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/

In which we discuss per- and poly-fluoroalkylsubstances (PFAS) with Carol Kwiatkowski of the Green Science Policy Institute (https://greensciencepolicy.org), their properties, function, consumer products, toxicity, persistence, chemical analysis, and regulation both in the US and EU. Some companies, like Keen, are eliminating PFAS from their products. We then discuss a few green substitutes, including Solberg Co.'s firefighting foam, a fatty acid coated cellulose, and iron skillets. Host–Felicia Etzkorn of Virginia Tech, co-host–Jamie Ferguson of Emory & Henry College, with music by Wendy Godley of The Kind.

PFAS review: Kwiatkowski, C. F.; Andrews, D. Q.; Birnbaum, L. S.; Bruton, T. A.; DeWitt, J. C.; Knappe, D. R. U.; Maffini, M. V.; Miller, M. F.; Pelch, K. E.; Reade, A.; Soehl, A.; Trier, X.; Venier, M.; Wagner, C. C.; Wang, Z.; Blum, A., Scientific Basis for Managing PFAS as a Chemical Class. Env Sci & Tech Letters 2020, 7 (8), 532-543.

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.estlett.0c00255

EPA Reassessment: https://cen.acs.org/environment/persistent-pollutants/US-EPA-deems-two-GenX-PFAS-chemicals-more-toxic-than-PFOA/99/web/2021/10?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_campaign=CEN

Alternatives: https://pfascentral.org/pfas-free-products/

Keen PFAS-free: https://www.keenfootwear.com/conservation/blog-article-20390.html

Solberg Co firefighting foam: https://www.perimeter-solutions.com/class-a-b-foam/

PFAS in cosmetics: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.estlett.1c00240

PFAS in fracking: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/12/climate/epa-pfas-fracking-forever-chemicals.html

Dark Waters, Movie about PFAS in WV with Mark Ruffalo: https://www.yidio.com/movie/dark-waters/210401

Binding of PFOA to human serum albumin: Maso, L. et. al., Unveiling the binding mode of perfluorooctanoic acid to human serum albumin. Protein Sci 2021, 30 (4), 830-841.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pro.4036

Breaking down PFAS: Lockwood, D., Photocatalyst shreds drinking water contaminant PFOA. Chem & Eng News 2018, 96 (36). https://cen.acs.org/environment/persistent-pollutants/Photocatalyst-shreds-drinking-water-contaminant/96/i36

Vermont regulations passed: https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/longevity/554680-vermont-governor-signs-first-in-nation-restrictions-on