What does a building biologist do?

Given the near-constant threat of COVID-19, our homes have become places of refuge and spaces we spend an almost endless amount of time in. Even when things return to normal and we resume the pace of life we’re used to, our homes are still a sanctuary we come back to at the end of a long day.

This is precisely why it’s so important that we make sure they’re healthy and enriching environments. Beyond feng shui and other aesthetic arrangements, our homes need to have a positive impact on our physical and mental health.

Elements like mould growth, dirty electricity, indoor air pollution, allergens and other silent thieves, as I like to call them, prevent you from leading a healthy and fulfilling life.

As I’ve explored in some of my previous posts, they can lead to serious issues like infertility, depression, and serious and debilitating respiratory conditions.

This is precisely why I chose to become a building biologist. Although it may sound like some new-age, pseudo-profession, a building biologist is someone who is trained and qualified to assess the health of a building.

We identify silent thieves in your living environment

Building biologists are trained to identify various issues that go beyond mould and electromagnetic fields. As part of my work, I frequently survey homes for dust and allergen loads, water sources including drinking and bathing water, building materials, indoor air quality, contamination, building design and much more.

We use industry-leading tools to carry out our assessments and we’re not limited by the size of a building.

We make recommendations on how to fix your home’s issues

While we don’t directly fix or remedy the issues we’ve identified, as building biologists, we’re qualified to make recommendations on how you can make your home a healthier space.

Given our work, we’re often affiliated with various medical and health professionals and work with professionals who can address the issues identified in your environment. With our guidance, we show you the best and easiest ways to prevent these issues not only from damaging your home but also your health and wellbeing.

We help you identify why you may be suffering from certain undiagnosed conditions

If you’re suffering from chronic, undiagnosed health issues, it’s almost always your home that’s to blame. Silent issues like mould and electromagnetic fields can have a very insidious effect on your health, especially if you’re unaware of what’s happening.

Shenassa et al (2007) suggest that damp or mouldy housing conditions, for instance, are linked to moderately elevated risks of depression and ‘brain fog’ due to inflammation affecting the brain.

Havas and Colling, (2011), on the other hand, demonstrate that dirty electricity may be associated with headaches, dizziness, issues with the ears such as tinnitus or earache, insomnia, heart palpitations and increased blood pressure.

Given that building biologists work in a range of environments, we’re trained to identify when your home or workplace may be having a major impact on your health.

While we can’t diagnose your condition or prescribe any lifestyle changes/medication, we can certainly tell you whether your living environment is playing a role in your physical or mental health.

We show you how to build or design a healthy space

Depending on the building biologist you work with, we even help you choose non-toxic building materials, furniture and health-friendly electrical appliances for your home.

While these are quick fixes that can certainly contribute to a healthier space, don’t forget that they may not solve all your issues. Our support, here, is especially useful if you are taking proactive measures to prevent mould and moisture buildup, reducing your allergen load, or are even building your home from scratch.

Whatever your concerns are, we shed light on a few ways you can make your environment a place that supports your wellbeing and the health of your loved ones.

Work with a building biologist to make sure your living environment is a healthy one

If you’re worried that your home is playing a major role in how you feel, a building biologist is someone you can work with to understand what may be happening in your living space.

We not only show you what could be wrong but also how you can make your home a place that you feel comfortable, safe, and healthy in.

Get in touch with me today to find out more about how I support you as a building biologist.