The $4.5 trillion global wellness market is worth 3 times more than the world’s pharmaceutical industry. As the design of the built environment can greatly affect wellbeing, tremendous opportunities exist for the building industry to become more focused on this issue and the benefits it can create. The attached document indicates how biologically optimising exposures to light can help improve immune system functioning, fertility levels and cardiovascular health whilst potentially reducing cancer risks. It also suggests how improved facade design may help significantly reduce the likelihood of infection from pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. Increasing occupants’ contact with nature can create further substantial benefits. These include providing opportunities to aid food security, helping reduce buildings’ energy requirements and improving general wellbeing. Other benefits are also proposed. As we address the new normal, those creating healthier buildings will achieve significant competitive advantage.
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Research already suggests that the level of excess charge generated by individuals, and present within the micro-environments they occupy, may influence the degree of contaminant deposition they receive, including pathogen deposition. The document below proposes measures that may be taken to help reduce likelihood of infection.
Excess charge and infection High levels of excess charge can often arise in many everyday environments, including healthcare facilities (IEC 2019), work areas and even home environments. We propose that the presence of raised charge may significantly increase risk of infection from SARS-CoV-2 virus and other pathogens. Excess Charge and Retention of Particles in Airways Research indicates that indoor areas with poor bio-electromagnetic hygiene often have higher concentrations of charged PM2.5 particles (Jamieson et al. 2010). Additionally, research on aerosols by Xi et al. (2014) suggests that the presence of excess charge may increase the risk of deposition of respiratory droplets, droplet nuclei, and other particulate matter that can carry pathogens, within human airways. As it has been shown that even slight increases in long-term exposures to PM2.5 can result in big increases in COVID-19 deaths (Wu et al. 2020), and it is known that the presence of excess charge can increase their deposition, we propose that taking measures to reduce exposure to excess charge will help reduce individuals’ risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection and infection from other pathogens, as well as reduce the general risk of inhalation and retention of PM2.5 particles. Generation of Frictional Charge When people walk they can often build-up high levels of excess charge due to friction between their footwear and the surfaces they come into contact with. Other activities they may undertake can also increase the extent to which they may become charged. In addition to the fact that some materials naturally gain charge more readily than others, the humidity level of the air can play a major role in charge generation, with the higher charges often being generated in low humidity conditions. Image: BioSustainable Designs
Ideally, levels of 40-60% relative humidity should be sought indoors in order to help reduce the likelihood of health risks related to biological contaminants (Taylor 2018), including the generation of excess charge. Additional measures that can help reduce the generation of excess charge include the use of anti-static finishes and wearing appropriate types of clothing, socks and footwear that typically generate low charge through friction. As an example, wearing clothing made out of cotton, instead of synthetics like acrylics, nylon or polyester, can help reduce the degree of excess charge generated and the number of airborne contaminants drawn towards individuals. Excess Charge and Skin Contamination Increased body potentials, at levels that can readily occur in many everyday situations, can significantly increase contaminant deposition onto the skin (Wedberg 1991). It is already known that skin flakes released from the body can carry contaminants such as pathogens (Davies & Noble 1962), and can be readily inhaled in high numbers (Settles 2005). Reducing excess charge helps reduce the contaminant load they may hold and the likelihood of their retention if inhaled. We propose that in situations where SARS-CoV-2 exists, it may also deposit onto the skin or skin flakes which can later be inhaled, thereby possibly increasing risk of infection. We additionally suggest that skin lotions should be used immediately after bathing to help reduce the release of skin flakes from the body and the level of frictional charging created between skin and clothes. Such measures will help reduce body potentials and the number of airborne contaminants attracted towards individuals thereby reducing risk of ill health. Excess Charge and Surface Contamination Contaminated surfaces can act as significant vectors for transmitting infections (Chan et al. 2011). It has already been demonstrated that excess charge can significantly increase the deposition of bacteria onto surfaces (Allen 2005). We propose that viral deposition, including the deposition of SARS-CoV-2, may also greatly increase in such situations. Excess Charge and Air Ion Levels as Indicators of Risk In addition to the frictional charging of surfaces and materials causing excess charge, raised electric fields can often be created by items of electrical equipment contributing to localised hotspots within rooms where increased concentrations of charged PM2.5 can exist unless enhanced bio-electromagnetic hygiene measures are undertaken. These include the grounding of electrical items, switching them off and unplugging of them when not in use, and avoiding electric cable contact with the metal framework of desks. The presence of raised fields in areas where low concentrations of small air ions are found is often an indicator of the presence of increased concentrations of charged PM2.5 particles (Jamieson et al. 2010). We propose that higher exposures to charged contaminants in areas where reduced small air ions levels exist may increase COVID-19 risk. Have you seen?
Conclusion It appears that improved bio-electromagnetic hygiene may greatly help reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infections, the risk of co-infections from other pathogens and the risks created by PM2.5 exposures. With regards to mitigating excess charge and reducing risk, measures that can be adopted include: the appropriate selection of materials to reduce frictional charge generation; the application of anti-static finishes; the optimisation of humidity levels; the use/creation of biologically-optimised electrical items; and individuals occupying/creating low field areas whenever possible. Taken forward correctly, bio-electromagnetic hygiene can form an important component in the ‘Build Back Better’ (UNISDR, 2017) approach to disaster risk reduction that is needed to address the challenges faced at this present time. It can be developed to create a more resilient, more biologically-friendly, more sustainable future that innovatively re-imagines industries and what they can achieve, and better addresses the risks we face. Hypothesis: Vertical electric fields may help reduce 2019-nCoV infection, aid recovery and quickly combat mutations.Past research shows simulations of fair-weather vertical electric fields can help:
It is proposed that vertical electric field technology (VEFT) may be an effective tool within the arsenal of measures being created to help address 2019-nCoV. VEFT technology has previously been used in hospitals, offices, schools, restaurants, shops and cinemas. It has also been used to keep animals healthy (Hahn 1956). Recovery from infections Hahn (1956) reported that the use of VEFT could have pronounced effects on microbial infections: pigs dying from a bacterial infection recovered completely; chronic udder inflammations in cows disappeared; and a goat with mumps that could no longer eat recovered after exposure; as did a chicken with bird-flu. Over the eight-year trial period of the above, none of the workers exposed to the vertical electric fields whilst looking after the animals on a regular basis ever succumbed to colds (coronavirus infections), influenzas or any another infectious disease. It is additionally proposed that the use of such fields may also prove an effective way to rapidly address pathogen mutations. Immune system response Plaque Counts after 15-day exposure to Various Field Levels (Möse et al., 1973, Fischer, 1973). Möse et al. (1973) and Fischer (1973) investigated the effects of such fields on immune system functioning using the plaque count method. They found that even low intensity exposures could increase immune system functioning; with effectiveness increasing as field-strength increased within the intensity range found in nature during fair-weather periods. The possible efficacy of using positive vertical electric fields exposures to help boost immune system functioning and help aid recovery from infection from 2019-nCoV needs to be assessed. Proposed applications VEFT present just one innovative aspect of bioelectromagnetic design that could be used to enhance biological performance and reduce risk of infection and ill-health. It is proposed that such technology could find its way into many areas of modern life, the most important of which at this time is the hospital environment, in order to help improve patient health outcomes and staff well-being. Conclusion Due to the urgent need to effectively address the threat posed by this coronavirus, it is proposed that trialling of enhanced vertical electric field technology should be undertaken as soon as possible. Whether VEFT already used in China to boost its crop growth (Chen 2018) could, with adaption, be suitable for this purpose and be able to relatively rapidly treat large numbers of people remains to be seen. It also remains to be seen whether the application of such fields might prove effective as a countermeasure to rapidly address pathogen mutations. References
Chen, S. (16 September 2018), China is making its vegetables grow bigger, faster and stronger ... using electricity. South China Morning Post, https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/2164365/electric-plants-powering-chinas-new-agricultural-revolution Fischer, G. (1973), Die bioklimatologisme Bedeutung des elektrostatischen Gleichfeldes. Zbl. Bakt. Hyg., 1. Abt., Orig., Reihe B, 157, 115-130. Hahn, F. (1956), Luftelektrizität gegen Bakterien für gesundes Raumklima und Wohlbefinden [Air electricity against bacteria for healthy room climate and well-being]. Albrecht Philler Verlag, Minden. Jamieson, I.A., Holdstock, P., ApSimon, H.M. & Bell, J.N.B. (2010), Building health: The need for electromagnetic hygiene? IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, Volume 10, Number 1. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-1315/10/1/012007/meta Möse, J.R., Fischer, G. & Strampfer, H. (1973), Immunbiologische Reaktion im elektrostatischen Gleichfeld und Faraday-Käfig. Z. Immunitäts forsch Exp Klin Immunol, 145, 404-412. SUMMARY
- Increased exposures to PM2.5 can create both short and long-term health effects. - It is important to know what the actual pollution levels are and what can be done to reduce exposures. Carry an N95 or P100 mask and try to avoid being outdoors when pollution levels are high. - The main sources of PM2.5 pollutants are traffic emissions, electricity generation, manufacturing industries, businesses, households and open burning. - Avoid burning things as doing so increases PM2.5. Crop biomass, which causes a lot of the PM2.5 if burned, can instead be sold by farmers to create extra income and help reduce air pollution both locally and across regions. - Keep windows and doors shut when there are high levels of pollution outdoors. - If possible use HEPA filtration to reduce PM2.5 levels indoors. Also use bipolar ionisers. - Unplug electrical items when not in use, as this reduces local concentrations of submicron pollutants. - When cleaning, ideally use wet cloths and/or mops to clean surfaces helps prevent dust from becoming resuspended in the air. - Only drive when necessary, ensure your engine is well-tuned and that your tires are properly inflated as doing so reduces pollution. Avoid running your car engine when it is parked. Increased exposures to PM2.5 are associated with adverse health outcomes including: cardiovascular diseases, acute and chronic respiratory illnesses, and premature death. Exposures during pregnancy may detrimentally impact infants’ development and growth. Increased exposures are also associated with dementia, mental illness and reduced learning abilities in children and adults. Simple measures can be taken to reduce such risks. You can reduce your exposures to such pollutants both indoors and outdoors. The chief sources of PM2.5 pollutants in many areas of the world are open burning, traffic emissions, electricity generation, manufacturing industries, businesses and households. The effects of exposures are cumulative, and can greatly affect the health and wellbeing of ourselves and those around us. Many of the causes of PM2.5 can be directly addressed to reduce exposures. As an example, with the right business plan in place, the biomass that is often burned after harvesting crops can actually be sold instead to make building materials and domestic products, providing farmers with a secondary source of income while helping to improve air quality both locally and across regions. [If you buy such products, you also help grow such initiatives to do good]. Everyone can take steps to reduce their exposures to PM2.5 and help preserve their own health and the health of their loved ones. Such steps can also aid business prosperity and the long-term financial growth of nations. Some of these measures are discussed in the text below: 1. KEEP INFORMED ABOUT POLLUTION LEVELS Keep informed about air quality in the areas that you live and work in and are likely to visit, so that you know when air quality conditions change, or are likely to change, and what to expect when you are in a specific location. Try and make the time you spend outside co-insides with when air quality is better and PM2.5 levels are lower. Also know where the low pollution areas are outdoors, and try to stay to these areas when you can. Furthermore, when the air quality is better, make sure to open windows of the building you are in to help ventilate it and get fresh air in. When possible, limit your amount of time outdoors when pollution levels are high, and try to keep away from areas that are heavily polluted. Whenever possible, carry an N95 or P100 facemask with you in case you suddenly find out that you need to use it because of poor air quality. [It is important to remember that cloths and paper face masks will not provide proper PM2.5 protection to your lungs]. 2. REDUCE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON HIGH POLLUTION DAYS When PM2.5 levels are very high, it is best to reduce your physical activity levels and stay indoors. When you do have to go outdoors on such days, try to wear an N95 mask or P100 mask to help protect your airways. Additionally, try to avoid going to areas where particularly high levels of pollution can be formed. 3. KEEP OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS SHUT TO REDUCE ENTRY OF OUTDOOR AIR POLLUTION Try to ensure windows and external doors, especially doors to car parking areas, are kept fully closed when pollution levels are high. [Note: standard window insect screens do not filter out PM2.5. There are new types of window mesh screening available on the market that allow good natural air ventilation and PM2.5 filtration, but these special nanofibre screen meshes are still relatively hard to obtain]. 4. AIR CONDITIONING If you have air conditioning units that can recirculate indoor air, make sure that they do so without pulling outdoor air in when pollution levels are high. [Note: Most air conditioning units are unable to undertake High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration of the air]. 5. HEPA FILTRATION Where possible try to ensure that areas where you spend large amounts of time receive HEPA filtered air. The use of portable HEPA air filtration devices means that you can ideally switch where such units are located indoors so that they can operate in areas where you are at any specific time. It is particularly desirable to have such HEPA filtration in bedroom areas at night when PM2.5 levels are high in order to help you get a restful sleep. Generally, try to sleep with all doors and windows closed in the bedroom area to help increase the filtration efficiency of such units when placed within them. 6. ELECTROMAGNETIC HYGIENE As electric fields indoors can act as a major transport and deposition mechanisms for charged and charge-neutralised submicron particles [in the size range predominantly created during PM2.5 pollution events] and can cause highly localised concentrations of such particles in the air within individual microenvironments within rooms; it is suggested that measures should be taken to reduce exposures to such electric fields whenever possible. This will help reduce the local concentrations of such particles and make the air that you breathe cleaner. This reduction in electric field strengths can often be achieved through simple measures such as using three-pin plugs with an earth to reduce the size of electric field created, unplugging electrical devices when they are not in use. Keeping to areas of rooms that have low electric fields also reduces your exposure to such particulates. Additionally, bipolar ionisers [that emit small air ions at levels similar to those recommended by the Russian SanPiN guidelines – which suggests maximum exposures of 50,000 small negative air ions and 50,000 small positive air ions per cm3] can be used to help remove submicron particles within the microenvironments individuals occupy. Their use can be particularly advantageous in reducing particulate concentrations in the air you breathe when at computer workstations. Both HEPA filtration and bipolar ionisation can help greatly reduce PM2.5 levels indoors. 7. REDUCING DUST LEVELS AND ACTIVITIES THAT CREATE PM2.5 Keep rooms as dust free as practical. Avoid brushing up dust, as this will cause more PM [including PM2.5] to become airborne. Also, for the same reason, avoid the use of vacuum cleaners unless they have HEPA filters that can catch PM2.5. Using wet cloths and/or mops to clean surfaces helps prevent dust becoming resuspended in the air. Avoid burning candles and incense as these create PM2.5 (the use of alternatives such as electronic LED battery operated artificial candles and incense sticks avoids this problem). Mosquito coils also create high levels of PM2.5, so use non-polluting alternative methods to keep them and other pests at bay. Also avoid smoking indoors, and avoid using printers, etc. in rooms that are typically occupied. [Printers should ideally be kept in well-ventilated areas away from commonly used living spaces]. When PM2.5 levels are high, try to avoid cooking, especially frying and gas cooking which can create high levels of PM2.5 indoors. If you do cook, operate an overhead cooker extract (preferably with an external extract) if possible. When doing so, ensure the kitchen door is shut to help reduce spread of PM2.5 to other rooms. 8. IMPROVING HUMIDITY LEVELS Often the use of air conditioning, or heating systems, can reduce the humidity levels of indoor air. This in turn can increase the amount of electric charge generated indoors through frictional charging and the local attraction and deposition of PM2.5 particles. Increasing the humidity levels of dry air, so that it has around a 12ºC dewpoint temperature, can reduce such charging and also help reduce local airborne concentrations of charged and charge-neutralised submicron particles. Excessively high humidity levels should however be avoided. Ways to address low humidity within individual microenvironments include using suitable HVAC systems, commercial humidifiers and/or greenery. Correctly undertaken, the presence of greenery, both outdoors and indoors, can create numerous other benefits including PM2.5 capture. 9. VEHICLES AND PM2.5 EXPOSURES Avoid leaving vehicle engines idling when stationary. Also avoid making unnecessary trips by vehicles on days when pollution is high, as their exhaust emissions will make a bad problem even worse [particularly when pollution levels are high]. Additionally, reducing your vehicle usage in general will help reduce the overall particulate burden the air has to deal with over time. Where possible share lifts with friends and colleagues to reduce the number of vehicles used and pollution created. Where practical, see if you can work flexi-hours to enable you to travel outwith normal rush hours. This will enable you to have faster journeys, use less fuel and create less pollution. Ideally, see if you can undertake remote working some of the time so that you do not need to commute as much, thereby further saving on levels of pollution that would be created by travelling in to work every day. Additionally, if your vehicle tiles are under-inflated, and/or your engine poorly tuned, fuel economy suffers and your vehicle creates extra PM2.5 pollution when making its trips. Making sure it is serviced regularly can help save you money and help save the environment. Whether your vehicle windows have been treated with protective film, and how effective those films are in reducing infrared waves and heat ingress, can also affect how much PM2.5 pollution is created by using its air conditioning system. Some dark tinted films have relatively poor heat blocking abilities, meaning the vehicle’s air conditioning has to work harder using more fuel and creating more exhaust emissions. Using clear film which blocks out a very high percentage of infrared can greatly help reduce the heat within the vehicle, meaning less energy is needed to maintain a comfortable temperature. [Using clear film instead of dark-tinted window film has the additional benefit of increasing road safety by enabling other drivers to see through the glazing far more clearly to better interpret road conditions that could otherwise be concealed by a dark tint. (The use of clear tint for this purpose instead of dark-tint can also help reduce road-rage and make drivers more courteous to each other as a side benefit – as an example of how not being able to see other can lead to aggression. A new retrofit technology that has been developed by Graviky Labs, a US Massachusetts Institute of Technology [MIT Spinoff], can be fitted on vehicle exhausts and can trap up to ~99% of PM pollution without inducing back-pressure on engines. Its widespread adoption and use on vehicles would have a significant impact on reducing PM2.5 pollution levels as vehicle exhausts are typically a significant contributory factor to poor air quality. It is further proposed that in the future, side car-window shades should be created out of nanofibre screens that allows PM2.5 filtered air into the car to aid ventilation without the need for air conditioning. As can be seen there are many measures we can take to help improve air quality and create better lives for future ourselves. We can all be empowered to help create the solutions we need. ADDITIONAL MEASURES THAT CAN BE TAKEN TO HELP REDUCE PM2.5 EXPOSURES WILL BE DISCUSSED IN A FUTURE ARTICLE. |
Adapted image: Tylrande
AuthorDr Isaac Jamieson Archives
November 2020
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Changing Perceptions, Improving Life - Reinventing the Future
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