Effects of Poor Building
After World War II, new houses were rapidly built in Germany to accommodate the growing population. Studies of these new houses found an unusual patterns of illnesses. It was concluded that these patterns could be attributed to the rapid construction of the buildings. The rapid construction had given materials insufficient time to outgas various volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and these VOCs instead harmed the occupants. The illness is also attributable to problems with the electrical systems of the homes.
From these discoveries a study began in earnest among a few individuals to catalog and characterize these VOCs. What emerged was a Standard of Baubiologie Method of Testing, with recommended threshold guidelines for sleeping areas, where one is most susceptible and spends a large amount of time. A small cadre of individuals was formed, and Anton Schneider, Wolfgang Maes and the Institut für Baubiologie und Ökologie Neubeurn (IBN) started a training system in building biology.
One of the architects, Helmut Ziehe, introduced building biology to the United States. In 1987, he founded the International Institute of Building Biologie and Ecology (IBE) (http://buildingbiology.net) which presently offers seminars in building biology. Two certification streams are available, the Building Biology and Environmental Consultant (BBEC) and the Building Biology Practitioner (BBP).
The three groups of most sensitive individuals that reap the greatest benefits are: infants, the elderly, and the immuno-compromised. Some people become environmentally hypersensitive, and although conventional medicine suggests that the problem(s) may be psychological, there is growing acceptance that there is an environmental cause. One aspect of this problem is known as multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS).
Read more about this topic: Building Biology
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