In which Felicia interviews Michiel Brouns of Brouns & Co., who got his start in restoring historical buildings. We talk all about the sustainability of all-natural boiled linseed oil paint: how it polymerizes, that it is derived from flax seeds, and how it is biodegradable in the environment, so it makes no toxic microplastics. The paint requires nothing to dilute it, no solvents, so it contains only trace natural volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The pigments are non-toxic minerals, oxides like iron and zinc. Even though the cost is higher per can of paint, you apply it in very thin coats and it soaks into the wood, protecting it for the long term, without trapping moisture that causes wood to rot when painted with modern synthetic polymer paint. Linseed paint has protected buildings for thousands of years, so it is really quite inexpensive in the long run. Host–Felicia Etzkorn, Professor Emerita of Chemistry at Virginia Tech, with music by Wendy Godley of The Kind.

References:

Linseed Paint &Oil – A Practical Guide to the Traditional Production and Application by Michiel Brouns, The Crowood Press © Michiel Brouns 2023

In which Felicia explains the sustainability of some toothpaste ingredients. This is a partial list of ingredients, based mainly on two tubes of toothpaste in her bathroom, Sensodyne Pronamel Multi-Action and Burt's Bees Complete Multi-Care. The ingredients are classified by the function they serve in toothpaste: 1) active ingredients, 2) sticky stuff, 3) surfactants (detergents), 4) sweeteners, 5) whiteners, 6) minerals, and 7) flavors.

Sources include:

Wikipedia

PubChem

Sampaio, F.C.; Oliveira, A.F.B.d.; Fernandes, N.L.S.; Gentile, A.C.C.; Marinho, G.B.; B.necker, M.J.S.; Paschoal, M.A.B.; D’Alpino, P.H.P.; Vilhena, F.V. Silicon-, Silica-, and Silicate-Toothpastes for Remineralization and Repair of Teeth: A Scoping Review. Oral 2024, 4, 467–486. https://doi.org/10.3390/oral4040038

Kim, D., Seok, J.K., Kim, M. et al. Safety assessment of cocamidopropyl betaine, a cosmetic ingredient. Toxicol Res. 40, 361–375 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43188-024-00243-2

Rayssa Ferreira Zanatta, Daniele Mara da Silva Ávila, Karen Mayumi Miyamoto, Carlos Rocha Gomes Torres, Alessandra Bühler Borges; Influence of Surfactants and Fluoride against Enamel Erosion. Caries Res 11 January 2019; 53 (1): 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1159/000488207

Lai, C.; Nguyen, A.; Ye, L.; Hao, J.; Koo, H.; Mante, F.; Ozer, F. Antibacterial and Physical Properties of PVM/MA Copolymer- Incorporated Polymethyl Methacrylate as a Novel Antimicrobial Acrylic Resin Material. Molecules 2022, 27, 8848. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27248848

Söderling, E., Pienihäkkinen, K. Specific effects of xylitol chewing gum on mutans streptococci levels, plaque accumulation and caries occurrence: a systematic review.BMC Oral Health 25, 1275 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06602-1

Boerner, L.K. What is dental enamel, and how does it protect your teeth? Chem Eng News Oct 19, 2020

In which Felicia describes the materials choices for her kitchen remodel, and her guest, Helene Renard, Professor of Interior Design in the School of Architecture + Design at Virginia Tech, describes the “Healthier Materials and Sustainable Building” course she took with the Healthy Materials Lab at the Parsons School of Design. Host–Felicia Etzkorn of Virginia Tech, with music by Wendy Godley of The Kind.

Green Kitchen Remodel: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/e8tg8v/Green_Kitchen_Lecture_2015am1wy.pdf

Course: https://healthymaterialslab.org/learning-hub/e-learning-online-certificate-program

Healthy Materials Lab: https://healthymaterialslab.org/about/team

https://healthymaterialslab.org/