Scientific Support
Welcome to the Research page, where I share scientific studies, expert insights, and data that highlight the profound effects our environments have on both mental and physical well-being. This section also features contributions from a panel of experts, each bringing their own experiences and knowledge on creating healthier, more sustainable, and inclusive spaces.
The goal is to provide you with the tools and information necessary to make informed decisions that lead to healthier, more supportive environments.
Healthy spaces
Advocating for and driving much-needed change in the building industry is no small task. Because of this, I have joined forces with a group of exceptional professionals who are equally passionate about creating healthier environments and improving quality of life for all. Together, we are committed to addressing the industry's challenges and making a meaningful impact.
The Panel of Experts is comprised of leading professionals from various fields, including Professors, Doctors, Researchers, Builders, Building Biologists and Designers. Our mission is to create better practices in the building industry and to raise awareness about the impact of design on physical and mental well-being, ultimately fostering healthier spaces and improving the way we build and live.
We are currently seeking additional experts or influencers in areas such as building biology, environmental health, sustainability, and integrative medicine. If you are interested in joining the panel and contributing your expertise, please reach out.
Initiative
BEd, BSc, Hons, PhD, WASM
Dr Peter Dingle
Dr Dingle is Australia’s leading motivational health speaker.
He has spent the past 35 years as a researcher, educator, communicator and author. Formerly an Associate Professor in Health and The Environment at Murdoch University. Dr Dingle has more than 100 scientific articles, hundreds of public essays and 17 best selling books on health.
MBBS (Hons), PhD (TCM), PhD (Elec Eng), BMed Sci
Dr. Marc Cohen
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Dr Cohen is a Medical Doctor, University Professor, Author, Poet, Entrepreneur and Wellness Trailblazer. With a Medical Degree along with PhDs in both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering, Dr Marc has spent more than 30yrs practicing and researching holistic health. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific papers and many books.
Builder, Carpenter, Project Manager
Luke Faalafi
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Luke Faalafi is a builder and carpenter with over 25 years of experience in the building industry. He is a passionate advocate for healthy building practices and the health of tradespeople. Luke brings a wealth of practical knowledge and a commitment to improving the well-being of both occupants and tradespeople through safer, healthier building practices.
Some of our expert panel members.
Lung Association Website
Poor indoor air quality can cause or contribute to the development of infections, lung cancer and chronic lung diseases such as asthma. Find out what makes indoor air unhealthy and how pollution can hurt your body. Read more
World Health Organization (WHO) - Indoor Air Pollution
WHO estimates that around 3.8 million people die annually from illnesses attributable to household air pollution, including respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. Read more
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
The U.S. EPA provides extensive information on indoor air quality, detailing pollutants like radon, secondhand smoke, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and their impact on health. Indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, with certain pollutants posing serious health risks.Read more
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health - Impact of Indoor Air Quality
The air we breathe impacts our brain and mental health. Scientists found that exposure to high levels of air pollution in the past five years can lead to decreased quality of life and an increased risk of depression and suicide ideation. Breathing unhealthy air is also associated with increased anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, exposure to air pollution is associated with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and autism Read More
National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Indoor Air Pollution and Health
This NIH article provides an in-depth analysis of indoor air pollution, focusing on particulate matter (PM), biological pollutants, and chemical pollutants, and their health impacts. It identifies several health issues linked to indoor air pollution, including asthma, lung cancer, and heart disease. Read more
Your Home - Indoor Air Quality
This NIH article provides an in-depth analysis of indoor air pollution, focusing on particulate matter (PM), biological pollutants, and chemical pollutants, and their health impacts. It identifies several health issues linked to indoor air pollution, including asthma, lung cancer, and heart disease. Read more
Indoor air pollution among the top five environmental risks to public health
The health impacts of many chemical components in building materials are not well understood. Many chemicals present in indoor air environments have not been thoroughly tested and little is known about their long-term health effects. Read more
Fragranced consumer products: exposures and effects from emissions
Fragranced products have been associated with a range of adverse health effects, such as migraine headaches, asthma attacks, respiratory difficulties, neurological problems, mucosal symptoms, and contact dermatitis. Read more
How can I know if my home has unhealthy formaldehyde levels?
New homes or those with new products often have higher levels of formaldehyde, particularly in manufactured wood products like flooring and furniture, permanent press fabrics, and various household items such as glues, paints, and detergents. Read more
Long-term exposure to air pollution is like smoking a pack of cigarettes a day
One of the chief causes of harm is the presence of ground-level ozone. This is created by a chemical reaction between oxides of nitrogen, sunlight and a broad catch-all category of pollutants called volatile organic compounds (VOC). Adhesives, paint, formaldehyde, ceiling tiles, and even new furniture are all sources of VOCs. Read more
Air pollution accounted for 8.1 million deaths globally in 2021
More than 90 per cent of these global air pollution deaths – 7.8 million people – are attributed to PM2.5 air pollution, including from ambient PM2.5 and household air pollution. These tiny particles, measuring less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, are so small they remain in the lungs and can enter the bloodstream. Read more
Research on air pollution and it's affects on health
Parental avoidance of toxic exposures could help prevent autism, ADHD in children, new study shows
This is the first-ever article in the medical literature showing that chemical intolerance in parents can predict the risk of autism and ADHD in their children, and suggests that reducing exposures prior to and during pregnancy could help prevention Read more
Early-life exposure to VOCs add ADHD-related behaviors
Benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene (BTEX) are a group of volatile organic compounds previously linked to adverse birth outcomes and cognitive development. This study aimed to determine if early-life exposure to BTEX in the ambient air was associated with behaviors suggestive of attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Read more
VOCs and and Neurological Disorders Study
VOCs may cause behavioral, neurological, dermatological, and respiratory symptoms in humans as evident from experimental and epidemiological data. Humans are exposed to VOCs through skin, GIT, and lungs. Due to the high lipophilicity of VOCs, they can cross biological membranes and the blood–brain barrier. Read more
Indoor Volatile Organic Compounds and Chemical Sensitivity Reactions
Neurogenic inflammation can be induced by air pollutants [4], and exposure to either an allergen or chemical irritant leads to a sensory nerve impulse. Chemical irritants directly trigger peripheral nerve receptors. Once the impulse reaches the central nervous system (CNS), it is redirected to another peripheral location leading to the release of neuropeptides that produce inflammation at the second site Read more
Your Home - Indoor Air Quality
This Australian website discusses the risks associated with VOCs in building materials and furnishings, and provides practical advice on choosing low-VOC products, managing dampness, and reducing exposure to harmful indoor pollutants. Read More
Fluorescent Light Induces a Stress Response
Research consistently demonstrates fluorescent lights raise stress markers, such as reduced heart rate variability, raised blood pressure, increased skin conductance, stronger startle response, reduced drop in body temperature during sleep, increased cortisol, and reduced slow wave. Read more
One in three Australians report health problems from fragranced consumer products
A University of Melbourne researcher has found that one-third of Australians report health problems — ranging from migraine headaches to asthma attacks — when exposed to common fragranced consumer products such as air fresheners, cleaning products, laundry supplies and personal care products. Read more
Exposure to environmental toxins may be root of rise in neurological disorders
the country’s leading neurologists and neuroscientists will highlight recent research efforts to fill the gaping scientific hole in understanding of the role environmental toxins – air pollution, pesticides, microplastics, forever chemicals and more – play in increasingly common diseases like dementias and childhood developmental disorders. Read more
How can Biophilic Design benefit neurodivergent people?
Biophilic design can improve quality of life for neurodivergent people by reducing sensory overload and improving social interaction. This kind of design incorporates natural elements into buildings to maintain our connection with nature in urban environments. Read more
The Connection Between Health and Homes
Many factors influence health and safety in homes, including structural and safety aspects of the home (i.e., how the home is designed, constructed, and maintained; its physical characteristics; and the presence or absence of safety devices); quality of indoor air; water quality; chemicals; resident behavior; and the house’s immediate surroundings. Read more
The Connection Between Health and Homes