Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: November 2006 Archives

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Braces are a part of growing up for many children, but what if your child is allergic to the materials used in orthodontics, such as nickel?

Experts at Children's Mercy Hospital said those with nickel allergies can still go after that great smile and perfect bite.

Von Smith was concerned about her 11-year-old daughter, Kara, getting braces because she had severe skin reactions to nickel, which is used in the wire in most children's braces.

Question: I am getting rid of wall-to-wall carpeting because of the kids’ allergies. I want to replace it with hardwood floors. Will hardwood insulate as well as the carpet and what woods are best?

Answer: Hardwood is one of the most beautiful flooring materials and it is a natural, renewable resource. Even though wood is a reasonable insulator, it will not provide as much insulation as carpeting over a pad.

With its millions of tiny air pockets though, wood flooring does feel warm to your feet and its natural rich appearance creates a comfy ambiance. The insulation level of the flooring material does not have a significant impact upon utility bills. If your home is built over a crawl space, either insulate beneath the floor structure or the entire crawl space. For a house on a slab, insulate around the slab perimeter. If you have a basement, the temperature difference across the floor is insignificant.