Healthy Buildings II(Building Environment & Health)

Building biology, bio-house design, biological architecture, and ecological building all refer to the construction of a building along lines of more natural, renewable resources and health of the occupants. In other words, buildings which are more people-friendly. It aims to establish a balance between technology, culture, and biology.

To a human-being, the walls of a building can be regarded as a third skin (the first is our own skin, the second is our clothing). Most buildings do not breathe like our natural skin and unfortunately in the United States this has been shown to lead to a build-up in radioactive radon gas and reduce the benefits of passive solar energy in spring and autumn. If a building is to be sealed (which most are) then it needs to be well ventilated to remove unhealthy pollutants.

Many buildings contain hazardous materials or substances without the owner's knowledge. Freshly constructed cement homes have high levels of moisture, homes built in the 1960's contain asbestos cement which is known to be carcinogenic and old piping systems are frequently painted with lead paints. In addition, household disinfectant, fly sprays, paints, varnishes, and fumes released from a large range of furnishings and commodities are of no benefit to the occupant's health.

Environmental costs are considered from the very first stage of planning. If products need to be transported a long distance, then they are usually rejected due to pollution, energy and costs for transportation. Even non-renewable resources are avoided.

Building Diseases can be related to many factors including: 

·         Chemical - fumes.

·         Electrical - the human body is sensitive to electrical frequencies. Wiring should be minimal, not placed closer than 1 metre to the sleeping bed, and the use of TV and other appliances should be reduced. Even static electricity from synthetic floor coverings can cause problems.

·         Cage - this occurs when concrete and steel buildings screen out natural radiations which help regulate life systems.

·         Location - this covers geo-biology which is concerned with natural radiation that originates within the earth. It is a new science based on traditional principles. 

Building biology also deals with the environment in general and the climate of living. The climate of living can be determined by things such as:

·         Installations and furnishings

·         Noise and acoustics

·         Lighting and colours

·         Radiation, avoiding disturbed areas

·         Radioactivity

·         Space, form and proportion

·         Physiology and psychology of living and working

·         City planning with biological, ecological, and sociological aspects. 

Bio-houses and bio-settlements have been sprouting up throughout Europe over the years. They frequently contain solar temperature-control systems or insulated winter gardens for heating. Sites are surveyed with divining rods to ensure the area is free of ground water veins and other electromagnetic disturbances. 

Biotechture utilises vegetation to reverse the harsh processes caused by buildings. Plants usually intercept between 70% and 90% of incoming solar radiation. Deciduous trees can provide a 5º C reduction in heat in the summer but allow the sun through in winter thereby reducing energy loss by up to 30%. 

Many plants have characteristics that can be used for the benefit of construction. Leaves defoliate and remove air pollution, foliage that closes and opens can act like a ventilator, etc. It is advisable to use plants as much as possible to complement the house not only aesthetically but also functionally. 

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ON BUILDINGS 

Climate

The climate is essentially a set of environmental conditions that interact with the building by means of transfer (energy).    Buildings by their very nature provide protection from environmental factors such as temperature, precipitation and exposure.    Climate type should, but does not always, inform the design and siting of a building.   Climate type should influence: 

·         Building location

·         Building orientation

·         Location and design of windows for light and temperature control

·         Type of ground surfaces used in and around the building

·         Type of garden/plantings around the building for shade and temperature control 

Consideration of these factors can enhance the interaction of the building and surrounding climate to maximise efficiency and comfort of the building. The decisions made when considering the above factors would all be influenced by climate aspects such as: 

·         Temperature

·         Humidity

·         Pollution

·         Latitude

·         Aspect

·         Winds

·         Precipitation

Building Location

The location of a building greatly influences the health of the building. If located in the middle of the city it is fair to assume the building is more at risk of becoming unhealthy. Surrounding enterprises and businesses may affect the health of the building you work in.  

For example, in areas with a high level of processing plants, noise, or noxious fumes and gases may be a problem. In large cities, tall buildings may block out natural sunlight for part or even much of the day. Even in rural/agricultural areas certain businesses (such as a cement factory for example) in the district are likely to reduce your building's health, due to high levels of airborne particles or chemicals.  

Topographical location can also have an influence on the health of a building. Consideration should be given to the placement of a building. For example, placement in an area such as in a depression or on reclaimed swamp would result in damp conditions. 

Radon

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is responsible for the majority of exposure of the general public to background radiation. It is produced from radioactive decay of uranium. Uranium is found in most places in the Earth’s crust. It escapes the crust through tiny spaces in the ground and then into the atmosphere. Radon is known to accumulate in confined indoor areas, particularly in poorly ventilated houses.    Epidemiologic studies have shown an increased risk of lung cancer with proportional increasing exposure to radon. 

Radon is measured in units known as becquerels. One Becquerel means that there is one radioactive decay of a radon atom per second for every cubic meter of air (Bq/m³). For example in Antarctic air the concentration is lower that 0.1 while typical indoor exposure is approximately 100. If a home or building is located on soils with a high uranium concentration the levels may be as high as 1000. It is recommended that homes and buildings with levels exceeding 150 - 200 Bq/m³ taken to lower concentrations. This recommendation varies between countries.    

Radon levels vary widely with location. For example Australian soils are very low in radon, the average concentration in an Australian home is 12 Bq/m³. In the UK the average in homes is 20 Bq/m³, with the highest concentrations being found in the southwest.     Radon levels depend upon several factors such as the amount of uranium in the soils, the soil permeability and soil moisture.   Building located on dry, highly permeable soils with fractured bedrock on slopes may have a higher level of radon that otherwise expected from air levels. 

Testing for radon can be done by a home owner or by a professional. The availability of detection systems will vary with different locations. 

Air Quality & Allergies

As previously mentioned air quality is obviously affected by the local environment.   Indoor air quality is also going to be affected by this, however it also affected by additional factors. Poor indoor air quality can lead to allergies. 

Allergenic substances can be airborne and inhaled. These include pollen, fungus, and dust. Indoor airborne allergic substances come from two sources:  

·         Outdoor airborne particles moving indoors

·         Allergic components originating from inside the building.

The development of humidity and microclimates within the building will increase the incidence of indoor organisms. Diseases caused by airborne allergenic substances include: asthma, allergic rhinitis, serous otitis media, broncho pulmonary aspergillosis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Volatile components from paints, carpets, pesticides, and furnishings may cause stuffy noses, dry throats, chest tightness, lethargy, a loss of concentration, blocked or itchy noses, dry skin, watering or itchy eyes, and headaches in sensitive people. All-in-all the work environment may be similar to a soup of sickness. 

Ventilation plays a major role in maintaining air quality. Fresh air circulating into a building increases oxygen levels, and flushes out carbon dioxide build up resulting from human respiration. It also flushes out odours, fumes, dusts, pollutants etc resulting from human activity, the operation of machines, and the by-products of building materials.

Temperature and Humidity

Building temperature is going to be a product of latitude, aspect and building design and insulation. The temperature of a building can be a major contributor to the comfort of the people working in it. Too hot and you can start to feel sweaty and uncomfortable, or lethargic. Too cold and you may start to shiver. Ideal working temperatures will vary from person to person. Generally temperatures in the range of 18-20 degrees C is preferred for offices, with temperatures slightly lower (around 16 degrees C) in factories where light work is carried out. Relative humidity should be in the range of 40 to 70%. If the humidity is too high the atmosphere feels oppressive and natural cooling due to perspiration is reduced. If humidity is too low then dry throats and dry skin can occur.

Light

Interior light can be supplied in several different ways: 

·         Natural light (e.g. from the sun and moon) radiating from the outside of the building, coming through windows, skylights, etc.

·         Combustion systems: open fires, gas lamps, kerosene lamps, candles, etc.

·         Electric Lights: incandescent lights, fluorescent lighting, etc. Any flickering lights should be repaired or replaced.

The light intensity required varies from place to place. Work areas require a higher light intensity (e.g. a desk, work bench, or kitchen). Areas where light intensity may need to be lower might include: the bedroom, near a television (to avoid glare), or in a photographic developing room (darkroom).  Above all, the brightness of an area should be maintained at a level that is comfortable for those working in the area.  

Humans, however, have evolved in natural sunlight and generally feel much better when exposed to sunlight rather than artificial light sources. Research in Scandinavia has linked a high incidence of depression during winter months with a lack of sunlight (SAD: seasonal affective disorder). Treatment of depression patients by maximising the amount of sunlight they receive during the winter months or by exposing them to artificial lights that better simulate natural sunlight than does most office lighting, has resulted in a marked decrease in the depressive symptoms.

Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR)

The presence of everyday radiation is well documented. We experience varying degrees of radiation from the atmosphere, our homes, the television, and from most things that we have contact with during the course of a day. Radiation is a physical phenomenon which is a by-product of atomic interaction. Atoms are the smallest building blocks of matter. All matter is composed of atoms.  

Electromagnetic radiation is therefore all around us - it can and does affect our environment. Buildings too, it is quickly being realised, are subject to this radiation. This may affect those people who are using the building. The symptoms of an unhealthy building due to earth radiation might be lethargy amongst workers, an above average incidence of accidents for seemingly no apparent reason, or it could even involve acute illnesses such as cancers or respiratory problems occurring in staff or residents. For these reasons, electromagnetic radiation cannot be taken lightly. The exact science of electromagnetic radiation is still not fully understood.  

An obvious case of man-made electromagnetic radiation is power lines, especially large voltage or high intensity lines. These power lines give off high levels of radiation and studies in Sweden and the United States have shown that this can cause increases in blood diseases amongst populations located within close proximity for extended periods of time. Electromagnetic radiation can also be caused by natural phenomena. Water veins beneath the surface of the earth are often touted as being responsible for radiation fields. Continued exposure to these radiation fields is unhealthy because they act as stimulants upon the body. This has a wearing affect, which in turn leads to a run-down or tired immune system, and hence susceptibility to disease or mishap     

As already suggested, electricity can be a subtle health risk. The human body creates and uses electrical impulses in its normal functioning. Electro Magnetic Radiation (EMR) outside of, but near to, the body can interfere with the body’s natural electrical impulses causing ill health.

EMR occurs everywhere, both in natural environments, and in man-made environments. A healthy building should aim to minimise the effects of EMR by: 

1.      Avoiding building in places where EMR levels are (or are likely to become) unacceptable;

2.      Minimising the creation of EMR from the use of appliances, electrical wiring, etc.

Natural sources of EMR may include:

·         Lightning

·         Radiation from the ground

·         Deposits of magnetic, radioactive materials.

Man Made sources of EMR can include:

·         Electrical wiring in houses (particularly around the fuse box)

·         Water pipes near electrical wiring

·         Electrical appliances

·         Office machines (e.g. computers, photocopiers)

·         Power lines (overhead, underground, railway)

·         Machinery

·         Batteries

Creation of Electrical Fields

If electricity is flowing along a conductor (e.g. wiring) and changes direction (i.e. moves through at an angle) then EMR will be created across the angle which is created. 

Example

Electric wiring is laid inside a wall vertically to the roof and then horizontally to the centre of a room to supply a light fitting. An electric field or an area of EMR is created between the vertical wire and the horizontal wire. Obviously, a person should avoid sitting in that position for any period of time. 

The existence of EMR in the home or office does not necessarily need to be totally avoided. Most people can tolerate some EMR without ill effects, but if the cumulative effect becomes too great it can have serious consequences (e.g. cancer). 

EMR needs to be managed by giving proper consideration to all of the following:

·         Identify all sources of EMR.

·         Identify the relative intensity of EMR from each source.

·         Relocate the source (or rearrange the building interior) to minimise EMR exposure.

·         Arrange electrical wiring to minimise EMR creation.

·         Do not leave appliances plugged in and switched on if not in use.

·         Minimise the use of electricity.

·         Use short electrical chords and locate permanent/frequent use appliances close to the power point.

·         Use energy efficient appliances or office machines (e.g. low radiation computer screens reduce the amount of EMR created).

Think about it this way:

·         The greater the length of wire and electrical cord which is ‘live’ at any point in time, the more unhealthy the building is.

·         The more twists and turns electricity takes as it moves, the more unhealthy the building will be.

·         The more electrical currents penetrating beyond the exterior walls, the greater the likelihood of increased EMR.