BUILDING BIOLOGY
Whilst my first love is everything ‘Feng Shui’ I cannot deny the fact that there are many other environmental hazards that may affect the balance and health of your home which is why I offer Building Biology assessments in conjunction with or independently from my Feng Shui consultations.
Have you ever wondered why maybe a cough may disappear when you go on holidays or the children’s asthma improves when you are away from your home for extended periods? Many of us presume that the stress of everyday life is the cause of these illnesses and the symptoms are reduced while on holidays because we are relaxed, however this could be due to poor indoor air quality. Our work environment could also be a contributing factor and as most people spend much of their time indoors we are exposed to a concoction of chemicals that we bring into our home/work which may affect our health, these include: new furniture off gassing, building materials, cleaning products, combustion gases from fireplaces and gas cooktops, air fresheners, pesticides, pollutants such as mould, dust mites and the personal care products/makeup we use on a daily basis. If this is you, or you are unsure if your home/office are affecting your health we may be able to help.
Building Biology originated in Germany in the early 1960’s when scientists began to investigate why people living in mainly post WW2 built homes were unwell. Many of these homes were built quickly and subjected to unnatural building materials. A combination of poor ventilation and toxic building materials meant that the occupants inhabiting the homes were becoming sick, the term used being, ‘Sick Building Syndrome’ (SBS).
As stated by the Department of Environment and Energy (Australian Government), ‘The term ‘sick building syndrome’ (SBS) is used to describe an excess of chronic symptoms. Some short term symptoms may be described as irritation of the skin, eyes and throat. Headache, drowsiness and general irritancy are also indicators of SBS. Long term symptoms such as cancer and respiratory disease may be caused by long term, periodic exposure to chemicals such as formaldehyde and microscopic fibres such as asbestos’.
BUILDING BIOLOGY SERVICES
Indoor Air
Provide an assessment of the indoor air quality in your home which includes chemicals/toxins related to cleaning products, dust and dust mites, pesticides, ventilation, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), mould, paints, furniture, building materials and gas appliances. Adverse symptoms include and are not limited to irritation of the skin, eyes and throat, headache and drowsiness.
Electromagnetic Fields (EMF)
An assessment of your home including outside influences, and advice on minimising your exposure to EMF’s.
In 2011 the World Health Organisaton (WHO) categorised electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones and Wi-Fi as Possibly Carcinogenic (cancer-causing) (Class 2B).
Constant exposure to EMFs may cause adverse health effects such as headache and migraine, learning, concentration and behavioural problems, dizziness, nausea, insomnia, fatigue, anxiety and depression, muscle and joint pains.
Electromagnetic Fields (EMF)
An assessment of your home including outside influences, and advice on minimising your exposure to EMF’s.
In 2011 the World Health Organisaton (WHO) categorised electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones and Wi-Fi as Possibly Carcinogenic (cancer-causing) (Class 2B).
Constant exposure to EMFs may cause adverse health effects such as headache and migraine, learning, concentration and behavioural problems, dizziness, nausea, insomnia, fatigue, anxiety and depression, muscle and joint pains.
Drinking water assessment
An assessment of your water and advice on the best filtration system to suit your circumstances.
Drinking water may expose you to toxins such as pesticides, lead, copper, fluoride and chlorine.
Mould
Mould has been in the news a lot recently and most of us know how detrimental this can be to our health causing conditions such as bronchitis, asthma, skin irritation and Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). An assessment of the premises will include determining possible water damage/ingress and advice on the removal and prevention of mould. In severe cases we are able to refer you to the appropriate specialist in this area.
Please note: I am not a medical doctor and I do not provide medical advice. Where appropriate, I will refer clients to appropriate qualified medical professionals.