Originating
from Germany, Building Biology is a science that investigates the
health hazards in and around the built environment. These hazards
include everything from the products we use to air, water and biological
contaminants as well as electromagnetic fields and geopathic stress.
Health statistics over the past few years tell the story. Breast cancer
has more than doubled since the 1960s, 1 in 4 children now have asthma,
and IVF has become the norm to have children. Could these conditions
be linked to the homes in which we live? Building biologists certainly
think so! According to the World Health Organisation, every year indoor
air pollution is responsible for the death of 1.6 million people -
that's one death every 20 seconds! (WHO, 2007).
Despite the legislation and financial resources put into addressing
ambient (outdoor) air pollution, very little is done to address indoor
air quality even though it is 5 times more polluted (WHO,
2007). Since World War 11, with the development of the chemical
and plastics industries, we have unleashed a plethora of chemicals
into our air and water supplies. Most of these have never been tested
to determine their impact on human health and yet they are part of
our everyday lives. Despite the growing scientific evidence associating
these hazards with specific disease states, there are few professionals
who truly understand the synergistic impact they may have on the mental
and physical state of human beings let alone
the ecology of the planet. Building biology provides a wholistic examination
of the built environment and provides realistic solutions to create
buildings that support the mind, body and soul.
Nicole
Bijlsma (B.H.Sc.Ac(HONS),
N.D, Grad.Dip.OHS, Dip BB, Ct.Feng Shui)
