How to
Achieve the Healthy Home and Office
by Jim Karnstedt
How can we create the kind of healthy indoor environment that will
promote a clear mind, a stable mood, and that sense of well being that
we reserve for that weekend at the beach or that too occasional
mountain hike? It has taken nearly a century to understand the
importance of nature's environmental caveats; Fresh air, sunshine,
clean water and a healthy diet. Finally, it looks like there is hope
for the environmentally challenged home and office dwellers who are
beginning to realize the implications of spending 70% to 90% of their
time indoors.
The late 70's gave birth to terms like clinical ecology, sick building
syndrome, ergonomics, and environmental medicine. After eons of
evolution from the cave to the farm to the energy efficient,
hermetically sealed homes and office buildings of today, we have
created an entirely new vocabulary of diseases. The increase in
allergies, asthma, hay fever, migraines, chemical sensitivities,
chronic fatigue syndrome, and various new viral maladies point to the
growing problem of compromised immune systems. We are all facing a
crisis in our collective health and a groundswell of potential
solutions are beginning to emerge. William Rhea, M.D. was one of our
first pioneers who decided to isolate those individuals who claimed
they were getting sick from "something" in their homes. At his practice
in North Dallas,Texas, Dr. Rhea created a variety of austere rooms in
which to discover those particular environmental stimuli that may have
been the culprits. He found that some patients were extremely sensitive
to the "outgassing" of certain chemically treated woods and paints.
Others were suffering from light deprivation, and most to mold, mildew,
and spores that were introduced. What was causing this growing
population of victims who were becoming refugees from their own homes?
Have we all strayed too far from those natural remedies to the cabin
fever we have all experienced?
Let's take a look at some corrective measures to ensure our own
sustainability in this rapidly increasing age of environmental hazards,
where technology may save us from itself. Newly understood parameters
of our indoor air quality, proper natural lighting breakthroughs, and
some intriguing twists with the latest water treatment systems are upon
us. Natural Building materials are growing in popularity as increased
knowledge of their health benefits are surfacing.
Indoor Air Quality
Most of us have taken the air we breathe for granted until recent years
when we have experienced entire office buildings needing to be emptied
and some destroyed due to "something in the air." Formaldehyde
insulation, radioactive cement, asbestos, Legionnaires disease and many
other molds, mildews and viruses, and radon, to name a few. In the move
to make our homes `energy efficient', we forgot about the energy
efficiency of its occupants.
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) has undergone a
renaissance in recent years due to the increase of man-made building
materials and the growing incidence of health related complaints. Air
filtration and treatment systems have improved greatly.
The use of electrostatic air cleaners as a means to reduce dust by over
90% have come a long way since the old technique of using the
fiberglass filter method which could only reduce dust by 40 to 50%.
Electrostatics work on the principle that when a positive charge (dust)
meets a negative charge (electrons) it is either trapped or neutralized
and carried to the nearest surface area. Some HVAC systems use the type
that have thin negatively charged piano-like wires which are suspended
above a series of positively charged plates. When the dust builds up on
the wires to a sufficient degree, a slight crackling sound is heard and
the accumulated dust is thrust to the collection plate. The homeowner
then removes this precipitator and cleans it by soaking it in hot water
and liquid dishwasher detergent, rinsing it, and putting it back for
another month or so of effective filtration. Another form of
electrostatic precipitator looks like a regular furnace filter, but has
a unique combination of honeycomb-like cells that respond to air
movement through them, creating a static charge that does an excellent
job of trapping particles down to .05 microns. (a human hair is about 5
microns thick) Most allergy specialists recommend this type as best for
dust.
Activated oxygen systems are the newest entry into the homeowners'
indoor air quality arena. These systems have not been without their
critics, however. They include negative ion, ozone, and ultraviolet air
treatment devices. Although hospitals, bars, restaurants, casinos, and
spas have addressed their stale, smoky, and often bacteria-filled air
with these true air "fresheners" for many years, some believe that they
may be harmful to human health. When the level of active oxygen is too
high, one may experience a dryness and irritation of mucous membranes
and perhaps a detoxifying headache, but when this technology is
employed properly, it can put the "life" back into stale, dead air.
Ionized, ozonated oxygen is probably the most important aspect of fresh
air. Nature has always created these essential ingredients in a perfect
balance to one another.
The latest advance with this aspect of energizing the air is the
creation of ozonators that produce no irritating nitrous oxides. Most
detractors of ozone and its new cousin , Aran (higher allotropic forms
of oxygen, O4, O5, etc.) have based their opinions on research which
employed the older, harmful alternating current (AC) technology not as
well suited to human environments. The positive charge could create
harmful levels of nitrous oxide compounds. However, the new ozone
technology is using only the beneficial negative charge. 80% of the air
we breathe is negatively charged nitrogen, 19% is oxygen, and the rest
is carbon-dioxide and the noble gasses. The choice of using these new
devices for enlivening your indoor air should be approached carefully
to make sure they are sized to the space in which they are used. You
will definitely feel more alert and energetic when you experience these
machines. Many companies are now making these available for cars,
boats, and airplanes. Their most effective applications are for
oxidizing mold, mildew, spores, dust mite feces, and volatile organic
compounds (VOC's). Air "conditioning" is really a misnomer and should
be called air cooling. Herein lies the cause of many of today's indoor
epidemics. In our need to be comfortable in hot weather, we have
sacrificed our total well being. The solution to bacteria and
mold-filled ductwork used to be chemical treatment. The new activated
oxygen systems have proven themselves to be much healthier alternative.
Let There Be Light
Every living plant and animal has evolved under natural sunlight for
most of their history, having adjusted their biological rhythms and
activities under its full spectrum radiation. It is only in the last
hundred years that mankind has moved almost entirely indoors. We now
have a higher incidence of skin cancer than ever before. Many believe
this is caused by excessive exposure to the sun. With today's modern
lifestyles and our 9-5 jobs, we are getting less "daily" exposure to
its health promoting frequencies and colors. This, coupled with less
oxygen on the planet and thereby less protective ozone to shield us
from the harmful short wave ultraviolet may be part of the problem.
Shorter exposures on a daily basis in order to build up our protective
melanin would be preferred.
Dr.Richard Wurtman, eminent endrocrinologist from the Massachussetts
Institute of Technology, once coined the term, "malillumination", to
describe the lack of the necessary spectral range required for the skin
and the retina. Malnutrition is caused by a limited palette of colors
on our dining room tables. He found that each frequency had a very
specific job to accomplish. Light, when mediated by the eye and
specifically the retina, sends signals to the hypothalamus and the
pituitary glands. These signals regulate many of the body's functions
which affect digestion, nutrient absorption, and immunity to infection
and disease. The sun gives the kind of ultraviolet (UV) light that
promotes general health and well being. Vitamin D is created when
sunlight interacts with our skin. In turn, this promotes calcium
utilization in our bones and a regulation of our pH or acid / alkaline
balance. When designing your interior lighting, remember that light has
more purpose than just being bright enough to see what you are doing.
Studies have shown that students had better academic performance with
less fatigue, reduced colds and flu, and better visual acuity when
working under full-spectrum light sources. Seasonal Affective Disorder
(SAD) is the condition many people experience in the winter months from
lack of light. It is appropriately named due to the depression that can
ensue.
Natural sunlight is the best source for all of our activities, even if
it is indirect. In addition to creating traditional skylights, a new
and popular technique is the creation of "light tubes." This is
accomplished by cutting a hole in your roof, extending a tube down to
your ceiling level above your favorite chair. One company sells a
system which includes a solar tracking mirror that directs sunlight
down this tube all day long! The Japanese have a similar technology
which uses fiber-optics in their office buildings, directing sunlight
to windowless rooms via "lightbars" recessed under a counter above the
workers' desks. Only cloudy days could take the joy out of this
innovative application.
The next preferred form of illumination is the full-spectrum
fluorescent light. The newest version of this is the T-8 tube (thinner
diameter). It has a high frequency electronic ballast which eliminates
the "flicker factor" and reduces the electromagnetic radiation to
almost undetectable levels. For those who have always had an aversion
to any fluorescent light source, this is pleasing to the eye, creates
better moods, and most closely mimics real sunlight. In addition, these
bulbs use less energy and give more light. Portable "light boxes"
employing this concept have become very popular.
Incandescent lighting usually has an excess of yellow due to the
frequency emitted by the tungsten filament. In the past, our only
choice to rectify this narrow, somewhat tiring frequency was to
purchase blue-tinted plant lights. The latest progression uses the rare
earth metal, neodymium, which is incorporated into the glass. It acts
both as a filter, to tone down the yellow, and like a prism, to enhance
the reds and blues. This light, sometimes referred to as color-
corrected, is the best in the world of incandescent, affecting visual
acuity while dramatically bringing out the color in fabrics and
artwork. Beauty salons, makeup counters, museums, and even actors'
dressing room mirrors are using this light for its many benefits. If
you can't find these lights or don't have control over your lighting
requirements, try to spend at least 15 minutes per day under natural
outdoor sunlight. Scientists agree that exposing approximately 19
square inches of your skin (face and hands) is usually sufficient to
create enough Vitamin D for your daily needs.
Building Materials
It has been clearly established that our choice of building materials
can determine our road to wellness or a lifetime of immune-taxing
fatigue. Most new construction has eliminated formaldehyde insulation
and other previously used carcinogenic paints and glues.
Carpeting now comes with environmentally safe labeling. Choose a low
pile version to avoid dustmite housing and their attendant bacteria.
Try to determine which kind of vacuum cleaner could best assist your
carpet choice. Many now have Hepa-filters and some use water to filter
the dust.
New standards for environmentally acceptable products are constantly
being revised. Many communities have watchdog groups that will guide
you in making the most intelligent and informed decisions when building
or remodeling. Search your library or the Internet and you will find
many helpful suggestions. The Natural Building Network, The Natural
House Catalog, and Bau-Biologe are a few familiar places to look for
answers. In addition, I recommend all the books by Debra Dadd and Carol
Venolia. Both of these women have contributed greatly to the growing
body of knowledge of both creating healthy environments as well as
using proper nontoxic cleaning materials, many of these are common
household items like baking soda and vinegar. Stores and catalogs are
now offering allergy-free paints, glues and cleaning solvents.
Interior Furnishings
Think for a moment of the homeowners of a century ago and the home
furnishings they had available. All natural wood and fiber were their
only choice. Most furniture today is pressboard with a thin veneer of
real identifiable wood. When you purchase your bedroom set, check with
the manufacturer to make certain the glue and material is safe. Get
close to it and smell for irritating odors because you will be spending
one third of your life in the vicinity.
Since the introduction of synthetic fibers and fabrics, a wide range of
health conditions have accelerated; skin diseases, sleep difficulties,
stressed adrenals, fungus infections, and chronic fatigue. to name a
few. Polyester, even in combined blends, can limit the ability of
active negatively charged oxygen to be absorbed by the skin. This is
especially true when it comes to bedding. Sheets, blankets, and
comforters must breathe and the slightly positive static charge created
by the man-made material causes an excess of positive ions to build up
near our bodies. The skin is our largest organ and needs fresh air at
all times. Natural fabrics have a neutral charge, allowing our bodies
to breathe more efficiently. The late Dr. Albert Kreuger, professor
emeritus at U.C. Berkeley's School of Public Health found that
excessive positive ions cause the body to increase the production of
adrenaline, which doesn't bode well for a good night's sleep. Try to
use cotton and wool whenever possible. Other fibers made by nature
include silk from the worms, rayon from our trees, hemp from the
cannabis plant, and a new mineral fiber that is being made from clay.
Remember when choosing curtains for your windows or coverings for your
couch that natural fiber doesn't attract as much dust.
Water Systems
We all can't live next to a bubbling mountain stream so when it comes
to water, we try to make the best available to our loved ones. Home
water treatment has become big business and it is a great
responsibility to choose the correct system for your needs. Reverse
osmosis, distillation, carbon, ceramic, pH adjusting, and the new kid
on the block, electrolysis, provide a few choices. The best system for
your home requires a water consultant who understands your incoming
water source; Its hardness, degree of acidity or alkalinity (pH),
chemical components, and other factors that will determine the best
combination for your drinking, cooking, and washing requirements. As
you would do with your medical status, always seek a second opinion
when it comes to a substance that makes up over 70% of your body
weight. Clean, good tasting, pH balanced water can keep us in good
health and is nature's remedy for a wide range of conditions.
Other Concerns
A short article like this can only touch upon the many questions we all
have for our indoor well being. One area gaining attention is that of
"electric allergies," those reactions to electromagnetic fields from
our appliances, computers, and transformers. These can all give off
magnetic frequencies that may disturb normal metabolism and even our
moods. There are many meters designed to detect these fields and you
should make sure that they will give readings down to at least 1
millegauss. Generally, fields below this level are considered safe. A
good rule of thumb is to maintain a distance of 1 1/2 to 2 feet from
your computers, clocks, radios, and televisions.
The decisions we make today for our personal living and working
environments will have long range effects on our health and well being
for many years to come. Always consult those experts in each field we
have discussed who will give you the information best suited to your
specific needs. We all desire and deserve a healthy and natural home.
Jim Karnstedt is writer, lecturer, researcher, whose main interests lie
in the area of environmental health and nutrition. He can be reached at
The Ion & Light Company, (800) 426-1110 FAX: (415)346-0529 e-mail:
jim@ionlight.com |
