Having written several articles for Jellyfish Connection about detoxification (which opened a huge can of worms touching on topics like pesticides, air & water quality & heavy metals); overuse of harsh and dangerous chemicals in the home; and the nasty ingredients found in your every day self care products; as well as recently undertaking a major investigation to see if it was financially viable for us to find a block of land and build our ultimate sustainable ‘green’ house, I was automatically attracted to the www.buildingbiology.com.au website when I found it on the ‘Abode’ range of cleaning products. This is how I discovered the ‘Healthy Home Healthy Family’ book written by Nicole Bijlsma who practiced as a Naturopath and Acupuncturist for 15 years. During this time she noticed a correlation between people’s environment, namely their homes and their illnesses. Now practicing as a building biologist, Nicole founded of the Australian College of Environmental Studies in 1999. 

Firstly I would like to point out that ‘Healthy Home Healthy Family – Is where you live affecting your health?’ is on the cover of this book – don’t think that you have to be sick or have a family member with illness or allergies to benefit from this information! The first chapter in this book “Our Children – Today’s Guinea Pigs?” is a concise summary of facts that every parent should know. Line after line I’m reading and nodding my head wondering ‘how is it possible to have this book distributed to every single Australian home’, honestly, that’s how important this information is, yet it is sadly ignored by so many people who could actually make a difference.

 “From baby bottles and plastic toys to talcum powder and mobile phones, we are exposed to hazards not seen previously in the history of mankind. Since World War 11 we have unleashed tens of thousands of chemicals into the environment – the great majority of which have not been tested to determine their impact on human health.” p16

Recently I’ve heard many people say things like ‘there’s so many things to be worried about, where do you stop’ or ‘small amounts can’t do too much damage’ both of which are reasonably true. But these types of statements are reflective of the ‘it’s all too hard’ mentality. I believe the reason why people don’t bother to learn about the potential hazards and risks’ surrounding them is because, well, they’d then have to do something about it, because information of this kind cannot to be ignored, for example:

“There is mounting evidence to suggest a link between overhead powerlines and childhood leukaemia; polycarbonate baby bottles an early puberty; talcum powder and ovarian cancer; fluoridated water and bone cancer; mobile phones and brain tumours; PVC toys and ADHD – just to name a few!” p19

When you are fully aware of the dangers around you and they are presented as undeniable scientific facts, making changes to protect yourself and your family definitely takes a step up on your priority list.

Two of the things I find most disturbing (probably because these are things we have no control over and if we are oblivious to the risks we place our trust in authorities to do the right thing by our families) are;

1. Products are allowed to reach our shelves because there is insufficient scientific evidence to prove that an agent is harmful, but this does not mean it is safe; and 2. Australia is way behind the 8 ball. “Progressive countries like Sweden work on the premise that if an agent cannot be proven to be completely safe, care or avoidance should be implemented.  This is called the precautionary principle and it is the underlying philosophy of building biology.” p23

‘Healthy Home Healthy Family’ is definitely confronting in the way points out the hazards around your home and their possible effects and after reading it I am continually conscious of my surroundings and things I can do to minimise their impacts. Nicole explains terms you may have heard of (and not fully understood) in a way that enables you to completely get a grasp of what you are dealing with from electromagnetic fields and radiation (including natural sources like geopathic stress), drinking water, potential allergens you may be exposed to and the myriad of chemicals in your home. But importantly this book gives you realistic and manageable solutions to minimise your exposure and therefore increase the health and wellbeing of those closest to you.

Available from bookstores & health food stores (Eliza Health Food & Gifts in Mt Eliza being one of them) or from www.buildingbiology.com.au for $29.95