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[INTRODUCTION] [PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS] [THE IMMUNE SYSTEM] [SICK BUILDING SYNDROME AND BUILDING-RELATED ILLNESS] [BUILDING MATERIALS -OPTIONS] [INSULATION] [WINDOWS AND DOORS] [HEATING AND COOLING] [ELECTRICITY] INTERIOR SURFACES] [FURNISHINGS AND FLOORINGS] [HEALING SPACES, PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS AND DESIGN ELEMENTS] [PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS & SUBSTANTIATION] [SPACE, VIEWS, NURTURING, NATURAL SOUNDS] [PRIVACY, VENTILATION, LEVEL CHANGES] [FRESH AIR AND CIRCULATION] [PSYCHO/EMOTIONAL RELATIONSHIP TO THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT] [ORGANIC ACCOUTERMENTS: PLANTS] [FORMS OF GEOMANCY: FENG SHUI AND THE POWER OF PLACE] [BAU-BIOLOGIE]INTRODUCTION
The new apartment also had a view. This one overlooked the Hudson River, and although it was just one room, it felt much bigger because of the view. As part of the lease agreement I was to put carpeting in the apartment. The apartment was freshly painted when I moved in. My headaches did not go away. I made no connection between my headaches and anything in my environment. I continued to live there. There were cockroaches there too. I use the pesticide to get rid of them. There were other bugs too, and I used the cockroach killer on them too. My headaches worsened and became more frequent. I took Tylenol. Eventually I could not breathe out of my nose whenever I was home. I felt better outside. Then I noticed that I would get the same symptoms whenever I would go into any building. I also noticed that I would get symptoms when I ate certain foods. I lived on antihistamines and Tylenol for a couple of years. One headache took me to the emergency room because it was so severe. The doctors found nothing wrong after a CAT scan and a spinal tap. They sent me home. The following year I had an operation to fix a deviated septum to help me breathe. After the surgery, and a full course of antibiotics, I felt even worse than I had originally. I could not go anywhere without developing symptoms. Three months later I became very sick and lost 10 pounds. I decided that I needed to make a serious change in my life. I was diagnosed with chemical sensitivities and allergies. My immune system had begun to fail. I was put on a strict diet, and sent to a clinical ecologist who gave me sublingual drops and injections for all my allergies. I was sensitive to formaldehyde, phenol, diesel fuel, natural gas, dust, mold, car exhaust, grass and tree pollens, and tobacco. Finally the doctor recommended that I leave New York. Within nine months I was in New Mexico and on my way to a full recovery. At first it was not easy. The first order of business was to find a house that would not make me sick. I found one that had wood floors and was old enough to have outgassed all its fumes. The acupuncturist and I were making progress on my health, but still things weren't just right. Even though the apartment I lived in was almost environmentally safe, there were elements there that created a lot of stress for me. Its front windows overlooked a noisy hallway. It was directly above a laundry room and the furnace heating my apartment was also in the laundry room. Not only could I hear voices and banging laundry machines all day and all night long, but there probably was carbon monoxide coming up into my apartment from the furnace. The driveway pointed directly towards my apartment, and the cast iron stairs landed right in front of my door. There was no peace and quiet. It was difficult to focus in this little apartment. Both my thesis and my career were suffering, my relationships were unsatisfying, and my health had come to a standstill. I called in a Hawaiian Geomancer. He was able to help me ward off some of the energy. I put reflective coating on the hallway windows, a mirror on the living room wall opposite the windows, and pictures of wild ferocious animals on the front door facing out. There was, unfortunately, nothing I could do about the laundry room below, and finally, after an argument with a neighbor who insisted on drying sneakers in the late evening no matter what I said, I moved. My new apartment/house is a healing place. It is in an L-shaped refurbished barn that is off the street behind another house. It is divided into two small apartments and is surrounded by a fence which gives it plenty of privacy. The house is made of adobe. It has a pitched metal roof, brick floors, and faces south. The south side is all doors and windows. In my apartment there are two sets of double french doors, a single door and a row of windows above both. I can open all the doors in the summer. There is also a door in the kitchen which provides wonderful cross-ventilation. There are four skylights and a little window on the side near the kitchen. The french doors open onto a private yard which I share with my neighbor. There is a ceiling fan connected to the exposed ridge beam which circulates the cool air up in the summer and the hot air down in the winter. For heat in the winter there is a wood stove which I light only at night because during the day the sun comes in from the south. The bed is up in the loft where there is an operable skylight. Although the space is small, it provides safety and comfort. There are no toxic materials anywhere in the house. The wood doors and the structure no longer have any odor, and aside from the dust, there is nothing in the environment that could cause a reaction. And because I am so happy here, the dust doesn't bother me at all. I used some of the wisdom of feng shui to furnish and decorate my house (See illustration 1 page 63 and figure 3 page 64). My computer work station is in the "career" area, my couch is in the "knowledge" area. The ladder going up to my sleeping loft is in the "fame" area, and the bathroom is in the "relationship" area. I must make a point of keeping the toilet seat down to keep my relationships from going down the drain. The kitchen is in the "wealth" area, and my wood stove is in the "family" area. I put my favorite picture of me when I was a child in the "children" section, and the center of my house is the "health" section where I do my exercises. There is also a mirror on the unused door that connects the two apartments. All these things work to create a balanced environment. Outside the house there are wind chimes and bird food and a birdbath that attracts the little wild birds who have made their home in the yard (See illustration 2, page 65). Horse shoes on both the inside and the outside of my front door are there for good luck. Since I have been in this house, my health has been good, I have been successful in my career, I have found happiness in myself, and my immune system is strong. Therefore, since I have observed the harmful consequences of toxins in the environment, the disturbing effects of negative house placement on my own health and sanity, and witnessed the payoff when I chose healthy alternatives and a healthy lifestyle, I would like to share this information with others.
Source: Rossbach, 1987, p. 126, 128
View from the window.
Andrew Weil (1995a) explains clearly that the immune system consists of the tonsils and adenoids, the thymus gland, the lymph nodes throughout the body, the bone marrow, the circulating white blood cells and other cells that leave blood vessels and migrate through tissues and the lymphatic system, the spleen, the appendix, and patches of lymphoid tissue in the intestinal tract. The fundamental task of this system is to differentiate between the self and not-self, to detect and act against any elements foreign to the body.
Weil outlines 14 ways not to get cancer, one of which is protecting the immune system, and 10 ways to protect the immune system. Some of these are more relevant to health and the environment than others, and are discussed in more detail. They are identified because they affect the immune system regardless of their connection to environmental factors. The first way not to get cancer is directed to women. 1) High levels of estrogen in the blood "favor the development of cancers of the breast and reproductive system because estrogens stimulate cells of these tissues to divide and proliferate"(1995a, p. 172). It is crucial to avoid foods and substances high in estrogen. 2) "Stay in Good General Health." This requires keeping the immune system working well so that it can successfully eliminate abnormal cells. Some DNA can mutate when exposed to radiation, chemicals, viruses, and irritants. If the immune system is strong, it will destroy these mutated cells. 3) "Avoid Exposure to Harmful Radiation."
High levels of radon have been found in the eastern seaboard of the middle Atlantic states and specific regions of the Northwest, Rocky Mountains, and Southwest United States. 4) "Protect Your Skin from Ultraviolet (Tanning) Radiation." It is a known fact that ultraviolet radiation damages DNA in skin cells. Tanning is how the skin protects itself from the rays. It is not healthy. Weil does not believe that all sun exposure is bad, however, he does suggest that in some places, during certain times, that being exposed to the sun is dangerous. Ott (1973) discovered that ultraviolet light in itself had some healing properties. It is high in and one of the few sources of vitamin D. 5) "Avoid Exposure to Harmful Chemicals." Weil (1995a) advises avoiding all chemicals because they put a strain on the immune system, and that "any chemical capable of causing mutations is likely to increase the risk of cancer" (p. 180). Even if the chemical does not in itself cause cancer, it may do so anyway as a result of cumulative stress on the immune system, more specifically, the liver.
Pesticides and herbicides are very dangerous. Any pesticide containing arsenic, heptachlor, chlordane, or alachlor is poisonous. Weil claims they damage the immune system. Other products which can be carcinogenic are found in paints and solvents such as benzene or carbon tetrachloride. These should also be avoided. Industrial pollution is also a cancer risk and Weil discourages it. 6) "Do not smoke." Smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer in the environment today. Tobacco smoke is "full of carcinogens and cocarcinogens, as well as radioactive particles" (p. 183). Environmental tobacco smoke contains at least 4,000 chemicals, 43 of which are known carcinogens (Tate, 1994). Tobacco smoke has also been reported to cause bladder cancer and arterial disease. 7) "Do Not Drink Alcohol Heavily." Alcohol, consumed in quantities, has been known to promote the development of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach and liver. 8) "Do Not Eat Carcinogenic Foods." This includes
smoked or cured meats, peanuts, or moldy food. 9) "Eat a Healthy Diet." This includes vegetables, grains, polyunsaturated oils, fruits and eating much less animal and processed foods. 10) "Take Antioxidant Supplements." Antioxidants help to eliminate "free radicals" from the blood. Free radicals are highly reactive compounds caused by polyunsaturated fats which can potentially damage DNA, causing mutations that can produce cancerous cells. Some common antioxidants are vitamins A, E, C, and Selenium. 11) "Exercise!" Regular aerobic exercise increases the strength and efficiency of the immune system. 12) "Practice Safe Sex." There is a link between cancer and sexually transmitted diseases. Viruses can alter DNA, which can then interfere with the immune system. 13) "Work with Your Emotions."
Weil (1995a) says that these ideas are based on "retrospective reasoning" because although certain personality traits are common among cancer patients, no data have been established to confirm the "connection between personality and disease" (p. 172) Yet he reaffirms its relevance to the issue of the immune system and emotions by acknowledging that there is some evidence to this fact.
14. "Protect Your Immune System."(1995a, p. 189-190). The ten basic rules to protect the immune system are simple yet may not be very familiar to many people. They are also similar to the rules for preventing cancer because the failure of the immune system will often result in growth of cancerous tumors or cells. These rules are simply:
This evidence suggests that although the immune system is there to protect from disease, it is itself susceptible to the effects of the environment. It is more difficult to find safe, chemical free places and foods than it was just a half a century ago. It even takes greater effort in today's environment to feel comfortable and free to choose a healthy lifestyle over an unhealthy one. Most people are still ignorant of the effects of toxins and stress on their immune system. The tobacco and alcohol lobbies spend millions of dollars to convince the public that neither of these products has any adverse side effects. The pharmaceutical companies are producing drugs which are "destined to be forgotten once their novelty wears off; all of them are grossly overpriced, much of the profit going toward lavish advertising and other forms of salesmanship intended to persuade the allopathic physician to prescribe one company's brand over another's" (Weil, 1983,1988). Weil believes that there is little to be gained by taking drugs and quotes Voltaire as saying "Physicians pour drugs of which they know little, to cure diseases of which they know less, into humans of which they know nothing" (p. 111). Voltaire wrote this in the eighteenth century. Moreover, Caroline M. Myss in The Creation of Health agrees with Weil, and adds another dimension to the status of the immune system. She says
In view of this statement, it becomes clear that creating a healthy space requires a lot more than avoiding certain chemicals. Avoiding stress is a key factor. According to feng shui, the location of a house on the site can work with or against the flow of ch'i. When a house is located at the intersection of one street into another that forms a T, the energies flowing toward the house will cause stress (Rossbach, 1983). Sleeping in a bedroom that is over two underground water sources that cross will cause stress too (Hjersman, 1991). Resting in a room that is painted a vibrant color may be difficult according to Venolia, as is living in a house that is polluted by toxic building materials, toxic furnishings, etc. As Clare Cooper Marcus (1995) implies, a house is a mirror of the self, and if the self is not healthy or conscious, then the house will very possibly be an unhealthy place. It is unfortunate that, for many people, creating a conscious, healthy, and toxin-free lifestyle is more difficult than dying of cancer or heart disease. The data that follow are broken down into sections--parts of the whole. Each section is about an aspect in the environment (physical and/or emotional) that affects the immune system in one way or another. The sections will provide evidence showing how this happens. The "whole" is a healthy environment--probably something that is almost impossible to achieve--but necessary nevertheless. The evidence will show how critical it is to take steps to change now, and that it is possible to easily make these changes. The following quote is a description of the mechanisms that affect health with exposure to chemicals. It demonstrates that the onset of symptoms may not happen immediately after the initial chemical exposure because the immune system spends a period of time trying to cope with the exposure before it fails. This perhaps accounts for why it is so difficult to quantify the responses to various of levels of toxic chemicals that could possibly cause damage. Everyone's immune system handles stress in different ways and to different extents.
People tend to spend ninety percent of their indoor time in either homes, offices, or stores (Greenfield, 1987). Many of today's office buildings are "being designed to provide year-round climate control, and older buildings are being retrofitted to do so" (Godish, 1995, p. 53). The office climate is usually controlled by sophisticated HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) units which, if operating properly, will sufficiently cool and circulate the air to provide a comfortable climate, minimizing any discomfort due to both the perceptible and the imperceptible chemical or biological airborne substances. Unfortunately many of these systems do not work properly or have not been designed properly to provide adequate ventilation; or they may have been contaminated by molds and bacteria. In some cases the fresh air intake has been turned down, or off to save money (Tate, 1994), (Godish, 1995)..
There are very few if any current laws governing the use of toxic chemicals in building materials. Up until now the EPA has taken a "hands off" approach to the indoor air quality issue, even though it has been one of the few organization to make the effort to look into the problem. And now the Health Hazard Evaluation Program (HHE) of NIOSH is actively fighting against indoor air quality problems. There have been some legal cases involving indoor air pollution. In the case of
Godish presents evidence that both sick building syndrome (SBS) and building related illness (BRI) are both caused by the combined effect of improperly ventilated buildings and of chemicals from building materials. He defines building related illness as follows:
There is a distinction between BRI and SBS and Godish differentiates them as such:
Once the immune system has been exposed to toxic chemicals it becomes weaker (Weil, 1995a) (Tate, 1994) and can develop into full blown MCS (multiple chemical sensitivity).
Developing MCS can be a debilitating experience which makes it difficult to function in the world. MCS can cause sensitivity to common substances such as perfumes, air fresheners, and natural gas. Some people develop intolerances to certain foods. They may develop a variety of symptoms that make it difficult for conventional physicians to diagnose. (Tate, 1994)
Unfortunately, people with MCS are often misdiagnosed as hypochondriacs because of the complexity and uniqueness of their symptoms. Many conventional physicians believe that many symptoms exhibited by MCS patients are psychological in nature and that there is no proof of the efficacy of the treatments available from clinical ecologists. Consequently, the AMA (American Medical Association) does not acknowledge that MCS is a cause for disease. Nevertheless, the field of MCS is developing and there is new evidence showing that MCS has its own "signature of illness" which is that people with MCS often have
The EPA is beginning to acknowledge the possible consequences of exposure to volatile organic compounds and the existence of MCS as a health issue. It "called MCS a major public health risk among individuals chronically exposed to low levels of chemicals indoors." And in a 1988 indoor air quality guidebook, "the agency advised homeowners and building managers to reduce occupant exposures to formaldehyde and other chemical substances indoors, noting 'there is some evidence that some people can develop chemical sensitivity after exposure'" (Tate, 1994, p. 17). As mentioned in the previous section, several factors contribute to the health and strength of the immune system. It is almost impossible to prove that illness is the result of one particular stress factor. Very often illness is the result of the cumulative effect of several factors happening simultaneously. As a result, the subject of sick building syndrome is still very vulnerable to criticism. Even though it has been proven that formaldehyde, asbestos, PCBs, benzene and other common chemicals can cause cancer (Tate, 1994), (Godish, 1995), (Gobbell, 1994), it has also been discovered that the emotional component of the immune system plays a key role in a person's ability to cope with the environment. Stress alone can bring on symptoms similar to those brought on by toxic chemicals. Very often stress will make the ability to cope with chemical exposure almost impossible, whereas if there were no stress, the exposure to the chemical may go unnoticed (Levin and Zellerbach, 1983). On the one hand there is no definitive proof that low levels of a particular chemical will cause cancer or illness in exposed subjects--one person's immune system may be stronger than another's; or one person's ability to cope with stress may be better than another's. There is evidence that shows that regardless of the subjects' emotional states there is a higher incidence of illness around certain chemicals. Moreover, Gobbell (1994) concludes that "Physical, ergonomic and job-related stressors must be considered in the overall evaluation of IAQ issues, since they can produce a heightened sensitivity to poor indoor air quality" (p. 15). Consequently, the evidence shows that certain chemicals and substances do pose a risk to human health despite the emotional or "People-related Risk Factors" that are present during the studies. Therefore, focusing primarily on physical factors, it can be said that human comfort, predominantly in office buildings, is determined by "thermal conditions resulting from surrounding air temperatures, relative humidity, air movement, and the radiant effects of indoor surfaces" (Godish, 1995, p. 54). Other factors that can affect human health and comfort are "lighting conditions, sound, vibrations, air ions, and electrostatic and electric and magnetic phenomena" (p. 54). Godish reports that not all respondents to a telephone survey felt the same about environmental conditions. Some (93%) felt that air quality was important, and others (98%) felt that air temperature and lighting conditions were more important. 47% complained about temperature, noise (41%), air quality (39%), lighting (32%), and housekeeping (32%). "Dissatisfaction with temperature. . . and relative humidity . . . was reported with high frequency (>50%) among those indicating that the building environment affected their ability to do their jobs" (Godish, 1995, p. 54), showing that environmental conditions could be also a factor of personal taste. (See Tables 11 and Table 12 on the following pages for specific environmental risk factors). The presence of chemicals in the environment may not be noticed by all, but those that are affected would probably choose to have them removed. Moreover, environmental conditions can affect the level of toxins that are released into the air. Godish reports that
Source: From Godish, T., Sick Buildings: Definition, Diagnosis and Mitigation, Lewis Publishers, an imprint of CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, 1995, p. 230. With permission.
Source: From Godish, T., Sick Buildings: Definition, Diagnosis and Mitigation, Lewis Publishers, an imprint of CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, 1995, p. 231. With permission.
Unfortunately, a study in the Danish Town Hall showed that even though humidity levels were up 10% and doubled the risk for headaches and fatigue, they did not affect the risk for mucous membrane symptoms. Nevertheless, studies showed that formaldehyde levels were above the European threshold guidelines of .082 ppm, which, according to Tate and Greenfield, are enough to cause symptoms or weaken the immune system in some people. Ventilation systems are normally designed to provide outdoor air and air circulation and distribution to dilute contaminants and human bioeffluents, and to provide and sustain human comfort. Unfortunately, many of these systems are improperly designed or maintained, and as a consequence contribute to poor indoor air quality and occupant health problems. The HVAC systems are often themselves the source of chemical and biological contaminants, especially when the indoor air intake is located near a loading dock, or upwind from the boiler exhausts. (Godish, 1995) Godish reports that in the field investigations of "NIOSH, Turner, Woods, Robertson, and others, deficiencies in the design, operation, and maintenance of HVAC systems were identified as being the major contributors to illness complaints in a large percentage of buildings investigated" (1995, p. 67). See Table 13 below for relationship between building/work related symptoms and ventilation system type.
Source: Godish, 1995, p. 69
Gobbell (1994) points out that ventilation systems also can carry contaminants from one room to another. This could be a hazardous condition if one room were under construction. Godish reports that office materials, furnishings, and office equipment also have been shown to contribute to problems of indoor air quality. Many of these materials outgas VOCs such as formaldehyde, benzene and many others. Carpeting not only contains a wide array of chemicals in its backing material and bonding agents, but it also acts as a sink for other chemicals from other materials and often becomes a reservoir for microbial growth such as bacteria and mold. A large percentage of the data Godish presents shows that the VOCs from such materials provoke a multiple array of symptoms in subjects.
Although other similar studies have confirmed the results of this study, the USEPA and carpet manufacturers conducted their own studies and came up with different results. Therefore, Godish is unable to unequivocally state that VOCs in carpeting have an effect on sick building symptoms and recommends further studies. Other suspected causes of sick building syndrome are volatile organic compounds outgassing from building materials such as formaldehyde from plywood, particle board and fiberboard.
(See Table 14 next page for effect of formaldehyde in humans.) Airborne and surface dust may contain particles of various sizes and chemical compositions and is increasingly contributing to the risk factor for sick building syndrome. Greenfield (1987) and Tate (1994) report that home building materials, cleaning products, furnishings, and home appliances such as gas stoves and boilers can cause indoor air problems as well. Carbon monoxide gas from leaky stoves and boilers can poison occupants very quickly. Formaldehyde is also commonly found in the home--from plywood and particle board, to furnishings and floorings. It is "a mucous membrane irritant affecting skin, eyes, nose, and upper respiratory system. . . . Some researchers believe formaldehyde to be carcinogenic, . . . .At very high levels, formaldehyde is lethal to humans" (Greenfield, 1987, p. 27). It is also found in urea-fromaldehyde foam insulation which, when installed in many houses during the mid 1970s, contributed to an overwhelming number of sick building syndrome cases and a temporary ban on the product (Greenfield, 1987).
Source: Gobbell, 1994, p. 22
Building materials and HVAC units are two of the major sources of chemicals and contaminants that can affect the quality of indoor air. However, a multitude of contemporary household and office products have the capacity of contaminating the indoor air as well. Kitchen appliances and cleaning products, both household and industrial, are loaded with toxic gases and chemicals. Gas stoves may leak carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Gas-powered clothes dryers, unless vented properly, also give off combustion gases. Microwave ovens may leak radiation. Cleaning products contain a huge amount of toxic chemicals such as ammonia and chlorine. Other compounds found in cleaning products are
Table 15, on the following page, lists chemicals found in each cleaning product. Paper products such as towels and plates, contain formaldehyde to increase their wet strength (Greenfield, 1987). In the office, carbonless copy paper has several levels of chemicals, some of which are hydrogenated terphenyls mixed with aliphatic hydrocarbons, diaryl ethanes, aldyl napthalenes, chlorinated paraffins, and alkyl benzenes. Laser paper and computer paper also contain several dozen chemicals including benzene, isopropanol, heptane, benzylaldehyde, etc. Office machines such as photocopiers, laser printers, and video display terminals (which produce highly reactive positively charged ions) also affect the quality of indoor air (Godish, 1995). Fireplaces and wood stoves may look and feel nice, but when used, produce a quantity of pollution, both in the indoor air and outdoor air. Burning wood and paper produces carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and organic chemicals. Other woodsmoke chemicals are listed in Table 16 on p. 90. Gas stoves also emit harmful VOCs, see Tables 17 and 18, p. 91. Gobbell (1994) claims 900 different contaminants can potentially be present in the indoor environment. (See Tables 19 - 26 on pages 92-99). Some that were not considered in Godish's study are asbestos, lead, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, combustion contaminants, and radon. All of these have been associated directly with certain health problems. In his report Gobbell identifies the problem factors that contribute to poor indoor air quality and illness to establish criteria by which architects and builders can more successfully design and build buildings that are healthy. Gobbell implies that it is the architect's job to design so that noise, humidity, air, temperature, lighting, and vibration levels will be tolerable, and it is the architect's job to be familiar with the toxicity levels of lead and asbestos, especially during renovations of older buildings.
Source: Greenfield, 1987, p. 18
TABLE 16
Source: Greenfield, 1987, p. 15
Source: Gobbell, 1995, p. 17
Source: Gobbell, 1995, p. 18
Source: Gobbell, 1995, p. 21
Source: Gobbell, 1995, p. 32
Source: Gobbell, 1995, p. 33
Source: Gobbell, 1995, p. 39
Radon plays a significant role in indoor air quality. It is imperceptible to the human senses, yet over time it can be deadly.
Radon is the second highest cause of lung cancer. Its effects are especially dangerous to those who smoke. Its hazardous effects come from
Although most studies consider radon levels in residences, it is important to note that high levels of radon have been detected in schools (Gobbell, 1994). Therefore it is vital to prevent the infiltration of radon in any building. The EPA recommends ways of preventing radon infiltration by "avoiding risky sites; sealing soil-gas entry points, and providing soil ventilation, making provisions for a sub-slab depressurization or pressurization system during construction" (p. 51). (See Figure 4, next page for major Radon entry routes).
Source: Gobbell, 1995, p. 52 Electromagnetic fields (EMF) usually originate in overhead electrical power lines or electrical equipment. Although the effects of EMFs have only recently begun to be quantified, the preliminary reports show that exposure to EMFs can result in brain tumors and other cancer-related illnesses. (Gobbell, 1994, p. 54.) A simple way to reduce exposure to EMFs is to locate electrical equipment and power lines away from people, and to avoid using metal structures, as steel causes electromagnetic disturbances. (Steen et. al., 1994) Both Gobbell and Godish present similar diagnostic techniques which require building walkthrough, interviews, samplings, and HVAC investigations. (See Figure 5, next page for building diagnosis flow chart). They also both strongly support source removal of offending elements or building-wide use of non-toxic materials instead of increasing ventilation.
BUILDING MATERIALS - OPTIONS There are two key issues that affect the material selection process. The first is to select materials that do not cause symptoms and immune responses in occupants. Material Safety Data Sheets are available for all products and show relevant data on the health and safety hazards of these products. (See Figures 6 and 7 on following pages for examples). And the second is to select materials that do not, either directly or indirectly, harm the natural environment. The concept of sustainable development appeared at the Earth summit as a "broad-based solution to the growing litany of environmental problems. Sustainable development is characterized by the use of resources to create an acceptable standard of living but in a way that ensures the viability of future generations" (Croxton et. al., 1994, p. 9). The reason for this is
Lately timber use has become controversial. Although wood is a well suited material for an environmental home, the current practice of deforestation angers
FIGURE 6
Source: Gobbell, 1995, p. 5 environmentalists because it affects the balance of the ecosystem because "Current timber harvest rates don't allow enough time for trees to produce the dense heartwood that is prized for structural timber. As a result, builders are forced to rely on . . . lower-quality trees from commercial forests" (Marinelli and Bierman-Lytle, 1995, p. 98). However, "timber (especially softwoods) can be replenished by properly managed forestation" (Pearson, 1989, p. 128).
The problem is so severe that at the current rate of deforestation, the forests will be gone before 2050. The depletion of the forests could have a devastating effect on the atmosphere because the carbon dioxide that would normally be absorbed by the forests would remain in the atmosphere, aggravating the greenhouse effect. Therefore conservation measures are desperately needed. Some ways of assisting in the conservation of the forests are to: avoid redwood or other tropical or temperate species; using wood felled by hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes or other natural events; use lumber that has been sustainably produced, and otherwise, use wood efficiently. Managing wood sustainably entails:
Marinelli and Bierman-Lytle (1995) also suggest avoiding using
wood in areas where it is either dangerous or impractical or
where alternatives would be more advantageous. Wood shingles or
siding are examples of uses that can pose a great fire danger.
Alternatives would be stucco, stone, brick, or even recycled
aluminum, slate, terra cotta tile, or concrete tile. In an attempt to help control environmental pollution, Michael Reynolds, an architect in Taos, New Mexico, has designed the Earthship. The walls of the Earthship are made of recycled tires. They are filled with earth and stacked like bricks. In the voids between the tires he uses empty aluminum cans and covers everything with mud. The Earthships are mostly self-sufficient structures complete with passive and active solar heat and electricity, a grey- and black-water filtration system, and a built-in greenhouse (Reynolds, 1990). All manufacturers and locations of materials in this chapter are listed in the books mentioned in this section. Straw bales and tire houses are just two of the many healthy and ecological options available to architects. Another option is adobe or rammed earth. Some guidelines for selecting such materials have been established.
To illustrate why they designed an environmentally conscious office building, The Audubon Society and Croxton et. al. present pertinent facts about the problems of energy consumption and pollution. The Audubon project in downtown Manhattan is a recent example of environmentally conscious and environmentally safe construction. For example, in the Audubon project, Croxton specified a "gas-fired heating and cooling system instead of a conventional system" to do away with emissions of sulfur dioxides and CFCs and to decrease emissions of nitrogen oxides by sixty percent.
Other ways the architects and owners of the Audubon House provided for environmental safety and sustainablility were: to provide an outside air system that distributed 24 cfm per person; 6.2 air changes per hour; operable windows for the human touch; daylighting photo cells, and high-efficiency, high-color fluorescent lighting with electronic ballasts; sensors in offices that turn off lights when no one is in the room; low glare ambient light; interior planning components that make the most use of daylight; and all furniture was tested to meet the criteria for offgassing of formaldehyde, VOCs, particulates, and other potentially hazardous substances. Architectural components included high ceilings; clerestories above enclosed perimeter offices to bring daylight into interior spaces; energy efficient windows with high transmissivity of natural light, and the use of "Air-KreteTM" insulation to provide a non-toxic and highly efficient insulating solution. "This insulation is a cementatious (cementlike) foam made of magnesium compounds (extracted from seawater) mixed with dolomite and other minerals" (Croxton, 1994, p. 85). To avoid using certain toxic and non-ecological materials, the Audubon group used healthy alternatives. For example, instead of gypsum plasterboard, they used wallboard made of recycled paper and partially recycled gypsum core. They also found an inexpensive, non-toxic paint. They reduced or eliminated the need of adhesives by tacking carpeting instead of gluing. Although there were some trade-offs where they chose the sustainable products (that have slightly more toxins) over the endangered products (which had fewer toxins), or where the wool carpet had to be glued down on stairs because of code requirements, the building is still a safe place to be in. The conventional home harbors hundreds of potentially harmful chemicals and materials that over the years have been marketed and purchased by unsuspecting people to save money and time. Unfortunately it hasn't worked out that way. For example, in the early 1980s the Internal Revenue Service offered homeowners a tax break if they installed urea-formaldehyde insulation in their homes to reduce heating fuel consumption. At the same time the EPA was discovering that urea-formaldehyde was polluting the indoor environment. As a consequence, those people who had originally saved on their taxes, ended up spending $15,000 per house to have the insulation removed (Greenfield, 1987). According to Marinelli and Bierman-Lytle (1995)--who have provided an excellent resource that compares conventional common building materials, furnishings, and life support systems to their ecological and healthy alternatives-- tropical and old growth forests currently are being threatened by indiscriminate deforestation. Currently, some laminated lumber, manufactured trusses, and finger-jointed lumber, which are made from smaller diameter second- and third-growth wood, scraps etc., are perhaps even stronger and more durable than the old growth lumber they have substituted. Plywood, wall paneling, particle board, waferboard, oriented-strand board, and fiberboard, all came into existence to minimize the use of old-growth lumber by using lumber scraps. Unfortunately the scraps are bound together by an array of glues and chemicals, reducing the desirability of the final product. These woods contains phenolic adhesives which contain phenol or urea-formaldehyde resins which are durable and waterproof. Although manufacturers have lowered levels of formaldehyde in these products by 70 to 95 percent, some people are still affected by even lower levels. Products made with phenol formaldehyde (plywood, waferboard, and oriented strandboard) are not as toxic as those made with urea-formaldehyde (wall paneling, particleboard, and fiberboard) (Marinelli and Bierman-Lytle, 1995). INSULATION According to Marinelli and Bierman-Lytle, most common insulations give off small amounts of formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds, and when they burn, foam insulations give of deadly gases. Moreover, "synthetic foam insulations are derived from petroleum and natural gas, the very fuels that insulation is intended to conserve" (Marinelli and Bierman-Lytle, 1995, p. 128). Some environmental alternatives are Air Krete, which was used in the Audubon House, and cotton batts. Straw bale, tire, and pumicecrete houses don't require any wall insulation, and rigid board still can be used along the foundation and on the roof. A mixture of straw and clay can also be used as efficient roof insulation (Laporte, 1993). WINDOWS AND DOORS Typically a window with a single pane of glass has an R factor of 1. A window with two panes has an R factor of 2. Low E windows with two panes of glass are rated as R-3 and up, and argon filled can go as high as R-4. Windows with Heat Mirrors instead of low E and krypton instead of argon can be as high as R-10, and with Cloud Gel added it can reach the highly efficient level of R-13. Energy efficiency ultimately contributes to lessening stress levels by saving the natural resources from depletion, and by being cost effective. Energy efficient windows are also available in woods harvested from sustainable sources, and it possible as well to use salvaged window frames with high efficiency glazing (Marinelli and Bierman-Lytle, 1995).
Marinelli and Bierman-Lytle propose some environmental alternatives, including passive solar buildings that face south or south east; thermal mass in walls and floors to store heat; shading from roof overhangs or trees to provide cooling; windbreaks to moderate the cold winds in the winter; designing spaces with plenty of windows or skylights to provide natural light and ventilation and if energy efficient to prevent warm air from escaping in winter, and an airtight, well-insulated structure to keep warm air from escaping through walls and cracks. Some less polluting environmental heating systems are: ground-source systems; hydronic systems; iron wood stoves; masonry heaters, and efficient fireplaces. Environmental cooling systems are ice and/or cold-water storage systems, and indirect evaporative air cooling (swamp coolers) (Marinelli and Bierman-Lytle, 1995). According to Marinelli and Bierman-Lytle there are five steps to healthy indoor air. These are:
Passive solar design is an option for lighting and heating. According to M. Emanuel Levy of Steven Winter Associates, Inc. (1983)
It also has been shown that gypsum wallboard is a substantial source of toxic VOCs, which as previously mentioned can cause reactions in people. Although the gypsum is reasonably inert, the additives that produce the water resistant board, or the fire resistant board can be irritating. Also, the recycled paper used on each side may contain chemicals from its former uses. Moreover, the joint compound used to finish corners in the gypsum wallboard walls may also contain polyvinyl acetate as a binder, and ethylene glycol to control drying time.
Therefore, according to Marinelli and Bierman-Lytle, it is advisable to look for existing gypsum wallboard and joint compounds that do not contain any pollutants. Another option would be to select an alternative surface material such as plaster or mud.
Both the synthetic carpet, and wool or cotton carpet act as a "sink" for pollutants generated by other sources. This includes odors, dust, dust mites, dander, dirt and other allergens. Environmentally, carpet production causes some concern. "Carpet production uses. . . an estimated 15 gallons of water per square yard of carpet. In 1990 an estimated 1.1 billion square yards of carpet were made in the U.S., which means that 16.5 billion gallons were consumed" (Marinelli and Bierman-Lytle, 1995, p. 171). Carpet production pours chemically laden wastewater into nearby waterways, it generates air pollution; it depletes the oil reserves and the ozone layer (p. 171). Another disadvantage of carpeting, either natural fiber or synthetic, is that it has a short lifespan. Rejected used carpets often end up in the landfill. And synthetic carpets do not biodegrade. According to Marinelli and Bierman-Lytle there are alternatives to synthetic carpeting, yet even natural carpets act as a sink for other pollutants, and even natural carpeting wears out quickly. They recommend natural fiber rugs that can be aired out frequently. Other conventional flooring options are Vinyl tiles. These are made from polyvinyl chlorides (PVC) which are very toxic, and not recommended. Alternatives are Linoleum made from powdered cork and flaxseed linseed oil, cork, clay tile, brick, mud, or sustainably harvested wood floors. Traditional paints and wall coverings also contain amounts of VOCs, however, healthy alternatives are available. Built-in furniture and cabinets are traditionally made with particleboard or other woods that emit formaldehyde and other VOCs. Counters are often covered with plastic laminates. Alternatives are available such as marble or granite counter tops, non-toxic plywood or sustainably harvested hardwood for cabinets. Your Natural Home by Marinelli and Bierman-Lytle, The Natural House Book by John Pearson, The Straw Bale House by Steen et al., and the Earthship books by Michael Reynolds, offer excellent healthy and environmentally conscious alternatives for all aspects of the home or office design, as has been mentioned previously. HEALING SPACES - PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS AND DESIGN ELEMENTS
PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS & SUBSTANTIATION SPACE, VIEWS, NURTURING, NATURAL SOUNDS As mentioned at the beginning of this chapter, my house is a part of a small, pitched-roof adobe house. The cathedral ceiling gives the main room a lot of head room--approximately fifteen feet--and it feels very spacious. The wall of windows at the south end brings in daylight, fresh air, and a view of the yard. I feel very comfortable here. My house is very nurturing. From my window I can see the trees in the yard, I can watch the flowers grow, and I can watch the birds land on the tree stumps and eat from the bird seed dishes or drink from the water dishes I have put out for them. Sometimes a whole family of birds is there at one time. The natural sounds of their chirping is very soothing. Feeding them brings out my mothering instinct. I feel happy here. My house is very charming. Even though a bit small and cluttered, it has a homey feeling. PRIVACY, VENTILATION, LEVEL CHANGES According to Christopher Alexander (1977), the bedroom need only be an alcove with a window. There should just be enough room around the bed to get in and out, and to make the bed. There needs to be ventilation, privacy, and a lower ceiling height than in the other rooms. It needs to be a private space, with dressing areas placed elsewhere. Traditional bedrooms include closets and dressers and are usually much too big for the people who spend little time in them other than for sleeping. Alexander (1977) says
My bedroom is very much like the one mentioned by Christopher Alexander. It is very private. I can see out, but no one can see me. The ceiling is just high enough for me to stand up in, and there is just enough room for a little night stand with a light, and a chair. Through the operable skylight, which is right above my bed, I can see the moon and the stars before I go to sleep. Even though I live in town, my neighborhood is fairly quiet. There are few cars traveling on the street, and the neighbors are respectful of each other. My house is not perfect by any means. The kitchen is too small, and the stove is an old one with a pilot light. The pilot light goes out occasionally and gas leaks into the air. There is no vent hood over the stove either. This may be the only environmentally dangerous part of my house. The stove is also in the wrong place. In fact there really is no place for the stove. It blocks half of the counter space. If the landlord would agree, I would ask him to remove the stove and replace it with a countertop gas stove.
PSYCHO/EMOTIONAL RELATIONSHIP TO THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Sometimes, when children have no choice, they must at least be allowed to participate in the design because "For many children, their hiding place is the only corner of the environment that they, personally, are able to build, maintain, and modify. . . . Rules and boundaries become . . . important as the settings we make or modify become expressions of who we are" (Cooper Marcus, 1995, p. 29). I was lucky. I had my owner-built treehouse in the country, and in our city apartment, my brother and I threw blankets over the huge train-set table and made a private cave. This is how I learned to establish some of my boundaries and how I developed my independence. According to Cooper Marcus, people often bring their childhood experiences of fort-building--claiming space, rearranging the environment, and privacy--into their adult home environments.
Therefore, as a result of my ability to establish a private space when I was a child, I have been able to create a healthy, private healing space as an adult. This may explain why my house looks and feels very much like my treehouse in the country, and why I feel so free in it. There are other things about my house that make it feel like a healing space. According to Carol Venolia, certain qualities in addition to the use non-toxic materials in construction and household cleaners are required of a space so that it can be a healing environment. It must
My house has many if not all these qualities. To stimulate positive awareness of myself, it acts as a mirror for everything within me. When I do not take care of myself by working too hard, or playing too hard, my house shows it to me by becoming messy. When I begin to treat myself with love my house becomes more orderly. I have not decorated it to impress anyone. It is a functional space that reflects who I am. It enhances my connection with nature, culture and people by being in an ethnic neighborhood, and by being open to the outdoors. Yet is allows for privacy by being fenced off from other houses. I can shut my doors and pull the curtains closed to secure my privacy. "In privacy we can become acquainted with ourselves, strengthen our identity, and restore inner balance" (Venolia, 1988, p. 13). My space does not harm me. There are no chemicals offgassing into my environment. I use only organic, and non-toxic cleaning products. There is no carpet, the floors are brick, and the walls are made of mud. A fan circulates the air at all times, and during the summer the doors are always open. This moves the energy around in the space as well as the air. The lighting is flexible, and can be dimmed, the only noise is from the neighborhood dogs, and although it is not ecological, the wood stove keeps the house warm in the winter. I have no control at this time over Radon, the water, or local EMFs. Therefore, it is in my best interest to keep my immune system as strong as possible. There are meaningful and varying stimuli in my house. The air is always changing, the light of the day is always changing, the birds are always coming and going. My house encourages times of relaxation. I often take a nap on the couch in the afternoon. The couch is right near the open french doors, and in the shade. The breeze gently caresses me to sleep. It does contain a balance between constancy and flexibility. I have moved the furniture around several times and every time it seems to accept it. In the winter the bookcase and the couch need to come away from the wood stove. "Healing environments are able to reflect both changes in the season and changes in the people who inhabit them" (p. 15). Finally, my house is beautiful. It is made from natural earthen materials, it has a simple yet flexible shape, and it is pleasant to look at. There is a difference between a healing place that is a home, and a space that is a center for healing, such as a doctors office or meditation room. An example of a healing center is the space where I take a yoga class. In this space there are windows along the south and east walls with flower beds on the outside of the building. The space is empty except at the entry where there are coat hooks, book shelves, a couple of chairs, and tables to put the blankets on. Air is always flowing freely through the space, either through windows or the ceiling fans. Aside from the windows and the fans, the space is very different from mine. The sheetrock and block walls are painted white, and the linoleum-over-concrete floor is blue. The space is not soft. There are symbols of yoga printed on colored clothes hanging in central spots along the walls, and a Sanskrit saying above the blanket table and on above the bookcase. No other symbols are visible, and no other symbols are needed. A comparison can be made here between the home that is a mirror of self, and a healing center that is a mirror of no selves. It is neutral and healing for all. This yoga space is such a place. The space has the capacity to heal. In the yoga class the space heals by being inconspicuous. The space heals by allowing those in it to focus on themselves. According to Carol Venolia,
An example of a space that is not healing is the yoga classroom at a health spa. The room has no windows to the outside; it is next door to the pool and smells like chlorine; three of the walls are wood paneled and the other is lined with mirrors; the floor is a pale brown or gray vinyl tile; and the ceiling is low in proportion to the length and width of the room. There is no feeling of life in this room. The teacher is unable to connect with her students. The energy is heavy and uninviting.
My house and healing yoga classroom embody many, if not all, the qualities necessary to make a healing space. They provide an atmosphere in which to nurture and cultivate personal power and awareness, as well as psychological balance. They provide a setting in which to discover and establish boundaries. And they both foster relaxation and stress reduction--two elements that are critical for a healthy immune system. The environments in both my house and the yoga studio are quiet. The sounds are from natural sources: birds, the wind, the rain, occasional barking dogs, and children playing. The colors are harmonious, and there is plenty of light. And ceiling fans circulate the air. Both spaces are oriented towards the sun. Windows face out to
gardens and flowers. The shapes of the spaces are simple which
allow for flexibility and constancy. Neither space has poor
indoor air quality, and they are both beautiful.
FORMS OF GEOMANCY: FENG SHUI AND THE POWER OF PLACE In China it was originally observed that layout and orientation of workplaces or homes affected people's fortune and health. Eventually the Chinese determined "that if you change surrounding, you can change your life" (p. 2). Feng shui has evolved over the centuries to be able to balance and harmonize the contemporary international urban environment as well as the local Chinese rural environment. It has long been popular in Hong Kong and is now becoming well known in the United States and Europe. Its reputation for divination has been solidified by countless turns of fate all over the world. According to Sarah Rossbach (1983):
The subject of geomancy, in this case feng shui, is relevant to this thesis because a space cannot be totally healthy unless, in the design, the architect or designer has considered site placement, building placement, building shape, interior design, furniture placement, and ch'i movement--all of which have an affect on human comfort and health. Feng shui offers a wealth of solutions or remedies for inappropriately placed doors, entrances, or furniture. For example, a stairs are best when they are rounded, gently curving into a main entry hall. Stairs running straight down towards a front door would "allow good ch'i and financial opportunities to roll away" (Rossbach, 1983, p. 118). Feng shui also helps resolve problems generated from unfavorable building shapes and beam locations. For example, square or circular houses are best, U-shaped houses or boot-shaped houses are unfavorable. Mirrors can help. Rossbach explains that
Therefore, feng shui helps balance the energy in a home or office to create auspiciousness, fortune, and health. According to Jamie Lin, secret arrows are hard corners, or objects such as trees or lamp posts pointing towards particular spots on a house. "A secret arrow has the same intimidating influence as having a finger pointed at you. Its direct energy splits a space in half, bringing anger, insecurity, destruction and failure" (1995, p. 136). In the healthy yoga studio there are two unfavorable issues, according to feng shui. The first is that the square-shaped room is broken by a protrusion opposite the entry. The protrusion had been added to the space to enclose a storage area. The hard corner, however, acts as a secret arrow, sending energy towards the entry. This is a potentially stressful dynamic, and according to feng shui, a mirror on the wall, a vine hanging along the corner, or a crystal between the corner and the entry could remedy the situation. Another unfavorable aspect in the space is that while the teacher is facing the entrance, all the students sit with their backs to it. According to feng shui it is important to be sitting diagonally from the door with the door in full view. Otherwise, one could be startled by an intruder. " In feng shui terms, being startled from one's work unbalances ch'i, making one jumpy, easy to upset, and particularly distracted, thus impairing one's work" (Rossbach, 1983, p. 138). I have observed that when I have my back to the e |
