Building Biology is the study of the impact of the place where we life and work on our physical, emotional, spiritual and mental level. Building Biology was pioneered in Germany more than 35 years ago. The original German name is “Bau-Biologie”. IIEHS defines Building Biology as:
“Building Biology is a holistic assessment and healing tool for man-made buildings and structures. The assessment is a survey of all emissions and other harmful influences on humans, animals and environment. The goal of Building Biology is to heal our home or workplace environment through eliminating and neutralizing the potential causes of illness, like toxins, man-made and natural radiation in air, construction material, furniture and garden”.
Building Ecology is the study of the interaction of the building with the Environment, or the application of the principles of sustainability on buildings and urban development. Buildings account for one-sixth of the world’s fresh water withdrawals, one-quarter of its wood harvest, and two-fifths of its material and energy flows (Roodman and Lenssen, 1995) . Building Ecology encourages us to use our resources efficiently, build in harmony with nature, choosing the right location, using environmentally correct and certified materials, incorporating efficient and sustainable energy use, water use, waste and waste water disposal. Building Biology and Ecology expresses in a holistic way our relationship with Nature and the Planet where we live:
“Our health, wellbeing and life quality depends inseparably on the healthy state of our earth”.
In general we know a bit about pesticides in food, we have read and heard about environmental accidents all over the world, but we don’t know too much about toxics and electromagnetic or geopathic radiation in our houses or offices. The use of chemicals in houses and buildings is significant and is increasing, in spite that there have been numerous reports of neurological disorders’ relationship with chemical substances. Conditions like Parkinson´s or Multiple Sclerosis, and new illnesses like Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) or Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) are some of them. Profound knowledge regarding this diseases is still lacking, and scientifically based somatic concepts for their therapy do not exist. We are not aware that we are exposed to a wide range of chemicals, in most cases we cannot smell them, neither see or feel them.
In our opinion, the negative effects of toxins and radiations on our health are extremely subestimated. Even patients with regulary symptoms of neurological disorders over years continue living in the same houses with the same conditions, spraying the garden with the same chemicals, using the same paints and so on. In the case of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) the self healing and self regulating ability of the body is failing in order of the long term and continuous intoxication. There is no cure as long as the person is not changing the conditions and radically eliminating the causes. If this causes are not eliminated, the invisible enemy is continuing his work, quiet but very efficient. By understanding the influences the building may have upon people, we may effectively create healthier, more harmonious and more productive environments.
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