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 do I Get Rid of Fruit Flies?

QUESTION:

I was wondering if you could suggest a way to get rid of fruit flies without poisoning my house. I had a little garden growing in my kitchen and the fruit flies moved in with my kale and broccoli. I've gotten rid of the plants but the flies are still here. Any suggestions?

ANSWER:

Fruit flies are a real nuisance, but they’re easy enough to get rid of using non-toxic solutions. Here are some methods to try:

• Pour a little sweet cheap white wine (Riesling) in a glass and add a drop of a natural soap to break the surface tension. Place near infected area. The fruit flies will drown trying to drink the wine.
• Pour some apple cider vinegar into a glass, and place a paper funnel over the container. Fruit flies are attracted to the smell and fly into the glass, but 4 out of 5 can’t find the way back out.
• Mix some basil oil with water and spray your kitchen. Fruit flies are repelled by the smell of basil.

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 can we control pests without Pesticides?

Use integrated pest management to control pests. This safe and simple approach offers alternatives to using toxic chemicals to control pests. When used in combination, simple steps like cleaning up, sealing cracks and entryways, and cutting off food and water to pests can be highly effective. You can even ask your pest control professional to take this approach before resorting to toxic chemicals. Beyondpesticides.org can help you locate a pest control professional who practices IPM. They also have an extensive list of exactly what to do to address a wide variety of pests.

The New Jersey Environmental Federation and Clean Water Fund has an informative brochure than can also help you control pests without pesticides.

I am worried because my house was treated with pesticides recently. What should I be aware of?

You are right to be concerned about pesticide use in your home. There are safer alternatives for controlling pests! There are also steps you can take to protect yourself after pesticides have been sprayed. It is recommended that you find out what kind of pesticide was used in your home and find out exactly where and how it was applied.

Open windows to let fumes out and then deep clean everything in the area.

What can I do if I live near a farm that uses pesticides?

Pesticide drift, when chemicals drift onto your property on the wind or contaminate groundwater nearby, is a serious concern for many parents who live near farms. Unless it’s an organic farm, one can assume that pesticides are sprayed regularly. If you live near a farm or even a home that sprays pesticides, there are ways you can protect yourself.

Since the main focus of our Health e House site is the home, we don't have a lot of information on agricultural uses of pesticides and how that affects neighboring residents. You can contact one of the national anti-pesticide organizations, such as Beyond Pesticides, NCAP, Pesticide Education Center, or PANNA.

Do you have any ideas on how to begin addressing the issue of pesticide use on a policy level? What organizations might help us not only by sending their literature but with technical assistance?

You can contact the Northwest Coalition for Pesticide Reform or Beyond Pesticides.

Do you have any information on pesticides used in rental homes/apartments and the rights of the renter?

Your concern about the pesticide used in your apartment is valid. As the tenant, you do have certain rights. Keep yourself informed about pest control without pesticides so that you can share information with your landlord and neighbors.

What I recommend is that you contact the exterminator directly and ask for a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), which they are required to have by law. The MSDS will give you very detailed information about the active ingredient in the pesticides used. However there are also “inert” ingredients which may be harmful as well.

You can look at the pesticide fact sheets at Beyond Pesticide's website. From the main page, select Pesticide Fact sheets from the Info Services pop-down menu.

The Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides also has fact sheets on their website.