Library builder

Water infiltration caused by faulty windows or installation procedure is a common source of building failure leading to mold infestation and water damage. Because water infiltrating through window assemblies will often leak directly into the wall cavity, a problem can go undetected for a long time and once it is dis­covered the damage is often […]

There are two general types of moisture me­ters. The first uses sharp pin probes that are pushed into the material to be tested. The pin probe meter detects moisture by electri­cal conductivity, since wet materials conduct greater amounts of electricity than dry materi­als. This meter leaves pinholes in the materials being tested. The second type […]

Ensuring that materials are dry is essential in healthy building. Building materials can be ruined by moisture damage. The follow­ing four building practices can cause warp­ing, deterioration of materials, and microbial growth: 1. Application of finish flooring materials over insufficiently cured concrete slabs 2. Failure to quickly and thoroughly dry out precipitation that enters an […]

Special moist, sterile swabs called culturettes are good for this type of sampling. The cul — turette is presterilized and comes with a fluid- filled glass ampoule to provide just the right amount of moisture. The ampoule and swab are housed in a sterile plastic tube. About one minute before collecting the sample, squeeze the […]

The professional Bau-Biology Standard SBM 2008 provides a uniqueand comprehensiveassessment and evaluation system consisting of over30 indoor environmental parameters. The Standard uses an unorthodox approach because it is not based on single threshold limit values derived from medical dose responses. Instead, the Standard uses a gra­dient scale with four different levels based on the concentration […]

When B. W. was a five-year-old boy he came with his parents to consult with Dr. Elliott about his asthma. The most recent flare-up had occurred during a school field trip to the local swim­ming pool. Upon further questioning, a pattern emerged revealing a relationship between water and the triggering of the child’s asthma. Dr. […]

Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs If you wish to include a swimming pool or hot tub inside your home, the two major health concerns to consider are water sterilization and humidity-related mold infestation. Пае standard disinfectants used to kill microbes and algae in swimming pools are chlorine or other halogenated compounds, which are easily absorbed […]

Our homes are places for rest, retreat, and regen­eration. If designed, built, and furnished simply and intelligently, they can help us restore our bal­ance and our connection with nature. For most of us, however, creating a healthy home environment is unfamiliar — and sometimes overwhelming — territory and it is hard to know where to […]

When J. D. was 51 years old he consulted Dr. Elliott complaining of insomnia, asthma, and fatigue. It became clear from an exhaustive environmental history that J. D.’s symptoms began during the time he lived downwind from a location where aerial spraying was carried out seasonally for pest control. The repeated pesticide exposures appar­ently had […]

New PVC liners and shower curtains have a strong odor from outgassing toxins. Many shower curtains are treated with harmful chemicals to create mildew resistance. Cotton duck cloth shower curtains are naturally water repellent, wrinkle resistant, and attractive but they take a long time to dry and must be treated to resist mildew growth. They […]