I find this industry quite bewildering and I’m not sure how I should take the first step towards it?

A short conversation with a friendly Building Biologist can quickly narrow down whether your environment merits an investigation. There are many types of investigation that can be carried out and sorting through them can sometimes be done quickly on the phone.

Can I take the assessment process one step at a time?

Yes, the process can start with a simple walk-through of your home, or intended property, for a verbal categorization of health risks ranging from: moisture intrusion, proliferation of mould, EMF exposure, water pollution from plumbing and air pollution from both inside and outside the property. A full audit with a written report in any of these categories can be arranged as a next step. When justified remediation by specialist-third-party-contractors may be required.

I am thinking of moving home. How can I ensure I get it right in terms of health?

We can accompany you on your quest to viewing properties or visit properties on your behalf. A verbal categorization of any likely health risks can assist you in your property selection process.

I already have an Architect for my home design. How do I ask them to incorporate Building Biology principles?

A Building Biologist works with an Architect in a similar way that another third-party consultant, such as a Structural Engineer might do. A Building Biologist can comment at some or all of the key project stages. Early design planning and final materials selection are the key periods for involvement.

What is involved in an assessment? Will it cause much inconvenience?

The decision to go forward with an assessment will involve a protocol for the client, including a questionnaire and strict instructions for the 48 hours leading up to the audit. The protocol for a mould inspection will limit showering, cooking, cleaning, heating and air-conditioning in stages leading up to the visit, which can take around 3 hours. The protocol for an EMF assessment may request to intermittently shut off power to the building during the visit.

I can see mobile phone towers from my bedroom window, how concerned should I be?

Radiofrequencies are strongest in direct line of sight but there are mitigating factors to consider such as the materials your building is constructed from and what window coverings you use. The most important factor of all is that a third of your life is spent in the bedroom and the night is your body's chance to repair itself from the day's exposures to immune system stressors.

Depending on whether I am a tenant or home owner what will a mould assessment prove?

Between a tenant and a landlord there is a division of responsibility in regard to the growth of mould. A trained eye in construction methods and indisputable lab results can identify whether mould growth is a consequence of constructional issues, which are beyond the responsibility of a tenant, or the result of poor maintenance by the tenant. A simple walk-through of a property can often hint towards one direction or another.

How would I know if mould is causing my illness?

Certain species of mould are associated with different health symptoms. While some integrative health practitioners may call for a mould audit to corroborate presence of toxins in the patient with their home or work environment, it must be taken into consideration that toxins arrive in the body in a variety of ways. Often, our clients arrive to Building Biology after years of unsuccessful conventional medical treatments, only to discover the simple root cause has been surrounding them at home or work.

What if I can smell mould but I don’t see it?

One of the key indicators of the presence of mould growth is that unpleasant mouldy smell. While on the other hand some of the highest levels of mould spores can be measured from air samples of rooms with no smell at all. Mould lurks in wall cavities, ventilation ducts, roof voids, and carpets. Virtually all natural building materials and dust are food for mould and moist conditions for over 48 hours can be all it takes to activate its growth.

If you audit my home's indoor air quality will you simply advise me to buy a portable air purifier?

Our services go beyond simplistic product recommendations. Once set on the path of improving your family's air and water quality you will be introduced to methods of critically judging anything that you bring into the house and tasked with improving your housekeeping routine.

I have young children. Will they be more resilient to environmental hazards than adults?

No, quite the opposite. A child’s detoxification ability has not fully developed until the age of 20. Prolonged exposure to biotoxins can sensitise an individual causing long term immune system damage. The elderly, with compromised immune systems are also at high risk of contracting disease.