Are You living unhealthily ?



We can help you : Consulting! We will inspect your property for health hazards !

The majority of people spend 80-90 % of their time indoors. This can mean in the long term that we are exposed to the burdens of chemical, physical and biological factors for almost 24 hours a day. Factors such as hermetically sealed windows - which hinder the replenishment of fresh air - and damp walls can provide excellent conditions for the incubation of moulds. Building materials (wood, insulation, mineral fibres) and furnishings (carpets, furniture, textiles) are often the source of a large number of pollutants in the air inside a building. At present, about 20.000 chemical compounds are known to be the cause of allergies. Many people, especially children, are sensitive to such products which even in the lowest concentrations can have a serious effect on their health. Certain illness (otherwise dismissed as `psychosomatic ` or simply `incurable`) have their roots in the long term exposure to these conditions . Frequently, the standard medical examinations and laboratory tests do not actually eliminate the cause of the problem. The long-term exposure frequently manifests itself in unclearly-defined illness and vague symptoms such as :

The lack of detailed research and the complexities of the interrelationships and structural interdependencies, makes any analysis of the complaints particularly difficult. Fixing mandatory limits on pollutants is almost impossible because every individual reacts differently to each irritant ( the situation becomes even more opaque when the reaction is triggered by a combination of irritants ). For carcinogenic substances, it is reasonable to ask whether these products should be banned altogether. Another important factor is the formation of so-called `metabolites` completly new compounds resulting from the decomposition of the original products may be even more harmful than the starting materials. Due to the complexity and lack of knowledge of the metabolic chemistry, an exact identification of the metabolite at the root of the complaint is nigh on impossible. Therefore, the guiding rule must be to minimise all environmental pollution. Many products and their by-products are the cause of cancer (carcinogenic), the cause of destruction to genetic material (mutagenic) or the cause of embryonic damage.

Possible toxic sources Irritant
Carpeting Backing : formaldehyde, PCP, PCB, aromatic amides
Adhesive : solvents
Fluorine : moth repellents
Parquet flooring and PVC Parquet flooring seal (organic varnishes): isocyanates, solvents, formaldehyde PVC flooring : tenderisers - phthalates
Paints and varnishes Solvents (toluene, xylene, test benzenes) and pigments containing heavy metals (particularly in alkyd resins and nitro - varnishes)
Wallpaper Vinyl wallpaper, PVC foam - wallpaper; see PVC, formaldehyde
Chipboard : shelving and internal panelling Formaldehyde: a pungent gas Low quality substitute for formaldehyde: isocyanate
Wood : furniture, flooring, walls Wood - preservatives : Lindan, PCP as well as other biocides
Adhesives The majority of adhesives contain toxic solvents (see paints). Formaldehyde from glues based upon man-made resins.
Seating and mattresses Fire-protection in upholstery and mattresses containing antimony. PCP and other biocydes in leather goods and latex mattresses. Formaldehyde in the covers.
Lighting Starters for tube lighting made up to 1983 can contain toxic PCB. Even nowadays, the tubes still contain mercury. Halogen lamps emit ultra violet radiation
Identification of pollutants within the building

What has to be done ?

If the suspicion arises that certain illness can be pinpointed in the livingquarters, the exact cause or causes of the complaint must first of all identified. Without this, the necessary medicial remedy will be of little use. You can put your trust in the experience which our experts have gathered in the laboratories and engineering offices: we are well qualified to track down the source of the problem. Many of the internal pollutants cannot be readily seen or felt. It is, therefore necessary to

  • identify the source of the irritants (see table)
  • research which items are actually hosting the active pollutants (e.g. wood panelling, the air, dust, etc.)
  • determine the extent of the risk and include feedback from the occupants in defining the analysis required.


    • But that is not all - we can be of further help to you ! After an initial and comprehensive consultation, the materials can be analysed in our laboratories in accordance with DIN and VDI ( Association of German Engineering ) standards.

    An expert evaluation of the results is documented in a report, highlighting in particular which measures must be taken to eliminate the threat ( or at least to minimise the risks ). Furthermore, the report can be used as the basis for therapeutic measures.

    We will analyse:

    Physical stress Biological parameters References:

    We are member of the AGÖF ( Arbeitsgemeinschaft ökologischer Forschungsinstitute e.V. - the working Community of Ecological Research Institutes ). The AGÖF was founded in 1980 and is represented today by 64 institutes. A continual interdisciplinary exchange of information between the individual institutions enables the access to a huge global pool of experiences in this sector, such a constellation is unique in this branch. Qualification and Quality Assurance: The consultation of the effected individuals; the inspection of the health standards of the property; the collection of sample material; the evaluation of the results and the recommendations for action are all carried out exclusively by experienced and highly-qualified personnel. Our specialists are chemists, biologists and engineers with university degrees and doctorates. We work exclusively in accordance with the high standards defined by the AGÖF. The sample material is, for example, removed using recognised techniques and the analyses are double-checked by means of inter-laboratory tests. Evaluation Criteria A classification and evaluation of the results of the analysis proceed in accordance with currently valid orientation, limiting and reference values. Additionally, we use the most up-to-date scientific and research results. Our aim:

    THAT YOU ARE LIVING HEALTHY !

    Achieved by the elimination and avoidance of the causes of illness. In localising the possible causes, we attempt to avoid unnecessary costly analyses. Important note: WE will be happy to answer any specific questions you might have, including those with respect to the role of your health insurance in covering the costs. We would be glad about your call:

    +49 4221 14452