Q. I'm a student and I rent a room sandwiched betwen the laundry and the home office in the basement. There's a constant chemically smell. How can I fix it.
This doesn't sound like a good arrangement - the office probably has wireless internet, printer inks etc and the laundry is often a significant source of chemicals from cleaning products. Unless your landlord is open to working nthrough thisyou should probably look for alternative accommodation. In the mean time keep the door to your room shut and the window open.
Q. Since we moved into our new apartment we've been sick. I have tried everything that I know. I cleaned what I could with bleach and used Lysol where I couldn't (A.S)
In a new building you're dealing with the offgassing from particleboard and building materials for the first six months to a year. Get as much fresh air into your apartment as you can - ventilate, ventilate, ventilate. If there's anywhere that air from the rest of the building could be getting in to your apartment you need to try to find a way to seal it off.
Avoid adding chemicals to what may well already be quite a toxic concoction - that would include bleach, lysol and other cleaning products. Some are unavoidable so make sure you rinse them off once the cleaning is done. For a lot of the weekly cleanup there are recipes for combining lemons, baking soda etc.
Q. Do you have any good, non toxic, recipes for furniture polish?
For general dusting you can just use a bowl of water with 3 tablespoons lemon juice and 3 tablespoons of baking soda mixed into it. Rinse the cloth in the mixture, wring it out and then wipe over woodwork, window frames, books, bookcases etc.
For a general purpose furniture polish mix 1 part lemon juice and 2 parts cooking oil in a spray bottle. Spray it only furniture quite lightly and then wipe it off with a clean, soft cloth.
Q. They recently started using a new airfreshener in the washrooms at work and my eyes get so sore. My office is opposite the washroom so I can't get away from it. What can I do?
I'd start by trying to deactivate it. Sometimes these are free standing units that you can open and remove the battery, or simply throw in the garbage. If it's a bigger issue you might want to talk to the building manager - the recommended air exchange in sealed buildings is 15 ft3 per person every minute. This level of air exchange might even remove the need for an air freshener. There are some highly toxic chemicals in 'air fresheners' - xylene is often one of them, so finding a way to get rid of it is the right thing to do even if you get some push back!
Q. If I want to reduce my exposure to nitrosamines what should I look for?
The main chemicals to look for on ingredients labels are Bronopol, Triethanolamine (TEA), Diethaneolamine (DEA), Monethanolamine (MEA) and Formaldehyde. Nitrosamines in cosmetics tend to be higher when these chemicals are used. They also tend to be higher in products designed for use around the eyes or on babies.
Q. Are organic cosmetics any better than non organic cosmetics?
It varies from one cosmetic to another. The SkinDeep website at www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep/?key=nosign provides information on a wide range of cosmetics. Everything from conditioners to lipstick has a rating and break down of ingredients. It's well worth a look if you're willing to opt for a less harmful cosmetic. Their comparison includes both organic and non organic products.
Q. Are there any fruits and vegetables that are safe to buy at the regular grocery store?
Some foods in the regular grocery store will tend to have more pesticide residues than others. Some that typically have high pesticide residues include Apples, Bell peppers, Celery, Cherries and Grapes. I'd be tempted to buy these in an organic form. Some foods have lower pesticide residues including Asparagus, Avocado, Banana, Broccoli and Cauliflower. I wouldn't hesitate to buy these in their non organic variety.
Q. What is an antioxidant rich diet?
An antioxidant rich diet is a way of eating that emphasizes antioxidant rich foods. The body can extract antioxidants from fruit, vegetables, seeds, nuts, meats and oils. It uses these antioxidants to neutralize the free radicals, created by pollutants, stress and daily living, that cause disease. An antioxidant rich diet would include at least 6 to 9 servings of fruit and vegetables a day but can be more.
Q. Are there any easy recipes for cooked vegetables that don't require sauces?
A popular recipe in my house is to boil 4 cups of cubed fresh vegetables in a teaspoon of Italian or Greek salad dressing and 1/2 cup water for 10 minutes. Drain and pour into an oven proof dish. Sprinkle with a little cheese and 2 teaspoons parmesan. Broil and serve.
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Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to replace the advice of a well chosen medical doctor.