Is My House Making Me Sick? Pt2

by Lucinda Curran | air fresheners, detoxification, fragrances, high frequencies, indoor environmental health, mobile phone, perfumes, personal care, personal care products, radiofrequencies, scents, self-care, sleep, VOCs, water damage

Is My House Making Me Sick?

PART 2

>> Is My House Making Me Sick? Part 1 is here <<

3. Sleep… in peace!

There is a lot of emerging research that shows device use interferes with our sleep, and that blue light can damage our eyes.

The mental stimulation when Googling things, interacting on social media, and even video calls can make it hard to sleep.

Our tablets, smart phones and smart watches contain LED lights.

The evening use of such devices which has been associated with:

Poor quality sleep,
Reduced concentration the next day,
Poor mood, and
Reduced accuracy…

… According to recent research.

As well, there is a reduction in melatonin – a hormone that has antioxidant actions.

Antioxidants play an important role in detoxification and keeping us healthy.

When we began this conversation, I shared with you about the importance of sleep in the healing. Anything that interrupts sleep, for whatever reason, needs to be reduced.

Send this to my inbox

Did You Know?

Did you know that apps used to measure sleep have uncovered an insomnia epidemic?

BUT did you also know that the wireless technology required for these apps to function has been linked to sleep disturbances?

“What Can I Do?”

At the very least, don’t sleep with your phone!

4. Smell… naturally lovely!

I want to tackle the topic of “fragrances” here. Fragrances are in everything from perfumes, air fresheners and deodorisers. They are in our laundry products, sanitary protection, and even in our cosmetics. Nappies, doggy-do bags, and toilet paper also are scented… and that is just the tip of the iceberg!

If you ever see this word on a label, it means “a cocktail of many ingredients.” Fragrance, parfum and perfume all mean the same thing, when reading labels.

The ingredients used in perfumery are primarily chemicals, most of which haven’t been tested for safe use by humans, some that have been tested really aren’t good for us (causing cancer, irritating our skin and lungs, messing with our hormones…).

Our exposure to fragrances is enormous and our bodies need to deal with this. For some people, this constant exposure is physically exhausting.

Did You Know?

Did you know essential oils are a better option that synthetic fragrances? But please bear on mind that they are very potent – so use sparingly and avoid using them 24/7. For people who are environmentally sensitive, even these can be problematic. Please use them with care (and NEVER eat/drink them).

“What Can I Do?”

Don’t buy anything that contains fragrance, parfum or perfume.

Send me a copy, please!

5. Stay… mould-free!

Have you noticed there has been a lot of media stories about mould and how it is making people sick? It has definitely attracted a lot of attention, and was the subject of a 2018 Parliamentary Inquiry, instigated by Senator Lucy Wicks. Mould comes in many different colours, and it doesn’t have to be black to cause health problems.

Mould spores are everywhere and play an important role on our planet. Only 25% of the spores can grow, the other 75% are “dead” (that said, it doesn’t make them less problematic for someone who is sensitive).

However, we don’t want mould growing in our homes.

When you think about it, all mould is waiting for is the right conditions to grow. This centres on the right amount of moisture. Moisture can come from leaks, burst pipes, spills, condensation and many other places.

Did You Know?

Did you know that flexible braided hoses (the bendy pipes on your taps and toilets) account for over 20% of water damage claims in Australian homes? They only last for around 5-7 years and erode faster in the presence of chemicals. (What is under your sink?)

“What Can I Do?”

Deal with water quickly – mop up spills, fix leaks, dry out anything that has become wet within 24-hours.

I trust this has given you a lot to go on with…

If you have any concerns, or want to get in touch, please book a call.

Lucinda, can you call me?

Wi-Fi Free Tips to Avoid Wireless Technology

by Lucinda Curran | EMF, EMR, high frequencies, indoor environmental health, radiofrequencies, wifi, wireless technology

“We’re Wifi-Free At Night,” they said…

Recently I assessed a home where the parents very proudly told me that each and every night, they are wifi-free. What they did was to log into their router and turn off the wifi on their router *every* night. They did this every night without fail.

What an awesome effort!! That really does take commitment to do this on a daily basis.

(By the way, this IS something YOU can do if you still have a wifi router… but I prefer you don’t have one.)

It turns out that the teenagers use the wifi all night.

HOW?

Because there were powerline adapters in the house that utilised wireless technology.

So, despite turning off the wifi emitted by the router, the house was still bathed in radio frequency electromagnetic energy (RF EME), including the bedrooms.

Powerline Adapters Help with Wifi-Free

I love powerline adapters – as they mean in many buildings that the internet can be used throughout the house without having data points installed. You can finally be wifi-free!

(Note that they do add dirty electricity, so having data points installed throughout is by far the best option.)

If you want to get powerline adapters, or routers, or anything similar, then you have to be careful NOT to get ones that work wirelessly.

TIP TO OUTWIT

You can check all the specifications, but I also highly recommend contacting the manufacturer and ask,

“Can I use this wirelessly?”

You read that right! I want you to ask the OPPOSITE of what we are seeking. This is because almost everything can be used via ethernet or cables.

When they get back to you with, “I am so sorry, this cannot be used wirelessly,” you know you are on a winner.

#EMF #powerlineadapters #wififree #datapoints

The Benefits of an Outdoor Workplace

by Lucinda Curran | air pollution, building biology, buildings and health, EMF, EMR, health, indoor air quality, indoor environmental health, informed choice

Outdoor Workplaces

An outdoor workplace may sound odd – perhaps you imagine a landscaper, gardener or builder being people who have outdoor workplaces. But most of us can move our workplaces to the outdoors. It’s easier than you think, and well worth the benefits to health and wellbeing.

Here’s Why Outdoor Workplaces Are So Important

If you’re like a large population of Australians, you likely spend most of your day working in an indoor office setting. According to research from the Australian State of the Environment, the average Australian spends about 90% of their day indoors. For many, this often involves sitting at their desks and staring at computer screens for up to nine hours in a day.

Sitting all day indoors has many health repercussions, including exposure to indoor air pollutants, increased risk of heart conditions, and even sick building syndrome.

Human beings are biologically built to live in changing scenery conditions, which aren’t offered inside buildings. More and more our modern environments are controlled by HVAC systems, artificial lighting and air fresheners.

While adjustments like addressing humidity levels and reducing EMF and following best practices can help, working outdoors is the most effective solution.

Benefits of Outdoor Workplaces

Research shows that exposure to natural sunlight, trees, and outdoor fresh air can positively impact our wellbeing, creativity and performance.

While not all jobs can be conducted outside, a workplace that has things such as outdoor lunches, walking meetings, indoor plants, and allowing remote work can all make a difference in our health. The best workplace will combine both a well-maintained indoor building and the setting of nature.

For those of you who work from home, make sure you take your meal breaks outside, introduce plants into your home office, and open the windows!

To learn more about the benefits of an outdoor workplace, check out this new infographic from BigRentz. From improving your memory to honing your focus, the benefits show the value of taking your work from your desk into the outdoors.

Outdoor Workplaces

Created by BigRentz

EMF Bombardment Three Simple Steps to Cope

by Lucinda Curran | earthing, EMF, EMR, health, indoor environmental health, wifi, wireless technology

#EMFexposures #EMFBombardment

No matter where we go these days, we tend to be surrounded by free wi-fi, phone towers… Those that are aware of the harmful effects (whether they experience them or not) often ask, “What can I do to keep myself safe?”

There is the temptation to buy something that will magically set up a forcefield that blocks out all radio frequency electromagnetic energy (RF EME).

There is a level of desperation for those who suffer in the presence of it.

There is the urge to stick something on the phone to make it safe. But none of these make any measurable difference.

Instead, here are three steps that can make a considerable difference.

1) MAKE YOUR HOME A SAFE PLACE – free from wireless technology

This is the #1 most important step of all because this the place you spend time when your body is healing and detoxifying. Whilst you cannot control what happens out there (and gee, I wish I could!!) you can control your home and what happens in it. Take action there.

2) SPEND TIME IN NATURE

Go barefoot in the garden, on the beach, or “forest bathe.” All of these will help you to “discharge” and earth. As well, there is research that shows that spending 1 hour in the forest has health benefits that last for a whole 7 days!

3) MINIMISE your exposure

The greatest risk with buying a sticker for your smartphone, or a piece of plug-in plastic, or wearing a pendant with rainbow swirls is that it can make you feel safe, and therefore instead of reducing your exposure, you INCREASE it.

If you have to go somewhere where there are high levels of wireless technology, then keep the time capped and head off into nature straight afterwards.

I have to LOL while I write this as it sounds very closed-minded… I have an open mind to what MAY help, but I also see so many people suffer that I need to be clear with this. While I cannot show any measurable difference with any of these things, I cannot recommend them. Building Biology Brain means precaution all the way.

If you do decide to get a piece of jewelry, a plug-in, a sticker, a rock… whatever it is, please consider this “an added bonus.” If it helps, bonus! If it doesn’t do anything, then at least it wasn’t too expensive. The main thing here is to do no harm.

EMF Exposure – Understanding How You Can Reduce Your Exposure

by Lucinda Curran | building biology, buildings and health, dirty electricity, electric fields, EMF, high frequencies, indoor environmental health, magnetic fields, radiofrequencies

EMF Exposure – Understanding How You Can Reduce Your Exposure

EMF is a sneaky thing – because you can’t see or smell it, it is often not considered.

When people are exposed to EMF, they can get a variety of symptoms. With regards to radio frequency electromagnetic energy (RF EME), the officials that set the exposure standards only recognise “thermal effects” – so set the standards to below the level at which tissues are heated.

EMF Exposure Standards Are Too High

I firmly believe that there are many health/biological effects that occur well before this level. I believe that the exposure standards are way too high, especially when IARC (the International Agency for Research on Cancer) recognise radio frequency EME & ELF AC magnetic fields as “Category 2B” (this means that they recognise that these types of EMF are possibly carcinogenic to humans).

There is a growing body of research from scientists (including retired ones!) that not only shows that certain types of EMF result in the body reacting in a certain way, but also are becoming more able to explain how and why these reactions occur.

Symptoms from EMF Exposure

Common symptoms from EMF exposure, based on my observation and interaction with hundreds of clients over the years:

headaches and migraines (especially unexplained)
poor sleep, including vivid dreaming
waking feeling unrefreshed
low energy
pain, including sciatica
grinding teeth (bruxism)
ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
poor concentration

Reducing your EMF exposure is important – not through gadgets and stickers, but through turning things off, switching to safer options, and making choices about when and how you use technology.

This is one of my favourite areas to work with people on. Why? Because often, simple changes to behaviour can significantly reduce your exposure.

At Eco Health Solutions, my team and I assess radio frequency electromagnetic energy (RF EME), ELF AC magnetic fields, ELF AC electric fields and dirty electricity.

EMF Exposure in the Home

Here are the top 5 sources of EMF that my team and I commonly see in homes:

1 The meter (smart or otherwise) and the fuse box on the bedroom wall

2 Power boards under the bed

3 Mobile phones and devices (sometimes even found under pillows!)

4 Cordless phones

5 Wi-fi

Reducing your exposure is important – and since our homes are our castles, they are also our safe havens.

Workplaces can expose staff members to extremely high levels of EMF – without realising it!

EMF Exposure in the Workplace

Here are the top 5 sources of EMF that my team and I commonly see in workplace:

1 Cordless headsets

2 Wi-fi

3 Mobile phones and devices

4 The “IT hub”

5 A “spaghetti” pile power cords under the desk

Given most people spend a good 8 hours at work, it is important to reduce your personal exposure as much as possible.

How to Connect to the Ethernet – Computer, Phone and Tablet

by Lucinda Curran | building biology, buildings and health, electromagnetic radiation, EMF, indoor environmental health, mobile phone, radiofrequencies

Connecting to the Ethernet has many benefits, no matter who you are or what your reason is.

If you are looking for a safer way to use the internet than wifi – this if for you.
If you want to have a good connection for video calls or games – this is for you.
If you want to stream movies, etc more smoothly – this is for you.

How To Connect to the Ethernet – Simply, Cheaply and For Your Health

Here are the simple step-by-step instructions to connect to the Ethernet.

I am going to assume zero knowledge and explain things as simply as possible. Let’s start with some definitions.

Definitions

What is “Ethernet”?

Simply put, the Ethernet is your cabled internet connection.

It is the same as LAN (local area network).

The connection is an RJ-45 – seen here. (Please bear in mind that the cable and plug is often blue or yellow, but may be different colours. Do look at the plug part of it – this is the important bit.)

To the right here, is an image of an Ethernet cable with a close up of the plug.

EMF Basics

EMF

EMF is the abbreviation for electromagnetic fields. There are many different types of EMF.

Wireless

Wireless technology depends on radio frequency electromagnetic energy (RF EME). We do sometimes use more complicated terms. But everything wireless is either HF or RF.

Wired

Wired technology can create a variety of different types of EMF.

If it is wiring or appliances connected to the mains it is “ELF AC” EMF. This is extremely low frequency alternating current EMF. This is man-made. Because it goes back and forth (thus “alternating”) it creates magnetic fields and electric fields that are often high, and problematic for many people.

If it is something that runs on battery, it is not alternating, and generally the fields are lower.

Something You May Need – Your “Charging Cable”

To simplify this post, I wanted to explain what I mean here by a “charging cable.”

All devices and phones come with a cable to charge them when the battery gets low. Most of them are made up of a cable that is inserted into a plug that you put into a powerpoint.

When you separate them out, you will have two parts – the plug and the charging cable. The charging cable will have a USB plug on the end.

Goal

The goal is to reduce exposure to wireless EMF and also the AC EMF.

As such, we are looking to work from batteries, and reduce exposure to other EMF to levels as low as possible.

Another good reason is to have a steady connection which aids smooth streaming.

EXPERT TIPS

Once you are connected, please make sure you turn off Bluetooth, 3G/4G/5G and wifi.
Your phone, tablet or device will be connected to the internet and can be used in FLIGHT MODE. This is recommended.
Be aware that when your phone is in FLIGHT MODE you cannot make or receive calls. You can send and receive text messages.

Here’s How to Use the Internet via Ethernet

Modem or Router

Firstly, your modem/router needs to be one that doesn’t emit HF/RF. Depending on where you are and if you are connected to the NBN yet or not, the type of modem will vary.

Generally, you can get a modem/router that cannot be used wirelessly from online stores.

When looking to purchase one, you need to ask a key question – which is actually the opposite of what you want.

Can I use this wirelessly?

By asking this, you find out if it emits HF/RF. If the answer is, “No” – then this is GREAT. If the answer is “Yes” – you need to keep looking.

(The reason to ask this way around is that any modem/router can be used via cable/ethernet – so you won’t find out if it emits HF/RF EMF.)

Computer

Simply plug your ethernet cable into your modem/router and into the socket (plug hole) on your computer.

** be sure to turn off wifi, bluetooth, etc on your computer as well

(The reason to switch these off is that even if you are not using them, if they are on, they are searching for a signal.)

Tablets, Phones and Other Devices

This is a tiny bit more complex, but very very easy.

You need to determine if you have an Apple product or an Android product. Once you have that figured out, you can follow these simple steps.

Apple (iOS)

The more recent Apple phones and tablets have a “lightning” connection. I will walk you through both options – so let’s do one at a time.

Lightning to Ethernet

This is quite a small plug and on your device, it will look like this:

This is where it plugs into:

You will need three parts so that you can connect these to the internet via ethernet.

A Lightning Ethernet Connector for Devices

STEP 1 What you do is plug your Ethernet Connector for Devices into your device/phone/tablet.

STEP 2 Plug the ethernet cable into your Ethernet Connector for Devices.

Ultimately, you and up with a connection that looks a bit like this…

Schematically this connection is:

modem/router ->Ethernet Connector for Devices -> Device/Phone/Tablet

Non-Lightning Connections

In this instance, you will follow the instructions for the Androids – below.

Androids (and Non-Lightning Connections)

Note: not all Androids support Ethernet use.

** check with the manufacturer before purchasing equipment **

You will need three parts so that you can connect these to the internet via ethernet.

Your charging cable
A female to female USB adaptor like this one
An internet adaptor like this one

STEP 1 What you do is plug your charging cable into your device/phone/tablet.

STEP 2 Then, attach the female to female USB adaptor on the end.

a female to a female usb adaptor — Charging Cable attaches to female to female USB adaptor

STEP 3 Next you will plug the internet adapter into the female to female USB adaptor.

ethernet converter — Attach the Ethernet Adaptor to the female to female USB adaptor

STEP 4 Finally, you will plug your ethernet cable into the end of the internet adaptor.

ethernet connection — Plug your Ethernet cable into the Ethernet Adaptor

Schematically this connection is:

modem/router -> Ethernet Adaptor -> female to female USB Adaptor -> Charging Cable -> Device/Phone/Tablet

I hope you find this really helpful and easy to follow.

Here’s to the safer and smoother use of technology! 🙂

Sleep: Why Is it So Important?

by Lucinda Curran | affirmations, detoxification, dust mites, electromagnetic radiation, EMF, health, high frequencies, indoor air quality, indoor environmental health, mould, radiofrequencies, sleep, stress

Do you struggle to get a good night’s sleep?

Many people do these days, and this can have a bigger impact that just feeling sleepy all day, or perhaps being on the caffeine-cycle. Ironically, according to apps on our devices, there is an “insomnia epidemic.”

When you are tired, you don’t function so well – your mood is off, your tolerance levels are down, you are easily agitated or stressed. As well, over time, this can deplete you and your immunity is also affected.

Why is Sleep so Important?

Sleep is incredibly important as it is the time that we heal and recover from our day – in preparation for the next day. Sleep is when we detoxify, when we create melatonin (a hormone which has an antioxidant effect) and when we rest.

It is one of the most important physiological functions we do, in my opinion.

What Affects Sleep?

There are many factors that can impact sleep. Some of these are:

Stress
Eating too late
Caffeine
Conversation
Poor sleep hygiene
Environmental stressors

Did You Know…?

Did you know that if you use your device for two hours in the evening that it affects the quality of your sleep; melatonin production; your mood, attention and accuracy the following day?

Research links this to the short-wave light emitted from the LED lights inside our devices (Green, et al, 2017). I wonder if there is more to it, and the use of these devices on wi-fi or 3G/4G/5G is also playing a role.

What Can I Do to Improve My Sleep?

I am going to focus purely on environmental stressors here…

1) Promote melatonin production – ensure your bedroom is dark. If this isn’t possible, it would be worth using an eye shade.

2) Reduce the radio frequency electromagnetic energy (RF EME) – turn off your mobile phone and wi-fi router

3) Reduce indoor air contaminants – remove scented reeds and candles from your bedroom

4) Minimise exposure to allergens – use a silk pillowcase to reduce issues with house dust mites (HDM)

5) Reduce your exposure to biotoxins – address any mould in your home

Still Concerned?

Then contact me and we can arrange a
Virtual Indoor Environmental Health Assessment
to assess and address stressors in your environment.

References

Green, A, Cohen-Zion, M, Haim, A & Dagan, Y (2017) Evening Light Exposure to Computer Screens Disrupts Human Sleep, Biological Rhythms and Attention Abilities Chronobiology International (Online) Available at https://doi.org/10.1080/07420528.2017.1324878 (May 2017)

#sleep #indoorenvironmentalhealth #environmentalstressors

Lyn McLean – An Interview

by Lucinda Curran | 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.

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 ->

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