 Stories About: advice AND Ask Umbra AND green living AND toxics
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Splash Animation
On kiddie pools |
Umbra Fisk |
09 Jun 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Regarding your obsession with vinyl, as pertains to summer parenting: Greenpeace's thorough Vinyl Alternatives list indicates that no good alternatives to vinyl kiddie pools exist. Do you think it is worth it to put a huge effort into manufacturing or finding a vinyl-free backyard wading experience? I can't stop thinking about this, and think it merits faking a question. Yours as always, Umbra Dearest Me, What a great questi ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, health, parenting, toxics (all these topics) |
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Soiled Again
On lead and gardens |
Umbra Fisk |
05 May 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, In your reply to the question about pollution and rooftop gardening, you talked a fair amount about lead pollution. Since gasoline is no longer leaded, and since it's container gardening that wouldn't have any lead paint in it, and surely nobody has lead water pipes any more, why is lead even a concern? Teresa Brenham, Tex. Dearest Teresa, Our ecological history hangs around our necks like a lead weight. Still heavy after al ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, gardening, green living, health, toxics (all these topics) |
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Nasty Namaste
On toxic yoga mats |
Umbra Fisk |
24 Mar 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I own a yoga studio and our mats are wearing out and in need of replacement. What's the best alternative for buying new mats? And if I do get new mats, what's the best option for disposing of the old ones: donate to one of the many organizations that provide yoga for people that can't afford the usual yoga studio rates? Or spare them the toxins and send the mats to the landfill, or my gosh are they possibly recyclable? Help! ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, green products, recycling, sports, toxics (all these topics) |
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Ash Ask
On burning paper |
Umbra Fisk |
19 Mar 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, We heat our house primarily by wood, in an efficient, EPA-rated woodstove. My question is this: We recycle all of our paper, paperboard, cardboard, etc., but would it be better to burn it? As it is, we drive it to the recycle center, they ship it off somewhere, it is then processed, then shipped back out as a product. If we burn it, we get some heat, and ashes to spread on our garden. Which is better for paper -- recycling or burning ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, health, recycling, toxics (all these topics) |
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My Three Sins
On avoiding vinyl |
Umbra Fisk |
13 Feb 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Hi Umbra! I've been in denial about vinyl. Blue Vinyl, the movie, got me thinking, but unfortunately I space out and lie to myself. I even have bought those recently popular adult toys that advertise as being vinyl in large unavoidable proclamations on the front of the box and I still managed somehow to think, "It is probably a different process for toys." After reading your article about the LPs, I realized just how bad I have ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, health, shopping, toxics (all these topics) |
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Do They Suck?
On Camelbaks |
Umbra Fisk |
07 Jan 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Recently, I've started to try to avoid plastics (especially plastic water bottles). For Christmas, my brother gave me a Camelbak-type water bottle. How safe is this? I assume it's as bad as most plastic water bottles. Timothy Kearney Issaquah, Wash. Dearest Timothy, Gifting quandary alert. But does it suck? Photo: iStockphoto Not all plastic water bottles are equal. In a larger context of avoiding plastic, we may occasionally ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, health, toxics (all these topics) |
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Brush With Destiny
On paint disposal |
Umbra Fisk |
17 Dec 2007 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, A friend of mine is a painter. He is concerned about the environment and has been trying to find out how to dispose of his paint buckets, extra paint, and other supplies in a way that is eco-friendly, but he's come up with nothing. We live in Chicago, and you would think that a huge city like this would have places to dispose of these kinds of things ... any advice? Erin Chicago, Ill. Dearest Erin, Uh, this question is r ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, recycling, toxics (all these topics) |
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Chem Again
On bleach |
Umbra Fisk |
10 Dec 2007 |
Ask Umbra |
| Greetings, I recently was infected with MRSA. It got better. As part of my treatment I'm supposed to use bleach in my laundry and around the house to help kill the bacteria. While I'm brunette, I feel like the stereotypical blonde about bleach. What are the environmental impacts of this chemical? Thanks, Emily Indiana Editor's Note: Oh, how Umbra would love to answer this question -- but she's been kidnapped! Please donate to Grist by 11:59 p.m. P ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, health, toxics (all these topics) |
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Still Worth It
On mercury in CFLs |
Umbra Fisk |
16 Jul 2007 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dearest Umbra, For the past 10 years or so I have been patiently and methodically replacing the incandescent light bulbs in my house with the more efficient compact fluorescent ones. Even though they cost more than incandescents, I have been confident that their lower energy requirements and longer life span more than made up for the increased cost. Thus I was greatly dismayed the other day when I went to our local transfer station and ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living, green products, toxics (all these topics) |
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Lady, Bugged
On fighting pests with pests |
Umbra Fisk |
16 May 2007 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I have a pest problem in my backyard -- specifically, some tiny (but apparently hungry) insect is making lace out of my basil leaves. I do not want to use pesticides for many reasons, not the least of which is that I cook with the herbs I grow. I think I have found a "natural" solution, but I wanted to consult you first. My garden-supply store sells praying-mantis egg cases ("The natural pest control s ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, food, gardening, green living, toxics (all these topics) |
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Message on a Bottle
On aluminum bottles |
Umbra Fisk |
04 Apr 2007 |
Ask Umbra |
| Umbra, Are aluminum bottles safer than Nalgene bottles? I'm looking at getting Sigg bottles for my self, wife, and son. Vendor agnostic, are the materials used by aluminum-only vendors safer than those that incorporate Lexan? Chris Webber Seattle, Wash. Dearest Chris, I swear, I pick questions and only then do I notice that yet again I have chosen one from Seattle. It is not a conspiracy. I just wanted a question to go with our r ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, green products, health, toxics (all these topics) |
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Mrs. Sippy
On plastic and kids |
Umbra Fisk |
02 Apr 2007 |
Ask Umbra |
| Hi Umbra, What about "sippy" cups for little kids, not to mention bottles? They're all plastic, and we all know that kids are more vulnerable to environmental toxins. What's a mom to do? Janet Byron Berkeley, Calif. Dearest Janet, A mom is to check the research and purchase only bottles and sippy cups that are not considered health hazards. Umbra is to help the mom do so right now in this very column. Sip sip ... harrumph. Photo ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, parenting, toxics (all these topics) |
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Levels of Risk
On chlorine |
Umbra Fisk |
12 Mar 2007 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, So I've been buying unbleached diapers for my baby, using chlorine-free laundry and dish soaps and non-chlorine bleached paper, and generally thinking that's better for me and the environment. Then I go swimming in a chlorinated pool twice a week, sometimes with my kids! Is there a difference in the type of chlorine exposure? Is swimming a health risk? It certainly bothers my nose (I think I'll start using some nose plugs). Can you ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, parenting, toxics (all these topics) |
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Cleaning House
On disposing of toxic chemicals |
Umbra Fisk |
05 Mar 2007 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Now that I've caught the environmental bug, I don't know what to do with the toxic cleaning products (e.g., Ajax) that I have on hand. As a bulk buyer, I've got 5 to 6 bottles in my garage. Is it better to use them up, throw them away, or just have them stay put in my garage? Jill Miller Pleasanton, Calif. Dearest Jill, Do not leave them in your garage! Home storage of unused toxics inevitably leads to irksome ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green cleaning, green living, toxics (all these topics) |
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Waxing Philosophical
On dripless candles |
Umbra Fisk |
01 Nov 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, My family is a big fan of dripless candles. They're beautiful and don't provide piles of wax that tempt fingers into creating little messes. Can you tell us how these candles work and if they are environmentally "safe"? Anna Ruth New York, N.Y. Dearest Anna, For me, playing with melted wax was a cherished childhood tradition -- right up there with daring to slice through the flame with my finger. But like s ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, toxics (all these topics) |
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You Down With PVC?
On PVC substitutes |
Umbra Fisk |
25 Oct 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I know to avoid PVC, but it's difficult to know all the places it lurks. Is all vinyl PVC, or are there PVC-free vinyls? What options are there for waterproof but PVC-free materials (I have children who wet the bed and spill, and I would like to protect my mattresses and wood table)? I have tried asking merchants whether certain products contain PVC, but they are clueless. Why can't PVC be clearly marked? And are there a ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, green products, toxics (all these topics) |
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She'll Tumble For Ya
On dryer sheets |
Umbra Fisk |
18 Oct 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, You mentioned toxic dryer sheets in your recent column on clothing, but without a reference to how they are toxic, etc. Lisa Milligan Fayetteville, Ark. Dearest Lisa, I appreciate the brevity and directness of your query. I'll strive to meet the same standards herein. Fresh air beats faux fragrance any day. Photo: iStockphoto As I mentioned parenthetically in my previous column, the contents of mainstream dryer sheets ca ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, toxics (all these topics) |
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Clothes Encounters
On synthetic fabrics and kids |
Umbra Fisk |
11 Oct 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I have just recently learned about all these plastic-awareness issues and now wonder about polyester clothing, or any human-made fabric for that matter, on my children (three girls: 3, 5, and 7 years old). If plastics can leach out into their bodies, can clothing also affect them? Julie Roberts Nevada City, Calif. Dearest Julie, The clothing we wear can affect all of us, as well as our environment. But should ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, fashion, green living, parenting, toxics (all these topics) |
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As Phosphate Would Have It
On phosphates in detergents |
Umbra Fisk |
20 Sep 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Why haven't phosphates been removed from dishwashing detergents like they have been from laundry detergents? I know they make your clothing look brighter, but what do they do for dishes? Natalie Waddell-Rutter North East, Pa. Dearest Natalie, Phosphates in dish detergent do a few nice things for dishwasher-washed dishes. Their biggest contribution is that they essentially soften the effects of "ha ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, green products, toxics (all these topics) |
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MP3's Company
On CDs and MP3s |
Umbra Fisk |
19 Jul 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, As I was carrying a stack of CDs from the car into my home, my sister laughed and showed me the size of her MP3 player, which contains well over 100 times the music at a fraction of the size. Environmentally, which causes less of an impact? I hear that all these (non-recyclable) portable devices are terrible for the environment, and I've had some of my CDs going on (gasp!) 15 years. Downloading seems like it produces less waste, ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, e-waste, green living, recycling, toxics (all these topics) |
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Your Finest Shower
On shower curtains |
Umbra Fisk |
26 Jun 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, You have successfully instilled the fear of all things vinyl in me. Now the big question is: with what do I replace my old vinyl shower curtain? We have a cotton one at work, but it clings to your legs like a drowning jellyfish. This, and the constant mold, is something I would like to avoid in my own bathroom. Any suggestions? Flo Miller Montpelier, Vt. Dearest Flo, I'm always full of suggestions -- in a wide range of ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, green products, toxics (all these topics) |
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Eau de Bulb
On smelly CFLs (and mercury too) |
Umbra Fisk |
12 Jun 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, We have been replacing our incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, but we notice that the compact fluorescents have an odd smell. Are they emitting something we should know about? Compact fluorescent bulbs contain mercury; can the bulbs discharge the mercury into the air? Tom Murphy Wellsboro, Pa. Dearest Tom, I don't know of anything that would be emitted from your bulbs and smell. If it is you ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, mercury, toxics (all these topics) |
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Deck Mate
On building a deck |
Umbra Fisk |
15 May 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, It's spring, my house turns 100 years old this year, and I would like to celebrate by adding a deck. But what type of building materials should I choose? Wood, plastic, or composite? In my market there is no ready supply of FSC-certified wood -- I would have to have it milled and shipped in from across the state. Besides, is that really better when you have to treat it every year? What about the new types of pressure-treated wood ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, toxics (all these topics) |
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Cradle to Cradle
On baby nurseries |
Umbra Fisk |
20 Mar 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I am pregnant and wondering if you know of any websites or resources for setting up a nursery -- for green furniture, bedding, and mattresses. We're painting the nursery with low-VOC paint and looking for low-VOC carpeting, and we gratefully accept used toys and clothes from friends and family. Janine Olsen Pine Brook, N.J. Dearest Janine, Happy to advise, based on a bit of research I've done for you in particular, but als ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, parenting, toxics (all these topics) |
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Carpet Diem
On carpeting |
Umbra Fisk |
15 Feb 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Our home is mostly wood floors, but we would like to have a carpeted den. My gut instinct is that the carpet pad (looks like the foam from the inside of a car seat all smooshed together with other pieces) is full of chemicals that will constantly offgas. Am I right? If so, is there an alternative, or something to do so we can have a safe carpeted area? Yosh Schulman Millerton, N.Y. Dearest Yosh, Almost all the articles I just read ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, toxics (all these topics) |
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