Electromagnetic Energy Can Affect Your Health

by | dirty electricity, electric fields, electromagnetic energy, electromagnetic radiation, EME, EMF, EMR, environmental sensitivities, environmental stressors, grinding teeth, magnetic fields, radiofrequencies, sleep, smart meters, wireless technology

Electromagnetic energy (EME), also known as electromagnetic fields (EMF), emanates from wired sources and radiates from wireless devices.

It is a very ubiquitous environmental stressor that very few homes are free from.

From the hundreds of assessments of homes and workplaces that I’ve conducted over the last decade, I’ve seen again and again similar symptoms in people who are exposed to high levels of radiofrequency (RF) EME.

These symptoms include:

  • Disturbed sleep, with an inability to fall into a deep restful sleep
  • Busy dreams
  • Waking unrefreshed
  • Non-stop thoughts, I had a 6 year old once tell me that it felt like she couldn’t turn her brain off
  • A sense of buzzing similar to feeling caffeinated
  • Agitation and stress
  • Anger and sometimes rages
  • Feeling frustrated and irritable
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Grinding teeth (bruxism)
  • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

And what I wanted to share with you today is based on the occupants experiencing many of these symptoms in their new home.

More importantly, the reason for sharing is because the source was so surprising.

Surprising Sources

I recently conducted an assessment for my clients in the home that they were just moving into.

Being out of the city, I was expecting lower readings than what I see particularly in inner city homes.

However, apart from one source, the levels of the different types of electromagnetic energy (EME) were incredibly low – and very close to natural levels.

ELF AC electric fields, we aim for below 0.3 V/m. This place was around 0.1 V/m.

ELF AC magnetic fields 2, we aim for below 2.0 mG.  This place was close to 0.0 mG throughout.

RF EME, we aim for below 10 µW/m2. This place was below 2 µW/m2. This place almost everywhere was below 2 µW/m2… but there were levels well over 100 µW/m2 in the bedroom.

High Frequency Transient Spikes (aka “Dirty Electricity”) we’re aiming for below 100 mV. This place sat between 20-40 mV.

So it intrigued me as to the source of the sleep issues they were experiencing from the very first night they spent there. 

Outside their bedroom was the meter box and switchboard. The meter was a smart meter, so no surprises there… but the readings I got, and the pattern of spikes did not match what I’d expect from a smart meter.

Lo and behold, in the meter box was also something else!

It looked almost like a white computer mouse and was attached to the front of the meter and was sitting on the metal wall of the meter box.

It was an energy management system. 

This is what it looks like:

electromagnetic-energy-energy-management-system-Eco-Health-Solutions

They are designed to send information to an app on your phone so you can manage your energy usage.

Have you got one?

Electromagnetic Energy Findings from the Energy Management System

In this video, you can see the lovely low background levels.

The readings I got were really interesting. I recorded them for you to see and hear.

Every few seconds, you’ll hear a sound that is a bit like a metronome or clock ticking, that is the sound coming through the meter of the EME that it is detecting.

In these videos, you can see how high the readings were…

And it isn’t even connected to anything!

What is Happening?

Whilst taking the readings, as you can see, the energy management system is not connected to anything.

When it was installed in the meter box, it was stuck on with double-sided sticky tape.

And that is normal – they are simply stuck on the meter.

They are then meant to be connected to an app on your smartphone via Bluetooth connectivity.

Whether or not a phone is connected to it, as you can see, it is continuously emitting RF EME every few seconds.

What Can You Do?

Check your meter box and remove the energy management system installed, if you’ve got one.

It may not look exactly the same as the one I’ve shown you here, so be sure to check carefully. 

If you’re in any doubt about what it is, take a photo of it and ask your electricity supplier.You can share it in our Facebook group.

If you’re interested in finding out more about shielding your smart meter, check out this guide here.

What Was the End Result?

With the energy management system gone, I reassessed and found that every 5-10 minutes, there was a spike in RF readings. This was coming from the smart meter.

We installed shielding (shielding paint) and I measured the levels again – and the levels dropped down to what the rest of the place was – incredibly low levels around 2 µW/m2.

And, I’m happy to report that my clients are now sleeping well.

EMF 5 little known sources cover © Eco Health Solutions

Are you already familiar with EMF/EME? 

I’ve put together this Healthy Home Guide which focuses on the little known sources of EMF/EME.

You can download it for FREE here.

Mould Sensitivities: You Are Not Alone

by | building materials, buildings and health, condensation, environmental sensitivities, humidity, indoor environmental health, moisture, mold, mould, water damage

by Tim Law

Mould sensitivities are more common than most people realise. 

If you’re a regular here at Eco Health Solutions, it is highly likely that you have mould sensitivities or other environmental sensitivities, know someone who does, or know enough about them to want to prevent them… If you’re new, then feel free to peruse this and other posts on environmental sensitivities.

I wanted to bring you a different, and more technical, perspective on mould and health – so invited my friend Tim Law, an architectural scientist with a strong interest in this topic to share his insights with you.

Grab a cuppa and pen and paper and settle in for this great read.

I am an architectural scientist, one who uses the principles of physics, biology and chemistry to understand buildings.

On the positive side I try to make buildings perform optimally, and on the flip side I explain why they fail.

If you are reading Lucinda’s website, you are most likely aware that conventional medicine has a very limited understanding around the health implications of mould in water-damaged buildings.

This article is written to help you understand that even though your physician may not be familiar with mould sensitivities you should not feel alone. There are many others like you.

— Tim Law, PhD (Architecture), Archsciences

Tim Law

Mould Sensitivities: You Are Not Alone

Fungi, the fifth kingdom. Ubiquitous, prolific, little understood. They are the great recyclers, decomposing trees, recovering its nutrients, nourishing the soil. They are selectively symbiotic, and at times territorial. 

But once they sporulate in water-damaged buildings, they become unequivocally unhealthy to humans. 

You are not alone in your home.

There is an entire ecosystem of microorganisms waging biological warfare. Quite different from human warfare, there is no morality in this war, no good vs evil, no heroes or villains, it is simply what fungi do. 

It turns out that mould does not live a solitary existence. They form colonies. The word ‘colony’ has been well chosen. 

Mould can team up with other organisms such as bacteria to form biofilms — a kind of fortified city wall to protect the organisms within its confines. 

More significantly, mould colonises. It is opportunistic, dormant until the conditions are right, then invades and proliferates. Like any colonist, mould does not like to share. It is hypothesised that mould sends out mycotoxins (mould toxins) to eliminate its competition. 

The strategies largely fall in two methods: arrive early and multiply quickly, or arrive late and carry some big guns. 

Microbiologists divide the continuum as primary, secondary and tertiary colonisers. 

They also follow the same neat order of water activity (or wetness of a porous material): primary colonisers germinate when the material is moderately damp for a few days, and tertiary colonisers when it is very damp for a long period of months.

The Might of Mould

Human ingenuity has turned these mould metabolites into medicines — a vast range of fungal antibiotics are derived from mould. 

Humans also figured that we could isolate and weaponise mycotoxins. In the stuff of nightmares, trichothecenes can be derived from the common tertiary coloniser found in water-damaged buildings, Stachybotrys chartarum, that gram for gram, exceeds mustard gas in toxicity. 

Stachybotrys chartarum has received superstar status in the media and is commonly referred to as “toxic black mould”. This turns out to be a rather unhelpful description since mould has different colours depending on the substrate it feeds on, and changes colours across its life cycle, just like trees do across seasons.

koji - mould sensitivities - eco health solutions
Koji growing on white rice

Yet not all moulds are hazardous. Some moulds are brilliantly delicious. Koji (Aspergillus oryzae) creates umami-charged cuisine.

Impressively, one could marinate raw meat with shio-koji and let the process continue for days unrefrigerated without bacterial overgrowth, according to Jeremy Umansky, author of Koji Alchemy. 

One wonders if this can be applied to buildings. And indeed this idea is not far-fetched. Japanese Koji houses are dedicated fermenteries — no other ferments are permitted in the facility so as to minimise cross contamination.

Before fermenting is commenced, the Koji master goes through the ritual of scattering Koji spores all around the timber building structure to essentially stave off any other moulds from colonising.

Mould in Buildings

We should attend to our buildings with a similar care, seeing how most of Australian domestic construction is dominated by cellulose material. 

From timber frames to engineered timber products like LVLs (laminated veneer lumbers) and plywood, to particle board flooring, MDF (medium density fibre) boards, to paper-faced plasterboard wall and ceiling linings — virtually everything we build with in a typical Australian house is mould food, you just have to add water.

mould food - mould sensitivities - eco health solutions
Adam Holmes (16 Oct 2019)

Moisture

It should be pointed out that mould is not the only problem with dampness. 

Water supports life of a host of micro-organisms besides mould, it is just mould that is the most visible due to its mycelial structure. 

To keep mould and other microorganisms away from houses, it is as simple as keeping moisture out. 

Simple, but not easy. 

If it were easy moisture-related defects would not be repeatedly the highest reported source of problems for apartments by the NSW Office of the Building Commissioner occurring in 53% of reviewed apartment buildings. 

In Victoria, surveys conducted by the Australian Apartment Advocacy show water-related defects as a group of defects are well ahead of any other classification.

defects - mould sensitivities - eco health solutions
Australian Apartment Advocacy (2021)

In 2016, I was with a group of researchers at the University of Tasmania which analysed an industry-wide survey around condensation in new houses and apartment buildings. 

Regardless of state/territory and climate zone, there was a fairly consistent average that a third of these new buildings were estimated to have condensation problems. 

If we add to this the water-related defects such as failures in plumbing, roofing, cladding, water-proofing and damp-proofing, then a building free from water damage is in the minority.

violin plots - mould sensitivities - eco health solutions
ABCB (2016)

Condensation provisions were only introduced into the National Construction Code in 2019, meaning to say that houses and apartments built prior to this could be deemed to be code-compliant, and yet have unmitigated condensation, together with the mould and bacteria that invariably follows prolonged dampness of building materials.

Mould Sensitivities

When the micro-organisms proliferate, not only do they produce toxins to gain a competitive advantage, even their cell walls become a source of toxins.

These toxins are collectively referred to as biotoxins and create a range of maladies, broadly categorised as allergenic, pathogenic, toxicological and inflammatory. 

In essence, it can be very broad, systemic, affecting multiple organs and expressed through multiple symptoms.

Early symptoms often include brain fog and chronic fatigue. 

On prolonged exposure to water-damaged buildings, mould-sensitive patients eventually also develop chemical, light and electromagnetic hypersensitivities.

Lucinda has convened two high quality Environmental Sensitivity Symposia which I unreservedly recommend.

2015 ess - eco health solutions
Book Cover

New Research into Mould Sensitivities and Biotoxin Illnesses

On top of that, in an Australian first, the NHMRC (National Health and Medical Research Council) is funding research into biotoxin illness. I am one of the investigators and am optimistic that recent advancements in data mining, next-generation sequencing, transcriptomics and metagenomics will enable us to tackle this complex problem which has hitherto been too complex to analyse.

There is almost a poetic irony that interconnected disciplines are required to unravel the interconnected symptoms of a patient suffering from interconnecting micro-organisms.

Thus, if you find yourself in a water-damaged building, remember you are not alone. There are many Australians in a similar predicament that you will be able to connect with. 

Keep seeking for answers and keep applying pressure on the government (local, state and federal) to improve the quality of buildings we live, work and school in. 

Keep connecting with like-minded people and build your support network.

You are not alone.

Post by Tim Law, PhD

Winter Healthy Home Threats

by | air pollution, air quality, carbon monoxide, condensation, earthing, electromagnetic radiation, EME, EMF, environmental sensitivities, environmental stressors, healthy home, healthy home threats, humidity, indoor air quality, indoor environmental health, moisture, mold, mould, occupant activity, seasons, smart meters, ventilation, VOCs, wifi, winter, wireless technology

Winter Healthy Home Threats Occur in Every Home

Winter with its cold and often wetter weather presents unique healthy home threats that differ from other seasons throughout the year.

What is a healthy home threat?

A healthy home threat is something that challenges our efforts in creating a healthy home. It might be something that undermines what we’ve done, or perhaps something that needs to be considered to prevent issues.

Which Challenges Does Winter Bring?

I like to start with looking at the way that our behaviours change with the seasons, as well as the climatic conditions. 

The drop in temperatures, the increase in rain in many parts of the country, the advent of snow in the ranges, and the shorter daylight hours tend to see us:

  • Be indoors more of the time
  • Use heating
  • Perhaps light the fire, especially for date night 
  • Close windows and doors to keep the cold out and heat in
  • Draw curtains and blinds for more hours due to the earlier sunset
  • We wear more layers of clothing
  • Our clothes are thicker 
  • We may need to dry our clothes inside due to inclement weather
  • We often eat soups, stews and roasts – making the most of our ovens
  • Some people bathe more often or take longer and hotter showers to warm up

 You may be surprised to discover that all of these behaviours can create healthy home threats.

 Let’s take a look at the threats and what can be done to reduce any issues.

frost on green leaves - winter healthy home threats

Reduced Indoor Air Quality

When we “close up” our homes (closing windows and keeping doors shut) to keep the heat in, we’re reducing the number of times that the air is exchanged. This means that the air doesn’t get diluted often, if at all, which can result in reduced indoor air quality.

What happens is that VOCs, gases and other contaminants build up in the air. Oxygen levels often are reduced and carbon dioxide can increase – leading to feelings of sleepiness.

Ventilation is key.

SOLUTIONS

  1. The simplest thing to do is to leave windows open just a tiny bit, as long as it is safe to do so, can dilute the air well.
  2. Regularly opening windows and doors several times throughout the day will exchange the air, and I recommend that this is done at least 3 times a day, and preferably every hour or two.
  3. If it isn’t possible to do this 2-3 times a day, then an air purifier would also assist.

Carbon Monoxide Build-Up

There’s a big difference between carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. 

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the gases that we exhale. 

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly gas that comes from combustion – gas appliances are one of the biggest contributors to CO levels within our homes. Cars are another big source, which is why I don’t like people idling their cars in their garages or driveways.

Since we’re using gas appliances more during winter – heating, cooking, hot showers – there’s an increased risk.

SOLUTIONS

  1. Have your gas appliances checked by a licensed gas fitter every autumn so that they are ready for use in winter.
  2. Ventilate your home often – as discussed above.
  3. Avoid idling your car in the garage or driveway.

Poor Outdoor Air

The levels of outdoor air pollution can become very high in areas where people rely on wood fires for heating.

The smoke produced by wood fires can contain formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, chemicals (some of which are known carcinogens) and fine particulate matter. 

According to the Environment & Human Health Inc. (n.d.) wood smoke “interferes with normal lung development in infants and children… can depress the immune system… [and, according to the WHO] can cause coughs, headaches, eye and throat irritation in otherwise healthy people.” 

Whilst enclosed wood fires, such as Coonaras, don’t release the pollutants indoors, they are still released outdoors, and can readily affect your neighbours, particularly who are sensitive and/or have asthma or other respiratory complaints.

SOLUTIONS

  1. Avoid using wood fires.
  2. Rug up and/or be physically active – this is a great time of year to get big gardening jobs done.
  3. Invest in an air purifier to help clean your indoor air.

Increased Moisture Levels

Did you know that “occupant activity” is one a big factor in indoor moisture levels?

The obvious ones are bathing, drying clothes, and stovetop cooking. However, occupant activities that increase moisture also include using gas appliances, breathing and sweating (or perspiring).

Given we tend to not only wear more layers in winter, but also the layers are thicker, they take longer to dry. As a result, many people dry them inside near a source of heat, or pop them in the clothes dryer.

Combine our tendency to be indoors in winter with these activities, then add to it the closed windows and doors, you can see how quickly moisture levels can increase.

SOLUTIONS

  1. Monitor the levels of relative humidity with a hygrometer – we’re aiming for 45-55% RH; 50% RH is ideal.
  2. Use extractor fans when cooking, bathing or laundering. 
  3. If your extractor fans don’t vent to the outside, or you don’t have efficient ones, then a dehumidifier can be useful.
    clothes dryer and shelves - winter healthy home threats

    Mould on Windows & Curtains

    In the cooler months, many people report condensation on windows and glass doors especially in the mornings.

    This happens because glass changes temperature quickly, and moisture in the air condenses out of it, forming condensation on this, and other, cold surfaces.

    It is due to the presence of this moisture that mould can readily form on blinds or curtains that touch the glass, and even on the glass itself.

    SOLUTIONS

    1. Dry your windows daily with a dry bamboo microfibre cloth.
    2. Dry glass that is high up using a flat mop.
    3. Leave your windows open a little to equalise the temperature.

    Increased Exposure to EMF/EME

    Spending more time indoors can also increase your exposure to EMF/EME if you have wi-fi or use wireless devices.

    Wireless technology is used in smart meters, Bluetooth equipment, smartphones and tablets, 3G, 4G & 5G, phone towers, home stereo systems, and more.

    SOLUTIONS

    1. Head outdoors to “discharge” and “ground.”
    2. Do without wi-fi and other wireless devices.
    3. Turn the wi-fi and wireless devices on only when you need them, ensuring they are off while you sleep.

     

    home office - winter healthy home threats

    As you can see, 

    Winter Healthy Home Threats Occur in Every Home – to Varying Degrees

    I trust that you are feeling empowered to take the relevant action in your home.

     

    If you’d like to get some advice on this, then please book a call.

    Book a Call Here

    Support Your Health by Creating a Healthy Home

    by | air pollution, buildings and health, environmental sensitivities, environmental stressors, grinding teeth, happiness, health, healthy home, indoor air quality, indoor environmental health, mould, self-care, sleep, stress, ventilation, VOCs, water damage, wireless technology

    Perhaps you’ve heard about “healthy homes” and wondered how a home could support your health?

    Or maybe you’ve wondered what you could do to create a healthy home?

    And, if you’ve been with me for a while, you’ll likely just be eager for more strategies to support your health.

    Please know, that no matter where you’re at, every step you take is a step in the right direction.

    Let’s get started.

    Does Your Home Support Your Health?

    It could be! You don’t have to be bed-bound to be experiencing the effects of hidden hazards in your home – you might be fit and well but feel a bit off at times.

    Since there are so many signs and symptoms which may suggest your home could be hampering your health, and many of these may also have medical causes… The best thing to do is to start by observing.

    Here’s my key question: do you feel better when away from your home?

    From my experience with clients over the last 9 years, the vast majority have reported that when they spend time away from their homes, their symptoms become less severe. For some, it’s almost instant. For others, it is gradual.

    What are some of the common symptoms when your home doesn’t support your health?

    Given we’re all different, these will vary from person to person. However, here are some of the more common symptoms.

    • Headaches
    • Sore and/or dry eyes
    • Poor sleep
    • Heightened levels of stress or agitation
    • Sore and/or tight muscles
    • Feeling not quite right (aka malaise)
    • Foggy or muddled head
    • Low energy
    • Vertigo or losing balance (only when at home)
    • Grinding or clenching teeth (aka bruxism)
    • Runny nose
    • Depression, anxiety, rage, angry outbursts

    Please remember, there can also be medical causes for some of these, and these should also be ruled out – as some of the medical causes could be sinister.

    Let me tell you about Beth and Jo

    Beth and Jo were renting, and not long after moving into their new place, they began to feel unwell. Things got worse day by day, and eventually they both needed time off from work.

    Alarm bells started to ring for them when they found they felt worse when resting at home.

    Jo spent the days outside weathering the cold Melbourne winter.

    Beth felt so bad at home, she opted not to take time off – the fact was, she felt better there anyway.

    When I attended their home, it was clear that they had some big issues with water ingress and mould. They decided to break their lease and get out of there A.S.A.P.

    For Beth and Jo the link was super obvious. However, for many people, the changes can be subtle and not so readily noticed.

    Let’s consider some easy (and free) ways that you can get started on right away.

    Cap Screen Time

    Studies have established there is a variety of adverse health effects linked to screen time. Apart from the more obvious ones such as dry eyes, there can be a range of other effects.

    The effects of shortwave light (SWL) from the LED lights in screens was studied by Israeli researchers, Green, et al, in 2017. They discovered that 2 hours of evening device use resulted in increased wakefulness at night, low-quality sleep, and suppressed melatonin production.

    But wait – there’s more!

    The research team also noticed symptoms the next day, including an elevated level of sleepiness, a decrease in the capacity to concentrate, poor mood, and reduced performance levels when performing actions.

    What also came to light (excuse the pun!) was that dimming the lights on the screen didn’t make much difference to the aftereffects that they had observed.

    Here’s what I recommend –

    Reducing screen time in the evening by setting a curfew. In my home, we started by selecting a time that worked for everyone to “down phones/devices.” For us, it’s 7:00PM. Find a time that works for your household and stick to it.

    Clean Your Air

    Australians spend between 90 and 95 percent of their time indoors (State of Knowledge, 2001).

    Knowing this can help us to understand the important role which our homes (and offices) have in our wellbeing.

    I was shocked to discover that many people rarely open windows and doors, and that occupants rely on the heating and cooling systems to control the indoor environment.

    This means that the indoor air is rarely (if ever) exchanged, and the result is that indoor air contaminants continuously increase. Often, too, I’ve seen a decrease in oxygen levels and an increase in carbon dioxide. There are statistics around that show that indoor air can be 5-10 times more polluted than outdoor air.

    Ventilation is key and done regularly, will allow indoor air to be exchanged with and refreshed by outdoor air.

    The quickest and easiest way to do this is to do a lap of your home, opening every single door and window. It can take as few as 2 minutes to exchange the air in your home. It is ideal to do this hourly.

    Down the Device

    Various exciting technologies over the last 15 years have made it easier for people to be hooked on their devices. Have you noticed anytime you have a question, you reach for your device and search for an answer?

    We’ve already touched on the shortwave light from LEDs in screens, but there’s more to it than that.

    Our energy, emotional and mental health can take a whack with the constant pings and interruptions when we’ve got an email, SMS or a notification from an app or social media. Our sleep is easily affected when we’ve seen/heard something distressing right before bed.

    One of my guiding principles is “the precautionary principle.” This means that something has to be proven to be safe, and unless it has, then I limit use or access to it.

    So while the scientists re debating the semantics about health vs biological effects, I choose to minimise my exposure to wireless radiation.

    Apart from the potential health risks, there are the mental and emotional health risks that most have already experienced. On top of this, I value quiet time to reflect, form my own opinions, and rest my eyes from the eternal scrolls…

    Thus, I recommend choosing times in your day where you are without your devices.

    Instead, you could go for a walk in nature (and bring in the many health benefits of Shin-Rin Yoku, or “forest bathing”), read a book or magazine, play a board game, draw, dance, sing, play… I’m sure you can easily find joyful ways to spend your time.

    BONUS TIP: Have a look at your screen time (your device measures this) and multiply it by 365 to see just how many hours (or weeks!!) you’re spending with your device. Then ponder what else you could do with that time.

    Creating a Healthy Home Can Support Your Health and Wellbeing

    Create an oasis for yourself at home in which you can feel safe, nourished, and happy…

    Knowing that your home does support your health.

    You can do this!

    And if you want my help…

    Book a Call Here

    And if you’d like more tips, check this out.

    Shielded Canopies Considerations

    by | beds, earthing, electric fields, electromagnetic radiation, EME, EMF, EMR, environmental sensitivities, environmental stressors, grounding, health, indoor environmental health, sleep, wifi, wireless technology

    Shielding and Shielded Canopies are something that I am often asked about – and why I list only a few shielding products for the building on my website.

    The reason for this is that shielding needs to be done with great care – and is unique to each site.

    For me, providing shielding of any sort is a duty of care, which is why assessment and consultation is necessary.

    Shielded Canopies – What Are They?

    Shielded Canopies are canopies that are generally hung over and around beds to address electromagnetic fields/energy (EMF/EME) from various sources. They can be used over desks, couches, and anywhere else that you spend time.

    They can be a fabulous option to reduce levels of different types of EMF/EME when planned and installed correctly.

    I wanted to share three of the biggest considerations when thinking about getting a Shielded Canopy.

    Shielded Canopy Considerations

    1) Natural Radiation and Faraday Cages

    The very first consideration is the important of exposure to natural radiation from the earth and from space. These natural sources of radiation are extremely important for health.

    Many people decide that they need to be in a Faraday Cage – this is not something I recommend. This is because being in a Faraday cage, means to be cut off all forms of electromagnetic radiation or electromagnetic fields.

    Studies have been done that demonstrate that rats and mice when placed into a Faraday cage – and cut off from all radiation, including natural – lived extremely short lives.

    To reiterate, being exposed to natural radiation is good for us.

    That said, there are some instances where shielding is a really great option. However, as mentioned, it needs to be done very carefully. If you do go with a canopy, you will need to spend time outside maintain some level of exposure to natural levels of radiation.

    2) Sources of EMF/EMR/EME

    Now the second thing is to consider the sources of electromagnetic fields or electromagnetic energy (EMF or EME).

    Shielding tends to address two types of EMF/EME.

    a) Wireless technology (RF) – such as phone towers, wi-fi routers, wi-fi from neighbouring buildings, smart phones, and similar.

    b) AC ELF Electric Fields (EF) – which comes from wiring, cables, appliances, powerlines, transformers, and so on.

    It’s essential to determine where the sources are.

    This is crucial, because when we refer to the first consideration – the need to be exposed to natural radiation, it becomes clear that it’s preferable to only block the sources, and not create a Faraday Cage.

    Once the sources have been identified, the planning and placement of shielding needs to be done with great care so that it doesn’t increase your exposure.

    If placed in the wrong position, your shielding canopy could result in other sources bouncing off it and at you.

    It is important to realise that shielding fabrics work on both sides.

    Therefore, it is essential to consider and understand where the sources are so that you can get it right.

    This is where getting expert help is advised – and I can help you with that.

    3) Choosing the Right Fabric

    Finally, the third consideration is equally important – and that is getting the type of shielding fabric right.

    There are a multitude of different fabrics designed to shield EMF/EME.

    Some will work at low levels with the source being close and others may work at high level.

    And in some cases, layering is important as this may increase its effectiveness.

    Another part of this is to be clear on which type of EMF/EME the fabric addresses.

    Does it shield electric fields as well?

    In which case, grounding the fabric is not negotiable. That said, I do recommend the grounding all shielding fabrics that are near you.

    I’ve been to several places where somebody installed a shielding canopy over their bed and although it did deflect the radio frequencies very well, it was attracting the electric fields to it. The result was that the levels of electric fields on the bed were about 30 or 40 times higher than what they were when you were away from the canopy.

    As you can see, it’s important to understand the type of fabric and how it works. 

    Shielding is a complex area – a science and an art form.

    If you would like advice on Shielding Canopies, let’s talk.

    Book a Call With Me

    Time Indoors – Is it Affecting Your Health?

    by | air pollution, air quality, buildings and health, environmental sensitivities, grinding teeth, health, healthy home, indoor air quality, indoor environmental health, sleep, ventilation, VOCs, wifi

    Spending more time indoors, you may discover that your place is not supporting your health.

    Did you know that on average Australians generally spending 90+% of their time indoors?

    This can include home, work, in vehicles and places of worship.

    Whether it be a change in employment, circumstances or, due to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, all of a sudden, you might find yourself at home a lot more than previously.

    Like André.

    His contract finished, and instead of being on the road all the time for work, he was at home until he arranged new employment.

    All of a sudden, his voice got raspy, he felt sick, but not sick enough to spend the day in bed, his energy was low. He didn’t feel great, so found that he spent even more time indoors.

    Quickly, he realised that something was wrong.

    He got in touch with me, and we uncovered some hidden hazards, otherwise known as environmental stressors.

    Once these were addressed properly, he was 100% a-okay in his home.

    He was sweet, he called me every week to say, “I’m still okay!”

    That is exactly why I do what I do!

    Being able to help someone take back the reins of their life, to return to full health and be able to do whatever they choose… that is what is all about.

    All too often, when something goes wrong health-wise, people immediately think there is something wrong with them.

    Yet, like in André’s case, sometimes the problem is within the environment, not the person.

    You fix the environmental stressors, and the person returns to normal.

    In so many instances, when you clean up the environment the problem goes away.

    I believe that more people are affected by the environment than they realise.

    A good example of this is a headache. What do you do when you get a headache?

    Do you…

    • Reach for the painkillers like many people do?
    • Drink extra water and have some downtime?
    • Explore your environment for changes?

    My #1 go-to is always to explore any changes in the environment.

    I would rather fix the environment (cause) than take medication to temporarily ease the symptoms and never get to the bottom of it.

    We’re all different, I get it. No judgement here. ☺

    Have you noticed any changes since spending more time indoors ?

    Here’s a list to get you thinking – but do note, there are medical causes for some of these too – so do check in with your doctor or health practitioner for certainty.

    • Headaches
    • Poor sleep
    • Aching eyes
    • Muscle tension
    • Feeling off (malaise)
    • Ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
    • Grinding your teeth (bruxism)
    • Runny nose
    • Cough
    • Low energy
    • Foggy head
    • Poor concentration

    These can all have environmental causes.

    So, you might want to check things out.

    eco health solutions nature

    The best way to determine if your place is playing a role is…

    Notice how you feel when you are out of the building? 

    OPTION 1

    If you are in lockdown, you can’t stay somewhere else, but if you aren’t in lockdown, see how you feel when you are away from your place for a few days.

    OPTION 2

    Go for a walk, ideally in nature (the beach, a park, a reserve). Ideally spend a few hours enjoying the sunshine, fresh air and natural world.

    If you notice your symptoms ease off when you are away, it begins to point to an issue in your place.

    If you find that they ease off and then when you return, the symptoms do too, then it confirms that there is an environmental stressor there that is affecting you.

    Simple Steps to Ease the Symptoms when you are Spending Time Indoors

    Here are some simple steps that you can use to ease the symptoms. Do be aware that these are temporary measures and until the cause is addressed, the issue remains.

    1. Ventilate. 
    If there is a build-up of indoor air contaminants, open your doors and windows to exchange the air and dilute the levels of contaminants.

    2. Spend time in nature. 
    Shinrin Yoku is the Japanese practise of “forest bathing” and it is seen to be highly beneficial for health (including mental health).

    60 minutes of time in nature, especially under a canopy of trees can result in 7 days of benefits. Make some time, at least, every week to get out in nature.

    3. Turn off your devices, wi-fi and smartphones – at least while you sleep. 
    Sleep is the most important time of the day it is when our body heals. So, give it the best chance to do this, and turn everything off.

    I call this “digital downtime” and you can do it more often than just overnight. 😉

    Let's talk. If you want to find out more about what could be going on, book a call with me here

    Environmental Stressors Can Cause Blindness??

    by | air fresheners, air quality, babies, buildings and health, condensation, electromagnetic radiation, EMF, EMR, environmental sensitivities, environmental stressors, fragrances, gases, health, healthy home, indoor air quality, indoor environmental health, informed choice, lead, mold, mould, particulate matter, perfumes, water damage, wifi

    Environmental Stressors Can Cause Blindness??

    Say what? Environmental stressors can cause blindness????

    Yup.

    Let me illustrate this with a story about Billie.

    Billie (not her real name) is a young Mum who is super keen to ensure her bubba is safe. She’d heard about 5G and noticed some of the attention it was getting. So she asked Dr Google, she joined FB groups, she sought out information from everywhere.

    Out came Protective Mamma Bear.

    5G became an obsession. It consumed every available moment between changing nappies, feeding, washing, playing with bubba and sleep…. Well, to be honest, it even started to creep in there too – as she dreamed about #5G.

    Billie was so obsessed with 5G that she thought nothing of using her tablet while bubba slept, while it connected to the wi-fi.

    The humidifier in bubba’s room that was causing mould to grow on the ceiling didn’t even enter her mind.

    The perfume she spritzed on her body and clothes didn’t get a mention.

    She was so caught up in the one issue, that she saw nothing else.

    Not surprisingly, she was blinded by her obsession with one environmental stressor.

    Billie is not alone. Environmental Stressors are Hugely Important

    Billie’s story is not unique. I see this time and time again – be it around #SmartMeters, #fragrances, #lead, #mould… any #EnvironmentalStressor. 

    Whilst it is valid to be informed and proactive, there are quite a lot of issues with this kind of blinkered focus on one thing. 

    In a nutshell, the issues are:

    🤷🏽‍♂️ There is a lot of mis-information, hype and well-marketed nonsense. As a result, you can end up spending a lot of time and money on unnecessary things

    🔎 With all the mis-information, you might end up doing something that could make things worse

    🔍 Usually, when my team and I assess homes of people like Billie, we find all sorts of other problems that are much larger issues than the one they are stressing about… the blinkers need to come off to be able to address the bigger picture

    And yet, there is much more to this…

    It is one small word that has massive ramifications.

    🔎 It is #stress 🔎 

    Stress can cause a whole gamut of problems. It can:

    😡 Reduce your ability to #detoxify 

    😞 Negatively impact your #sleep (and as a result, your mood)

    😕 Cause a release of all sorts of chemicals in the body that ultimately reduce your #resilience 

    AND, this next one is the worst of all, in my opinion.

    😔 Stress can cause you to freeze up, become #overwhelmed and take NO action

    I believe strongly in taking #empowered action.

    There is always something you can do to make a difference.

    Even if it feels small, it is enormous! 

    So, I urge you to keep perspective, to open your heart to the wonderful things in life, and draw inspiration to take empowered action.

    One of my favourite recommendations is to put flowering plants in your garden (or balcony). This will help the birds, bees, insects and your loved ones. 

    Take a moment to imagine how the world would benefit if every single person did this? 

    🌻🐝🌸🐾💐🦉🌞🦆🌿

    Managing Mould

    by | air pollution, condensation, environmental sensitivities, health, healthy home, humidity, indoor environmental health, mold, mould, water, water damage

    Managing #mould. It’s everywhere, so how?

    Managing mould doesn’t have to be an uphill battle.

    Managing Mould At Your Place

    Since mould is a moisture issue, we are going to focus on moisture.

    Moisture can come from weather-events, building-related issues and occupant activity. Today, we are going to focus on occupant activity – this is what you do within your “four walls.”

    My top 5 sources of increased moisture include:

    1. Bathing – showering or bathing
    2. Using the clothes dryer
    3. Hanging laundry inside
    4. Cooking, especially with gas 
    5. Breathing

    These are all regular events in most households, so what can you do?

    The first step is to monitor the levels of relative humidity (RH) to help keep mould at bay. The ideal range is between 45-55% RH. 

    To understand more about humidity, please read this post.

    A simple and inexpensive way to monitor RH is with a hygrometer – you can get a simple one here. 

    Some Simple Steps

    Based on my top sources of moisture, managing mould can be done simply and easily by following these seven simple steps.

    1. Use the extractor fans when bathing, cooking or doing the laundry
    2. Dry your laundry outside
    3. If you do have to use a dryer, vent the dryer to the exterior
    4. Make sure you use the extractor fan every time you cook. If you don’t have one, then open windows to all for cross-ventilation
    5. Open your windows and doors! It can take as few as TWO MINUTES to exchange the air in your home. It is essential to do this as often as possible – at least 6 times day
    6. Consider a dehumidifier (especially if your extractor fans vent to the ceiling void, and not outside)
    7. Consider an air purifier to help to keep the air clean

    If you would like to explore this further and get my advice,
    then book a Virtual Indoor Environmental Health Assessment here.