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By Nicole Bijlsma (Naturopath & Building Biologist and founder of the Australian College of Environmental Studies  www.buildingbiology.com.au)

New homes are like plastic bags, because they are completely enclosed and consequently dangerous to health.

Western civilisation has paid a high price for our desire to simplify our lifestyles. As a result of modernisation, we have unwittingly exposed ourselves to chemicals that are polluting our air and water sources and electromagnetic frequencies that only now we are becoming aware of. Ironically our homes are the source of most of these problems. As technology advances we will know the exact implications this will have on the human body, but are you prepared to wait that long?

Sick building syndrome is part of a growing number of environmental illnesses that are becoming more common in western society. It is a term used to describe a range of signs and symptoms that develop in susceptible individuals when they spend time in a building. They include:

·         Fatigue, general loss of concentration and memory

·         Headaches

·         Respiratory problems such as a dry nose and throat, stinging eyes, or cold and flu like symptoms

·         Dry, red or itchy skin

Whilst many of you may shrug this off as not being relevant, think again. Rising carbon dioxide levels are a common cause of fatigue and poor concentration in a room with little or no air exchange. Ask yourself how often you dozed off at school, at a meeting or every time you went to the public library. I’ve noticed this every time I lecture in a certain room at the college. Within 90 minutes, I need to give my students a break because their ability to take in the information has dwindled considerably.

Today’s ‘kit’ homes contribute significantly to health problems as a result of poor air exchange, rising indoor air pollution and increased exposure to electromagnetic fields. New homes are often completely sealed with synthetic materials, paints, silicone products, vinyl (PVC) and plastics that have a potentially adverse effect on the natural ion balance and therefore the electroclimate of the home. Furthermore sealing our homes not only alters the humidity levels thereby enabling microbial growth such as mould to grow, it also alters the carbon dioxide and oxygen ratios which may have serious consequences on our ability to sleep and study. These building materials have a compounding effect, to the extent in which our homes are actually causing disease. We also need to consider the impact that these building materials have on the environment around us. The continual use of non-renewable resources can not continue indefinitely.

Ironically by sealing our buildings in order to save energy, we have begun to use more energy to recondition the stale, trapped air.

There are three areas that need to be addressed:

1.       Ventilation

2.       Electromagnetic fields

3.       Building materials.

Environmental scientists estimate air pollution to be 20 times worse inside a home compared with the outside air.

When you consider that the average person spends 95% of their time indoors, the ramifications of this statement on human health are potentially mind blowing. To estimate how good the ventilation is in your home, compare it to the outdoor air. If it does not smell as fresh, there is likely to be a problem with ventilation in your home.

The quality of air in the home is affected by the following.

1.       The storage of chemicals such as laundry and cleaning products, cosmetics, gardening products, motorized garden equipment, paints, petrol, oils and lubricants and other potentially harmful materials. These chemicals constantly ‘off gas’ through their containers and emit these toxic fumes into the air.

2.       The number and location of open doors and windows as well as useable fans, vents and rangehoods.

3.       The type of heating, cooling and cooking appliances that are present such as an air conditioner, humidifiers, ducted heating, open fire place, gas stove and so on. Unflued gas appliances are a major health concern.

4.       The types of building materials that your home is made up of.

IMPROVING VENTILATION IN THE HOME

This can be done by implementing the following suggestions:

1.       Open windows. Sinks and basins should have open windows above them to enable the steam to get access to the outside air.

2.       Install industrial exhaust fans and vents in the walls that have direct access to the outside air (and not the roof). All stoves should have adequate exhaust fans. This is particularly so for old gas stoves as the majority of them leak minute amounts of gas into the air. To keep the air clean, the exhaust fan should be kept on permanently above all gas stoves. It is for this reason that electric stoves are preferred. Similarly exhaust fans should be above the dryer, shower, bath and laundry trough so that the steam and odours they emit have direct access to the outside air (and not the roof). As such dryers and washing machines should be located on an exterior wall. This is particularly important for dryers as they raise humidity levels to such a degree that mould can easily grow. Exterior vents should be present in all rooms of the house.

3.       Reduce the amount of cosmetics, toiletries, laundry and cleaning products required and store them in areas that enable their gasses to dissipate to the outside air. In particularly keep chemicals away from linen and foodstuffs including pet food so that their gasses dissipate to the outside air. Bicarbonate soda and vinegar are much better cleaning alternatives. Choose chemical cleaning agents that are biodegradable. Pesticides such as fly sprays and other biocidic chemicals should be avoided because they kill life and therefore will also be harmful to you. Alternatively, remove from the kitchen and put them in the laundry, garage or shed. The best way to get rid of living organisms like insects is to keep food and rubbish in sealed containers, place flyscreens on the windows and have good air flow in the house so that they are not attracted by the smells in the first place.

4.       Keep pets out of the house or at least away from the bedrooms and avoid smoking anywhere in the house.

5.       Use natural building materials that enable the room to breathe. These include unlacquered wood, ceramic and terracotta tiles, cork, natural linoleum, bamboo, metal, rammed earth, mudbrick and stones. Metal is particularly good in the kitchen because it is easy to clean and inhibits the growth of many micro-organisms. Synthetic materials such as plastics, vinyls, plywood, chipboard, laminate, asphalt and fibreglass should be avoided.

6.       Limit your use of plastic containing foods and beverages and other non-recyclable items. Where possible, recycle your wastes such as cans, bottles and paper and use a compost bin to recycle your food scraps. 

7.       Store foods in cupboards on exterior walls, for they are not only cooler but also enable you to put in vents to the outside air. Ensure the cupboards are made from natural fibres so that they do not off gas and poison the food. At all costs do not store cleaning products or odorous materials with the food.

The recent media attention on electromagnetic fields reflects the public’s concern regarding this issue and for good reason. Animal and epidemiological studies are suggesting a very real link between electromagnetic fields and disease.

WHAT ARE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS

Electricity was first discovered early last century by Maxwell and Faraday when they produced an electric current in a coil of copper by moving a magnet near it.

Electricity involves the flow of electrons. Wherever there is electricity, there are electrical and magnetic fields. Electrical fields are measured in volts and emanate from anything that contains electricity under pressure such as wiring and appliances. These fields are easily influenced by their surroundings as a result of their need to be grounded.  In contrast, magnetic fields are measured in gauss and are only generated when an electrical appliance is being used. Furthermore, unlike electrical fields, magnetic fields will penetrate most materials including concrete, bricks and steel which makes them potentially more harmful to the human body. Switching an appliance off at the wall only stops the electrons from flowing. Whilst this removes the magnetic field, the electrical field still remains. Fortunately both fields steadily become weaker with distance.

Electromagnetic field is the term used to describe any forms of non-ionizing radiation ranging from extra low frequency’s to radio waves and microwaves on the electromagnetic spectrum. These frequencies are used in navigation, radar, mobile phones, television, radio, power lines and are also utilised by most household appliances. The earth’s magnetic field also falls in the lower end of this category.

Human cells are 100 times more sensitive to electrical stimuli than chemical stimuli.

SUSPECTED EFFECTS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS

There is much controversy surrounding the effect electromagnetic fields have on the human body. However there is growing evidence to indicate that they interfere with the body’s endocrine (hormone), nerve and immune systems with some studies suggesting an increased likelihood of chronic fatigue syndrome, childhood leukemia’s, brain tumours and various other forms of cancers. More subtly, electromagnetic fields may cause insomnia, fatigue and headaches in some individuals.

HOW TO REDUCE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS IN YOUR HOME

First and most importantly, enlist the services of a good electrician who will earth the entire electrical system of your house properly. The ideal electrical system contains an equal amount of current going into the building as the current going out. Shielded wiring should also be used to reduce the electrical field.

To reduce the electric and magnetic field from any appliance, it must not only be switched off but also unplugged at the wall.

Examine the areas of the home you spend the most time in such as the bed, your favorite chair and/or desk. Identify all of the potential sources of electromagnetic radiation you can find around these items and attempt to remedy them by implementing the following suggestions.

·         Computers should be avoided in bedrooms. If this is not possible, unplug the cords at the wall so that they do not emit an electrical field whilst you are sleeping. Keep at least one meter away from the monitor when working and use a low radiation screen.

·         Electrical appliances that are plugged in the wall but not switched on still emit an electrical field. As such, all electrical equipment should be avoided in bedrooms. This includes TV, VCRs, radios, stereos, phones and electric blankets. Digital clock radios should be exchanged for battery operated or wind up clocks. If this is not possible, ensure your head is at least two metres away from the clock. Furthermore, avoid all forms of electrical equipment including fridges and the meter box on the other side of the wall of the bedhead, desk or favourite chair.

·         Electrical wires should be tied parallel to each other in order to reduce the electromagnetic field emanating from them. Non-parallel wires generally produce a high magnetic field.

·         Meter/fuse box should be put in the garage, cupboard or storage room where they are well away from bedrooms and other living areas. If this is not possible, move the bed or desk away from this wall.

·         Microwaves can be particularly dangerous if they are old as they may emit microwave radiation through damaged rubber seals. Service your microwave at least every two years or purchase a newer model.

·         Mobile phones should be used sparingly due to the potential health hazards they may cause. Limit your use of them and when possible, use a landline phone to make calls. Use a free hands kit and/or car kit wherever possible.

·         Fluorescent lighting emits considerably higher amounts of electromagnetic fields than normal light globes.

·         Phones that are portable also emit electromagnetic fields so limit your use of them or consider getting a non-portable landline phone.

·         Power lines, pylons and transformers. All homes should be a safe distance (at least 100metres) away from these objects as a result of the potentially high levels of electromagnetic fields they emit.

·         Power points should be kept to a minimum and strategically placed away from bedheads.

·         Smoke detectors of the ionising type contain a radioactive isotope called americum-241. This radioactive material emits background radiation that is equivalent to one chest x-ray per year. Though they are more expensive, it is better to use non-ionising smoke detectors as they do not contain this radioactive material.

·         Stand by modes. Electrical fields are emitted from appliances which are on standby to the extent in which they use almost half the amount of electricity compared to when they are used. Furthermore it increases the risk of that appliance overheating and consequently catching fire.

·         Synthetic materials such as carpets and furnishing should be avoided in a home as they create static electricity that consequently depletes beneficial negative ions in the air. This is a common contributing factor to sick building syndrome.

·         TV, VCRs, radios, stereos in living areas should be at least three metres from the chairs you occupy. Also check to see what is on the other side of the wall behind these appliances and move any beds, desks or chairs that are here.

Homes made from local timber will stand up to the climatic variables of heat, cold, and humidity, as well as to the native microbial organisms because they have been conditioned to that environment. In contrast, foreign timbers are less adaptable and consequently are at the mercy of the weather and microorganisms present in their new environments.

The materials found locally in which we live, are the most suitable to adapt to variations in that environment.

Of particularly concern is the growing number of volatile organic compounds found in our homes. Volatile organic compounds are highly reactive man made chemicals such as formaldehyde, benzene and ammonia which are found in most polymers, solvents and plastics.

Volatile organic compounds become gaseous at room temperature such that the warmer the indoor air, the more they are released.

Building materials should be examined according to their impact on the home, the human body and the environment. Naturally occurring materials are more beneficial to the creation of a healthy home than synthetic, energy inefficient ones. They are also more sustainable, longer lasting with less adverse environmental consequences and thereby more cost effective in the long term.

Building materials are assessed in the following ways to determine their ecological viability and effects on the human body. By using this criteria, we can assess the introduction of materials into our homes and can recommend suitable materials for the construction of a new, or the renovation of an existing home.

Compiled by Nicole Bijlsma founder of the Australian College of Environmental Studies www.buildingbiology.com.au  or courses@fengshui-international.com.au