Microban Exposure from Breathing?
Household products Debra Lynn Dadd Household products Debra Lynn Dadd

Microban Exposure from Breathing?

My assistant just bought a floor pad for me that says “microban” on the label. I know that microban is an antimicrobial, but since it will be 5 feet from my nose, I don't suppose there is a need to be concerned about toxicity. However, if it wears away like my old pads do we'll be tracking the dust onto the living room carpet. But then I don't sit on the floor so maybe that's not an issue either. I would not buy a Rubbermaid dish drainer because it has microban, but this is different.

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Glass Food Steamers
Kitchenware Debra Lynn Dadd Kitchenware Debra Lynn Dadd

Glass Food Steamers

A question came to me this week regarding a glass steamer I had suggested back in 2013. At the time it was the only glass steamer I could find and it was only available in Canada. More recently, I could only find one glass option that didn’t have an other materials of concern.

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Is it Toxic to Eat Off Depression Glass
Kitchenware Debra Lynn Dadd Kitchenware Debra Lynn Dadd

Is it Toxic to Eat Off Depression Glass

My general rule is when in doubt, err on the side of caution.

It may be true that there is so little uranium or arsenic in the glass that it’s not a problem. But the other side of the coin is not a problem for who? Age and body size can make a difference in how toxic it is to an individual person as well as the condition of their detox system and the health of their body as a whole.

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Formaldehyde Emissions from Silicone
Plastics & Silcone Debra Lynn Dadd Plastics & Silcone Debra Lynn Dadd

Formaldehyde Emissions from Silicone

A reader posted a comment: ”At 392 degrees F silicone mats release trace amounts of formaldehyde. Higher the heat, higher the amounts of formaldehyde.” Though I continually am searching for scientific data on the health effects of silicone, this was news to me. But having the clue that silicone releases formaldehyde, I was able to find information on this.

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Finding Hotels That Are Non-Toxic
Travel Debra Lynn Dadd Travel Debra Lynn Dadd

Finding Hotels That Are Non-Toxic

This is an area in need of change!!  We have been staying hampton Inns for many years and have always called before to ask them not to use fabrezee and any fragrance in the rooms. For a couple of years we found most of the rooms to be at least ‘liveable"

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Affordable Sofas
Furniture Debra Lynn Dadd Furniture Debra Lynn Dadd

Affordable Sofas

My first nontoxic sofa was a sectional sofa where the pieces were made with cotton canvas over metal frames, with toxic pillows on top. I just replaced the toxic pillows with 100% cotton pillows stuffed with some of the first organic cotton batting that was available. It was a great sofa and I wish someone would make this type of frame now.

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Is There any Difference Between PET and PETE?
Debra Lynn Dadd Debra Lynn Dadd

Is There any Difference Between PET and PETE?

PET and PETE are both acronyms for polyethylene terephthalate. Polyethylene terephthalate is a clear, tough plastic in the polyester family. It is made from only two chemicals that are tightly bonded together.

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Bitumen in Dishwasher
Appliances Debra Lynn Dadd Appliances Debra Lynn Dadd

Bitumen in Dishwasher

Have there been any safer dishwashers on the market? We've gone w/out one for over 2 years now, but really miss it.  Also, if the choice comes down to PVC (Part of interior not the whole thing) or the newer bitumen ones which is safer?

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Phthalates in Pool Liners
Household products Debra Lynn Dadd Household products Debra Lynn Dadd

Phthalates in Pool Liners

I used to have a above-ground pool, with a soft vinyl liner. At the time I wondered if any toxic chemicals were being released from it. When I asked the manufacturer of the liner I was assured it was perfectly safe.

Today I came across a study about the migration of plasticizers used to make soft PVC (phthalates) into water.

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Are Organic Strawberries Really Organic?
Food Debra Lynn Dadd Food Debra Lynn Dadd

Are Organic Strawberries Really Organic?

I saw an article about organic strawberries not really being organic and they showed a picture of Driscoll's Strawberries with it. So I wrote to them regarding the above and below is there answer. You cut through this much better than I do. What do you think, should we not be buying them???

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Luggage
Household products Debra Lynn Dadd Household products Debra Lynn Dadd

Luggage

I have been all over the internet and dug through archives, but am having little results looking for luggage. It seems that even those touting ʻeco friendlyʻ are really a typical derailment of fact. If it is made of recycled materials, I question what was in the previous encarnation. Nylon has been treated with chemicals. Handles made of ʻtprʻ? Some claim ʻecoʻ and yet state pvc dividers.

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Does TSP Outgas Toxic Fumes
Household products Debra Lynn Dadd Household products Debra Lynn Dadd

Does TSP Outgas Toxic Fumes

I'm confused about TSP. I was looking around your site for info about it because I see it's an ingredient in Concrobium Mold Control, which I was looking into using on a shower. The product is said to be non-toxic, and I see it listed as a recommended product on your site. 

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