Frequently Asked Questions

What is Building Biology?

Building Biology is a health science that looks at the relationship between humans and the buildings that they inhabit as well as the relationship between buildings and the natural environment. Building Biology helps to identify hazards in the indoor built environment and educate people about the potential health effects as well as the devastating effects on the planet as a whole. Building Biology operates on 25 principles developed by Anton Schneider from Germany in the 1970's. Air quality, water quality, soil pollution, electromagnetic radiation, toxic chemicals in cleaning products, building materials as well as building design are all considered by a Building Biologist. The building in which you live or work represents your third skin and as such it should be able to breathe and support your well being.

How can buildings affect a person's well being?

If the building is too hot or too cold, too humid or too dry then your well being can be affected. Many glues and resins in furniture, curtains, kitchen cabinets, paint, varnishes and plastics off-gas what is called volatile organic compounds that are linked to numerous health effects.

Mould, due to water leaks and spills or just high humidity and a lack of ventilation, can cause serious respiratory problems and has even caused death in infants. Unflued gas heaters and stove tops can cause toxic gas exposure (carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide). A lack of ventilation can cause stale polluted air to circulate in the home and not allow a fresh exchange of air from the outside.

Electric blankets, mobile phones, dishwashers, meter boxes on the bed head side of a wall can all cause long term exposure to electromagnetic fileds.

The long ingredients list of synthetic chemicals in toothpaste, shampoo, soap, cream, deodorant, hairspray, packaged food etc all adds to the toxic load that our bodies deal with on a daily basis.

Toxicity builds up in the body and signs are sent by the body via:

headaches
skin rashes
sleeplessness
sore eyes
runny nose
sore throat
stomach ache
liver damage
kidney damage
cancer

Building Biologists consider ergonomics in their assesments and focus on the light, noise level and general layout of a workspace to reduce both emotional and physical ailments.The light, colours, noise level and general layout of a workspace can cause both emotional and physical ailments.

What is Sick Building Syndrome?

Sick building syndrome simply refers to the situation in which something within the building structure is making the occupants sick.The occupants only get sick when they are in the building and the symptoms abate when the occupants leave the building.

What is Electrobiology?

Electrobiology refers to the affect that electrical and electromagnetic fields / radiation have on people. Electrobiology involves detecting areas of high radiation and eliminating or reducing their effects on the occupants exposed.

An electromagnetic field is created whenever current is flowing. The greater the current the greater the electromagnetic field. This is why meter boxes and power lines are such a concern. Laptop computers and mobile phones however also produce electromagnetic radiation and they are of major concern as they are in such close proximity to the body and often for extended periods of time. Young children are particularly at risk as there brains are still developing and there is still plenty of cell division taking place.

What are some causes of indoor air pollution?

Lack of ventilation and fresh air exchange (leads to mould, stale air, fatigue, carbon dioxide toxicity), the average vacuum cleaner, synthetic chemical air fresheners, photocopiers (emit ozone), new paint, varnish, nail polish removers, faulty gas appliances, unflued gas heaters (gas emits carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide amongst other so called combustion gases), perfume, new pressed wood products (like kitchen cupboards), new carpets, new curtains, dust mites, dust, asbestos, some insulation (synthetic mineral fibres), smoke, formaldehyde (used in glues, resins, paints, building materials , caravans, mobile homes, shelving, cabinetry and furniture). Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, which means it is known to cause cancer and is used in so many applications.

Volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) are also present in all commercial cleaning agents. This is why there is such a strong smell when going down the detergent aisle in the supermarket. It is all the VOC’s off gassing.