Hospitals

I had a great two weeks with my daughter and her family and the new baby. The day before the baby was born, my mother-in-law fell and broke her femur. It was healing well and she was receiving rehabilitation therapy until a few days ago, when she started having severe pain in that leg. She is back in the hospital now, going through a myriad of tests to determine the source of the pain. And here I am with her, watching her, listening to her, talking to her, helping her navigate the electronic bed, communicating with medical personnel and giving my sister-in-law (her daughter) some badly needed personal time to catch up with her family and her business.

Generally speaking, I go to great lengths to avoid hospitals, both as a patient and as a visitor. Between my chemical sensitivities and my dietary concerns, hospitals just aren’t very hospitable to me. But I have to say, as hospitals go, this mega-medical-complex in the middle of the Salt Lake Valley is not too bad. (Sorry, that’s the closest I can come to an actual complement.)

For one thing, all of the almost 1200 patient rooms are private rooms with views of the mountains. The floors are a light wood-grain laminate and the cabinetry is pine and oak. Artfully framed color photographs of Southern Utah’s redrock country adorn the walls of rooms and hallways, and with the door closed, it’s almost silent (except for the rhythmic hum of medical equipment, of course).

Being a hospital, cleanliness is of utmost importance, yet the typical antiseptic aroma I had come to expect is strangely absent. When the housekeeping person came in yesterday to mop the floor and clean the bathroom, I asked her what kind of cleaning products were used. She was happy to show me that they are environmentally-friendly and fragrance-free. Then, last night, when I helped my MIL change gowns and get fresh bedding, I was pleased to see that the laundry was also fragrance-free and the bedding is all made of cotton.

All day yesterday a parade of people—nurses, aides, social workers, chaplains—came in and out of the room, and not one of them carried any fragrance along with them. By evening I had forgotten to even be concerned about a chemical reaction, which allowed me to focus on my MIL’s needs, rather than my own.

Then, at 7:30 pm, the night shift nurse walked in to introduce herself. The waft of strong perfume that came with her left me feeling like I had run into a brick wall. All I could do was back away as I gasped for breath. As she gave me a questioning look, I very bluntly told her that I have chemical sensitivities and I could not be in the same room with her because of her strong perfume. I then expressed my surprise that she, a registered nurse, would wear a heavy scent, especially in a facility that I had deemed to be fragrance-free and working with people whose immune systems have already been compromised by injury and illness.

The nurse did not give me a verbal response, but the look on her face was not one I would describe as friendly. My MIL was oblivious, fortunately, and, since I was just preparing to leave for the night anyway, I made a quick and convenient exit. I only hope that if I am still here this evening, the same nurse will not be on duty.

Most hospitals have a public relations person, patient advocate or ombudsman. So one of my goals for today is to find that person’s name so I can send a written letter of concern after we are done here. Of course, I will also register the many positive aspects of our experience, which surely outweigh this one negative. I hope I can be more tactful than I was last night, but still find a way to drive my point home, that this one nurse’s behavior poses a danger to patients (and their visitors) and is so incongruous with the rest of the institution.

Since my experience with hospitals is very limited, I would love any suggestions of how to approach this one.

A New Grandson

I haven't posted for several days because I've been in another state welcoming a new grandson into the family (and helping his family adjust to being four, instead of three). This baby is adopted, but his birth mom and his adopted mom (my daughter) have known each other for years. Both of them love this little boy and want what is best for him. Both have worked hard already to protect him from toxic substances and dangerous environmental influences.

This healthy little boy lives in a home where natural, unscented laundry and cleaning products are used. For however long he needs them, his soft little bottom will be cradled in cushioned cloth diapers. He sleeps wrapped in 100% cotton flannel swaddling blankets (made by Yours Truly), and, though he does get his nourishment from baby bottles, they are, of course, BPA-free. His parents can't put him in a bubble where nothing dangerous will ever reach him, but they will do whatever they can to ensure that he has the best chemical-free life possible.

Of course, it goes without saying, that no child will be more loved.

New Data on the Prevalence of Fragrance Sensitivity

An article in the March 2009 edition of the Journal of Environmental Health summarizes the results of a study done over several years' time concerning the number of people adversely affected by the chemicals in fragrances. Authors Stanley M. Caress and Anne C. Steinemann (an environmental engineer at the University of Washington) concluded that 30.5% of the general population report scented products on others to be irritating. That's nearly one in three people. So much for those claims by the fragrance producers that we will be more attractive to others if we use their products.

Anne C. Steinemann is the same scientist who conducted extensive research into the chemicals found in air fresheners and their effect on people who use them (see "Fragranced consumer products and undisclosed ingredients" in the January 2009 issue of Environmental Impact Assessment Review, pp 32-38). In that research she found that the largest contributors of VOCs to human exposure come from sources closest to us, particularly consumer products, most of which are unregulated and untested for human safety.

In their combined research, Caress and Steinemann found that 19% of people have adverse health effects from air fresheners, and 10.9% of people report irritation from scented laundry products which vent outside in residential areas. Symptoms reported include headaches, breathing difficulties and neurological ailments. These percentages reflect the general population. Among people with diagnosed asthma and/or chemical sensitivity, the percentages are much higher for "adverse health effects or irritation from fragranced products."

None of this comes as any surprise to those of us who struggle with chemical sensitivity, but it's nice to have some scientific research to back up what many consider only anecdotal evidence.

My Black Thumb

Some people are said to have green thumbs; plants thrive in their care and they can grow anything. But I have a black thumb. If the care of our household plants (both inside and outside) were left up to me, they would all wither and die before I even noticed. (This has actually happened; it's not just speculation.) However, now that I've moved my home office to a warmer, sunnier room, I'm going to try adding plants again. An article that came through my email last week convinced me that it's worth the effort.

According to this article in The West Australian, new research indicates that even very small plants can improve the quality of indoor air by absorbing almost 100% of VOCs (those nasty volatile organic compounds derived from fossil fuels) found in the average home or office. In addition, it was found that "any plant will perform as well as others," according to Professor Margaret Burchett of University of Technology Sydney. She went on to say that plants' "role in removing CO2 from the air and adding oxygen means that they are the greenest way of improving indoor air quality."

So I found a pot in the garage (undoubtedly left over from some gift plant which met its demise under my hand), and I'm going to find a plant variety that doesn't need much care. An honored place in my new office is awaiting its arrival.

Au Naturelle

Yesterday one of my daughters, whose diet is even more restrictive than mine, exclaimed in frustration, "Sometimes I think it would be easier to just NOT eat!" I understand her sentiments exactly and often feel that way myself, not only about eating, but about other activities as well, including dressing. On days when my back injury is bothering me or I'm having an arthritic flare-up, clothing can be so uncomfortable. Add to that the challenge of buying clothes that aren't laced with chemicals or someone else's perfume, and one is almost persuaded to just go, as the the French would say, au naturelle.

Fortunately (not just for me, but for all my friends and family), I have been able to find other options than running off to join the Naturists. My most recent discovery is a small company in Seattle called Decent Exposures, which sells apparel for women and children (sorry, guys, you're out of luck) made from organic cotton or a cotton/polyester/Lycra blend. They are most well-known for their uniquely designed "unbra." All of their clothing is made-to-order, so they can accommodate odd shapes (like mine). Check them out at www.decentexposures.com.

For years, I have purchased most of my clothing second-hand, but my last couple of experiences with that have been less than positive, as one of our local thrift stores has started running all used clothing through a dryer with scented dryer sheets. We've quit shopping there, but we still run into the problem of smelly clothes, even if we buy them new. This brings me to my next great discovery, grapefruit seed extract. A small bottle of this concentrated liquid seems a little pricey, but just a few drops in the wash water with a batch of clothes is sufficient. I have found that if I use this in the wash, with or without baking soda, and then hang the suspect piece of clothing out in the sunshine to dry, I can eliminate all but the worst chemical/perfume odors.

The truth is that though I have a closet full of clothes, I really only wear about a half dozen outfits all the time--cotton knit pants with cotton sweatshirts in the winter and t-shirts in the summer. After all, comfort is the ultimate luxury.

Distractions

It seems like everyone is on a constant quest for information that will make life easier/more comfortable/longer/richer/anything-you-want-to-add. I'm no different. I'm on numerous email lists, and I spend part of almost every day reading online news, magazines and blogs. My life is better because of much of the information I have gleaned from these and other sources; however, sometimes all that information becomes overwhelming and what I really need is Distraction (yes, with a capital D).

Distraction is the reason why we have satellite television, shelves full of books and a subscription to Netflix. I appreciated all of these this past week, when my old back injury flared up again and I spent many hours curled up with alternating ice and heat packs. TNT, USA and Sleuth channels came to the rescue with all of my favorite crime-solving series (NCIS, JAG, Law and Order, Bones, etc.), but I can only watch so much of that stuff before my brain becomes as mushy as the tissue on the autopsy tables. So I started looking further afield, and I have a couple of recommendations for anyone else looking for similar Distraction.

I am three chapters away from finishing the book, Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. I really can't recommend this book highly enough. The story of a mountain climber turned humanitarian, it helped me get out of my own little world and see the suffering that goes on in others' worlds. More importantly, the authors demonstrate that even little efforts can change people's lives. To top it all off, the story is so compelling, I've been able to read for hours at a time (a key requirement for Distraction reading) and it is beautifully told. A good story well told--it doesn't get any better than that.

On Monday night, DH (who had been working very hard to take care of me and also get some needed house and garden work done) sat down with me to watch our latest Netflix movie, Last Chance Harvey, a quirky story about two seeming misfits, one American and one British, whose chance meeting in London proves that life does sometimes give us second chances. Short, well-written and well-cast (Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson), it really fits the bill for quality Distraction.

I'm back at my desk today, trying to dig out through the piles, but come the weekend, I will again be looking for more Distraction. Any suggestions?

Carpet Issues

Sitting on my desk for several days has been Green America's most recent newsletter with its feature article entitled, "Detoxing Carpeted Floors." Immediately I thought I should post about this. Yet, I hesitated, because the whole subject of carpeting brings up some less than happy feelings for me. It was the installation of new carpet, along with other remodeling, in our church building last year which still prohibits me from attending meetings with my own congregation. I had a lot of bad feelings toward the "people in charge" at the time, and talking about it only brings those feelings back to the surface.

However, my bad feelings have done nothing to change the situation, so I need to do something positive and help other people understand what CAN be done to lessen the impact of new flooring. So here are some suggestions from Green America:

1) If possible, don't use carpet at all. Alternative flooring includes hardwood, cork, bamboo or natural linoleum. Just make sure than any finishes you use on these floors are non-VOC. (We put hardwood flooring in part of our last house and used a non-VOC finish with no problem.)

2) Use safer carpeting. Look for natural fibers like wool, sisal, jute or seagrass. There are also companies making low-VOC carpets out of recycled nylon. Other low-VOC carpets are available from several different major manufacturers. Be sure to check the content of the carpet backing (which holds the carpet together). Natural latex or jute are good choices (unless you are allergic to latex, of course).

3) When the carpet is installed, make sure it is tacked down, not glued. Glues are the main source of VOCs in carpet. If glue must be used, there are low-VOC options.

4) Look for carpets that are not treated with toxic coatings. The Green Label from the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) prohibits the use of some VOCs (but not all).

5) Look for carpets that are undyed or vegetable-dyed.

6) Use padding made from recycled nylon or recycled wool.

No matter what kind of carpet you install, there are things you can do to facilitate outgassing. Here are some recommendations from Green America:

1) Coat new carpets with an eco-friendly carpet finish like American Formulating & Manufacturing/s (AFM) CarpetSeal. This seems counter intuitive, like adding more chemicals, but I am told it works to contain the VOCs in the carpet for up to a year or through five shampoos.

2) Use a HEPA vacuum and vacuum often.

3) Shampoo carpets carefully with non-toxic products. Green America recommends companies that use carbonated water, such as Zero Residue and ChemDry.

4) Before carpet is installed, have the company roll it out in their warehouse for at least 72 hours before installation.

5) Have windows open while carpet is being installed and for at least 72 hours afterward. It is also effective during this time period to turn up the heat and have fans going. Heat and air circulation will greatly speed up the outgassing process.

6) Insist that family and all guests remove their shoes as soon as they walk in the door. Shoes track in pesticides and other chemicals, which stick to and build up on the carpet.

According to the nonprofit Healthy Child, Healthy World, "Although offgassing from carpets decreases significantly several months after installation, carpets can emit these fumes for as long as five years." However, there are things that can be done to make carpeting a healthier floor covering option. It takes a little more effort, but the results can be lifesaving.

And for the record, I personally prefer carpeting to hard floor surfaces, especially with Montana's long cold winters. We have followed all of the above suggestions, and I don't have a problem with the carpets in our home.