Buildingbiological Measuring Standard

The Building Biological Measuring Standard was developed by the Institut fuer Baubiologie und Oekologie, Neubeuern, Germany. It has been designed for sleeping places and takes into consideration the latest findings on biological effects on human physiology.

This is a summary of a comprehensive and detailed standard.

 Electric A/C Fields (low frequency)

These fields are measured by their Field Strength (V/m) and by the Body Voltage they cause in the patient. 

Causes: A/C voltage in wires, installations, appliances, walls, ....

Exposure limit for sleeping places:  1V/m 

Magnetic A/C Fields (low frequency)

Measured in nT (Nanotesla) magnetic flow density.

Causes:  Alternating current in cabling, installations, appliances, power lines, ...

Exposure limit for sleeping places:  20 nT 

Electromagnetic Waves (high frequency)

Measured as Field Strength (mV/m),

Radiation Density (microW/m2)

Causes:  Transmitters, radio, TV, military, mobile phones, radar, ...

Exposure limit for sleeping places: 

analog radiation: 50 mV/m or 1 microW/m2. 

pulsed radiation (mobile phones): 5 mV/m or 0.1 microW/m2. 

Detailed standard:

Electromagnetic Waves (high frequency, microW/m2)

          No risk             low risk              high risk                 extreme risk

           < 0.1                0.1-10               11-1000                     >1000

Electrostatic Fields

Measuring of the surface voltage (V) of electrostatically chargeable surfaces.

Causes:  Synthetic carpets, curtains, furniture, ...

Exposure limit for sleeping places:  100 V 

Magnetostatic Fields

Measuring the deviation of the compass needle in degree.

Causes:  Metal in beds, mattresses, furniture, buildings,

Exposure limit for sleeping places:  2 degrees 

Toxins and Gases (atmospheric pollutants)

Solvents ( VOC, volatile organic compounds) are determined by sampling.

Causes:  Paints, glues, synthetic materials, particle board, building materials, furniture, ...

Exposure limit for sleeping places:  E.g. Formaldehyde 0.02 ppm; sum of all: 50 microgram/m3

Non-volatile compounds are determined by sampling.

Causes:  Pesticides, fungicides, PCP, DDT, Lindane, Pyrethroids, Dichlorvos, ...

Exposure limit for sleeping places: E.g. PCP in dust, 0.5 mg/kg 

Fibres, Particles, Allergens

These particles are determined by sampling, e.g. Asbestos, mineral fibers, house dust, mite excrement, pollen, ....

Causes:  Building materials, insulation, air conditioning, heating, environment, ....

Exposure limit for sleeping places: E.g. asbestos, 20 fibres/m3. 

Bacteria, Yeasts, Moulds

These organisms are determined by the number of colonies in samples taken from the indoor atmosphere, surfaces, dust, materials, liquids, ...

Causes:  Building and insulation materials, water damage, dampness, hygiene, ...

Exposure limit for sleeping places:  E.g. yeast and moulds, 100/m3.