouble breathing, and this has triggered a pretty bad chemical sensitivity in me.

The outgassing is gradually improving, but nowhere near livable. I'm wondering if there's a way of remedying this situation. So far what seems to be helping the most is heat, but what else might help? Some people suggest ozoning, but I've seen some negative comments about that on your blog.

Thanks so much!

Alison

POSTED BY ALISON :: BEJEWELEDBYALISON :: WWW.BEJEWELEDBYALISON.COM :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 5:55 AM

Solutions for ridding home of oil smell

QUESTION:

We just recently switched from oil to gas. Our basement reeks of oil and go knows what else. There are no visible spills and the pipes are capped. Any advice would be most appreciated! THANKS

POSTED BY SUSAN :: NEW YORK USA :: 5:51 AM

Unhealthy to live in an apartment over a carport?

QUESTION:

Hi Debra,
I've recently become much more chemically sensitive resulting (I think) from exposure to outgassing double-paned vinyl windows. I'm looking for a new apartment and found one that I like. It is directly above an open carport though, and I'm wondering if that will be safe for me. I definitely react to car exhaust.
Thank you for your thoughts, and anyone else's experience.
Alison

POSTED BY ALISON :: BEJEWELEDBYALISON :: WWW.BEJEWELEDBYALISON.COM :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 2:04 AM

moms toxic house

QUESTION:

My parents house is very unsanitary and unhealthy and is hazardous. She is a pack rat and has food just lying around which has caused mice and the standing water in tub has caused flying black insects.

She has NEVER allowed anyone to clean her house for fear we will throw away papers from 10 years ago.
She has been in the hospital 3 times in the last 4 months because she couldnt breathe. This time she had a stent put in because of her heart. Little does the doctor know what goes on.
So I asked him in front of her what brought this on. He replied her diabetes and smoking. Well, she went on to blame her tenant upstairs who smokes. she did not say a word about the toxic fumes in her house. No one visits her for more than 5 or 10 minutes because of the stench and there isnt a place to sit... and who knows what lies underneath.

Anyway, she sort of relented to people helping her clean since the doctor will be ordering a nurse to visit her house after her hospital stay and when she heard what caused this on....

The windows have not been open in years. You cannot get to them. I plan on going there to open windows. I wore a mask last time, spraying lysol anywhere and everywhere. But what can I use to deoderize (eliminate the toxic odors) the house while I am throwing out junk, so I DO NOT GET SICK.

You cannot wipe anything down because there isnt a bare spot in sight... including the carpet. There is only a 2ft. walkway from the living room into the dining room into the kitchen. Boxes and bags ALL OVER.

I plan on taking pictures of the place because NO ONE believes me...

I need suggestions oncleaning the air... Please HELP!!!

POSTED BY JB :: ILLINOIS USA :: 7:31 AM

flexible duct

QUESTION:

Hi Debra, How would one know if their flexible duct under the house for your furnace contains pvc? What would be a safe alternative? Thanks s

POSTED BY S :: WASHINGTON USA :: 4:59 PM

Question about odor removal

QUESTION:

I have MCS. We moved into a house that we had thoroughly researched for odors, voc's etc. When we did the last walk through before signing the papers we experienced no odors. Two days after the signing we went back, immediately smelled a sweet odor, opened the kitchen cabinet the odor seem to come from and I fled the scene! Upon questioning we got information that an "unopened" box of sandalwood incense had been stored there. Whether that is the case or not is not the issue. We are stuck with a cabinet that has absorbed an odor that is not possible for me to handle. So far we have used every home remedy I have ever heard of to no avail. Baking soda, Vinegar, charcoal, kitty litter, etc. We now have bags of Zeolite in the cabinet and that has helped but the doors cannot be opened due to the sweet smell. The problem is that the wood has absorbed the odor and the answer appears to be to remove the cabinet, which will be expensive. A person here who specializes in air quality issues feels removal will be necessary.

My question is have you, or your readers, had experiences with such a situation as this? Does anyone have other suggestions? Many people have sugggested using a low or no VOC sealant but I believe I remember you saying that such a sealant will not truly remove an odor, just mask it. As you can imagine that is not the answer for my problems with odors.

I would appreciate your help and can never express to you how much I am helped by this blog. Debra, thank you so much for all your efforts and your awareness of the needs of chemically sensitive people.

POSTED BY ANNE HARRIS :: NEW MEXICO USA :: 4:58 PM

Window Unit Air Conditioners

QUESTION:

Hi Debra,
We need to get a new window unit air conditioner for our daughters bedroom. I have MCS, but our daughter is sensitive to an extent also. But, so is my husband. Could you recommend a window unit air conditioner that does not have any smells and hopefully good on the electric bill and not too costly. Any recommendation would be deeply appreciated.

POSTED BY ANNETTE TWEEDEL :: LOUISIANA USA :: 7:15 AM

Please don't use air fresheners and scented candles

QUESTION:

Hi,

I have MCS and I cannot tolerate air fresheners or candles at all. I also just recently found out on the internet that air freshener plug-ins like glade cause fires. I have looked on the packages in the stores and they don't give ingredients. I had to google to get my information about how dangerous they are and to get the ingredients. They deaden your sense of smell. My neighbor has a reedifuser(I don't think I spelled it correctly) and it affected me. So I went on the internet to do research on it and found out it has alcohol in it. And that is not safe or healthy. I am not trying to put down anyone, I am just trying to give some information. I cannot seem to go anywhere, almost, without someone having some sort or air freshener, whether it is a plug-in, one that sits on a shelf or a wall mount. The information that I got off the internet about air fresheners is that they cause sinus problems, infertility, miscarriages, cancer and other health problems. I am sorry, but I would not recommend anyone using an air freshener unless you know for sure that there are no chemicals in it.

Well, I think that's all I have to say. I hope I did not offend anyone. But it does make me mad when someone wants to use an air freshener. If you have a smell in your house or business, found out what the problem is, get rid of it and then clean up the place, then open the windows and let Gods fresh air in.

One last note, Debra, I love your website. It is full of fantastic information. Thank you so much.

POSTED BY ANNETTE TWEEDEL :: LOUISIANA USA :: 3:08 PM
CATEGORY — AIR :: 9 COMMENTS :: POST YOUR COMMENT

I Turned Off EMFs In My House

QUESTION:

Hello Everyone,

I found something interesting and want to let you know in case you may be experiencing these things or know someone who is......or maybe there are those experiencing them and don't know what is plaguing them.

Yesterday I was in chat with a friend in Sweden when I heard myself say I want to turn off all the electricity to this house so I can feel better!.....I heard this and felt this was something I needed to do immediately....so I went out to my roommate and asked how to turn off all the power to the house.

I remember when we lost power for 3 weeks during a hurricane 2 years ago, how peaceful and calm I felt....and how nice and quiet everything was....and I seemed to be craving this again. John showed me the box outside and I later turned it off. Within 10 minutes I had 30% less pain and tension in my shoulders neck, head and back for which I was about to take 2 Exedrin for. I loved the quiet stillness immediately! It was like my body was 'released' and just melted into itself in space of belonging. John walked in not yet knowing it was off, and said....'it feels very still and calm'.....it was.

I left it off. Lit a couple of tapers for light in the living room and the ambience felt cleaner and purer and more organic...more befitting for my nature and more life affirming....like space I could breath in....BE in.

I showered and went outside to lie in the grass and listen to some new music and stared at the stars for an hour. I believe this lying on the Earth and the 'field' calibrated my frequency back into something more normal. By the time I went to bed all the pains in my body were gone, including the feelings of unknown angst, agitation and great inner overheating for which bouts of internal heat flaring left me completely drained of all energy or capacity to think normally....very debilitating.

I slept all night, getting up only a couple of times for bathroom trips and marveling again at the feelings of calm and stillness and natural space that permeated the house. During the night I did get some internal heat flare ups but these were alleviated by fanning myself with a fan....and I cooled down quickly.....normal body functioning. Whereas during these intense internal overheatings I usually cannot cool down even with the AC running....the discomfort kind of builds up....and the internal furnace flare ups don't go away but continue every half hour.....I cannot tell you how uncomfortable this is.

But last night, minor heat was cooled by simple fanning.....a normal function working under normal conditions. I have learned when the electric is on....there is no cooling because I am being bombarded by electrical poisoning....something which I am sure has built up over the years and which is becoming worse every year with more and more electrical devices including radiations from other more and more devices and towers etc increasing and polluting and killing our etheric airs without us knowing how its really effecting us. Being an ultra sensitive I can feel these things and my body's wisdom is screaming at me to turn off the power to the house...I was so glad I listened! I am retesting myself the effects now to be absolutely sure its not quirk.

Yesterday and evening I got it very clearly how it is affecting me. And maybe others are being affected in this way too. OK...I know I am more sensitive than most people I know....but still.....it doesn't mean its not affecting less sensitive people .....it just shows up differently. I have the ultra sensitivity as a device built in for community service to be as the canary in the mines....to let you know when something is not right. My sophisticated system is an alert system......so I am doing my service here people. ;-)

As I sit at this computer and do emails, and type this out I can feel the usual sharp pains in my head and by body twisting to accommodate the pains in my body. Something I was free of for a whole night.
I have decided to turn off all the power every day especially during the night. John said he could put an extension cord to go outside for the fridge and hook up an old fashioned corded phone to work....which is what we use during hurricanes. I have Japanese stoves for cooking. And I will test this again since the implications here are astounding.

For you all, consider how emf's are making you feel....how they affect your thoughts.....maybe lack of patience, lack of ability to think and feel tired .....a feeling of being overwhelmed and just wanting something to help without realizing you may be screaming inside and agitated outside......maybe you feel these things and don't know its electrical overload? How you do feel when you're online all day? Or in a building all day with electricity running through it?

I know that electricity is being exploited greatly and has become a poison while the natural magnetic frequencies are becoming distorted and manipulated and changed also deliberately. Is this world polluted by electronics? You bet! Its making me sick. Could it be making you sick?

The next day...

I'm still marveling at the good feeling within the house. I've worked out the individual switches for each room.....I'm keeping them all off from now on except the fridge on at night only...which is the main culprit I find...the noise itself is a distorted frequency which is more damaging than originally thought. When its off both John and I feel a huge difference and John is not a sensitive let me tell you! If things in fridge spoil then out they go. Better them than me. Computer room switch will go on when I want to get online then off when done. All power is off until absolutely necessary to use.....here's why.....

John....who I must tell you is not very into ambience nor cares much about 'conditions'....lives mostly out in the garden. However!

Whenever I caught him entering I would check him to see reactions to this powerless house.......and I could see a relaxed look on him....not imagination because I outright asked him several times and he kept confirming that the house felt completely different....still and peaceful. He says he can hear the birds outside which is nice. Also, the service guy for the water system came yesterday...a macho rough tough big guy.....commented on how cool and 'nice' it felt in the house and he had no clue power was off. I asked him about turning the power off to the water system and he advised not good, but wanted to know if I was trying to save on electric. No... I said....I'm trying to get rid of pain, and I found that turning off the power made my pains go away...he was actually intrigued.....he said...'huh...interesting'' and became pensive. He suggested I test for mold, but I told him I've had these pains long before I moved into this house. Its the electric I'm sure...I said.....when I turn it off pain goes away...."huh" again but he was interested. I couldn't explain the whole thing about the inner burnings and angst....but he was enough intrigued.

But a most amazing thing aside from the fact that I still feel 'released' and free in some way....looser and no inner heat burnings.....is John....lol......I can loosely describe myself as the sensitive canary and he an ostrich who has his head deep in sand. His mom can confirm this. His routine is locked and writ in stone.....comes in at night round 7 to watch TV then goes to sleep. For 2 nights now he watched no TV and didn't even want to!!! Not such a big deal but for those with a man in the house you may understand how huge this is! He cracked the stone tablets of his routine! What an odd sight!

With the candles lit on the mantle, the light and glow very 'warming' and soothing, silent.... he grabbed his peanuts and sat on his spot but no TV...it looked funny.....he just stared into space but his face looked calm. The first night I asked if he wanted the TV on he said no.

Last night I came out to find the same scene...him eating his peanuts on the sofa in the candlelight....his face very peaceful and again I asked if he wanted the TV on....and he said no. This is a marvel in itself folks! I had to ask......are you sure? 'Yes'. Its really really peaceful in here isn't it....?? ''Yes'' he said....''it is''. And the proof is in the puddin......he would not say he was fine if he did want the TV! He actually was ok and peaceful without it.  He was content to stare into space. No TV. I am in awe.

Its not only me, the canary who feels this palpable difference .....John the ostrich feels it too sand and all! The electric frequencies are hurtful.....even John can feel it and prefers the dark and quiet to the power and TV on.....this is huge.

POSTED BY SERENA, THE LADY OF THE WOODS :: FLORIDA USA :: 1:07 PM

Illness from ozone air purifier

QUESTION:

Last spring we used an ozone air purifier in my daughter's bedroom for 2 hours to eliminate mold in the air conditioning unit. Then we aired the room out thoroughly.

She has not been able to return to the bedroom since, even tho we have completely changed out the air-conditioning vents--replaced them with all metal ducts and a new air conditioner.

I have removed everything from her bedroom, but she still gets very ill if she just walks in the bedroom and she can't even be in our house for more than 15 minutes at a time.

Do you have any ideas that would help us? This has been a nightmare.

POSTED BY JAN HARRIS :: FLORIDA USA :: 2:39 PM

Ventilation Options

QUESTION:

Dear Debra,

Your article on Building for MCS mentioned "passive ventilation" in homes, in addition to open windows. Our home is designed without a duct system. Are there options for ventilation, that don't depend on a duct system? Thank you for your help.

POSTED BY PJ :: OREGON USA :: 2:06 PM

school air

QUESTION:

Dear Debra,

my child's school is undergoing MAJOR remodeling...I put a very good quality filter in his classroom but it is not making even the smell go away(15#s of carbon in it)...I use a smaller version at home and it does a pretty good job.Any ideas to solve this problem?

Thank you sooooomuch Dalia

POSTED BY DALIA :: TEXAS USA :: 10:51 AM

Ground floor vs. second floor apartment

QUESTION:

I am living in a second floor apartment which meets my needs in many ways but I need to consider moving for a number of reasons and a ground floor apartment makes more sense because of my age, chronic fatigue, previous leg injury, etc.

I have felt that being on the second floor is safer in terms of having less pesticide residue, car exhaust fumes, etc. I have reasoned that pollutants are diluted by the time they reach the second story. Do you agree?

One option would be to look for an apartment complex with an elevator, not my preference.

Another option would be to look for a townhouse, but I would have to have one of those indoor lifts installed in order to go up the stairs. Has anyone had experience with one of those? It seems like they have some sort of motor. Would it put out fumes from lubricants or whatever?

Thanks, Debra, for this wonderful website and to everyone who contributes!

POSTED BY MARY :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 10:28 AM

new carpeting nightmare

QUESTION:

I am chemically sensitive and live in an old building. Have lived there fine and healthy for a year until they installed new carpeting in the common halls of the building in December (not in my unit, just common halls. All the units have hardwood floors). I know for a fact that formaldehyde in my downfall.

Within two days of the installation I was sick and had to move to a friend's house. My partner (who is not MCS) did a zeolite treatment, an AFM Safecoat sealer, and two rounds of AFM Lock-out. He did this at night when no one was around.

I returned to the apartment 5 weeks later and could tolerate a few days back in the unit with all my fans going and windows open (in the dead of winter!) I have good days and bad days and it's not as bad as it was when they first installed. However, I had to leave again this week because I became really sick again.

I've moved so many times that I can't bear to move again. I don't understand why it's so bad and the carpet isn't even in our unit and we've sealed all the doors up. No one else in the building has complained.

The very odd thing is that my office had new carpeting installed a year ago and I had no reaction. I also go to meetings in a building with brand new carpet and have no reaction.

Can anyone help me? Would one of those dry steamers help? Any other ideas for getting this thing off-gassed and done with it? I'm desperate. Am getting a carbon mask soon. Am taking magnesium and panothetic acid. Doing saunas to detox. Everything!

I'm going to London this spring and have made an appointment to see a homeopathic doctor. She talked about a remedy for formaldehyde sensitivity. I'm skeptical, but willing to try it.

Any help would be so welcomed.

Lisa

POSTED BY LISA :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 7:00 AM

new sofa and coffee table

QUESTION:

Does a bake-out work for new furniture? Our new sofa is leather with 40% polyurethan cushions. The leather smell is very faint as is the coffee table's varnish smell. However, something is bothering me.

POSTED BY RUTH :: TENNESSEE USA :: 11:19 AM

EL Foust Air Filters for Chemical Odors?

QUESTION:

Hello-

I recently tried an Austin Air filter (Healthmate MCS) in a problematic room (landlord had used glue-down bamboo and it was unbearable), but it was not very helpful. I see that Foust makes filters with supposedly powerful chemical scrubbers. Has anyone here used these? Many thanks.

POSTED BY PAUL MCBRIDE :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 10:17 AM

Refinished Hardwood Floors

QUESTION:

I am trying to find a healthy apartment to live in. I've been searching and searching and finally think I've found a safe place. It has been painted but that was over a month ago, so there is no paint odor. It is a studio apartment and the floors in the entire place are original hardwood except for the bathroom which has it's original ceramic tile. My only concern is the floors. This is a vintage building that has been refurbished. I was shown several apartments and some that they are still working on. The ones that have been recently remodeled still have a very strong smell from the coating that was used on the floors. This apartment does not have an odor, and the owner told me that it has been over a month since the floors were done. I am afraid to take any chances but I really don't smell an odor. I usually smell something toxic for me "a mile away".

Does anyone have any experience with this? Is there anything that I could apply over the coating to absolutely prevent any further outgassing?

Thank you for your responses.

POSTED BY CAROLE :: FLORIDA USA :: 3:20 AM

Wireless Internet (WiFi) in the home

QUESTION:

Hi Debra,

What are your thoughts on having wireless internet, or WiFi, in the home?

Are there concerns similar to EMF or cell phone usage, for example?

I would really be interested to hear what you think about wireless internet and if it is safe.

Thank you very much!

POSTED BY AMY L :: ARIZONA USA :: 3:00 PM

Rice Cooker as a Humidifier?

QUESTION:

I've read all the questions concerning humidifiers but didn't see this question. Can you safely use a rice cooker as a humidifier? Not for overnight use, but for a few hours maybe? If so, I have one with a glass lid that has a hole on top for steam to escape, or is it better without the lid on? As long as there's enough water in the container, the rice cooker stays on "cook" setting. Anyone try this with success? Thanks!

POSTED BY N :: NEW JERSEY USA :: 12:56 AM

Sensitivity to Plastic

QUESTION:

I'm currently trying to reduce a hyper-sensitivity to plastics that manifests by inflaming my throat and bronchi. I am slowly but steadily eliminating all avoidable plastics from my home, but I would also like to purchase an air purifier that excels at removing plastic off-gassing. Any recommendations?

And can you recommend a reliable supplier of multi-layer cotton face masks? The ones I've improvised on my own do give some relief.

POSTED BY ACER :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 2:23 PM

Humidifier for Dry Winter Indoor Air

QUESTION:

Hi Debra, We converted from natural gas to heat pump electric in the spring due to MCS. I have found the air is so dry it is causing extreme dry eye problem etc. Has anybody else found this to be a problem and if so any great humidifier out there that is ok for one with MCS? Thanks s

POSTED BY S :: WASHINGTON USA :: 12:11 PM

shutting out fumes

QUESTION:

I live in a household in which toxic chemicals are used.Some changes have been made,but it is rare for me to be able to stay in the house throughout the night because the fumes of products(some oil paints, some "personal care" products) come in around the bedroom door. Is there some way to prevent the fumes from coming into the bedroom so at least I could sleep? Right now I have a towel at the bottom and a double cloth hung over it.

I haven't any means to move,and it's 20 degrees outside.

POSTED BY LAURA :: MAINE USA :: 11:59 AM

Indoor Humidity Levels Too High?

QUESTION:

We live in a traditional colonial - 2 stories with a basement. We live in Maryland which means we generally use central Air Conditioning in the summer (so the humidity in the house is not a problem during this season). However, from September through early November and in the early spring, we are often not using Air Conditioning or heating. I run two dehumidifiers in the basement in an effort to keep the relative humidity at about 40 percent. I have noticed that the humidity in our bedroom (2nd floor) is between 55-65 percent. Is this level considered too high?

I am concerned as my son has asthma and I want to make sure that he is living in a healthy environment. Running another dehumidifier on the second floor seems to be excessive.

What are your recommendations on safe indoor humidity levels? Thanks, Chris

POSTED BY CHRIS :: MARYLAND USA :: 2:08 PM

Fevers when heater runs

QUESTION:

Debra,

My family and I have been experiencing low grade fevers, headaches, sore throats, red eys, and sinus colds since last winter (2007)anytime we ran our gas furnace. Upon inspection of our furnace, we noticed there were several small cracks in the exchange. We replaced the furnace, as well as added an electric filter and humidifier. Approximately $8k out the door.

Not even 1 week later, the symptoms started again. I am not sure they ever really went away. However, the heater tech did notice problems with our gas line and fixed the outside where it connected to the meter. My wife said she is sure he said he also tested the pipes in the crawl space. All was fine.

I am very concerned for my family's health. This has been going on for 2 winters now. Anytime we cut the furnace on, these symptoms start. As soon as we turn the heater off and open windows, everyhting goes away to include the low grade fever. Your help would be so appreciated!!

POSTED BY ERIC FOSTER :: UTAH USA :: 2:02 PM

Personal air filters

QUESTION:

Dear Debra, Is there a personal air filter which can be hung around the neck and which you could recommend? A friend of mine got a Wein ionizer. Do you have a opinion of this? Thank you,

POSTED BY JOAN ABLON :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 12:25 PM

The new EdenPure Gen3 Quartz Infrared Portable Heater

QUESTION:

Hi Debra,

I have MCS. We have natural gas, therefore, we also have natural gas heaters.

They just recently added that smell to the lines and it made me very sick. I gives me headaches that turn into migraines. It has been known to make me very sick.

Well, my husband came across a product that I want to find out if you know anything about it. If it is safe for a person with MCS and also, if it will outgas.

This product is called the New EdenPure Gen3 Quartz Infrared Portable Heater. According to what we have read and seen in the picture that while it is on heating up the area, it is not hot to the touch. A child can even put their hand on it and an animal can even lay on it. The website is www.EdenPure.com .

We are considering getting this so that we don't have to run our gas heaters. I told my husband that I don't want to run our gas heaters because of what it does to me. I also read one of your newsletters about the dangers of natural gas. It was very interesting and informative. Thank you very much for that information.

So could you please let me know what you think about this product. I would appreciate any information that you can find or if you could recommend something else.

Thank You,
Annette Tweedel

POSTED BY ANNETTE TWEEDEL :: LOUISIANA USA :: 5:34 PM

EMF and cable television

QUESTION:

Does anyone know if any electromagnetic fields are generated if one installs a cable for television? Do the satellite dishes put out any negative fields of energy or any kind of radiation? Is ground cable better than satellites?
Thanks,
Nancy---from Michigan

POSTED BY NANCY :: MICHIGAN USA :: 9:56 AM

What is the best way to deal with oil based paint off gassing with cupboards?

QUESTION:

Hi!

We painted our cupboards with oil based paint, and I suddenly cannot go into my home without getting sick. It has been a month, and I am still sick there.

Should we wait another month for the paint to off gass, or is there a safe alternative when it comes to newer cupboards than anyone can suggest? We started to look at Kraft Maid with a baked on finish-would that be safe?

I want to go home-help!

Lisa

POSTED BY LISA :: OHIO USA :: 2:27 PM

Cellphone towers on apartment building

QUESTION:

Hi Debra,

I have been regularly visiting a friend who lives on top floor of a six story high building. I recently noticed presence of cellphone towers on the roof of the building (gigantic speaker look alike that picks-up cellphone reception). I am 3 months preganant. Is this place safe for me to be around?

POSTED BY KRISTEN :: NEW YORK USA :: 2:18 PM

Best gaussmeter?

QUESTION:

Which gaussmeter is most accurate..I have a trifield meter from Alpha labs... does anyone know if that's fairly accurate or is there a better one to measure magnetic fields??

Thanks for your help,

Nancy from Michigan

POSTED BY NANCY :: DEBRA LYNN DADD :: WWW.DLD123.COM :: MICHIGAN USA :: 5:25 AM

EMF & Off-Gassing in TV's

QUESTION:

Hi Debra,
I'm not sure if it's the off-gassing or EMF on the tv that is bothering me. I think it's the off-gassing. I am able to watch a little 13" - 40 year old tv but not our 27" 5 year old Sony. I'm wondering if you know if the new LED tv's without the tubes are more tolerable to watch. I hate to invest the money and then find out that it gives me trouble also. Thanks. BJK

POSTED BY BJK :: TEXAS USA :: 5:17 AM

Is 3-Years-New TOO New to be Non-Toxic?

QUESTION:

Hi Debra and community!

I have been offered a beautiful rental home at a REALLY good "friend discount" price, but it was newly built 3 years ago and I can still smell that "new home smell". If I spent a month baking it, ozone-ating it, airing it out, do you think that would be enough to make it "safe" for me? I'm not sure, but I don't think it was ever lived in, so it hasn't been aired out much in that 3 years.

It was built with fermaldahyde-free insulation, and has a solar system on it, but all other materials (hard laminate flooring, regular paint, vinyl windows, fiberglass tub, and open beams that are stained with regular stain) are just the cheapest materials the builder could use. At least there isn't any new carpet or linoleum...that's the worst!

The kitchen cabinets are oak, recycled from an older home, so they should be fine and the counters are granite.

I would love to jump at this opportunity, but in it's present condition it is definitely causing pretty intense symptoms in me.

Does anyone know how new is "too new" and if I slammed it with offgassing techniques if I could get it cleared out in a month or so? I would stay in my current home until it was cleared, but it's only 3 doors down, so I could check in on it periodically.
Thanks in advance!!
Susi Love
Santa Cruz, CA

POSTED BY SUSI LOVE :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 5:22 AM

Indoor Air Quality and Pesticide Application

QUESTION:

1)Is it possible for a house that was once sprayed indoors with pesticides to have wholesome air quality inside?

2)Or is the indoor air quality permanently impaired by just one application of pesticides?

3)Is there any way pesticide residues can be removed once a house has been sprayed?

POSTED BY MARK :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 3:26 PM

PVC pipe in furnace

QUESTION:

I am in the process of replacing my 30 year-old 45% efficient furnace with a 92% efficient furnace. Only problem is that because of condensation PVC piping is used so that there is no question of rust. But PVC is the most toxic plastic out there, to make and to have in my home. Has any one gone through this and found an alternative to PVC? My contractor has yet to find one.

POSTED BY LOREYE :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 2:46 PM

Need Air Purifier Advice

QUESTION:

Hello Debra,

I am in need of Help! For months now I have been searching for an air purifier. There's so many options on your list that I am completely overwhelmed (I have narrowed it down, read below).

Basically i'm hoping to add on to the family and unfortunately creating an all-natural nursery is quite pricey so I am looking to purchase an air purifier that will help with outgassing of the furniture, pollutants in the air and germs from visitors. I know that you prefer that we just open the windows instead of purchasing purifiers but I also live on a main road so I dont know how much help that would be.

The two that i'm debating between is the Airzone Ozone which purifies the air with an ozone generator or the Austin Healthmate JR which uses a Hepa Filter.

Any information you or any readers could provide to help me chose would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much for all your hard work and this Great Blog!

POSTED BY ETHEL :: MASSACHUSETTS USA :: 2:21 PM

Healthy Air Filter for Holmes Window Fan

QUESTION:

I have a new dilemma :).
I live in the city. I've been using double Holmes window fans most of the summer as its healthier than air conditioning. However the city soot comes in and that's very unhealthy.

I bought a fan that had a clip on air filter that was some kind of dark polyurethane mesh that did not seem very high quality and smelled chemical.

I wonder if there is an all natural, fiber type filter that I could cut and put in the fan? I am not sure if the fiberglass filters in hardware stores that can be cut for a/c's are actually healthy (do fiberglass particles get airborne? And also these filters are coated with chemicals.)

Do you know of any natural or healthy filters?
I was wondering if adapting a sheer piece of cotton would work?

POSTED BY JENBOOKS :: NEW YORK USA :: 6:12 PM

Ridding house of plug in air freshener odor

QUESTION:

I'm moving into the house of a friend. The house has hardwood floors and is basically chemical free. However, someone who just moved out used plug in air fresheners in her bedroom for over 2 years. The odor is permeating the house. Would cleaning the a/c ducts help? Does anyone have any other suggestions for removing the chemicals and the odor still in the air? Can it penetrate the wood floors and the walls?

I'm desperate for help. This is such a scary and frustrating condition, mcs. I've suffered off and on since 2000, when I worked for a printing company. I can go for a long time and not be affected and then I get exposed to something for a period of time and I start feeling sick again.

Thank you for any suggestions.

POSTED BY CAROLE :: FLORIDA USA :: 6:07 PM

timber floors and mould

QUESTION:

Hi..

I'm another of these mould-sensitive types, and I'm looking to buy a house.

I'm a bit confused as to what to avoid re mould and mildew and I'm worried that I might buy a place, only to discover there's a hidden mould problem that's expensive or impossible to fix.

I've just found a property that I like.. and, of course, it's on the ground floor. It's a 1930s building with floorboards, which I assume are sitting without furter insulation above the dirt below, which probably has some mould/mildew..

I wondered how much mould spores can actually come through timber floors.. And whether there are any reliable ways to check that out.. I also wondered whether you can wax floors or do something that will keep them to be more airproof.

I did find small mould growths on most of the windows (not at all unusual in sydney) and on one of the walls.. but otherwise, it had a lot going for it.

Would value any advice or experience in this matter.

Thanks,
Kat

POSTED BY KAT :: NSW AUSTRALIA :: 9:52 AM

How do I air out/out gas a new electric oven?

QUESTION:

We just purchased a new slide-in electric range that has a glass cooktop. The cooktop is no problem but the interior of the oven definitely has a "new" odor. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to break-in the new oven and remove the odor? Your input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

POSTED BY SUNNYDSIDE :: MICHIGAN USA :: 12:39 PM

airing out guitar body

QUESTION:

I read a question about a guy with a guitar that still had a poly. odor to it. I have a guitar body that I painted and finished with auto body clear coat, its been two weeks and it has a very light odor, the clear coat is very hard. I don't know the exact curing time, but the odor seems to be coming more from the wiring cavity then the body. I am wondering if this is hazardous, should I wait to use it or will this finish be emiting this odor for quite some time.

POSTED BY SAL :: CONNECTICUT USA :: 9:55 AM

Outgassing odor of bedroom set

QUESTION:

We have a bedroom set that has been outgassing an odor for years....sometimes we don 't notice it and other times it is powerful....it smells like shoes that need odor eaters badly....anything we can do? It was very expensive and we hate to replace it.

POSTED BY HR :: WASHINGTON USA :: 5:31 AM

fresh air with air conditioner?

QUESTION:

I just moved to Houston and Air conditioners are becoming part of my life...How can I getfresh outside air without high electricity bills and not damaging my old central ac? Nights are still somewhat cool here but days are hot and humid...does anybody can help me with that? I do not like the feeling of breathing the same air over and over again...my whole life I slept with open windows ...

Thank you soooooooooooooooooo much

Dalia

POSTED BY DALIA :: HOUSTON USA :: 7:06 AM

How to find EMF-safe location to move to

QUESTION:

My son is very sensitive to EMFs including those from towers and power lines. How do I find a safe area to move to? The site antennasearch.com has helped tremendously with towers, but now even telephone poles are a problem. They are everywhere here in southwestern PA, except in neighborhoods we can't afford. Our doctor says in Tennessee all wires are grounded in coaxial cable and do not effect people. We don't want to move that far if we don't have to. How do I find areas with where wires are protected? (or any other ideas?)
Please help.
Thank you,
Marie

POSTED BY MARIE :: PA USA :: 7:03 AM

PVC air ducts

QUESTION:

Hi Debra,

Are PVC air ducts dangerous? Will any toxins circulate throughout the house, especially in the winter when it is heated?

Thanks,
Karen

POSTED BY KAREN :: ARIZONA USA :: 12:16 PM

Household pollutant test kits

QUESTION:

i want to know what things i can use to test different areas in my home for mold. which areas besides the bathroom could it be in?

besides mold other things that i should test for and what should i use? i would appreciate your feedback and feedback from others as well. steve

POSTED BY STEVE :: NEW YORK USA :: 3:02 PM

Stopping carpet outgassing with an Ozone machine

QUESTION:

I recently moved to an apartment with new carpet. The outgassing makes me sick. The apartment complex is planning to run an ozone machine in a couple days. Is there a possibility this will actually help? If not, I will unfortunately have to move to a different unit with older carpet in it.

I have had an apartment treated with ozone once before after a fire in the unit below mine. I know it will not be the greatest air quality after the ozone is run through; but I can put up with that if the outgassing stops.

Thanks for any input.

Kelly

POSTED BY KELLY :: INDIANA USA :: 12:13 PM

Car smell after engine steam cleaning

QUESTION:

I took my 1995 Nissan Altima in for a steam cleaning of both the engine and underside. 15 minutes after I picked it up, it had a rubber smell. Now, a month later, it's closer to an old car smell. I'm sensitive to this and can only drive it for short distances without getting ill. I've baked it in the sun with the windows cracked and used an ozone machine on it, and yet the smell remains. Is there anything to be done? I have an Aireox air filter. If I get a converter for my cigarette lighter, would that help? Do I need to sell it? Thanks.

POSTED BY SUZANNE :: CA USA :: 11:48 AM

Air Conditioner Alternatives

QUESTION:

Thanks so much for your website. You and your readers always have so many good ideas!

I live in the desert southwest and am designing my own strawbale house. The temps here sometimes rise above 115 and I need ideas to minimize cooling costs. My goal is to go completely off the grid, but AC is a major issue here.

I would like to know of anyone's experiences with geothermal heating and cooling. Or any other air conditioner alternatives. I've done basic research but need to know how it works in real life, not just in the books. Thanks for your help!

Sherri in Pinal Co., AZ

POSTED BY SHERRI :: ARIZONA USA :: 9:51 PM

air filters

QUESTION:

Dear Debra,

We would like to know if you or readers could suggest the best air filters for a person with mcs. We live in northern California on an almond ranch which is sprayed with pesticides, herbicides, etc...Since I take care of my 90 year old father moving is not an option. We now have a Living Air ozone purifier, an Oreck professional air purifier, a uv light in the air conditioning unit, and a heavy duty Aprilaire filtering system in the return air duct. However, during the times they spray, and harvest time I still get sick. We would like any suggestions for better filters. And I really appreciate the comments that I have received in the past. They were very helpful. Thank you, Stephanie

POSTED BY STEPHANIE MILLS :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 12:02 PM

Elevators and EMFs

QUESTION:

My husband and I are looking to move to a condo. The bedroom of the unit we like the best also happens to be right next to the building's elevator. I'm concerned because I would assume that elevators produce high levels of EMFs. Am I correct and if so how far away should a bed be placed from the wall that backs up to the elevator?

POSTED BY ASHLEY :: MARYLAND USA :: 2:41 PM

Low EMF Stovetop

QUESTION:

I want to replace my gas stovetop with an electric one. I wanted to know which brand has the lowest EMF. I don't want to go to an induction stovetop. Thanks. BJK

POSTED BY BJK :: TEXAS USA :: 10:40 AM

Mycotoxins- how long do they last?

QUESTION:

Hi Debra-

I'm wondering if you might be able to answer my questions about mycotoxins from indoor house mold:

How long can mycotoxins "survive" (or remain potent, remain intact) in the house? I know that mycotoxins are metabolic products of mold, and can't be "killed" like mold. I've learned that stachybotrys mycotoxins aren't destroyed by high heat, UV, or bleach like some mycotoxins are. But do they eventually break down and become harmless over time?

I've read countless articles online, talked to 3 mold inspectors and 3 mold remediators, and to one microbiologist who does mycotoxin lab testing, but still can't find the answer. Perhaps it's still a scientific unknown (since there's still a lot to be learned about mycotoxins)?

I'd like to know because I'm in escrow on a house that had a minor "toxic mold" problem (stachybotrys hidden behind 6 ft of wall baseboard). Mycotoxins may have been spread through the house via the HVAC. That's due to the seller mishandling the mold by cutting out the moldy drywall with no containment precautions (potentially sending millions of spores and/or mycotoxins into the air), then running the HVAC. Afterwards, the wall area did get properly remediated by a certified remediator, and the clearance tests (wall and air) by a certified mold inspector came back ok, which is why I haven't given up on the house. The apparent mold source has been fixed so the mold shouldn't return.

So the mold and the mold source may be gone, but we don't know about mycotoxins! I don't want to go through costly, questionable, and maybe unneeded mycotoxin testing (which is totally separate from mold testing), but also I don't want to lose this otherwise great house due to serious concern over unknown mycotoxin danger....

Thanks so much for any info! Katie in CA

POSTED BY KATIE :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 11:13 PM

Smoke damage

QUESTION:

Do you have any suggestions for non-chemical treatment for smoke damage from a house fire? Lots of fresh air and vacuuming have helped but I'm still definitely breathing smoky air.

POSTED BY LAURA :: MAINE USA :: 1:20 PM

Gas heat

QUESTION:

Hi Debra, Is it possible to be tested to see if one is sensitive to gas heat? If so where and how? I have mcs and we have gas heat, however, that is something that is not easily changed. Thanks s

POSTED BY S :: WASHINGTON USA :: 12:35 PM

Removing Cigarette Smoke from a Home to be Occupied by People with MCS

QUESTION:

Hello Debra,

I would like to ask your readers what their experience has been in attempting to remove cigarette smoke residue from a home, so a person with MCS can live in it. My key questions are as follows:

• Can it really be done successfully, so individuals with moderate to severe MCS can live in the home with no negative affects? If yes, how?
• What products are effective and non-toxic (or at least will not continue to be toxic for more than a short period of time after application)?

This Ohio home was smoked in from 1977 through 2005 and unoccupied for the last year. Even after a few years of no smoking the nicotine/tar stains are visible on the walls and ceilings.

I realize this is certainly a less-than-ideal home for most people to consider, particularly those with MCS. However, there are special circumstances that warrant investigating what is possible and potentially trying to remediate it. Of course, the funds to do so are limited and must be taken into account.

I have listed below suggestions found on the Internet. However, they do not necessarily take into account the additional MCS concerns.

Any experience you can share on any of these steps would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Karen
___________________________________________________________


1. All surfaces – wash, wash, wash
- Walls, ceilings, doors, closets, light fixtures, cabinets, vents, every nook and cranny.

2. Walls and ceilings
- Wash, seal, and paint.
- To wash, apply diluted TSP, ammonia, or Oxyclean (without the blue fragrance crystals) with a soft-bristle scrub brush, rinse, and let dry. Some reported that the TSP crystals just don’t rinse off completely. Would ammonia leave a toxic residue? I don’t have any experience with Oxyclean, but this seems the safest to me so far. I’m not sure how effective it is.
- To seal, many suggested KILZ or some other shellac sealer product before applying paint. I did see an AFM sealing product that could work. However, I wonder if it would work to clean the walls very well and simply apply a good quality primer, such as Benjamin Moore.

3. Cabinets and wood trim
- Use FLAX SOAP. Also some of the products used to clean the walls could be used here. (Oxyclean cannot be used on metal.)

4. Drywall and insulation
- Remove insulation materials from unfinished parts of the home.
- I read one account where the smoke penetrated the dry wall and insulation and was released during very hot or humid weather throughout the home. Does this mean the only option is to remove all dry wall and insulation? I don’t know if this experience is the exception or the rule.

5. Grout
- People have experienced the smoke residue being released with steam in bathrooms or even during humid days from tiled areas in the home. Perhaps there is a non-toxic sealant that could be used?

6. Air conditioning coils and ducts
- Some thought it was less expensive to replace rather than clean them.
- The only product suggestion for cleaning ducts was 409. Standard duct cleaning apparently does nothing to remove the waxy residue.
- I wonder if any work in this area is necessary since the central heat may have released the residue over a couple of years.

7. Soft materials
- Must be removed or washed. Interestingly, Coca cola was suggested for washable fabrics (add 1 can per load).
- All soft materials would be removed, including carpet.

8. Wood floors
- Some people stated it was necessary to sand and seal the floors.
- We would put down new wood floors. Any suggestions on products?

9. Industrial ozone machine
- This apparently is something that can be done in addition to, but not as a substitute for the above. Some people stated they were ineffective, but others felt they worked miracles. Many suggested going to the local fire department to rent a machine for a few days. It is unclear how long these machines should be used in the home to ensure good results.
- I heard some concern about these machines causing off-gassing of other toxic building materials in the home that were previously stable. Is that true?

10. What doesn’t work
- Vinegar, air purifiers, bowls of baking soda, Fabreeze, candles, etc.

POSTED BY KAREN :: ALABAMA USA :: 10:55 AM

Is it possible to make a gas stove safe?

QUESTION:

I read in one of your books and have read elsewhere that it is important to switch from gas appliances to electric appliances if you are concerned about improving health. My daughter has many food and environmental sensitivities and I am trying to make decisions about what to clean up in the house so that she has a good environment for maximal healing. I suspect that she is probably MCS. I saw in on your page about cookware that you seem to have a gas stove in the photos. That got me curious. Is there any way to make it safe to cook with a gas stove by increasing ventilation? Or is this not worth the gamble?

POSTED BY ELLEN :: ILLINIOS USA :: 1:24 PM

Wein Personal Air Purifier

QUESTION:

I recently purchased a Wein Personal Air purifier because of my chemical sensitivity, my smell balance is way off. While I am working on getting this back in line, I find that walking into a room with any odor to be distressing. I have started using this personal air purifier. It is an ionic purifier. The booklet says that it gives off less than .028 ppm ozone output. Does anyone know about the safety of this device?

POSTED BY TZ :: IL USA :: 4:44 AM

removing chemicals from sheetrock

QUESTION:

We're still trying to find a solution to a conventionally built ten yr old home we bought 2 yrs ago, which I haven't yet been able to live in, since I'm chemically sensitive. Previous owners used tons of Murphy's oil soap on wood floors throughout the house. We've sanded & refinished those. Recent use of an Aranizer seems to be magnifying the smell of the soap, cat litter, laundry products, and who knows what else, and it seems to be coming from the sheetrock throughout the house, and maybe still from the wood. The Aranizer isn't powerful enough for the house, we learned after purchasing it.

We need an economical solution short of gutting the house. Someone just told me ozone machines can degrade surfaces & cause new outgassing & that a byproduct of oxygenation is formaldehyde. We wonder if that's what the Aranizer is doing, causing the stronger smell. Have we made the problem worse? Would a stronger ozone machine help or harm? Any other suggestions for removing Murphy's, etc. from sheetrock, etc.

Thanks for any suggestions or info. Dorothy

POSTED BY DOROTHY :: MA USA :: 3:23 PM

epoxy in fish tnk

QUESTION:

Hi, I want to build a fish tank out of plywood and I would coat the inside of it with an epoxy--one that is used for potable water applications. Once the tank is filled with water, the epoxy will be submerged. Will it off gas? The epoxy is advertised as being VOC-free but I understand that doesn't mean it doesn't off gas.

Safe to build?

POSTED BY DAVID :: GRIFFITHIMAGE :: GRIFFITHIMAGE.COM :: ONTARIO CANADA :: 12:08 PM

ultraviolet vacuums

QUESTION:

Hi friends
I just saw an add for an ultraviolet vacuum from the Halo Company that sounded interesting. It claims to kill bacteria, viruses and dust mites. It is supposed to be safe but having MCS I am not sure if I could use it. I am caretaking for my parents and their home could use some serious cleaning up. I thought it might be a good investment but don't want a reaction.
Has anyone tried this out?
Thanks

POSTED BY BJ :: MICHIGAN USA :: 7:34 AM

Firewood smell

QUESTION:

Hi, I have another question. Is there a natural air freshener (besides opening the window) that can get firewood smell out of the air? Thanks! Reenie

POSTED BY REENIE ROGERS :: FL USA :: 2:30 PM

Greentek air purifiers

QUESTION:

Happy Holidays, everyone.......Does anyone have experience with Greentek air purifiers they can share? I have a loaner in the house right now, trying to decide whether to buy it, wondered how they compare to Austin, Alleraire, etc. Greentek can be ducted so one purifier can be used for a whole house, depending on size. thanks so much...Dorothy, MA

POSTED BY DOROTHY :: MASSACHUSETTS USA :: 10:19 AM

Activated Carbon Blankets

QUESTION:

Hi,

I recently purchased a new mattress for my two year old son. It is a combination of wool and foam and I am concerned about any possible outgassing. I hear that activated carbon blankets can assist with reducing/eliminating toxic odours. Do you know anything about these products? Are they safe to be used on children's beds?

POSTED BY HELENK :: VICTORIA AUSTRALIA :: 2:33 PM

humidifiers

QUESTION:

I am suffering with the dryness in my home despite keeping the heat low. I have bought several portable dehumidifiers but the outgassing from the heated plastic parts makes me sick. Any suggestions?

Thanks
Pat

POSTED BY PAT H :: GEORGIA USA :: 7:51 AM

Sleep Study and EMF

QUESTION:

Hello!

I recently had a sleep study done to determine whether I have sleep apnea and upon being attached to all of the wires/electrodes (polysomnography) I began to feel very fatigued, had a headache, felt dizzy at times, and ended up sleeping only an hour the entire night because I felt so bad. I'm wondering if you or any of your readers have experienced the same thing during a sleep study and if it could be related to EMF.
Thanks!

POSTED BY MB :: OREGON USA :: 12:59 AM

Toxic Accident Needs Cleanup

QUESTION:

I am writing to ask input on how to clean our home from an unfortunate combination of good intentions!

Long story short, we thought a toxic substance leaked through our ceiling into our office carpet. We pulled back the rug, opened the window and turned on our ozone generating air purifier. Things got worse(inspite of all we have heard about ozone generators, we have used them for years and usually have excellent results with care and monitoring).

Turns out, a leather chair we purchsed from IKEA had a horrible reaction to the ozone and was throwing off toxics.

Though the chair is long gone, the vapors from this reaction have traveled throughout our home and it seems there is a toxic coating on everything that now reacts with heat and humidity, which there is plenty of since we live in Texas. So adding fresh air to the mix takes timing and almost always has the humidifiying factor.

Any ideas on how best to clean carpets, furniture, etc.? We need to remove the residue of this combination.

POSTED BY S.A. :: TEXAS USA :: 6:51 PM

Avoiding EMF

QUESTION:

I understand the necessity of people with multiple chemical sensitivities avoiding synthetic chemicals.This is most doable in one's own home and with adequate resources to clear environment and habitat.

But how does one protect/avoid the omnipresence of wireless and other high EMF technologies?

I no longer have access to school, library, "public" meetings or even the small town centers because of tremors, head shaking, horrific pain in the inner ears and head. It can take days to recover. The last time I went to the post office I felt as though I'd been hit by a sledge hammer on both temples. It took 5 days for the pain to subside from 10 to an 8 and now I can only be at a desktop computer for 3 or 4 minutes.

Even the lakes and ocean between islands is being covered, so the advice of environmental doctors for the poor to go to nature is no longer a solution.

POSTED BY LAURA :: MAINE USA :: 7:26 AM

New toxic office

QUESTION:

My office will be moving into an office in the next few weeks that we are remodeling. There has been no way to get odor free products. So....I am not sure that I will be there the entire first week (must travel for a few days that week), I will be sure and buy plants for outgassing...spider plants, philodrendron, etc...and get them in there ASAP...and I'll have windows open a lot (I like to have them open anyway). Any other suggestions? I'm not too terribly sensitive, but I am concerned that with new woods, new carpets, new paint, etc...I might go into overload.

POSTED BY SUSAN :: COLORADO USA :: 10:12 AM

EMF risks with wireless alarm systems, etc.

QUESTION:

Dear Debra,

Hi! I love your books and newsletter!

We recently moved to an old country farmhouse, and need to replace the alarm system. The alarm company we've selected says we should install a wireless system because it will be difficult to properly install wires at the doors and windows due to the "quirks" of the home, and its age.

Regarding EMFs, would this be safe? Are plain old wires safer? And what about those new wireless computer/internet systems?

Thank you for all you do! We really appreciate any advice you can give us.

POSTED BY DONNA D :: NEW YORK USA :: 10:55 AM

toxic carpet at church

QUESTION:

My church built a new sanctuary over a year ago. I can handle being in the building--finally, and even stay for opening part of services, but then I have to move to the fellowship hall. The sound system is connected in there, but it's just not the same.

I'm fairly sure the problem is the carpet. Winter is coming, and no one is going to want to have all the doors and windows open for an hour before church just so I can breath and/or not feel drugged the rest of the day. (My husband is a deacon and has been going early all summer to air the building out.)

Fortunately, members are sympathetic, realizing that if I have a reaction, others are affected, even though they don't notice it.

The question is, what can we do to make it better? The Board would be open to almost any solution short of ripping out the carpet. I know that the carpet company was contacted and the response was, oh, give it a few months, but that was almost a year ago.

I'm not sure if the bake out was meant for something like this. Or is there a special type of cleaning solution, or steam cleaning, that would help.

I feel like the canary, because I also had to quit going to church earlier because of the terrible mold under the old sanctuary. Everything was great after they tore the old one down - right up 'til the carpet was installed.

I didn't even know what to search for, so tried "detoxifying carpet" and finally found this site. I haven't read everything, (yet) but didn't see an obvious answer to my question, so am seeking help. I'm excited to find you.
Gale

POSTED BY GALE :: WASHINGTON USA :: 9:59 AM

How to neutralize cigarette smoke in a computer

QUESTION:

I have purchased a used computer from someone who smokes and never dreamed it would be saturated with smoke to the extent that it is. When it is running, the smell is overwhelming and I can't stand to sit next to it very long. I'm very chemically sensitive anyway. I've burned bees wax candles all around it, and sprayed a non-toxic TKO orange air freshener around it too, but it just reeks.

I sure would appreciate any ideas anyone has on what to do. I thought of taking it outside and plugging it in and just letting it run and run, but am afraid knats and small bugs will get into it and ruin it. It would probably take a long time to get out all the smell that way anyway.

Thank you!
Eve in Texas

POSTED BY EVE :: TEXAS USA :: 10:09 AM

Yurt cover fabric

QUESTION:

I am looking at buying a yurt to live in. Most are covered with vinyl which i would not live under if you paid me a lot of money. But i have found one that is acrylic covered canvas, with canvas on the inside. Do you know if acrylic outgasses much?

Joyce

POSTED BY JOYCE HARMAN :: HARMANY EQUINE :: HARMANYEQUINE.COM :: VA USA :: 12:55 PM

What do I do with my toxic house?

QUESTION:

I just got married the day before we closed on our new house. It's already been five months, and I have not been able to live in it. I've been living with relatives out of state. The new house makes me so sick, I can only visit for a few days here and there, and only when all windows are constantly open and the hvac system is off. My last visit ended with me in the emergency room with difficulty breathing and chest pains. The doctor said it was inflammed bronchial tubes.

It may be left over residue from Ethyl Mercaptan, since there was an undetected propane leak in the home for over two months, before we bought it. OR...it might be the formaldehyde, as I seem to smell it the most when in the basement and near the kitchen cabinets.

We hired odor experts to come in and blast the place with Hydrogen Peroxide Generators for over 24hrs, which cut the fumes by 90% or more, but three months later it is building up again.

Our basement is unfinished with wooden beams on the ceilings, exposed plywood from the floors above, concrete slab foundation and blown-in insulation that is held in place with some sort of a fabric stapled to the studs. The basement is 2,000sf, and the entire house is 6,000sf.

We thought about carbon filtered air purifying systems, but the off gassing has to pass me as it comes out of the materials before it can reach the system...so there will still be exposure to it.

Are there any kinds of really super strong sealants that can be sprayed on...but what about insulation? Is there anything in concrete that would off gas?

Please help...I just want to go home and be with my new husband! Even if we decided to sell the house, in the area we bought it in, and for the price range, we can expect it to take a year or more before it sells, and in a few months I will turn 39...so this was supposed to be our chance for starting a family, before it's too late.

Thanks,
Tracey from Chicago
MCS due to the antibiotic Levaquin,
in the family of Fluoroquinolones

POSTED BY TRACEY FROM CHICAGO :: IL USA :: 4:10 PM

Cork Flooring vs. Carpet vs. Area Rugs

QUESTION:

I have two questions, please. I know carpeting should be avoided because--in addition to the fact it offgasses--it harbors all sorts of mites, danders, dust, and other allergens. Given its surface texture, won't cork flooring cause the same problems? Also, with regard to those problems, are area rugs (e.g., oriental rugs) any better than standard carpeting? Thanks for your advice.

POSTED BY RDC :: UTAH USA :: 10:49 AM

What to do before moving into a brand new house?

QUESTION:

hello Debra,

I will move into a brand new house very soon. Can you advise what to do?

I remember that I saw a page in your website that you suggest to heat the house for 24 hours for three to five times. Somehow I couldn't find it anymore.

Can you advise what is link if I remeber right?

Thanks.
Wenwei

POSTED BY WENWEI :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 3:42 PM

inkjet printers

QUESTION:

Hi, I'm a photographer and I have a large - 44 inches wide- inkjet printer. I've checked the msds for the inks and all it says is that "intentional inhalation overexposure will cause lung irritation"

should I be worried about off gassing?
thanks for your help

POSTED BY DAVID GRIFFITH :: ONTARIO CANADA :: 12:19 PM

Help Removing Musty Odor From Fireplace

QUESTION:

We moved to a 30 yr old home last fall and due to lack of proper chimney maintenance over the past years the chimmney had developed a build-up of creosote, which my wife is very sensitive to due to her MCS problems. The chimney was cleaned and then sealed at the top and front of the fireplace box.

We just had some heavy rains in our area and discovered that there was a leak (crack in the mortar at the top) and now we have a musty smell inside of the fireplace. It is possible that this leak has been going of for some time and now we may have the start of a mold build-up. It has been suggested that we remove the seals and start a hot, long-lasting fire. However, my wife is sensitive to wood smoke.

Do you have any ideas or suggestions to resolve this situation.

Thank you.

POSTED BY JOHN :: MICHIGAN USA :: 11:05 AM

ventilating a closed room

QUESTION:

I have an interior bedroom that only has one window. Outside the window the air flow is blocked by an added on bathroom. There is still air flowing, but the window is near the ground and if left open is a security hazard (someone could enter the house.)

I cannot even go in the room without a mask or holding my breath because of the build up of stale air. An air filter helps, but does not of course provide fresh air.

The wall of the bedroom that leads to the rest of the house cannot be taken down because it is a supporting wall.

Does anyone have experience with this type of problem? How can I ventilate this room?

POSTED BY JOYCE K. :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 2:12 PM
CATEGORY — AIR :: 4 COMMENTS :: POST YOUR COMMENT

ceiling fans and dehumidifiers

QUESTION:

Hello:

I have severe chemical sensitivies, and want to purchase a ceiling fan and dehumidifier that would be safe.

I purchased a ceiling fan, had it installed and have run it for 24 hours on high to get rid of the odor coming from it.

Evidently they dip ceiling fans works in shelac that is supposed to gas off in 24 hours, but this one certainly hasn't.

Can you give me a brand name that doesn't have an odor when run.

Similarly, I want to purchase a dehumidifier that doesn't give off a new odor when turned on, or one that gasses off quickly.

thankyou

POSTED BY GAIL SMITH :: HAMILTON ONTARIO, CANADA :: 2:01 PM

Watch Batteries

QUESTION:

Is it harmful in any way to wear watches that use batteries? It's extremely difficult to find wind-up watches.

POSTED BY CAROL :: NEW YORK USA :: 12:50 PM

door & window seals, alternative to vinyl stripping?

QUESTION:

Does anyone have experience replacing the vinyl stripping around windows & sliding doors? If so, what did you replace it with, how expensive was the job, & how much difference did it make in your ability to live in the dwelling? Thanks so much for any info. DB, MA

POSTED BY DB :: MASSACHUSETTS USA :: 2:48 PM

urethane foam in upholstered furniture

QUESTION:

We recently built a new house and have killed ourselves trying to make it healthy for our 2 young daughters with all kinds of health issues. We did as much as we knew to do, including solid wood cabinets, healthy paint, hardwood and ceramic tile floors, etc. We also bought completely solid wood furniture. However, I somehow missed the health concerns about upholstered furniture. Since our upholstered furniture has been delivered, our 3-year old has been stuffy with a runny nose, and her excema has flared up. I'm afraid it's the furniture. The cushions are 85% urethane foam and 15% resin treated polyester. How unhealthy is it, and what do I do now???

POSTED BY LAURA SHARP :: GEORGIA USA :: 4:11 PM

plaster and walls

QUESTION:

my daughter has MCS and I am remodeling a room in my house. I wanted to plaster the walls and was looking for something that doesn't off gas. Are you familiar with any? Also, are there any spackling compounds for drywall that don't off gas?
Thanks,

POSTED BY DEVE :: ONTARIO CANADA :: 4:04 PM

Carpet outgassing

QUESTION:

How long does a carpet outgas? I have had mine for over 2 years and am wondering if I need to use a product like AFM Carpet Seal.

POSTED BY TZ :: IL USA :: 10:16 AM

Neutralizing a toxic apartment

QUESTION:

Hi. I just moved to a new apartment in a new city. Since I've gotten here I've had debilitating headaches everyday. Before we moved in, the landlords cleaned the apartment, including the carpeting (1/2 the apartment is carpeted) with strong chemicals and deoderizers. Though the smell has mostly gone away, I suspect that the chemicals they used are responsible for my headaches.

I know so little about creating a healthy home environment, since this is all new to me, and I have very little money, so I am wondering what I can do about my present situation, given that I'm here in this apartment now, and moving out is not a realistic option at this point in time.

I am switching to non-toxic cleaners, but I am wondering if there is anything I can do about the chemicals they've already used? Will recleaning the rugs and closets with non-toxic products, like baking soda, get rid of the chemicals? Would investing in an air purifier help? Is there something else I can do to get rid of the chemicals and neutralize the environment?

Thank you!!

POSTED BY STEPHANIE :: PENNSYLVANIA USA :: 5:00 PM

Benefits of

QUESTION:

Please tell me the environmental health benefits (if any) of having a "no shoes" policy in the house.

POSTED BY MARK :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 4:41 AM

Dangers of Burning Wood in Fireplace

QUESTION:

Thank you for your website. I have learned so much from your web pages, including how to make the best Magic Disappearing Chocolate Fudge!

Eighteen years ago my next door neighbor burned his shake roof in his fireplace. It\'s wood, so that\'s perfectly legal in California. He made so many people very sick and permanently damaged the lungs of a small grandchild that was living with us. I found it so annoying but had no idea of how much long term damage this can cause children. It\'s pretty hard to stuff a small baby with greens.

Now I have a neighbor a half block away that burns wood even when it is 80 degrees out. I thought you might be interested in this letter from Jenny Bard, director of Clean Air Programs for the American Lung Association of California in Santa Rosa. She has given her permission to reproduce it. In addition you might try to google [wood smoke brain]. I think you will be very interested. She is working for a state law against wood burning, and I think a federal law might be even better.

N a n c y

THANK YOU FOR NOT BURNING WOOD IN YOUR FIREPLACE

By Jenny Bard

Is there any sight more comforting on a cold winter evening than a roaring fireplace? 

According to thousands of recent scientific studies, we should be anything but comforted: wood smoke, we now know, is hazardous to our health.

Burning wood creates significant amounts of fine particle pollution. And the more scientists have learned about particle pollution, the more alarmed they have become.

Studies have now linked particle pollution with a host of health problems that include asthma attacks, diminished lung function, respiratory ailments, heart attacks and stroke. While particle pollution affects everyone, it is particularly dangerous for children - whose lungs are still developing - and can cause bronchitis, increases in respiratory infections and impaired lung development.

These are just a few of the reasons the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency now considers fine particle pollution its "most pressing air quality problem."

If you're skeptical that smoke from fireplaces and wood stoves could actually be a significant source of air pollution, consider this: according to the California Air Resources Board, residential wood burning is the single biggest contributor to winter particle pollution in the Bay Area, contributing more particle pollution to our air than automobiles, diesel vehicles, or industry. Last December, the air quality in the Bay Area exceeded the recently enacted EPA particle pollution standard on one out of every three days, largely due to wood burning.

It would be bad enough if the story ended here, but it doesn't. Wood smoke also contains toxic and carcinogenic substances that include benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and dioxin - one of the most toxic substances on earth. According to the Bay Area Air Quality Management Agency, one third of the total amount of dioxin in the Bay Area comes from wood burning.

It may seem hard to believe that something so familiar could actually be harmful to our health. But just watch a movie from the 1940s, and you\'ll realize that cigarette smoking was also once considered harmless, and just as ubiquitous as wood burning is today. The EPA estimates that the cancer risk from wood smoke may be 12 times greater than from an equal amount of tobacco smoke.

The hazardous particles from wood smoke are so tiny that they can easily infiltrate homes.

Every winter, local offices of the American Lung Association receive phone calls from distraught families suffering from health problems caused by wood burning. Often, they have young children with asthma who are literally unable to breathe in their own homes. Some of these families have had to resort to selling their houses and moving to areas with less wood smoke pollution.

Fortunately, there are easily available solutions. Gas fireplaces now so convincingly imitate their log burning brethren that it is difficult to tell them apart - and gas is far more convenient and cleaner burning. Gas burning woodstoves can be inserted into fireplaces and put out a small fraction of the particle pollution of those that burn wood. Electric models offer amazing realism. If gas is not an option, pellet stoves deliver high overall efficiency, and burn relatively cleanly. And with improved woodstove combustion technologies, some newer stoves have certified emissions as low as pellet stoves.

The American Lung Association of California is currently working with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to promote the cleanest burning options and to enact effective measures to protect the public from wood smoke pollution. The health of our community depends on it.

But the most important change we can make is in our collective attitude towards wood burning. This will be difficult, since it has been engrained in human behavior ever since our ancestors first gathered around a fire in a dark cave.

The first step is for us to stop associating that roaring fire with romance and ambience. And start linking it with an asthmatic child reaching desperately for his or her inhaler.

Jenny Bard is the director of Clean Air Programs for the American Lung Association of California in Santa Rosa. 

POSTED BY NANCY :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 9:53 AM

Vinyl windows question

QUESTION:

Hi Debra,

I have chemical sensitivities and two years and three months ago I had to move after new vinyl double pane windows were put in all the windows in all the apartments in the building I was living in. I moved out during the installation period, when the smell was incredibly terrible. I tried moving back over a course of I think it was almost two months. Both times I became horribly sick on the second night back home. (Flu symptoms and vomiting.) So I moved out but now have an opportunity to move back. The apartment I am living in currently has vinyl windows so I know I can handle older vinyl. I am wondering if there might still be a risk after this period of two years and three months.

Thank you.

POSTED BY CAROL :: WASHINGTON USA :: 2:00 PM

Car air purifiers

QUESTION:

Debra,
I need an air purifier for the car. Can you recommend a certain brand?
Denise

POSTED BY DENISE ARIAS :: IL USA :: 1:55 PM

Humidifier filter replacement

QUESTION:

I have a small Holmes cool mist humidifier, and it has worked well for me. Unfortunately, my husband used a toxic antibacterial product in it, without my knowledge, and it made me very sick. I want to replace the filter in the humidifier, to see if that will make it more tolerable. However, all of the Holmes replacement filters now contain Microban, which I can not tolerate. That chemical gives me a migraine and makes my lungs hurt, and causes shortness of breath, among other nasty symptoms. Does anyone know of a source for replacement filters, without Microban, that can be used in Holmes humidifiers? I tried to go with using the humidifier, and my humidity dropped down the 8%.

Donnie

POSTED BY DONNIE :: MICHIGAN USA :: 1:33 PM

leather couch offgassing

QUESTION:

My partner and I bought a new leather lounge suite recently. It was made in China and when it arrived it smelled very strongly of chemicals.

I've been away since the day after the couch arrived, and now it's time to return to our unit but I'm very concerned about the chemical smell.

We have had the couch for over a month now, but the smells coming off it are too strong. I don't know what to do as my partner wants to keep the couch, but I'm not comfortable living with it whilst pregnant. I can still smell it whenever I walk into the lounge room and have to avoid the room, which is not practical at all as we live in a small unit.

Any suggestions on what I can do about the offgassing? Should the lounge suite finish offgassing soon?

POSTED BY NICOLE :: NSW AUSTRALIA :: 1:04 PM

How long does paint outgas?

QUESTION:

Hi, I just found your site and I hope you can answer my question. I'm looking for a place to live and just found a place I love, but after about 10 minutes started to get a horrible headache that lasted the rest of the evening. The owner of the house said she'd painted the inside back in October '06. Can it be possible that I'm reacting to paint outgassing after 3 months?

Thanks!
Drey

POSTED BY DREY :: ARIZONA USA :: 12:53 PM

AFM wood floor finishes

QUESTION:

We put hardwood floors in the house we are moving to and finished them with AFM polyureseal BP finishes. That was 6 weeks ago and they still smell. I tried to go into the house today and could only stand it an hour before reacting badly to the smells. (I also have MCS, CFS, and FMS.)We had to cancel our moving plans for now.
I cannot find any information on how long it takes to cure/outgas this product? Any ideas?

Thank you!

POSTED BY RD :: IOWA USA :: 9:38 AM

Removing Fragrance From Houses

QUESTION:

I am enjoying your newsletter and your website with all of the valuable information. I really appreciate it.

I have a question regarding the synthetic fragrances that are in laundry detergents (as in Tide, etc) and in fabric softener sheets as well as in plugins like Glade and Wick and those awful 'candles' that turn liquid when burning....we are househunting and the last two houses that we really love are full of the smell from the above products. Is it possible to remove that smell? Both houses are vacant and both have carpeting in them. Do synthetic fragrances only get into fabrics such as carpet, or, do they also get into wood (as in wood cabinets and door frames, etc) and even into paint?

Is there a product of some kind that can remove the smell?

Thank you,

Aimee

POSTED BY AIMEE :: FLORIDA USA :: 1:56 PM

Neighborhood Toxic Fireplace & BBQ Smoke: Any Recourse?

QUESTION:

i've noticed with the cold weather, many neighbors firing up their fireplaces and conversely on warm days, lighting up the BBQs. but the smoke is horriffic! it seems very toxic to me. aside from going personally to the neighbor's home..is there a law of some sort, or somebody to call (i.e. fire dept) regarding this issue? is there some agency that monitors these type of things?

thank you very much.

POSTED BY WEN :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 5:07 PM

healthy relative humidity in house?

QUESTION:

my rel. humidity in my house is 20%. what should it be? suggestions on humidifier

thanks!

POSTED BY JUSTIN :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 5:03 PM

Fiberglass Insulation Problem

QUESTION:

Hello,

We are thinking of buying a 1920 house that has fiberglass insulation haphazardly placed throughout the attic. My husband wants to have the the new air conditioning ducts installed there. I am afraid that the workers will track it through the house or worse yet, get it into the air ducts while assembling it.

Should I be concerned that the house and the air ducks could become contaminated and how high is the probability that it would get contaminated? Should we consider removing all the old insulation before installing the duct system? I can't imagine that they would get it all out or possibly disperse more of the fibers in the living space while doing it.

I suggested to my husband that maybe we should just get a ductless system for upstairs and install the duck work in the basement for the first floor. The only problem with this is that it maybe cost prohibited and I won't be able to have the air filtration system going through there either.

The attic door (walk in) is located in the second floor guest bedroom. The first floor will be our primary living and sleeping area.

I have Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and it is imperative that I have a healthy environment. Can you offer us some suggestions?

Thank you for your help.
Cynthia

POSTED BY CYNTHIAK :: PA USA :: 8:50 PM

Good Air Filters?

QUESTION:

Anybody know about air purifiers for the home. Any special brand that is good? Thanks, Cathy

POSTED BY CATHY RUSSO :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 7:45 AM

Space Heater Recommendations?

QUESTION:

Dear Debra,

I love your newsletter.

Do you have any recommendations for space heaters?

I've tried numerous kinds and models, and they all make me sick either immediately after they've been on for a while. I've borrowed some Intertherms and cannot tolerate them.

I had to have a faulty gas heater disconnected, and the wiring in this mobile is not
adequate for an electric whole house heater, so I'm stuck with space heaters.

Luckily I'm a warm climate, but there are some cold nights coming up next month.

Also, I do well at night under lots of blankets, except my nose which sticks out gets frozen. Any ideas?

Frosty in Tucson

POSTED BY MR :: ARIZONA USA :: 11:43 PM

Vacuum recommendation

QUESTION:

What vacuum recommendation would you give to allergy and asthma suffers?

POSTED BY S CLINE :: OHIO USA :: 8:08 AM

Ceiling fans

QUESTION:

I realize it's a bit late to be asking this, but if next summer is as hot as this one was, I want to have a ceiling fan. I thought about getting one and then thought maybe the motor would put out an odor. My portable fans don't have an odor, but with a ceiling fan, there would be no way of knowing, before installing it, whether or not there would be an odor from the motor, at which point it would be a little late to return it. Is this a realistic concern?

POSTED BY MARY :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 11:21 PM

Zeolite Breather Bags

QUESTION:

Where can i find these? In Annie Berthold-Bond's book, "Clean and Green" she lists G&W supply (odor fresh-zeolite). but they don't have a website or an 800 number. Do you know of a good reputable supplier for this product?

POSTED BY WT :: CALIFORNIA USA :: 7:34 PM

Allergy-free air fresheners and candles

QUESTION:

I was wondering if you could recommend a brand/type of indoor air freshener (the kind that you plug in) that can be safely used by people who have asthma or allergies? I currently use Glade and Air Wick Brand plug-ins but they bother my husband's sinuses. We have a cat and dog so need to have something that we can use inside to help with any pet odors that might occur.

Also, I really enjoy candles and find that I also can't use them inside because they also bother my husband. Are there any good allergy-proof candles that I might be able to try? I really enjoy relaxing scents in my home, but my hubby has put a damper on my pleasures!

Thank you for any advice or recommendations!

Diana

POSTED BY DIANA KIZER :: WASHINGTON USA :: 2:58 PM

Formaldehyde Absorbers

QUESTION:

Do you know of any product that absorbs formaldehyde? Something that does not just cover the smell. I would like anything, on or off the web.

I've been searching the web for products that claim to absorb Formaldehyde, and so far have only found one. It's SMELLEZE from IMTEK. Do you know anything about it? I've just started using it & so can't tell anything yet, but wonder about it's effectivness because of the trouble I had with IMTEK. They took my money, but never sent the product and would not respond to my e-mail and phone messages. I had to get the BBB after them before they would communicate with me and send the product.

I've been remodeling my bedroom and I'm concerned about Formaldehyde in the wood products and caulks I'm using. After a few days of outgassing, I can't smell anything now, but even below the smell level, It could probably do me harm because I spend 8 hrs sleeping plus the hours I spend remodeling, on the computer, and watching movies (I'm separating the bed from the entertainment center with curtains so hopefully when I go inside the curtains, my mind will accept that it's time to sleep).

I'm a scientific type of person and so don't rely on how I feel to let me know whether something is good or not. I'm going to have to buy an expensive monitor to tell how much Formaldehyde I'm breathing for sure. I can get a one-time moditor for $55, or a continuous one for several hundred. I found a cheap one for about $60, but don't know if I can trust it because it's so much cheaper than the others I've looked at. It's an Oregon Scientific Indoor Air Quality Monitor AR112C. Do you know anything about it or other monitors?

Thanks for any help.
Francis

POSTED BY FRANTHEGARDNER :: IDAHO USA :: 10:51 AM

EMFs from Satellite Dishes

QUESTION:

With the increase of Satellite dishes attached to peoples homes (in lieu of cable TV), as well as the option of having "wireless computer" set up, doesn't this all create a magnetic field throught the home?

As I am moving into another house, I am being offered these changes, and am wondering how this impacts any potential health hazard from magnetic fields each of these things create?

As always, thanks so much for your assistance in helping us out here make healthy lifestyle decisions!

POSTED BY P. G. :: FLORIDA USA :: 2:30 PM

Houseplants for Clean Air

QUESTION:

You mentioned in your newsletter that houseplants help clear toxins out of the air. Do you have a list of plants that will help? Thank You!

POSTED BY M. G. :: PENNSYLVANIA USA :: 12:00 PM

Electric Blanket and EMFs

QUESTION:

My husband refuses to believe the "electro magnetic field problems." I went to Radio Shack to get a meter to detect the radiation and to make a long story short was unsuccesful. Anyway, he is a cardiac patient and our temperature last night was minus-17 degrees celcius which is very cold. Can turning the blanket on minutes before bedtime be beneficial or should I just move to another room?

POSTED BY J. R. :: TEXAS USA ::

Safe Distance From Electrical Transformer

QUESTION:

I am concerned about my family's exposure to electromagnetic fields EMFs in our home. My house is situated around 25 feet from a transformer which my electrician tells me is pretty old, and the power lines run parallel to my house at the same distance. Are we at a safe enough distance, and if not, what can we do to protect ourselves from the EMFs produced by the transformer? I was thinking about getting the Dr. Gauss gaussmeter, but it only reads A/C. Do I need to worry about both A/C and D/C? Thanks so much for all your help, your newsletters and website reflect the way I try to live my life--for my family's health and for the health of the planet.

POSTED BY J. L. :: OHIO USA ::

Electromagnetic exposure from sonic toothbrush

QUESTION:

In a recent newsletter, you mentioned some plastic products you do use, and I think a sonic toothbrush was on the list. I also use one, but wonder about the very high magnetic field created by it. I tested it during use, and the readings were off the chart. What are your thoughts ?

POSTED BY D. W. :: CONNECTICUT USA ::

Where Can I Find a Gaussmeter?

QUESTION:

I have recently stumbled upon your website and find it very informative.

It is good to know that there are people like yourself who have made a conscious life change and choose to live toxin free, while trying to safe the environment.

As a result of all the "nay sayers," it's not easy being different.

Question: Where can I find a gaussmeter and is the Dr. Gausss the best type to use to check for EMF in my bedroom?

Thanks for your reply.

POSTED BY J. R. :: TEXAS USA ::

Air Duct Cleaning

QUESTION:

[This entry was transferred from the Q&A that was created before this blog existed. There are two questions and one answer.]

The company that services my a/c unit told me that our ducts weren't sealed properly and it caused dust and mold in the attic to get into the ducts.

The recommendation is that we absolutely have to get the ducts cleaned with high pressure hot water and sanitized with a liquid antibiotic.

I have read some information about ducts cleaning that it was ineffective and dangerous.

Do you have any information you can give on this subject? Any safe alternative to what was recommended? And how would it affect our health if we don't remove the mold from the ducts?

Thanks,

S. L.
Clearwater FL

I'm thinking of having all my ducts in my house cleaned...I've never done this before. My only hesitation is the risk of any mold or dust escaping into my house, as I am very sensitive to dust and mold. The company tells me the high powered vacuum is not 100% sealed, however, it is pretty effective. Therefore, I'm wondering if you have had experience with duct cleaning and if you recommend it.

S. J.
San Francisco CA

POSTED BY S. J. :: CALIFORNIA USA ::

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

QUESTION:

Can you tell me if there is research or info in regards to the safety or harm in using propane lighting? We have all gas appliances and I wonder if we are slowly poisoning ourselves. I do keep windows open even in the winter... Thank you!!

POSTED BY A.S. :: VERMONT USA ::