Has anyone had an experience with nut shells being found in fireplace logs? John, from John Leonard Studios (my pal and favorite jewelry artist), emailed me yesterday warning that he had just read to be aware that some fire-place logs use peanut or tree shells. I immediately zipped onto Duraflame’s website and requested a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) in addition to asking the question, “nuts in a fireplace log”?
After a quick internet search, I did find a few sources citing that peanut shells can be used in fire-place logs, “Non-Edible Uses for Peanuts”. I also found postings from peanut allergic folks talking about Duraflame confirming a few years ago that indeed they use tree nut shells in their products. Food Allergies Families posted about this too in 2010, so I’m very anxious to see if this is still the policy. As soon as I hear back from Duraflame, I will post my findings into a new blog. Until then, I am pleased that John gave me the heads up. We use natural wood, but if we are visiting friends or in a vacation rental, we could be exposed. Actually, the fire-place smoke is not good for asthma, so we usually hang out around our gas stove and avoid our fireplace for burning. Besides, we would have to move the candles that I enjoy so much!
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One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..
Yes I remember that old post. I commented on it! We stopped using them and have used natural wood in our chiminea since the post. I just don’t trust it due to inhalation possibility. Keep us updated on what you find. Thanks for the post! Keep it up!
Thanita, when I dug around, I saw your comment
I am guessing this is still the case. I never knew?
You have got to be freaking kidding me!!!! Unbelievable!
Luann, I will keep you posted
I also remember that article. Peanuts and nuts (and food in general) show up in the weirdest places! A superb website that provides information on the unexpected places food may be found in non-food items is Chemurgy & Allergens, http://chemurgy.blogspot.com/. The author, Karen, has done an incredible job researching the subject.
Thanks Jennifer! Fabulous link
Hi, all! This is just another reason to give serious thinking about “real” fireplaces in general. While I love the smell of real wood burning, the homey feeling of seeing flames in a fireplace, etc., wood burning of any kind is really not good for any of us, nor for our environment. Artificial wood is no better. Obviously there are chemicals in those products that promote the lighting and burning. Who knows what future toxic effects those chemicals can have on someone?
Hi Lynda, one of my personal areas I want to address is the overal effect of wood burning on lungs and pollutions. I sit on the American SouthWest Regional board and we were just discussing this issue as something we will take up nationally. Some states have programs and incentives for clean energy for homes—we need this national wide though.
I swear my health issue this week is thanks to some wood being burned in my neighborhood!
Stay healthy!
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