Your Guide To Green

What REALLY happens while we sleep? We can wish our child "Sweet Dreams", but we all know what it's like when someone is too "wired" to sleep. Today that term may be a great deal more literal than we ever realized.

Today's bedrooms include a wide array of modern electrical devices beside, on or near the bed - telephones, lamps, digital alarm clocks, etc. Bedrooms, especially those occupied by children, include television sets, computers, video games and the like. What these items have in common is the electricity they require to run and therefore they are responsible for the generation of electric and magnetic fields as well as the potentially more dangerous radio-frequency fields.

Consider the fact that we spend six to ten hours a day in our bedrooms in supposed restful, healing sleep. Then consider that Building Biologists refer to this as long-term exposure to low levels of electric fields which can have negative biological effects on our bodies especially those of children, the elderly and those with weak immune systems.

There are four types of electric fields that cause health concerns in our homes - AC electric, DC electric (or static electric), DC magnetic, AC magnetic and radio-frequency (or RF). AC electric fields are generated even when the electricity is "off." The fields are created by voltage waiting in the ungrounded wires for the power to be turned on. AC electric fields, created by lamps and other appliances near the bed are thought to disturb the production of melatonin which enables us to have a restful, healing night's sleep. Studies indicate that this is causing serious health challenges as our systems try to cope and adapt to the ever-increasing man-made electro pollution.

Various studies link the risk of EMR (electromagnetic radiation) to childhood leukemia, other cancers and general restlessness. For example t he New York State Power Lines project results show an increased incidence of childhood cancer, behavioral problems and nervous system effects in children living near transmission lines. A study of 500,000 children by Ahlbom and Feychting in 1993 in Sweden showed a significant relationship between magnetic field exposure and leukemia. Though other studies rebuke these findings Building Biologists strongly recommend taking a cautious approach until safety is proven.

AC magnetic fields occur when the power is on and the appliances are running such as our digital alarm clock, which is most likely near the bed. Sleep also can be affected by the AC magnetic fields from an appliance against a wall on the other side of the bed or from an electronic device in a room located beneath the bedroom. This would include appliances like refrigerators and or entertainment centers.

DC electric fields caused by the earth's magnetic field can be amplified or distorted by magnetized bed frames or box spring mattresses. Radio frequency fields are caused by any wireless devices in the bedroom or adjoining rooms. We may not be aware of the effects of these electric and magnetic fields because we can't see them. So what can we do to insure healthful, safe sleep?

A Building Biologist can measure these fields and address those in the extreme ranges. If the client has multiple chemical sensitivities or other illnesses, lower-range readings should be mitigated.

Mitigation can be as simple as moving all electrical items. In some cases an electrician must be called in. So what can be done about electric fields? How can you make your bedroom a healthier place to sleep and recuperate? Here are a few simple things that the Institute for Building Biology and Ecology recommends to create a healthier sleeping sanctuary.

Initial Steps to Create a Sleeping Sanctuary

1. Use battery devices near the bed or move all electric devices at least five feet from the bed.

2. Turn off bedroom-affecting circuits. A restful sleep is necessary for health and a strong immune system. Electric fields can affect the bio-communication system, keeping you from sleeping soundly.

3. Eliminate or shield from radio frequency (RF). Radio-frequency signals from portable phones, cell phones, and wireless devices have been shown to interfere with your body's immune system.

4. Use beds without metal. Metal frames and metal box springs can amplify and distort the earth's natural magnetic field, which can lead to a non-restful sleep. Use natural materials.

5. Make sure there are no elevated magnetic fields. Magnetic fields from appliances and building wiring can penetrate walls into a bedroom and disrupt your body's communication system.

Many children have computer workstations in their bedrooms, but regardless of where the computer workstations are located in your home, following are suggestions for making them electrically and magnetically safer.

•  Create as much distance between you and your monitor, the tower and all power strips and transformers. Purchase extension cables and move all of these items out from under your desk at least 2-3 feet away from your knees and feet. Push the monitor as far back on the desk as you can while still reading text comfortably.

•  Consider switching to a lower screen resolution, such as 640 X 480 pixels, so the text is bigger on your screen and you can sit further back.

•  If you have a laptop, consider purchasing a separate keyboard to reduce electric field exposure.

•  Replace the wireless mouse and keyboard with wired devices.

•  Check with a certified Building Biologist who can suggest protection devices. Go to www.buildingbiology.net and select "Find an Expert.