Is My House Making Me Sick? Pt2

by | 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 | 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

EMF Bombardment Three Simple Steps to Cope

by | 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!

eco-health-solutions-nature

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 | 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.

Sleep: Why Is it So Important?

by | 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

eco-health-solutions natural

 

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 | 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 ->

How is Your Wi-Fi Router Like Your Oven?

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

Wi-Fi – we are surrounded by wi-fi all the time. But there is something that you can do that can significantly minimise your exposure… and it is free!

Why would you want to? There are risks associated with using this technology. This is “radiofrequency EMF” and has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified it as a “category 2B” which means that they recognise it as being potentially carcinogenic to humans.

Apart from cancer, there are other associated risks – including sleep disturbance, grinding teeth, muscle tension, as well as reactions that happen on a cellular level (voltage-gated calcium channels, reactions of blood cells…).

I want to share with you a simple tip that can make a big difference.

From today onwards, I want you to think of your wi-fi router like you do your oven.

HUH?????

Yup!
Your wi-fi router is like your oven.

From now on:

  1. When you want to use it, turn it on.
  2. Let it warm up.
  3. Use it.
  4. Turn it off again.

Simply by doing this, you can greatly reduce your exposure and begin to create new patterns around its use.

When you are ready, I highly recommend changing over to an ethernet-only router – and there ARE many choices.

Contact me – this is one of the many EMF problems I love to tackle.

Electric Fields – the Importance of Measuring Them

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

Electric Fields – VITAL to measure

Electric fields are an important part of an EMF audit.

In an nutshell, extremely low frequency (ELF) AC electric fields are present where there is any household wiring or any appliances plugged in. They exist where there is a potential.

You can read more about the science behind ELF AC electric fields here. The focus here is on the importance of assessing them.

I measure ELF AC electric fields

There are a pinch (not even a handful) of people who actually measures and assesses ELF AC electric fields. I am part of this small group and have assessed these since graduation. This is one of four EMF areas which I assess. I also assess ELF AC magnetic fields, high frequencies and “dirty” electricity.

Most EMF audits only cover ELF AC magnetic fields and high frequencies – half of what we assess!

ELF AC electric fields is NOT assessed by measuring body voltage. Body voltage gives an indication of exposure when someone is laying on their bed… that is all. ELF AC electric fields need to be measured with specialised equipment – as the fields are incredibly easy to influence. This means that if I put a meter in or very near the field, it will change. If I enter the field or move very close to it, it will change. (You can read more about the concept of earthing mats – which are all about managing this form of EMF here.)

The Wisdom of Those Sensitive to EMF

ELF AC electric fields emanate from the wall. People who are electromagnetically sensitive position their bed in the centre of the room. I have seen this time and time again when assessing their places. Their beds are well away from all the walls.

As well, they often turn circuits off – which can reduce the fields.

Case Study

Recently, I was called to complete an Essential Audit for a client who was primarily concerned about EMF. One of the biggest concerns was the smart meter – as is often the case.

Like with all audits, an emphasis is placed on where a person spends time.

So, I completed each of my layers of assessment, including my 4 levels of EMF testing.

Level 1: high frequencies – due to the position of the smart meter. Areas where the client spent time were well within Building Biology Guidelines.

Level 2: ELF AC magnetic fields – again, these were well within acceptable levels as per the Building Biology Guidelines.

— This is where other EMF audits stop —

Level 3: “Dirty” Electricity – levels here were up to 7 times higher than the goal, so needed to be addressed.

Level 4: ELF AC electric fields – the levels were mind-blowing!

Building Biology Guidelines state (using a potential-free probe) that levels of ELF AC electric fields should be below 1.5V/m. The levels I measured were above 50V/m.

eco-health-solutions-house

OUTCOME

I was able to advise my clients on the best course of action for their situation. I gave them both immediate steps and a longer term solution.

As you can see, if only two levels were completed, the advice would have been that the area is safe.

Clearly, having assessed 4 levels of EMF, it is unsafe. As such measures needed to be taken to ensure the safety of my clients.

What Does the Science Say?

Very little – but enough! 

The biggest focus of research over the last 40 years has been on ELF AC magnetic fields and high frequencies.

ELF AC electric fields are difficult to measure.

Maes

However, Maes (2015, 3) states that,

“studies show that long-term exposures of only 10 V/m increase the risk for childhood leukemia, cancer and other health problems.”

Cech, et al

Cech, et al (2008) studied the impact of ELF electric fields on pregnant rats: “By vectorial addition of the electric current densities, it could be shown that under worst case conditions the basic restrictions recommended by ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection) guidelines are exceeded within the central nervous system (CNS) of the mother, whereas in sole field exposure they are not.

However, within the foetus the induced current densities do not comply with basic restrictions, either from single reference-level electric fields or from simultaneous exposure to electric and magnetic fields. Basic limits were considerably exceeded.”

Gok, et al; and Guler, et al

Two other studies were looking to explain the effects of AC ELF electric fields.

a) Effects in the brain and retina in pregnant rats (Gok, et al, 2016), and

b) Discover the effectiveness of antioxidants from AC ELF electric fields exposure (Guler, et al, 2009).

The premise can be made from the scope of the research is that there are biological effects in these different areas.

eco health solutions gadget

Reiter

Research was done by Reiter (1993) into the effects of ELF electromagnetic field exposure and its effects on melatonin production.

Reiter concluded that the mechanisms remain unknown, but the effect exists.

Blank

Some findings were included in the BioInitiative Report, including:

Electric fields exert a force on electrons, and have been shown to stimulate protein synthesis in HL60 cells (Blank et al, 1992), E coli (Laubitz et al, 2006) and muscle in vivo (Blank, 1995).

(Blank, 2007, 9)

Despite the limited body of research, there is growing evidence that demonstrates health or biological effects within the body.

Thus the levels of all types of EMF should be as close as possible to nature. Else, they should fall within the no or slight concern categories of the building biology guidelines.

What Should You Do?

Book a call, so I can work out how best to meet your needs.

References

Blank, M (2007) BioInitiative Report: Section 7: Evidence of Stress Response (Stress Proteins): Health Risk of Electromagnetic Fields: Research on the Stress Response (Online) Available at http://www.bioinitiative.org/report/wp-content/uploads/pdfs/sec07_2007_Evidence_for_Stress_Response.pdf (3 February 2017)

Cech, R, Leigeb, N, Pediatitis, M (January 2008) Current Densities in a Pregnant Woman Model Induced by Simultaneous ELF Electric and Magnetic Field Exposure Phys Med Biol 2008 Jan 7;53(1):177-86. doi: 10.1088/0031-9155/53/1/012. Epub 2007 Dec 19. (Online) Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18182695 (27 January 2017)

Gok, DK, Akpinar, D, Hidsoglu, E, Ozen, S, Agar, A, Yargiciglu, P (December 2016) The Developmental Effects of Extremely Low Frequency Electric Fields on Visual and Somatosensory Evoked Potentials in Adult Rats Electromagn Biol Med. 2016;35(1):65-74. doi: 10.3109/15368378.2014.987923. Epub 2014 Dec 11.

Guler, G, Turkozerr, Z, Ozgur, E, Seyhan, N (February 2009) Antioxidants alleviate electric field-induced effects on lung tissue based on assays of heme oxygenase-1, protein carbonyl content, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and hydroxyproline. (Online) Sci Total Environ. 2009 Feb 1;407(4):1326-32. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.10.050. Epub 2008 Nov 22.

Maes, W (June 2015) Questions About the Standard of Building Biology Methods and the Building Biology Evaluation Guide (Online) Available at https://buildingbiology.com/site/wp-content/uploads/sbm-2015-questions-english.pdf