Get Your House Tested / Get a Professional

WHAT IS A BUILDING BIOLOGIST?

A Building Biologist is trained to identify, measure and where possible, solve the myriad of health hazards that exist in the home and workplace from air, water and biological contaminants to electromagnetic field pollution and geopathic stress. They are also trained to provide advice on building healthy homes, taking into consideration their impact on indoor air quality as well as their embodied energy 'from the cradle to the grave' in order to assist in the selection of alternative and sustainable materials. By doing so, the aim is to create dwellings and workplaces that maximise work productivity, and homes that support the mind, body and soul. We can provide advice on:

Building a healthy home – they will work in conjunction with your architect, draft person or builder to provide advice at the design stage
Chemicals – arising from paint fumes, glues, solvents, or personal care and cleaning products can be tested.
Assess and improve drinking water quality
Electromagnetic fields – are you concerned about a nearby mobile phone tower, or emissions from household appliances, wireless technology, substations, meter box…?
Gases – carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides…
Geopathic stress
Indoor air quality hazards such as dust, VOC, humidity, temperature and gases
Mould and bacteria

AUDITS

A list of building biologists around Australia can be found on the Australasian Society of Building Biologists website. Wholistic Consultants was established to assess the health hazards in the home. With over 15 years experience as a naturopath, and a pioneer in the field of building biology, Nicole Bijlsma specialises in assessing the home for allergens and electromagnetic fields. There are a variety of packages to suit your needs.

Pre inspection Audit (Electromagnetic fields OR Mould) $195 (plus travel costs if outside of Melbourne)

Option 1: Thinking about buying or renting a home but concerned about the high voltage transmission lines or nearby mobile phone towers? This audit takes around an 1 hour and includes an evaluation of external sources of magnetic fields and microwave emissions from high voltage transmission lines, power lines, substations and nearby mobile phone towers that could be affecting the home. A verbal summary is provided at the time of the audit.

Option 2: Think the home you are about to rent or buy may have a mould problem? This audit takes up around an hour and includes an exterior and interior visual inspection for dampness and mould. It also includes an assessment of temperature, relative humidity and moisture levels in building materials suspected to be affected by dampness. A verbal summary is provided at the time of the audit. This audit will not detect the type of fungi or prevalence of spores or MVOCs in the air. To determine the type of fungi and its prevalence in the air requires air and/or surface sampling. Laboratory costs are $150 per sample.

Allergen Audit $395 (plus travel costs if outside of Melbourne)

Suffer from allergies, asthma, sinus, runny eyes or ongoing colds and flus? Maybe there's something in the house you are allergic to? The audit includes a visual inspection for allergens in the house including dust, dust mite, dampness, pet dander and mould (an indoor air quality meter and moisture meter are used). An investigation of your vacuum cleaner, cleaning methods, and heating and cooling systems will be conducted. As part of the audit, you will be shown how to effectively reduce your exposure to these hazards and clean your home without the need for harsh chemicals. The cost includes a copy of Healthy Home Healthy Family book. A verbal summary is provided at the time of the audit with a summary provided by email. Reports incur an extra charge of $195.

Electromagnetic field audit $395 (plus travel costs if outside of Melbourne)

This audit takes approximately two hours and includes an evaluation of electromagnetic fields arising from both within and outside of the house such as from high voltage transmission lines, power lines, substations and nearby mobile phone towers, appliances, meter box/smart meter and wireless technologies (cordless phones, wireless routers, mobile phones...). The focus will be on taking readings where the occupants spend time in the house such as the living spaces, bedrooms and study. The cost includes a copy of Healthy Home Healthy Family book. A summary of what was found will be described at the time of the audit with a summary provided by email. Reports incur an extra charge of $195.

Building a healthy home (charge an hourly rate)

For most of us, our home will be the biggest investment of our life. With the shift towards creating energy efficient buildings, few builders, architects or government authorities have considered the adverse impact this may have on the health of the occupants. A building biologist will work with your architect / draftsperson to design a home that supports the health and the wellbeing of the family. In particularly we will provide advice regarding the choice of healthy building materials that don't adversely affect the indoor air quality or electroclimate of the home. This is particularly useful if you suffer from allergies, have asthma, are chemically or electrically sensitive, or just wish to create a healthy living environment. For consultants who specialise in building healthy homes, click here.

Payment methods: credit card, money order, cheque and cash. Payment is required on the day of the audit.

For Enquiries or Bookings: Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / Mobile: 0417 310 002