Hello, my name is Hannah Jackson. I am a certified Building Biologist Environmental Consultant and Electromagnetic Radiation Specialist. Formerly, I was a licensed energy auditor and have worked in the green building field for over a decade, focusing on building science and environmental health.

Through my educational, professional, and personal experiences, I have come to realize the pivotal role our environments play in our overall health and well-being. We can only be as healthy as the environment we live in. If you put a healthy person in a sick environment, the healthy individual will eventually succumb to their exposures and suffer ill health- it’s inevitable. However, if you put a sick person in a healthy environment, that individual then has the opportunity to start healing in a health supporting environment free of potential bodily burdens. The body has an amazing ability to heal itself, but it needs the right environment in order to do so.

Unfortunately, our environment, both indoors and outdoors, is easily contaminated with the overabundance of toxic materials in our world today. It takes awareness and intention in order to keep your indoor environment free from potential contaminants. My goal is to educate homeowners by identifying potential sources of contamination and offer solutions for how they can cultivate healthier indoor environments in order to give their bodies the opportunity to heal and renew.

A pivotal moment in history for me was when I heard Dr. William Rae’s Rain Barrel concept for the first time. Rae’s rain barrel concept describes how our bodies are like a rain barrel being filled by environmental and genetic factors, such as poor genes, exposures to toxins, poor diet, stress, electro-smog, etc. Our rain barrel fills up from exposures and empties by removing exposures, through the bodies natural detoxification process, and by living healthier lifestyles (including exercising and eating healthy,  and living in healthier environments). Once our barrel is full - it overflows - this is when we experience illness, chronic disease, environmental sensitivities and even cancer. When I first heard of the rain barrel effect, I knew I had found my purpose in life. No joke – clouds parted and I clearly envisioned what I needed to do - I knew I needed to help people empty their ‘rain barrels’ so they have a better chance to thrive. Instead of going to nursing school, where I would be helping people after the onset of illness, I decided I needed to find a solution where I could help people lead healthier lives and hopefully prevent illness from occurring. I knew I needed to focus on people’s environments since the health of your environment directly impacts your state of health and well-being. This is when I found Building Biology.

Bau-Biologie, or Building Biology as it is referred to here in the US, is the study of the relationship between the built environment and human health. The practice originated in Germany in the 60’s after scientists began to suspect the increasing number of chronically ill Germans was directly related to the poorly built post war housing. Building Biology views the house as an organism - the structure of the home is considered the “third skin” where the second skin is considered the clothes on our bodies. Buildings are an organism that interacts with the natural environment. Building Biology strives to emulate the natural environment indoors by using “nature as the gold standard.” Building Biology’s core principles guide practitioners to design and build health-supporting structures that are both ecological and sustainable.

I took a leap of faith and committed to my future as a Building Biologist. I am now fully certified and love the place where I am. I get the opportunity to help people thrive in their home environments. Don’t get me wrong, a healthy environment is essential, but it is only one piece of the puzzle - exercising, eating healthy and healthy thoughts are also pivotal to optimize your health. If you can put all the puzzle pieces together, you will inevitably start emptying your rain barrel, and will eventually be able to withstand future environmental stressors more easily. You never know when you will hit that tipping point in your rain barrel, when you fall victim to ill health, so it seems essential to take responsible steps now to lower your body burden.

I look forward to working with any individual who is ready to create a healthier environment in order to encourage a brighter future. Your Healthier Home awaits you.