Is there such a thing as truly non-toxic dry erase markers?

QUESTION: 

Is there such a thing as truly non-toxic dry erase markers? Can someone point me in the right direction? Thanks :)

ANSWER:

After a quick search, I couldn't find anything completely non-toxic (but that's kind of a difficult request since almost anything can be toxic in certain circumstances). I did find an option which is xylene-free (the toxic chemical most often used in dry-erase markers) called Auspen, which is also eco-friendly. According to them:

"AusPen markers are made of 100% recycled material, they use non toxic ink , they are refillable and recyclable. We are very pleased to be able to offer a more responsible whiteboard marker at a time when people are finally realizing that even the little things that they can do can really benefit our environment."

Here's a really great assessment done by a Washington School district in an attempt to find something non-toxic and environmentally friendly (and Auspen is one option they tested).

This answer was provided by our fabulous Chief Communications Officer, Janelle. See all of our questions and answers at Get Answers. Do you have a question? Let us know!

Are ABS Plastic Toys Safe?

ABS stands for Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. It is made by polymerizing styrene and acrylonitrile in the presence of polybutadiene--15 to 35% acrylonitrile, 5 to 30% butadiene and 40 to 60% styrene. It can be recycled. 

Acrylonitrile is a synthetic monomer produced from propylene (from petroleum, natural gas or coal) and ammonia. 

Butadiene is a petroleum hydrocarbon obtained from butane gas.

Styrene is commercially obtained from benzene and ethylene from coal. 

The MSDS for ABS plastic pipe gives no health effects but warns that if it is burned, the combustion by-products are toxic. It lists acrylonitrile and styrene as hazardous ingredients, but they are present in very small amounts. Since ABS can have varying amounts of each ingredient, the safety of your toy may not be the same as these pipes. 



I can't say with certainty how safe or harmful your toy may be. As a rule, I recommend toys made from natural materials over plastics to be on the safe side. There are many natural toys available from websites listed on the Toy page of Debra's List.

Debra :-)

This answer was provided by our friend, Debra Lynn Dadd. Hailed as "The Queen of Green" by the New York Times, Debra Lynn Dadd has been a pioneering consumer advocate since 1982, specializing in products and lifestyle choices that are safer for human health and the environment. She is the author of Home Safe Home.

How can I safely clean my child’s toys and play area?

In your own home, many clean-up duties can be handled by water alone. If your child’s been sick (or someone else in the house has been), you may prefer something stronger.

A homemade disinfectant cleaner can be made with:

I teaspoon of borax
2 tablespoons of white vinegar
1/4 cup liquid soap
2 cups hot water

Mix in a refillable spray bottle and you’re good to go! If you opt for a solution like this, be sure to use when your kids aren't present and rinse off surfaces. Borax is a naturally effective antimicrobial that also inhibits mold and fungus - but it can pose risks if used incorrectly.

Plain baking soda will remove stains (make a paste by adding a bit of water) as well as deodorize (sprinkle around, leave for 15 minutes, and then vacuum). Browse our website for easy recipes for cleaning products.

Learn more about cleaning specific items like unfinished wood toys and stuffed animals by reading Keeping Toys Clean to Make Playtime Pure.

You may also be interested in watching our Healthy Byte video “How Do I Clean My Scummy Bath Toys?”

This answer was provided by our fabulous Senior Editor, Janelle. See all of our questions and answers at Get Answers. Do you have a question? Let us know!

What should I be aware of regarding children’s toys and play areas?

Children deserve safe play spaces. Is your home a toxic playground!

Don’t be fooled by the label, toys can contain toxic materials – the nontoxic label on children’s products is not regulated by the government leaving the manufacturers to decide! Many of the chemicals in children’s toys do not undergo rigorous testing by the government and labels don’t always represent the true hazards of a product. Protect your kids from toxic toys by staying informed.

Plastic toys made with PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) can leech harmful toxins like phthalates. Some everyday plastics also contain bisphenol-A. Be wise with plastics and keep an eye out for products that are "bisphenol A-free" and "phthalate-free".

Art supplies can contain hazardous chemicals, such as benzene and toluene; and materials such as asbestos, silica, lead, and cadmium. Read labels for more information on the safety of the product you are using. The immediate effects of exposure can range from headaches or nausea to burns, breathing problems, and damage to other organs. Long-term exposures to the chemicals in art supplies may lead to cancer, reproductive harm, and damage to the brain and nervous system causing memory problems, cognitive difficulties, and attention deficit disorder.

Low-temperature modeling clays also pose a hazard at home. Manufacturers of these brilliantly colored polymer clays sometimes use plasticizers like complex glycol ethers or phthalate ethers (diethylhexyl phthalate or DEHP), which are now known to be animal carcinogens. The ethers are absorbed through the skin and, to a lesser extent, can be inhaled when the clay is fired.

Kids’ makeup kits may contain toxics such as toluene in nail polish. Toluene is flammable, irritates the nose, throat, and eyes and makes the consumer feel dizzy.

Purchase products for school-age children, with consideration toward the least-toxic product.

It is also a good idea to stay informed on the latest toy recalls by adding your email address to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s free email list.

Can You Recommend Safe Yarn and Toy Stuffing?

QUESTION:

Can you tell me if there is any safe yarn {and stuffing} for knitted children's garments and toys?

ANSWER:

There are many safe organic natural fiber yarns. Some of them are listed at DEBRA'S LIST, but you can also search online for "organic yarn," "cotton yarn," etc.
You can use organic cotton or wool batting for stuffing material.

It's important to use organic natural fiber yarns and stuffing because pesticide residues are NOT removed during processing, as they are when fiber is processed into fabric.

Debra

This answer was provided by our friend, Debra Lynn Dadd. Hailed as "The Queen of Green" by the New York Times, Debra Lynn Dadd has been a pioneering consumer advocate since 1982, specializing in products and lifestyle choices that are safer for human health and the environment. She is the author of Home Safe Home.

I know there are probably a lot of alternative names for formaldehyde used in products. Do you know or have a list of the other names?

Here are the ones I could find: 

Formalin 
Methanal 
Methyl aldehyde 
Methylene oxide 
Morbicid acid 
Oxymethylene 



And these preservatives, found in personal care products, release formaldehyde: Quaternium-15 
2-bromo-2nitropropane-1,3-diol imidazolidinyl urea 
diazolidinyl urea

Debra :-)

This answer was provided by our friend, Debra Lynn Dadd. Hailed as "The Queen of Green" by the New York Times, Debra Lynn Dadd has been a pioneering consumer advocate since 1982, specializing in products and lifestyle choices that are safer for human health and the environment. She is the author of Home Safe Home.

How can I politely suggest safer gifts for my son?

QUESTION:

Anyone have any ways to suggest for my son's first birthday that we would appreciate natural toys? I really don't want people to waste their money on toys we won’t use! I'm not sure how to do this politely or tactfully, thanks!

ANSWER:

This is tough and a common concern. You can make an Amazon wishlist to send to people, or if you have a Target or Babies-R-Us near you, you can set up a registry (many larger retailers are beginning to stock a small variety of safer products that you could highlight). If you want to explain why, you can add a little educational information in your invites or in emails to friends and families. Here's an idea:

"We're so excited that X is turning one and we're blessed he's been so healthy. I've seen more and more headlines about toxic chemicals and heavy metals in toys, care products, and other everyday items and it makes me concerned about exposing X. Even the President's Cancer Panel recently said we should try to avoid many common products. Please help us protect X's health and celebrate his birthday with safer gifts. We've set up a wishlist on Amazon and have registries at Target and Babies-R-Us to help you. You can also learn more at www.healthychild.org and www.healthystuff.org. Thank you in advance for your understanding!"

This answer was provided by our fabulous Senior Editor, Janelle. See all of our questions and answers at Get Answers. Do you have a question? Let us know!

How safe is silica?

Silica is the chemical compound silicon dioxide, an oxide of silicon. Silica is most commonly found in nature as sand or quartz, as well as in the cell walls of diatoms (as in diatomaceous earth. It is the most abundant mineral in the Earth's crust. 



Silica is used primarily in the production of window glass, drinking glasses and bottled beverages, as well as optical fibers for telecommunications. It is a primary raw material for many ceramics including earthenware, stoneware and porcelain, and industrial Portland cement. 

Silica is common additive in food products, where it is used primarily as a flow agent in powdered foods, or to absorb water. 



I know of no harmful effects from digesting silica in foods or supplements. In fact, it is sold as a mineral supplement. 


Silicosis is a disabling, nonreversible and sometimes fatal lung disease caused by overexposure to breathing large amounts of crystalline silica, such as amounts you would be exposed to in workplace exposures.

It is not toxic, it is a particle hazard. You wouldn't be exposed to this amount at home.

Debra :-)

This answer was provided by our friend, Debra Lynn Dadd. Hailed as "The Queen of Green" by the New York Times, Debra Lynn Dadd has been a pioneering consumer advocate since 1982, specializing in products and lifestyle choices that are safer for human health and the environment. She is the author of Home Safe Home.