building biology - Indoor air quality: criteria for testing, Electromagnetic fields: criteria for testing

The study of the interaction between a building and its environment, especially with respect to the effects upon the health of the occupants. It deals with the location and geometry of the building, its colour scheme, lighting, and furnishings, and the selection of non-toxic and ecologically ‘friendly’ building materials.

Building biology (or Baubiologie as it was coined in Germany) is a science that investigates the indoor living environment for a variety of irritants. Far from being "fringe science", its experiential findings provide robust guidelines to use in building a healthy home, or healing one that is sick.

Building biology has a training environment for those interested in their environment, or in serving others after being appropriately informed through the International Institute of Building Biology and Ecology (IBE).

Indoor air quality: criteria for testing

Fresh air indoors (or lack thereof) Volatile organic compounds Dust content and character Aeroallergens and bioaerosols (pollen, mold, bacteria, viruses, and fragments thereof) Airflow Dynamics (Airflow, Temperature, Relative humidity)

Electromagnetic fields: criteria for testing

Magnetism (static and alternating) Voltage (static and alternating) Transient electrical phenomena Radio frequency content Radiation content Light quantity and quality

Effects of poor building

After World War II, new houses were quickly built in Germany to accommodate the growing population. The new housing, being quickly built, and unable to properly air out ("outgas", or "offgas") provided for an environment where the occupants were the recipients of every volatile organic compound (VOC) emitted from the construction materials.

From these discoveries a study began in earnest among a few individuals to catalog and characterize the offending components. A small cadre of individuals was formed among whom Dr. Anton Schneider, Wolfgang Maes, and the Institut für Baubiologie und Ökologie Neubeurn (IBN) started a training system to educate those that were willing. He founded the International Institute of Building Biologie and Ecology (IBE) which presently offers seminars across the USA.

While building biology has the capability to produce living spaces that are healthy for everyone, it does not have extensive public funding.

The three most sensitive individuals that reap the greatest benefits are: infants, the elderly, and the injured.

German pages

Wolfgang Maes Standard of Baubiologie Methods of Testing Limits of the SBM Institut für Baubiologie und Ökologie Neubeurn (IBN) For English pages, click on upper left under "Über das Institut" Baubiologie Regional - Gesundes Bauen und Wohnen