Decalogue of the healthy house and Biohabitability Criteria

Today, one cannot talk about global health without pointing out the importance of living in healthy homes. The concept of Biohabitability was born in 1991 by Mariano Bueno, during the Health and Habitat Congress held in Barcelona. It refers to “those parameters that are necessary for a house to be healthy for the health of its inhabitants and its environment”. Here you have this decalogue published by the Association of Geobiological Studies (GEA) of Benicarló (Castellón), which will help you to make your home a healthier place for you and your family.

1.- HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENT

Choice of the most environmentally favourable housing location and positive urban integration in accordance with the local architecture and the surroundings (countryside, village, town, city…). Emphasis is also placed on well-kept outdoor spaces with abundant vegetation (wooded or wooded areas, parks, etc.).

2.- GLOBAL ASSESSMENT OF HOUSING RISK FACTORS

Noise and acoustic pollution, sources of electromagnetic pollution (high voltage lines, electrical substations, transformers, mobile phone or telecommunication antennas), as well as sources of environmental pollution (landfills, polluting industries, incinerators…), which allow a home to be healthy for its inhabitants by being in a healthy environment.

3.- GEOBIOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE HOUSING SITE

And especially of the spaces of long permanence (bedrooms, workplaces…), avoiding areas of intense terrestrial radiation, telluric or geophysical disturbances, as well as the crossing of energy lines, as well as choosing areas favourable to health and life.

4.-ABSENCE OF ELECTRICAL OR ELECTROMAGNETIC POLLUTION INSIDE THE HOME

Avoiding the proximity of sources of electromagnetic pollution and also installing biocompatible electrical installations in the home (e.g. shielding of cables, correct earthing, automatic electrical disconnection systems, etc.).

5.- BIO-CONSTRUCTION CRITERIA

In biohabitability, bioclimatic design that makes use of nature’s resources to air-condition the building.. Reasoned choice of construction systems and materials, giving priority to making them as efficient, comfortable, healthy and environmentally friendly as possible. Prioritise energy saving and also the use of clean and renewable energies.

6.- HEALTHY AND ECOLOGICAL MATERIALS

Choice of materials, e.g. paints, finishes, furniture and decorative elements, according to biocompatibility and environmentally friendly (ecological) criteria. In addition, the materials used must be healthy, breathable, but also have low radioactive emissions and be free of potentially toxic chemical compounds.

7.- INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Maintain constant indoor air renewal and adequate ionisation. Also, avoid bringing into the home construction or decorative items and cleaning products, especially those containing chemicals that are potentially toxic, harmful to health or aggressive to the environment. In conclusion, choice for “soft”, non-aggressive chemistry. As well as making extensive use of plants for indoor air purification and cleaning.

8.- NATURAL LIGHTING

Important are the orientation of the main facades to the sun, wide openings and the choice of lamps and artificial lighting systems with maximum efficiency, as well as low energy consumption and high biological quality (full solar spectrum).

9.- OPTIMAL MANAGEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Avoiding the generation of excessive domestic waste, with responsible consumption and selective separation at home. Responsible water management (saving, recycling and ecological purification). Likewise, choice of healthy food and also organically grown food.

10.- RESPONSIBILITY OF HOUSING FOR LIFE, HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Promoting that housing is designed, constructed or rehabilitated, as well as, with criteria of environmental awareness and responsibility. Thinking about biohabitability, we must be aware of the implication that housing has, firstly, on the health of its dwellers and secondly, as a risk factor or environmental impact factor. Also, ensuring that homes and workplaces comply as far as possible with minimum energy hygiene criteria and progressively implement BIOHABITABILITY criteria.