Smart Meters – What Can Be Done?

by | building biology, dirty electricity, earthing, ehs, electric fields, electromagnetic radiation, EMF, EMR, environmental sensitivities, high frequencies, indoor environmental health, magnetic fields, radiofrequencies, smart meters, wireless technology

Smart meters have been rolled out in many parts of the country, have you got one?

Given I am so immersed in this kind of technology, I am always surprised when someone hasn’t even heard of them. 🙂

So, let's start with what they are.

What are Smart Meters?

A smart meter is a relatively new type of electricity meter.

We all had analog ones. These new ones are digital, and the majority of them transmit information back to the power companies.

Please note, that not all of them do.

The move to smart meters in Australia has at least several reasons that I can figure out:

  • They don't need to be manually read, as the data can be transmitted – saving the power companies money;
  • It was decided that they would be rolled out in Victoria after the terrible fires we had some years back that were caused by power lines coming down. If smart meters were installed, they could shut down the power and it is hoped that this would then prevent this from happening again; and
  • As part of the bigger picture of the Internet of Things (#IoT) and #5G, they can talk to devices and turn them on and off…

What is So Different About a Smart Meter?

In a nutshell, smart meters transmit information wireless (thus utilising radiofrequency EMF).

This is both the benefit AND the issue.

What is Wrong with Smart Meters?
Aren't they Smarter?

No, they are not. When they first came out and sensitive people began experiencing symptoms, many of us were calling them “Dumb Meters!”

Smart Meters emit four different types of electromagnetic fields (EMF).

  1. Radiofrequency EMF – as already mentioned, this is the wireless technology. This can pass through walls and travels quite long distances.
  2. “Dirty Electricity” (High Frequency Transient Spikes) – due to the fact they contain an inverter. This type of EMF is on the wiring, but can emanate into a room through the walls.
  3. Magnetic Fields – from the wiring. This also passes through walls, but levels drop off very quickly with distance.
  4. Electric Fields – from the wiring. Although this type of EMF can pass through walls, it is seeking the fastest route to earth. So, it may easily bend to reach earth if a good conductor is nearby. (Think of lightning hitting the tallest tree.)

eco-health-solutions-home

Any issue with that?

All of these types of EMF are at far higher levels than what we are looking for from a health perspective.

When ours was first installed, the power company offered to send me their literature to allay my concerns. Having waded through the 100-ish pages, I found that smart meters emit magnetic fields at 17 mG. From a health-perspective, we are looking at 2 mG for daytime exposure and 0.2 mG for bedrooms.

The power companies claim that they only transmit wirelessly up to six times a day. Whilst it may be true that the information is only received up to six times a day, they are emitting 24/7 and spike (rapidly reach a much higher level) frequently.

Instead of helping, my concerns were heightened!

Early in my career as an Indoor Environmental Health Consultant it became very clear that the levels emitted, and the fact that EMF is being emitted 24/7 (and we can't turn it off), many people I encountered had reached their tipping point. This has resulted in* these people to develop a heightened sensitivity to EMF, with symptoms varying from insomnia, muscle tension, vivid dreaming, grinding their teeth (bruxism), ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and so on.

*These symptoms are anecdotal – I have accumulated this list from what has been reported to my by clients.

My stance is that it is never one thing that causes heightened sensitivities, but it can easily be one thing that “breaks the camels back.” That said, it is vital that we reduce all environmental stressors, particularly for when we are asleep.

What Can Be Done?

  1. Not get one – if you have the chance to not have one installed, please avoid doing so.
  2. Have it removed – in some areas, people have been able to have them removed. Occasionally, they have to pay more per year someone manually needs to read them. (Worth it, I think!)
  3. Have the chip removed so it can't emit wirelessly – this will solve the issues of one of the four types of EMF.
  4. Move the aerial – if you contact your energy provider, they may be able to put the aerial on the roof.
  5. Have your power company “power it down” – smart meters can function quite well at around 5% (or less in some cases) capacity… and they are installed and set at 100%. Note, that not all smart meters can be turned down.
  6. Shielding – done with care can be a simple and effective solution. In most cases, it should be able to be done for less than $300.

What If I Am Renting?

No problem, shielding can be effectively installed in such a way that you can take it with you.

Can't We Just Buy a Cage or Wrap Smart Meters in Aluminium?

NO!

Both of these options can result in the meter working harder to get the signal out. This results in much more “force” being required to get the signal out, causing it to emit at higher levels.

So How Can I Shield it Properly?

I get asked that a LOT… so I have made this easy-to-follow guide packed with expert tips for homeowners AND renters.

”YES!

#smartmeters #EMF #radiofrequency #electricfields #magneticfields #dirtyelecticity #shielding

Sick Building Syndrome: Is Your Workplace Healthy?

by | air pollution, building biology, buildings and health, chemically sensitive, chemicals, cleaning products, drinking water, ehs, electromagnetic radiation, EMF, environmental sensitivities, health, high frequencies, humidity, indoor air quality, indoor environmental health, mobile phone, mold, mould, perfumes, personal care, radiofrequencies, VOCs, water damage

“Sick Building Syndrome” is a term that has been around for a few decades to explain how and why people are affected by their buildings. As a building biologist, I am frequently assessing the health of buildings (whether they are sick or not) and how they may impact upon the health of the occupants – be that at home or at work.

Guest author Jennifer Bennett discusses sick building syndrome in relation to the workplace.

Sick Building Syndrome: Is Your Workplace Healthy?

Does it sometimes seem like everyone in your office is coming down with something?

Are you and your colleagues constantly coughing and sniffling, or complaining of headaches, dizziness and nausea?

Or perhaps you’re just really tired all the time?

And yet, when 5 o’clock rolls around and you’re on your way home, you start to feel a lot better.

You might be thinking that you just hate being at work!

Could it be more..?

However, there may be something other than burnout or a bad bout of the flu to blame.

If you’re experiencing odd symptoms that disappear when you go home, your building may well have a case of Sick Building Syndrome.

This is a somewhat mysterious condition that causes general feelings of ill health in occupants of a building, including headaches, aches and pains, skin irritation, fatigue and shortness of breath.

The precise causes of Sick Building Syndrome haven’t been identified, but the general consensus is that it’s a symptom of environmental problems within a building.

People first started reporting Sick Building Syndrome in the 1970s, when economic pressures and oil embargoes forced architects and engineers to design more airtight office buildings to cut energy costs.

As a direct result, indoor air quality drastically worsened, as polluted air became trapped in buildings rather than being recirculated outside.

Chemical pollutants such as VOCs and biological contaminants such as mould then gradually rose in concentration, resulting in the health problems in employees that we now call Sick Building Syndrome.

Poorly designed ventilation systems also resulted in uncomfortable temperatures and high humidity levels, which can further encourage mould growth.

What is the Impact?

A poor working environment doesn’t just have health implications – it can also have a profound economic impact on businesses.

Sick Building Syndrome drastically reduces productivity, with poor indoor air quality estimated to cost employers around $15 billion a year in worker inefficiency and sick leave.

It’s also been noticed that Sick Building Syndrome is most common in open plan offices, and it’s unlikely to be a coincidence that employees in open plan offices also take on average 62% more sick days than those in cellular offices.

It’s clear that something needs to be done.

This infographic…

Paint Inspection have designed this infographic to tell you everything you need to know about this important topic.

Covering everything from the symptoms and causes, to the costs to businesses and some actionable solutions, we’re sure you’ll leave this blog feeling more equipped to deal with your unhealthy office building!

About the Author

Jennifer Bennett is the Content Writer at Paint Inspection, a UK-based coating inspection and surveying company.

Want to learn more about how you can create a healthier workplace?
Book a call so we can create a plan for you. >>

”Want

Pests – Managing Them In The Garden, Chemical-Free

by | building biology, chemical sensitivities, chemically sensitive, chemicals, environmental sensitivities, glyphosate, health, indoor environmental health

Pests: What Are They?

When you really stop and think about it, pests are critters in the wrong place at the wrong time.

They are important parts of nature and they do play a role however, we don’t always want them in our gardens. I have lost countless seedlings and a lot of fruit crops to pests, so I get it!

For this post, I am also going to broaden this concept of “pests” to plants as well – weeds and the like.

But How Can We Manage Pests Without Chemicals?

There are many ways that we can do this.

dandelion

WEEDS

Instead of Round Up or other glyphosate-based* products, pull them up by hand (or with a hand tool).

Alternatively, you can simply use steam or boiling water.

Most steam mops can be taken outside and used to steam the pavers and any places where weeds are growing.

*If you want to read more about Glyphosate, grab your copy of the e-Mag here. Stephane Seneff wrote an article in it. 🙂

snails

SNAILS

There are ways to deal with snails without poisoning them.

Snails like to slide along surfaces. They can’t slide across rough surfaces.

So, sprinkle sawdust around the plants you want to protect.

NOTE: You do need to reapply this after it has become wet (frost or rain).

aphids

APHIDS

Oh! Aphids!!!

Did you know that ladybirds FEAST on these?

One strategy is to plant lots of plants that attract beneficial insects.

The other method is to spray them with a detergent-water solution and then pick them off by hand.

Make sure you use a detergent that does not contain fragrances and chemicals.

OTHER IDEAS

  • Diatomaceous earth sprinkled around can kill insects
  • Bird nets over fruit trees will protect the fruit
  • Planting nasturtiums and garlic around tomatoes to distract birds and prevent insects, respectively
  • Don’t plant in rows – this is like setting up your garden for “pacman” to come along and chomp through everything
  • Owl ornaments can deter rodents
  • Plant extra, we all have to eat!

I hope you found that helpful. 🙂

I approach things from a precautionary standpoint.

If you would like help to work out how you can minimise your exposure to chemicals, book a call.

Lyn McLean – An Interview

by | books, building biology, buildings and health, ehs, electromagnetic radiation, EMF, environmental sensitivities, indoor environmental health

Lyn McLean

I first met Lyn McLean when I was reaching out to find speakers for the 2015 Environmental Sensitivities Symposium. I had read her book, The Force and was impressed with her knowledge and expression, and just knew she would contribute something amazing to the Symposium.

lyn mclean

When we first talked, I was taken with her level and depth of knowledge, as well as her nature. We share a history of being school teachers, and have a ton of interests in common.

Since that first “meeting” (phone), we have remained in close contact and have developed a solid friendship.

She wrote a fantastic paper for the 2016 Environmental Sensitivities Symposium that exposed the flaws in our exposure standards, particularly for wireless radiation (radiofrequency EMF).

A more formal introduction:

Lyn McLean is the Director of EMR Australia which she established over 20 years ago. Prior to this, she ran the “EMR Association of Australia” and the “EMR Alliance” for nine years.

She is an educator, trainer and author. She believes that it is important for people to examine the impacts of EMF on their homes and families, and as such has developed many resources to help them understand and reduce their exposure.

Here, I interview Lyn McLean about her wonderful new book Wireless Wise Families. You can get a copy here.

 

If you would like to learn more about ways to create a healthier home,
then join us here ->

The Dangers Of CFL Bulbs

by | building biology, electromagnetic radiation, EMF, environmental sensitivities, heavy metals, indoor environmental health, mercury

CFL Bulbs, LED, Halogens and Incandescents

CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs are considered energy efficient, but are good for the environment?

I don’t think so. CFL bulbs are, from a health and environment point of view, one of the worst options.

Here’s why

1. CFLs contain mercury. Mercury readily impacts the CNS (central nervous system) and may, in some cases, be fatal.

2. The contribute a significant EMF load – high ELF AC magnetic fields, ELF AC high electric fields and a lot of “dirty electricity” (high frequency transient spikes).

3. They flicker – so for those with environmental sensitivities or epilepsy, this MAY be a problem.

How do I know if I have CFLs?

Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) come in many shapes and sizes. Here are what many of them look like:

CFL bulbs

What Are The Alternatives?

It is honestly such a shame – the incandescent bulbs that we had to start with really were the best on many levels.

The adage, “Don't fix it if it isn't broken” comes to mind…

One of the best features of the incandescent bulbs is that they were fairly close to natural light. This is ideal.

But, because they weren't deemed to be energy-efficient, we moved onto Halogen Lights and CFLs.

Halogens lights create light through heat – and the biggest issue with them is that they can become a fire hazard. I have also see them becoming a mould risk – but that is anther blog post! Despite all of this, they are fairly close to natural light.

Another issue with these lights is that they can allow ceiling dust to enter the living spaces. Ceiling dust is often contaminated with heavy metals, faeces and other contaminants.

And then LED (light emitting diodes) lights were brought out – and these are incredible little beasties at creating light, however, what they create contains a lot of blue light. This can be damaging to our natural rhythms, for starters.

Best Options

Here is my ranking of the best options.

  1. Natural light
  2. Incandescent lights
  3. LEDs lights
  4. Halogens lights
  5. Compact Fluorescent lights

If you want to discover more about these and other environmental stressors, the join our Detox Your Environment Inner Circle. CLICK HERE.

Indoor Air Contaminants – The 3 Most Commonly Overlooked

by | air fresheners, air pollution, building biology, buildings and health, environmental sensitivities, health, indoor air quality, indoor environmental health, perfumes, personal care products, VOCs

Indoor Air Contaminants – Discover Which 3 Are Most Commonly Overlooked

Indoor air contaminants are largely ignored – even though the indoor air can be up to 10 times more polluted than the outdoor air.

DID YOU KNOW..?

Air is one of our most basic needs, yet it is often not as clean as it should be.

When people think about air pollution, they usually think about traffic-related air pollution. “Smog.”

In early 2020, many Australians also considered smoke due to the horrendous fires that we started the year with.

This is all pretty much about outdoor air (ambient air).

However, very few people consider indoor air – contaminants, quality and so on.

When you consider your indoor air, what springs to your mind first?

  • Is it the bathroom, when someone has used the toilet?
  • Is it the rubbish bin?
  • Or maybe it is the gym bag full of sweat-laden clothes and shoes.

There are more indoor air contaminants that what readily spring to mind.

I made this short video to help you understand more about this topic, and also to shine a light on the three most overlooked ones.

 

I encourage you to read more about our indoor air. Here are some posts that may pique your interest:

If you'd like my advice, then book a call with me.

BOOK YOUR CALL HERE

Ten Toxic Truths

by | building biology, buildings and health, chemicals, cleaning products, diet and lifestyle, drinking water, environmental sensitivities, health, indoor environmental health, VOCs

Ten Toxic Truths

Toxic truth: lifestyle-related chronic disease is widely recognised as being one of the top underlying causes for death.

Epidemics and pandemics have been fuelled by high intake of sugar, fat, salt, alcohol, tobacco and lack of physical exercise. Along with this, is the involuntary exposure to the cocktail of industrial chemicals. The World Health Organisation are paying attention to this as they forecast a “tidal wave of cancer.”

The Shift in Thinking

Toxicology has shifted the scientific thinking. Previously the view was that “the dose makes the poison,” and now we are looking at windows of development and minute doses being extremely problematic.

No longer is toxicity about the dose – “the type of chemical, timing of exposure, the combination of chemicals and individual risk factors” all play a role in the toxic effects, says Prof. Marc Cohen.

Cohen identifies the 10 toxic truths to be:

  1. Everyone is Affected
  2. The Full Extent is Unknown
  3. Tiny Doses can have BIG Effects
  4. Biomagnification Occurs up the Food Chain
  5. Chemical Cocktails are Synergistic
  6. Bioaccumulation Occurs over a Lifespan
  7. Windows of Development are Critical
  8. Effects are Trans-Generational
  9. Risk is Unequal, Unjust and Greater for the Young
  10. Exposure is Unequal, Unjust and Accidents Happen

I encourage you to read the full article – here.

Do You Want Assistance Identifying All Things Toxic in Your Place?

Check our our Virtual Indoor Environmental Health Assessments here. >>

Avoiding Sick Building Syndrome in the Workplace

by | building biology, buildings and health, chemical sensitivities, chemically sensitive, chemicals, cleaning products, environmental sensitivities, indoor air quality, indoor environmental health

Sick Building Syndrome – Avoid this in the Workplace

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) incorporates many facets of the built environment.

Focus on Indoor Air Quality

When it comes to air pollution, we tend to think about it in terms of the outdoors. We worry about factories’ smokestacks, traffic jams and other factors that pump pollutants into the air.

Yet air pollution isn’t just an outdoor problem.

The air indoors also can be toxic for us to breathe. This is especially in an industrial facility where hazardous materials may be used. In fact, the air quality inside buildings can be so harmful that it can cause illnesses. This phenomenon, known as “SBS,” can create symptoms in people without an easily identifiable cause.

Further, people with sick building syndrome may experience respiratory issues such as shortness of breath and coughing, as well as more generalised symptoms such as fever and muscle aches.

SBS – What Does it Mean for the Workplace?

These illnesses can lead to decreased productivity and employees taking excessive time off. As a result, it’s important for industrial and commercial facilities to understand sick building syndrome and how to avoid it.

SBS can be caused by a variety of factors, all of them related to a building’s indoor air quality.

Often, sick building syndrome is a result of poor ventilation, which prevents indoor pollutants from being circulated out of the air.

Many times, contaminants such as motor vehicle exhaust or fumes from volatile chemicals used in industrial processes get trapped inside the building. Bacteria, mould and pollen from outside also can contribute to sick building syndrome.

Avoiding Sick Building Syndrome

Avoiding SBS starts with improving air flow throughout the building, such as with large fans.

From here, other measures to improve indoor air quality include:

  • selecting less toxic cleaning products and methods,
  • avoiding “air fresheners,”
  • creating a “fragrance-free” workplace,
  • choosing real wood furniture (instead of “was wood” composite woods),
  • selecting furnishings made locally that are low in volatile organic compounds, and
  • ensuring that any leaks are fixed promptly and that there is no mould in the workplace.

Improving indoor air quality and avoiding SBS are tasks that should be at the top of most managers’ priority lists.

Not only can it boost the health and well-being of employees, but it also can increase productivity and reduce health care liabilities for the facility owner.

This infographic from Go Fan Yourself provides some great tips on improving indoor air quality quality and reducing the risk of SBS.

sick building

Created by Go Fan Yourself

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#Sickbuildingsyndrome #OHS #WHS

References:

https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-08/documents/sick_building_factsheet.pdf