his Q&A blog is open for all to participate. Feel free to ask your own questions and answer questions posted by others. I know all of you have a wealth of information and experience on healthy living and you are welcome to share it here. 
Why Do Smells Make Some People Sick?
I thought this was an interesting article, relevent to our topic of toxics.
Science Daily: Why Do Smells Make Some People Sick?
It seems that people who do not do well with odors have a different pattern of brain activity and blood flow through the brain that those who can smell the same odor and have no reaction.
Regardless, I say if it's toxic, we shouldn't be smelling it.
Chinet set
Hi Debra, We got a, I guess you call it a chinet set of dishes when we got married back in 1982. And I believe my husband and I already checked it a while back to see if it had lead. And I don't think it does. The set is Applique by Noritake, pattern # 3016 and the description is yellow, pink, blue, white flowers on rim. The paper that I managed to pull up shows item # 65212---Manufacturer status: discontinued actual: 1980-1987. We have not used anything from the set yet, my concern is, would the decorations from the plates and other dishes harm us if if were to come off while eating? This is the website, I don't know if it will work. http://www.replacements.com/webquote/N_APP.htm I hope this information helps. Thanks for the help.
The best advice I can give you is to check it again for lead and specifically check the decoration.
Shampoo - Hair Care
Hi Debra!
I have recently recieved a recommendation for this shampoo : http://www.organicexcellence.com/chemical-free-products/mint-shampoo.php
I will really appreciate your opinion about the ingredients.
THANK YOU!
They look fine to me. :-)
Naturally Filtered Shower Filter
Hi Debra,
I was wondering if you knew this company, and what were your thoughts about their products. I remember somebody told me that they make the best shower filter. What do you think? I am looking for a shower filter, but I am on a budget, and the only one I could afford from your list is not made in the USA, which makes me uncomfortable.
http://www.naturallyfiltered.com/home
Thanks a lot!
This shower filter looks fine to me, as long as your water contains chlorine. It will NOT remove chloramine.
Is it the best? Many shower filters are made with the same KDF filter media.
CDX Plywood for subfloor
In terms of formaldehyde emissions, is CDX plywood a safe choice as a subfloor in a residence? I've heard that CDX plywood (also called exterior grade plywood, I believe) only contains phenol-formaldehyde (not the more toxic urea-formaldehyde) and therefore is a good choice for a subfloor underneath a hardwood floor. According to my local lumber yard, regulations here in California have all but eliminated formaldehyde from CDX plywood. I'd be grateful for any relevant information.
My understanding is as you state.
aluminum oxide finish
Hi Debra,
I have been considering prefinished hardwood nail down floors and have found that the finish contains aluminum oxide. My concern is the dust that will be created while we are installing the floors, is the aluminum oxide dust dangerous? Is it safe for pets?
Thanks
Here is the MSDS for aluminum oxide: https://louisville.edu/research/cleanroom/msds-library/Aluminum%20Oxide.pdf
What do you think of AFM 3-1 adhesive for floor tiles?
What do you think of AFM 3-1 adhesive for floor tiles? In an earlier post, you said that tiles in showers (and I presume kitchens) should be only set with a thinset mortar, but is there a brand you prefer?
I just use the thinset mortar sold at Home Depot. It used to not have any additives but now does. But I have not found it to be a problem once dry.
I have not used AFM 3-1 adhesive, so can't comment. Readers?
More sites I found.
Hi, Debra. I found some sites that have vegan ties, body oils, body care and sunscreens that are USDA certified, fragrance free soaps, a natural and organic marketplace, and organic cotton watches.
http://www.jaanj.com/ - vegan ties
http://www.badgerbalm.com/ - USDA certified body oils, body care and sunscreens
http://www.etsy.com/shop/baltimoresoaps - fragrance free soaps
http://www.abesmarket.com/ - one stop natural and organic online marketplace
http://sproutwatches.com/ - watches that are mercury free
http://www.sproutwatches.com/product_center.asp?dept_id=100001&sub_dept=100003 - organic cotton watches for men
http://www.sproutwatches.com/product_center.asp?dept_id=100000&sub_dept=100003 - organic cotton watches for women
Great! Thanks! :-)
The vegan ties are mostly made from plastic microfibers, however, there are some cotton ties under "Skinny Vegan Ties."
Plastics, food containers, toys
I am still confused about plastics. I am not sure which plastics, if any, are safe or recommended.
I am trying to slowly weed out the bad plastics in my house and there is a lot.
I already asked about the storage containers (#5 plastic). I see that most of the plastic food containers are #5 or "PP" as well as my children's sippy cups. Can I assume this plastic leeches?
Also, so many toys are made of plastic. I stopped buying plastic and buy wood when possible, but everyone else buys the plastic toys for the kids. It is not stated on the box or toy what type of plastic is used, and is pretty much impossible to research all the toys. Do you recommend getting rid of these toys?
I think I read in one of your books that they pollute the indoor air...is it true even for the new plastic toys? What about the ones made of #2 plastic (I bought a brand called " Green Toys" which is made of #2).
Lastly, my concern is the plastic container my raw milk is in (#2 HDPE). I can purchase it in a glass, half gallon Ball jar, but my concern with that is that the metal lid contains BPA, I believe. So which would you recommend? My children, including infant, drink the raw milk. I did find plastic lids that fit the glass Ball canning jars which are BPA free.
Would you recommend these? Thanks for all the info.! Plastics are giving me a headache...
I understand and had to smile reading your last sentence...plastics DO cause headaches in more ways than one.
You should assume ALL plastic leaches/outgasses to some degree or another. Hard plastics less than soft plastics. The degree of toxicity of what is leaching/offgassing also varies with the plastic. PP is one of the safer ones, but HDPE is better.
I recommend getting rid of any toys you don't know what they are made of. It's worth the time to check with the manufacturer. If you don't want to do that, toss them.
Toys made of #2 plastic are OK, but even better are toys made from natural materials such as wood and cotton.
Best for your milk would be glass with BPA-free lids, but #2 HDPE is OK. Raw milk is soooo good for your body that drinking it outweighs any possible harm from HDPE.
Need nontoxic wood putty
New construction - need to cover nail holes in door trim etc with wood putty. I got wood putty sticks but carpenter says they are too brittle and he wants to use Minwax putty, which has a strong smell for me.
Any other ideas, alternatives? Need something fast. Thanks!
Just mix a little sawdust from the wood you are using with yellow woodworker's glue to make a paste. Totally nontoxic and the color blends perfectly!
