Debra's List is my own ongoing list of links to websites with nontoxic, natural, and earthwise products. I've been collecting these resources for over twenty years and am very happy to finally have a format I can both update and share with others. It's over 200 links now and I have over 1000 more to post, but you can get a taste of what is to come. This is only the beginning...

First come, first served. I will have a limited number of pre-publication copies of the new, updated, revised edition of my book Home Safe Home.

I can ship them to you in time for Christmas gifts. I'm starting to collect advance orders now. The price for the 450-page book is $19.95 (full retail) plus shipping and handling. Autographed copies will be available for an additional $10 fee. To order, please go to my website and follow instructions on the order form. This is a limited time offer, so order your autographed copy or holiday gift today.

We knew that already, but now a study has confirmed it. Researchers tested 40 common consumer products--from lipstick to all-purpose cleaners-- and found that 34 of them contained highly dangerous toxic chemicals that were not listed on their labels. Laboratory results showed that 85% contained ether glycols, organic solvents, or phthalates even though there was no mention of these poisons on the labels of the products.

In the last issue, I posted a question asking how to prevent cotton and hemp shower curtains from molding. The web-business Home Environment--who sells 100% cotton duck shower curtains and shower curtains made from hemp--had the answer.

The best way to keep natural-fiber shower curtains mold-free is to pre-treat them before their first use with AFM X158, "a clear, odorless defensive sealer designed to encapsulate surfaces which would typically be subject to mold and mildew attack." Their website says "Hemp absorbs water up to 20% of it's weight, dries quickly, and resists mildew," but speaking to them on the phone, I found out that hemp can still mildew, depending on conditions, but because it dries faster, it mildews less than cotton. Pre-treatment with X158 should keep your shower curtain in good shape.

Do you need help finding or choosing products? Have questions about health or environmental issues? I'm here by the phone most days from 10:00am-4:00pm to answer your questions. Call me at 727-466-6812 ($2/minute with 15 minute/$30 minumum charge to major credit card).