Sojourn Magazine, Bau-Biologie by Nancy Gayle Simpson

*By Nancy Gayle*
Americans spend 90% of their time inside buildings. The Environmental Protection Agency says that indoor air pollution is a major cause of illness in the U.S., and can be ten times worse than air pollution in Los Angeles during rush hour. If you've ever gotten a headache or sore throat in a building that smelled of fresh paint or new carpeting, then you've been exposed to indoor air pollution, the cause of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). A tightly sealed building that saves energy costs will inadvertently cause contaminants generated inside to become concentrated. The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration says that in California alone, 1000 buildings a year are diagnosed with SBS. Bau-biologie is an invented German term that directly translates as "building biology"- the study of how buildings impact human health, the interactions between life and built environments, and ways of constructing healthy homes and workplaces. A medical doctor, a wood technologist and an expert in electrobiology pioneered this concept in the early 1970's. Bau-biologie is a generalized science, synthesizing the fields of ecology, biology, medicine, architecture, engineering, education and economics. A bau-biologist, certified by the International Institute of Bau-biologie & Ecology, Inc., can design healthy structures, offer consultation during the construction of new buildings, or identify problem areas and propose non-hazardous solutions in existing buildings. Professional testing labs now use advanced technologies such as gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to isolate contaminants. If you are experiencing chronic headaches or allergy symptoms, a simpler way to determine whether your symptoms are caused by the building where you live or work is to observe where and when you feel better or worse-on the weekends when you aren't in your office, or during the workday when you aren't at home? Try opening windows for continuous ventilation for a whole week. (This test may not be possible at your office if the windows don't open.) If your symptoms improve, you can assume that something inside is contributing to your ill health. Many indoor irritants, allergens and toxins are easily controlled. The most common contributors to bad indoor air are cigarette smoke, artificial fragrances, carpeting, cleaning agents, molds, animal dander, insects, dust, art and hobby supplies, building materials and furnishings. By disposing of or avoiding some of these substances, you can greatly improve indoor air quality. Carpets are the most significant source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in new or remodeled buildings. At least one thousand different chemicals are used in the manufacture of carpets. Their cumulative and synergistic effect has not yet been studied. There is no government regulation of carpet emissions, and the Carpet and Rug Institute's label only insures inspection by the industry itself. Even though the average life of synthetic carpets is only eight years, they have become the most popular floor covering in North America. Synthetic carpet fibers are made from fossil fuels, tufted to backing materials of highly reactive compounds, colored with chemical dyes, and further treated to be anti-static, anti-microbial and stain-resistant. The toxic adhesives used in carpet glue can cause severe brain damage in previously healthy individuals. Carpet pads are typically made of prime urethane, and foamed with hydrocarbons such as methyl butane or bonded urethane. These materials are made from byproducts of the automotive and furniture industries. In spite of regular vacuuming and steam-cleaning, carpets harbor viruses, bacteria, molds, animal dander, dust mites, and virtually any substance tracked in on boots and shoes. Any carpet that has been damp for twenty-four hours is a perfect breeding ground for molds, and should be removed. If carpeting is in place during remodeling, it will also absorb fumes from paints, varnishes, waxes, and glues, and will later out-gas them back into the building. Extensive documentation attests to serious and sometimes fatal chemical injuries in people who have been exposed to new carpeting or carpet cleaning agents. Children are especially at-risk because they play on the floor and have greater inhalation and skin exposure to carpet toxins than adults. As an alternative, natural-fiber area rugs can be easily removed for washing and eliminating particulate matter underneath. Although many people prefer wall-to-wall carpeting for its warmth, insulating the floor would be a better investment in the long run. All petroleum-based paints (including latex) are a major source of VOCs, some of which are carcinogens or cause liver or kidney damage. In small doses they can cause dizziness, disorientation, headaches, loss of muscle control and irregular heartbeat. Thousands of new, untested synthetic chemicals are used in the manufacturing process: pigments, binders, stabilizers, insecticides, fungicides, solvents and preservatives. While mercury can no longer be used as a preservative in interior latex paints, it is still allowed in exterior paints. Other heavy metals like cadmium are still permitted in interior formulas. In addition, even though lead-based paints were outlawed in this country in 1978, we still import lead-containing products from around the world. Fortunately, the paint industry has responded to consumer concerns and two major manufacturers are now producing latex paints that are documented to emit zero VOCs. A true zero-VOC paint only comes in pastels or shades of white. Ethylene glycol is used to make colored paints. Even though the tell-tale sharp, strong odor of VOCs may be gone, these new paints may be just as toxic due to chemicals added to remove the odors. Reliable paints on the market now, mostly imported from Germany, are made from tree and plant oils and resins, herbal extracts, mineral and vegetable pigments, citrus-peel thinners, and beeswax. If you intend to paint indoors, no matter how safe the paint, take a few precautions. The best time to paint is in the hot, dry months when you can provide 100% ventilation by opening windows. Heat also speeds up the drying process. Anyone who already has health problems should leave the building until the fumes are no longer detectable. Dilution is a solution to pollution. The easiest way to control indoor air pollution is to dilute the concentrated sources by ventilating. For the best air quality, the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineers recommends three complete air changes per hour. In older homes with leaky windows this may occur naturally, but if windows are weather-stripped, you can open them a crack to allow fresh air to enter. Cross-ventilation, achieved by opening windows at opposite ends of a room or house, is a fast solution. Use an exhaust fan in the bathroom and above the cookstove. Houseplants are excellent air cleaners and have even been documented to convert formaldehyde fumes into oxygen. Philodendrons and spider plants are the most efficient. In an at-home office or workshop, mechanical exhaust systems can directly vent local sources of pollution. Use ducts, fans and air cleaners to remove odors and particulate matter. Regularly clean these appliances and direct air flows away from people. For efficiency, the intake opening of a vent system should be no more than two feet above a work area. Avoid cross-drafts that spread fumes, and make sure that your supply of fresh air is located away from exhaust vents. During remodeling or construction, health and safety precautions should be taken to protect workers as well as occupants. Material Safety Data Sheets, provided by product manufacturers upon request, give specific instructions for necessary safety precautions. The site should be kept immaculately clean with regular vacuuming. Sheet rock contractors can use a sander with an attached vacuum to immediately remove dust. The construction area should be isolated as much as possible with tarps carefully taped at the edges to prevent dust migration. One hundred-percent ventilation should be maintained during construction to prevent the concentration of gases from paints, glues, waxes, varnishes, and other out-gassing materials. In 1984 my husband and I employed basic Bau-biologie principles in the construction of our home in the coastal mountains northwest of Willits, CA. Our 876-square-foot home was inexpensive to build and has been easy to heat, clean and maintain. The year we bought our land, we disassembled a wood-frame World War II-era house in Oakland that was scheduled for demolition. We saved thousands of dollars in materials, salvaging doors and windows with charming moldings, old, wavy glass, a ton of used bricks, a cast-iron bathtub, beefy, old fir framing lumber, light fixtures, and a huge pile of odds and ends. Using previously out-gassed materials was a health benefit, and recycling lumber eased our conscience about depleting forest resources. Due to a tight budget, we used some standard materials such as plywood siding with oil-based stain, gypsum wallboard with latex paints, composition roofing shingles, and treated lumber for the substructure. Using these locally available materials eliminated high shipping costs for importing special non-toxic materials. Since common building materials contain some toxic substances, we allowed them to out-gas in direct sunlight before use. After the finish work was completed, we allowed the whole house to sit with open windows and doors during the summer before we moved in. Special-ordered fiberglass batt insulation came without trademark pink dye or attached vapor barrier (asphalt is used to cement the building paper to the fiberglass). The installers wore protective gear. We didn't use building paper under the siding, so after the interior walls were sealed with gypsum board, the insulation could out-gas its formaldehyde binders to the outside. With a bit of luck and common sense, we chose a building site with a classic feng-shui layout. The house is protected from the northern wind by a mountain behind us, known in feng-shui as a protective "black tortoise" mountain. A ridge to the west, the "white tiger," blocks the glare of the harsh western sun. The ridge to the east, the "green dragon," shields the approach to the house. On the south-facing slope below the house is a riparian area, the "red phoenix," that shields the house but is low enough to allow us a stunning view to the Pacific Ocean. We defined the physical spaces in the house to accommodate the social activities that would take place in them. Our 432-square-foot great room includes a dining area that seats up to twelve people, a living area with a fold-down futon couch for overnight guests, a music center with piano, stereo and guitars, and an office with desk, drafting table, filing cabinets and computer. This space has facilitated family reunions, meetings, parties, and quilting bees. The sleeping loft has an opening with sliding shoji screens to the living area below. This allows heat from the woodstove to rise from below. The loft also has two openable south-facing clerestory windows, and north-side vents for cross-ventilation. A space-saving ship's ladder provides a jungle gym for visiting children. Our passive solar home utilizes direct solar gain for heating. The great room occupies the full thirty-two-foot length of the south side. The north side contains the utility rooms: an air-lock entry hall/mud room with coat closet, a kitchen that opens to the great room, and a large bath/dressing room. Opposing shed roofs incorporate a bank of six large openable clerestory windows, providing south light and creating convective currents throughout the house. A 400-square-foot south side deck serves as an outdoor eating, living, and sleeping place in good weather. We are off the power grid, and rely solely on a solar electric system for our computer, fax, modem, stereo, washing machine, and other electric appliances. On a south-facing slope below the house, twelve photovoltaic panels produce 750 watts of 24-volt DC power. Our utility shed holds two 12-volt lead/acid deep-cycle batteries with three-day storage, a 3000-watt load-sensing inverter to convert the 24-volt DC to 120-volt AC, and a backup electric-start generator. Our lighting consists of 24-volt incandescent and fluorescent DC fixtures, and some incandescent AC fixtures. DC fixtures do not have the irritating flicker and electromagnetic field emissions characteristic of AC fluorescents. Point-of-use alternative energy systems eliminate the need to send high voltages across long distances, thereby further reducing electromagnetic radiation hazards. For cooking, we have three options. We usually produce enough electricity to use an electric hot plate and convection oven. When burning wood for space heating, we cook on the woodstove (air-tight and highly efficient). For backup, we cook with hydrogen in a cook-top designed for gas. Hydrogen produces water vapor as a by-product, whereas propane produces toxic combustion by-products. We buy hydrogen from a local welding-supply outfitter, but eventually intend to produce our own through solar electrolysis. Our propane on-demand water heater is located outside the house in the utility shed, and has a six inch diameter vent to the outside. We use a propane refrigerator designed for RVs, with a flanged edge that seals it into the kitchen cabinet. The refrigerator is located on an outside wall, with two large vents to transport the fumes outdoors. Due to careful design, indoor air problems that plague "tight" construction don't exist here. Operable windows located on opposite ends and sides of the house provide cross-ventilation. The clerestory windows in the fourteen-foot ceiling on the north side exhaust hot air and draw in cool air from below. Vents on the outside walls of closets exhaust the residual dye and fabric fumes of clothing. Our primary source of heat is direct solar gain. Our 3/4"-thick oak flooring provides thermal-mass heat storage and an interior brick wall behind the woodstove absorbs direct sunlight and heat from the wood stove and its chimney in winter. To prevent mildew problems, we located our house away from trees, which tend to drop molds and moisture and keep buildings shaded and damp in summer. We provide summer cooling with natural convective currents, overhangs, and light-colored roofing. To ensure a dry crawlspace, we added more vents than the Uniform Building Code required. Perforated tile in a perimeter French drain directs moisture away from the foundation. Pressure-treated lumber in the substructure discourages wood-boring insects. Our bathroom has five windows and three doors for maximum ventilation to prevent common moisture problems. The kitchen has a ceiling fan and an exhaust fan over the cook-top. To prevent counter-top rot, we installed a stainless steel kitchen sink unit with double drain-boards and backsplash. In spite of our time-consuming research and labor-intensive methods, our environmentally-friendly house was worth every effort. Many visitors have commented on the sense of well-being they feel here. Most important, it is a healing refuge that contributes to our good health. In 1982 Nancy Simpson was studying environmental design and serving an architectural apprenticeship at UC Berkeley. She developed multiple chemical sensitivities when Malathion was sprayed from helicopters to eradicate the Mediterranean fruit fly. To facilitate repair to her damaged immune system, she moved to Willits with her husband, Keith Rutledge, and built a non-toxic house that became a healing refuge. She is a certified Bau-biologist.

Americans spend 90% of their time inside buildings. The Environmental Protection Agency says that indoor air pollution is a major cause of illness in the U.S., and can be ten times worse than air pollution in Los Angeles during rush hour. If you've ever gotten a headache or sore throat in a building that smelled of fresh paint or new carpeting, then you've been exposed to indoor air pollution, the cause of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). A tightly sealed building that saves energy costs will inadvertently cause contaminants generated inside to become concentrated. The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration says that in California alone, 1000 buildings a year are diagnosed with SBS.
Bau-biologie is an invented German term that directly translates as "building biology"- the study of how buildings impact human health, the interactions between life and built environments, and ways of constructing healthy homes and workplaces. A medical doctor, a wood technologist and an expert in electrobiology pioneered this concept in the early 1970's. Bau-biologie is a generalized science, synthesizing the fields of ecology, biology, medicine, architecture, engineering, education and economics. A bau-biologist, certified by the International Institute of Bau-biologie & Ecology, Inc., can design healthy structures, offer consultation during the construction of new buildings, or identify problem areas and propose non-hazardous solutions in existing buildings.
Professional testing labs now use advanced technologies such as gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to isolate contaminants. If you are experiencing chronic headaches or allergy symptoms, a simpler way to determine whether your symptoms are caused by the building where you live or work is to observe where and when you feel better or worse-on the weekends when you aren't in your office, or during the workday when you aren't at home? Try opening windows for continuous ventilation for a whole week. (This test may not be possible at your office if the windows don't open.) If your symptoms improve, you can assume that something inside is contributing to your ill health.

Many indoor irritants, allergens and toxins are easily controlled. The most common contributors to bad indoor air are cigarette smoke, artificial fragrances, carpeting, cleaning agents, molds, animal dander, insects, dust, art and hobby supplies, building materials and furnishings. By disposing of or avoiding some of these substances, you can greatly improve indoor air quality.

Carpets are the most significant source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in new or remodeled buildings. At least one thousand different chemicals are used in the manufacture of carpets. Their cumulative and synergistic effect has not yet been studied. There is no government regulation of carpet emissions, and the Carpet and Rug Institute's label only insures inspection by the industry itself.
     Even though the average life of synthetic carpets is only eight years, they have become the most popular floor covering in North America. Synthetic carpet fibers are made from fossil fuels, tufted to backing materials of highly reactive compounds, colored with chemical dyes, and further treated to be anti-static, anti-microbial and stain-resistant. The toxic adhesives used in carpet glue can cause severe brain damage in previously healthy individuals. Carpet pads are typically made of prime urethane, and foamed with hydrocarbons such as methyl butane or bonded urethane. These materials are made from byproducts of the automotive and furniture industries.
     In spite of regular vacuuming and steam-cleaning, carpets harbor viruses, bacteria, molds, animal dander, dust mites, and virtually any substance tracked in on boots and shoes. Any carpet that has been damp for twenty-four hours is a perfect breeding ground for molds, and should be removed. If carpeting is in place during remodeling, it will also absorb fumes from paints, varnishes, waxes, and glues, and will later out-gas them back into the building.
     Extensive documentation attests to serious and sometimes fatal chemical injuries in people who have been exposed to new carpeting or carpet cleaning agents. Children are especially at-risk because they play on the floor and have greater inhalation and skin exposure to carpet toxins than adults. As an alternative, natural-fiber area rugs can be easily removed for washing and eliminating particulate matter underneath. Although many people prefer wall-to-wall carpeting for its warmth, insulating the floor would be a better investment in the long run.

All petroleum-based paints (including latex) are a major source of VOCs, some of which are carcinogens or cause liver or kidney damage. In small doses they can cause dizziness, disorientation, headaches, loss of muscle control and irregular heartbeat. Thousands of new, untested synthetic chemicals are used in the manufacturing process: pigments, binders, stabilizers, insecticides, fungicides, solvents and preservatives. While mercury can no longer be used as a preservative in interior latex paints, it is still allowed in exterior paints. Other heavy metals like cadmium are still permitted in interior formulas. In addition, even though lead-based paints were outlawed in this country in 1978, we still import lead-containing products from around the world.
Fortunately, the paint industry has responded to consumer concerns and two major manufacturers are now producing latex paints that are documented to emit zero VOCs. A true zero-VOC paint only comes in pastels or shades of white. Ethylene glycol is used to make colored paints. Even though the tell-tale sharp, strong odor of VOCs may be gone, these new paints may be just as toxic due to chemicals added to remove the odors. Reliable paints on the market now, mostly imported from Germany, are made from tree and plant oils and resins, herbal extracts, mineral and vegetable pigments, citrus-peel thinners, and beeswax.
If you intend to paint indoors, no matter how safe the paint, take a few precautions. The best time to paint is in the hot, dry months when you can provide 100% ventilation by opening windows. Heat also speeds up the drying process. Anyone who already has health problems should leave the building until the fumes are no longer detectable.

Dilution is a solution to pollution. The easiest way to control indoor air pollution is to dilute the concentrated sources by ventilating. For the best air quality, the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineers recommends three complete air changes per hour. In older homes with leaky windows this may occur naturally, but if windows are weather-stripped, you can open them a crack to allow fresh air to enter. Cross-ventilation, achieved by opening windows at opposite ends of a room or house, is a fast solution. Use an exhaust fan in the bathroom and above the cookstove. Houseplants are excellent air cleaners and have even been documented to convert formaldehyde fumes into oxygen. Philodendrons and spider plants are the most efficient.
In an at-home office or workshop, mechanical exhaust systems can directly vent local sources of pollution. Use ducts, fans and air cleaners to remove odors and particulate matter. Regularly clean these appliances and direct air flows away from people. For efficiency, the intake opening of a vent system should be no more than two feet above a work area. Avoid cross-drafts that spread fumes, and make sure that your supply of fresh air is located away from exhaust vents.
During remodeling or construction, health and safety precautions should be taken to protect workers as well as occupants. Material Safety Data Sheets, provided by product manufacturers upon request, give specific instructions for necessary safety precautions. The site should be kept immaculately clean with regular vacuuming. Sheet rock contractors can use a sander with an attached vacuum to immediately remove dust. The construction area should be isolated as much as possible with tarps carefully taped at the edges to prevent dust migration. One hundred-percent ventilation should be maintained during construction to prevent the concentration of gases from paints, glues, waxes, varnishes, and other out-gassing materials.

An Ecologically Designed Healing Refuge
In 1984 my husband and I employed basic Bau-biologie principles in the construction
of our home in the coastal mountains northwest of Willits, CA. Our 876-square-foot home was inexpensive to build and has been easy to heat, clean and maintain.
     The year we bought our land, we disassembled a wood-frame World War II-era house in Oakland that was scheduled for demolition. We saved thousands of dollars in materials, salvaging doors and windows with charming moldings, old, wavy glass, a ton of used bricks, a cast-iron bathtub, beefy, old fir framing lumber, light fixtures, and a huge pile of odds and ends. Using previously out-gassed materials was a health benefit, and recycling lumber eased our conscience about depleting forest resources.
     Due to a tight budget, we used some standard materials such as plywood siding with oil-based stain, gypsum wallboard with latex paints, composition roofing shingles, and treated lumber for the substructure. Using these locally available materials eliminated high shipping costs for importing special non-toxic materials. Since common building materials contain some toxic substances, we allowed them to out-gas in direct sunlight before use. After the finish work was completed, we allowed the whole house to sit with open windows and doors during the summer before we moved in.
     Special-ordered fiberglass batt insulation came without trademark pink dye or attached vapor barrier (asphalt is used to cement the building paper to the fiberglass). The installers wore protective gear. We didn't use building paper under the siding, so after the interior walls were sealed with gypsum board, the insulation could out-gas its formaldehyde binders to the outside.
     With a bit of luck and common sense, we chose a building site with a classic feng-shui layout. The house is protected from the northern wind by a mountain behind us, known in feng-shui as a protective "black tortoise" mountain. A ridge to the west, the "white tiger," blocks the glare of the harsh western sun. The ridge to the east, the "green dragon," shields the approach to the house. On the south-facing slope below the house is a riparian area, the "red phoenix," that shields the house but is low enough to allow us a stunning view to the Pacific Ocean.
     We defined the physical spaces in the house to accommodate the social activities that would take place in them. Our 432-square-foot great room includes a dining area that seats up to twelve people, a living area with a fold-down futon couch for overnight guests, a music center with piano, stereo and guitars, and an office with desk, drafting table, filing cabinets and computer. This space has facilitated family reunions, meetings, parties, and quilting bees. The sleeping loft has an opening with sliding shoji screens to the living area below. This allows heat from the woodstove to rise from below. The loft also has two openable south-facing clerestory windows, and north-side vents for cross-ventilation. A space-saving ship's ladder provides a jungle gym for visiting children.
     Our passive solar home utilizes direct solar gain for heating. The great room occupies the full thirty-two-foot length of the south side. The north side contains the utility rooms: an air-lock entry hall/mud room with coat closet, a kitchen that opens to the great room, and a large bath/dressing room. Opposing shed roofs incorporate a bank of six large openable clerestory windows, providing south light and creating convective currents throughout the house. A 400-square-foot south side deck serves as an outdoor eating, living, and sleeping place in good weather.
     We are off the power grid, and rely solely on a solar electric system for our computer, fax, modem, stereo, washing machine, and other electric appliances. On a south-facing slope below the house, twelve photovoltaic panels produce 750 watts of 24-volt DC power. Our utility shed holds two 12-volt lead/acid deep-cycle batteries with three-day storage, a 3000-watt load-sensing inverter to convert the 24-volt DC to 120-volt AC, and a backup electric-start generator. Our lighting consists of 24-volt incandescent and fluorescent DC fixtures, and some incandescent AC fixtures. DC fixtures do not have the irritating flicker and electromagnetic field emissions characteristic of AC fluorescents. Point-of-use alternative energy systems eliminate the need to send high voltages across long distances, thereby further reducing electromagnetic radiation hazards.
     For cooking, we have three options. We usually produce enough electricity to use an electric hot plate and convection oven. When burning wood for space heating, we cook on the woodstove (air-tight and highly efficient). For backup, we cook with hydrogen in a cook-top designed for gas. Hydrogen produces water vapor as a by-product, whereas propane produces toxic combustion by-products. We buy hydrogen from a local welding-supply outfitter, but eventually intend to produce our own through solar electrolysis. Our propane on-demand water heater is located outside the house in the utility shed, and has a six inch diameter vent to the outside. We use a propane refrigerator designed for RVs, with a flanged edge that seals it into the kitchen cabinet. The refrigerator is located on an outside wall, with two large vents to transport the fumes outdoors.
     Due to careful design, indoor air problems that plague "tight" construction don't exist here. Operable windows located on opposite ends and sides of the house provide cross-ventilation. The clerestory windows in the fourteen-foot ceiling on the north side exhaust hot air and draw in cool air from below. Vents on the outside walls of closets exhaust the residual dye and fabric fumes of clothing. Our primary source of heat is direct solar gain. Our 3/4"-thick oak flooring provides thermal-mass heat storage and an interior brick wall behind the woodstove absorbs direct sunlight and heat from the wood stove and its chimney in winter.
     To prevent mildew problems, we located our house away from trees, which tend to drop molds and moisture and keep buildings shaded and damp in summer. We provide summer cooling with natural convective currents, overhangs, and light-colored roofing. To ensure a dry crawlspace, we added more vents than the Uniform Building Code required. Perforated tile in a perimeter French drain directs moisture away from the foundation. Pressure-treated lumber in the substructure discourages wood-boring insects. Our bathroom has five windows and three doors for maximum ventilation to prevent common moisture problems. The kitchen has a ceiling fan and an exhaust fan over the cook-top. To prevent counter-top rot, we installed a stainless steel kitchen sink unit with double drain-boards and backsplash.
     In spite of our time-consuming research and labor-intensive methods, our environmentally-friendly house was worth every effort. Many visitors have commented on the sense of well-being they feel here. Most important, it is a healing refuge that contributes to our good health.

In 1982 Nancy Simpson was studying environmental design and serving an architectural apprenticeship at UC Berkeley. She developed multiple chemical sensitivities when Malathion was sprayed from helicopters to eradicate the Mediterranean fruit fly. To facilitate repair to her damaged immune system, she moved to Willits with her husband, Keith Rutledge, and built a non-toxic house that became a healing refuge. She is a certified Bau-biologist.