Building biology
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Building biology (or Baubiologie as it was coined in Germany) is a field of building science investigating the indoor living environment for a variety of irritants. Practitioners believe the environment of residential, commercial and public buildings can affect the health of the occupants, producing a restful or stressful environment. Important areas of building biology building materials and processes, electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and radiation (EMR) and indoor air quality (IAQ).[1]
There are 25 Principles of Building Biology [1], which govern the decision making of Building Biologists.
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[edit] Effects of poor building
After World War II, new houses were rapidly built in Germany to accommodate the growing population. Studies[2] of these new houses found an unusual patterns of illnesses. It was concluded that these patterns could be attributed to the rapid construction of the buildings. The rapid construction had given materials insufficient time to outgas various volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and these VOCs instead harmed the occupants. The illness is als o attributable to problems with the electrical systems of the homes.
From these discoveries a study[2][3] began in earnest among a few individuals to catalog and characterize these VOCs. What emerged was a Standard of Baubiologie Method of Testing[2], with recommended threshold guidelines for sleeping areas, where one is most susceptible and spends a large amount of time. A small cadre of individuals was formed, and Anton Schneider, Wolfgang Maes and the Institut für Baubiologie und Ökologie Neubeurn (IBN) started a training system in building biology.
One of the architects, Helmut Ziehe, introduced building biology to the United States. In 1987, he founded the International Institute of Building Biologie and Ecology (IBE) (http://buildingbiology.net) which presently offers seminars in building biology. Two certification streams are available, the Building Biology and Environmental Consultant (BBEC) and the Building Biology Practitioner (BBP).
The three groups of most sensitive individuals that reap the greatest benefits are: infants, the elderly, and the immuno-compromised[1]. Some people become environmentally hypersensitive, and although conventional medicine suggests that the problem(s) may be psychological, there is growing acceptance that there is an environmental cause. One aspect of this problem is known as multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS)[4][5][6].
[edit] Criticism
Some practices of building biology conflict with the International Building Code, which is enforced by various government agencies. Some practitioners of building biology argue that lobbying by the insurance, building material and chemical industries keeps unhealthy building practices in legal building.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Wolfgang Maes
- Institut für Baubiologie und Ökologie Neubeurn (IBN)
- International Institute for Bau-Biologie & Ecology (IBE)
- Building Biology Network Australia
[edit] References
- ^ a b IBE
- ^ a b c IBN
- ^ Maes
- ^ See MCS referral service at http://www.mcsrr.org/resources/articles.html
- ^ Johnson, Allison, ed., Casualties of progress, Personal histories from the Chemically sensitive
- ^ Kipen H., W. Hallman, K. Kelly-McNeil, and N. Fiedler. 1995. "Measuring chemical sensitivity prevalence: A questionnaire for population studies." Amer J of Public Health, Vol.85, No.4, 574-577
[Australian Society of Building Biologists]
