Janus Welton EcoArch DesignWorks | Healthy Environment Healthy Economy



	Copyright 2006 Janus Welton, AIA, BBEC, Architect and Sustainable & Healthy Building Design Environmental Consutant EcoArch DesignWorks, PC Healthy Environment –Healthy Economy Building a Safe and Sustainable Future in New York State Dec 6 & 7, 2007 New York State Legislative Office Building Albany, NY Conference Panel Topics by Janus Welton, AIA, BBEC, Architect & Sustainable & Healthy Building Design Environmental consultant A Breath of Fresh Air: Health Safety and the Quality of Buildings-What kind of results are we seeing from green buildings relative to health, safety, Well-being and productivity? “What is a green building? If you can juice it – it’s green!” Paula Baker Laporte 1. Beyond LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design -Areas where the green building movement has not yet gone far enough to sustain “Human Health” in Buildings. Problems: (IAQ) Indoor Air Quality Toxic Chemicals outgas from many “green products” Airborne particulates and mold (EMF) Electromagnetic fields Electo- Magnetic Field Stresses have not been considered in “green buildings” (RF) Radio-Microwave Fields from all wireless devices, cell phones, towers, smart wireless technologies The invisible dangers of EMF and radiation – the “NEW” “Tobacco Debacle” of the 21st Century Solutions: Sustainable & Healthy Building Design is key to Solving Common Health problems in buildings www.buildingbiology.net 2. Building Strategies for the Multiple Chemically Sensitive (MCS) Problems: We spend over 90% of our time inside buildings Common IAQ Indoor air Quality health problems: Asthma, respiratory problems, sleep disorders, headaches, multiple chemical sensitivity Insufficient Air changes and Oxygen Content VOC’s Volatile Organic Compounds – Chemicals that out-gas Paints, synthetic carpets, under padding, adhesives, glues, pressed woods, formaldehyde in particle board and plywood, Engineered woods, Finishes, Vinyl’s, Plastics, etc. Particularly PVC is a huge biological and environmental threat- it creates carcinogenic dioxin and uses Phthalates for softening plastic While many green materials are recycled and energy efficient- They may not be healthy! Combustion appliances: fireplaces, gas stoves, oil furnaces, et Dust. Mites, animal dander, etc. Household chemicals, Chlorine , Lead and fluoride in our water, Moisture and molds and materials that support their growth Mercury in LCD displays, lead and chlorinated plastics in Electronics Solutions: Use as many Natural and local materials as possible Our “Green standards” should eliminate any materials with formaldehyde and other chemicals that out-gas currently LEED points can be counted towards a green project even when they contain chemicals such as formaldehyde Toxic materials must be eliminated from all Green and “Leed” standards And points need to be given to Non Toxic alternatives: for example Toxic pressure treated woods- (while arsenic has been outlawed, copper and other biocides remain) could be replaced with Borate treated wood. Hepa filters should be standard and air flow increased with their use. Limited carpeting and central vacuums in buildings For some severely MCS people, metal is one of the only materials they can tolerate in the space and it must be like a clean room All PVC needs to be eliminated and Green points given for alternates such as HDPE an PEX Further sources: To review PVC studies: www.healthybuilding.net For info on AIQ studies www.epa.gov Building Strategies for the electrically Hypersensitive (EHS) – The Invisible Dangers of EMF and RF radiation – the “NEW” “Tobacco Debacle” of the 21st Century! Problems: Electo- Magnetic Field Stresses create 2 major Biological problems: Brain : Behavioral abnormalities, learning disabilities, lack of concentration Reduces brain, pineal gland, melatonin, and hormone production in sleep state- leading to immune system disorders such as chronic fatigue. Growing Tissue: Embryos, genetics, and cancer Biological and epidemiological evidence indicates that EMF even at a low frequency increases the risk of cancer in adults and especially children. MS, Parkinson’s, Autism, chronic fatigue and Fibromalgia and childhood Leukemia are particularly susceptible to EMF. More and more people are becoming electro sensitive from long term exposure to Electric and Magnetic frequencies.(EMF) All Metal Building materials such as steel and rebar conduct EMF and raise the risks Radio-Microwaves from all Wireless Devices and Cell phones and towers Biological and epidemiological evidence indicates that RF increases the risk of brain tumors in children and adults While the thermal effect of the microwave radiation from a cell phone goes into the brain 1- 4 inches, the pulsed radiation goes unstudied Metal buildings, roofs, cars, etc raise the field strengths astronomically Children and teens are particularly at risk with forming brain tissue The “NEW” Tobacco debacle looming in the near future Emerging Potential Public Health Issue in the 21st century Solutions: Education and Prudent Avoidance! 3.“Precautionary Principle” recognizes that adverse health effects , while not conclusive, the risks from doing nothing far out weigh the risks of taking action to control EMF and RF exposures Adopt Design Performance Standards and guidelines for Public and Occupational EMF exposures in the green building/ healthy buildings Eliminate , Shield , Reduce and Avoid EMF and RF fields in Green buildings: Adopt electrical wiring “green” healthy standards such as : Grounded metal Shielded BX cable for all green and healthy buildings and homes Kill switches to turn off alternating current in bedroom walls Provide Shielded and grounded cords on all appliances and computers Create EMF and RF free zones in Commercial Buildings and homes As started in the Marin County office buildings. Ground metal roofs. Avoid wireless devices in green buildings: phones, computers, etc. Avoid dimmer switches in offices and bedrooms where people spend many hours/day Careful location of buildings and human functions in relationship to sell towers and EMF’s and RF sources Further sources: To view Worldwide Scientists Precautionary EMF approach to promote Public Health: www.icems.eu For info on the film: Public Exposure: DNA, Democracy, and the Wireless Revolution : www.energyfields.org For more information about independent scientific research and health issues that the government does not protect us from: www.neilcherry.com The Detrimental Consequences of Wireless Broadband over Power lines – (BPL) HR 5252- The FCC ( Federal Communications Commission) is trying to push through the Bush Administration a Bill in Congress HR 5252 4. This would create a national network of wireless broadband on our existing power lines making the power lines giant antennae for radio frequency microwaves! Problems: Exposes every living person and organism within 300 feet of the power lines to radio-microwave voltage! We become the victim receivers as human beings are semi-conductors! Bad for Human Health : increase in background noise, effects concentration, blood brain barrier, leading to deafness, DNA Changes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and links to Brain Tumors Considered a Human Carcinogen You cannot turn it off; there is no place to hide! Voltage bleeds through building materials plastic, wood, sheetrock, etc. And whole house becomes Disastrous legal consequences due to medical suits Cuts into AM and FM radio frequencies and ham radio frequencies Interferes with our National Emergency back up communication system ( 1.5 – 80 Hz) Cable is better as it is inherently shielded from noise Obsolete technology- not guaranteed any faster than cable NOT good business sense for New York or America! Solutions: Contact Your Congressman to VOTE NO on HR-5252! Our survival in the future will have to depend on green buildings that shield us from the very radiation sources that we have created! Further sources: To view technical PowerPoint on broadband wireless WIFI by Sal La Duca: www.emfrelief.com/bpl.ppt To find broadband locations in your zip code: www.bpldatabase.org For more information about independent scientific research confirming: www.energyfields.org