natural hygiene

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Part 2

Essential Human Healthand Nutrition

Lesson ENH09Air, Sunshine & Natural Light

ESSENTIAL

NATURAL HYGIENE

HOME STUDYCOURSE

Copyright 2000 Transformation Institute


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Essential Natural Hygiene Course Transformation Institute

2

LESSON ENH09

Air, Sunshine& Natural Light

THEME:Fresh Air and Sunlight

Are Primary Needs of Life


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Part 2 Essential Human Health and Nutrition Lesson ENH09

PURPOSEThe importance of adequate sunshine on the body, on exposed

skin, on a regular basis is important for human health. Without ad-equate sunshine, we cannot expect to achieve superior health, as itis a primary requisite of life.

Also, there are definite negative health effects from artificiallighting. For optimum well-being, it is necessary to be aware of anyinfluence which upsets the natural order of life. Likewise, fresh airand adequate ventilation at all times are of inestimable value.Breathing is the primary function of the living organism--our firstbreath brings life into the body and our last breath signifies thedeath of the body.

OBJECTIVES OF LESSON 9The purpose of this lesson is to bring you more awareness re-

garding the essential roles sunlight and fresh air play in human nu-trition. Both these factors are given less attention than they shouldbe by most health teachers. Our objective is to fix firmly in yourmind their importance and to enable you to place them in perspec-tive relative to other factors relating to human nutrition.

More specifically, you will understand that sunshine is neededby all the more highly developed forms of life in all conditions ofhealth and ill-health and throughout their existence. You will dis-cover that the ancients were aware of the importance of sunlightbut that the practice of sunbathing was just about lost during thetime we call the Middle Ages, or more appropriately the Dark Ages.

Mention will also be made in regards to the difference between suntanning and sun burning and that the latter process indicates ex-cessive sunbathing and should be avoided.

Additionally, this lesson will clarify the distinction between thelight we receive from natural sources and that provided by humantechnology. The direct and indirect effects of artificial lighting willbe discussed in detail.

Finally, you will understand why breathing is the primary func-tion of the human organism and how we can assure ourselves ofobtaining sufficient oxygen at all times. You will also learn the im-

portance of avoiding vitiated air from ill-ventilated homes and thenoxious poisons of modern industrial cities.

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DEFINITIONSCARBON DIOXIDE - A heavy, colorless gas formed by the com-bustion and decomposition of organic substances.ETIOLATED - Refers to a plant made pale by excluding sunlightfrom it.

HEMOGLOBIN - An iron-containing protein respiratory pigmentoccurring in the red blood cells of vertebrates.MELANIN - A pigment produced in humans as a result of sun ex-posure.MELATONIN - A hormone produced by the pineal gland which in-fluences sleep/wake cycles and also gonadal gland function.METAMORPHOSIS - A change in the physical form of an animal.PHOTOSYNTHESIS - The process by which the formation of car-bohydrates takes place in the chlorophyll-containing tissues ofplants when they are exposed to light.PINEAL GLAND - A small endocrine gland located deep in the

center of the brain. There are optic nerve fibers connecting it di-rectly to the eyes. The hormone melatonin, among others, is pro-duced in the pineal gland.RESPIRATION - The process by which an organism supplies itscells and tissues with the oxygen needed for metabolism and re-lieves them of the carbon dioxide formed in energy-producing reac-tions.RICKETS - A disease characterized by faulty bone development.Primarily it is due to a vitamin D deficiency. It may occur in thecase of severe and prolonged deprivation of sunlight on the skin.

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IMPORTANT CONCEPTS Sunshine is a valuable factor/influence in all states and conditionsof the human body, but it is not a specific "cure" for any diseasecondition, nor will its value provide compensation for us from oth-er destructive habits we might harbor.

As artificial light does not produce a complete spectrum of light,its influence tends to upset the natural body rhythms especiallytuned to the light of nature. The only way we may avoid these neg-ative effects is to avoid their causes. Sunshine enhances bodily nutritive processes overall. Also, itspecifically facilitates phosphorus and calcium absorption and cat-alyzes the production of vitamin D in the skin. Proper and sufficient fresh air at all times provides us with one ofour greatest needs. The fact that we consume more weight in airthan we do in food and water together makes it evident why peopleare so devitalized by air pollutants. The only way to gain and maintain healthful well-being is to in-dulge the causes of health and avoid the causes of ill-health.

IMPORTANT FACTS Suntanning is not the proper goal of obtaining adequate sunshineon the skin. Sunshine is needed for overall health and nutritiveprocesses, and excessive sunshine, especially if it results in over-heating or sunburn, is enervating and should be avoided. It also re-sults in overly dry skin. Lotions and oils should not be used on the skin, mainly because

they inhibit the body's own oil secreting glands from working prop-erly, but also because they clog pores and contain injurious toxicsubstances. Those that provide "protection" against sunburn oftenprovide false security and lead to overexposure and skin damage. Sunlamps are definitely harmful because they emit too much ul-traviolet or infrared radiation. Incandescent lights, and especiallyfluorescent lights, are harmful because they do not emit the fullspectrum of light available from natural light and because their useinterferes with our natural rhythms that are based on the move-ment of the sun and the phases of the moon.

Reproduction in both plants and animals is adversely affected bythe use of various kinds of artificial lights. Natural, healthful repro-duction is more likely to occur when natural lighting is regularlyused. Since air is our most immediate and pressing life need, we shouldmake efforts to obtain the freshest air possible in ample quantities.This means avoiding heavily-polluted areas and not using pollutingchemicals, etc., in our homes. It also means staying away from

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cigarette smokers and other smoke sources. In addition, exerciseshould be obtained daily in the fresh outdoor air because duringdeep exhalation, as during exercise, we can eliminate toxins fromour lungs.

OUTLINE OF LESSON 9I) SUNSHINE AND ITS ROLE IN HUMAN HEALTH

A) History of sunbathingB) The use of sunshineC) Sunshine and sicknessD) Suntan and sunburnE) The sunbath

II) NATURAL LIGHT VS. ARTIFICIAL LIGHTA) The Physics of SunlightB) Artificial Light

III) AIR AND BREATHINGA) Fresh Is BestB) The Actual PollutantsC) Causes of Poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)D) The Only Natural ProtectionE) Air FreshenersF) Air Duct CleaningG) The "Sick Building" ProblemH) Adsorbents - Should be on Every Air FilterI) Negative Ions

J) Ozone

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AIR, SUNSHINE AND NATURAL LIGHTARE ESSENTIAL TO HEALTH

With this lesson we begin our examination of those other nutritivefactors in our life. Remember that food is not the only element ofnutrition. Other elements of nature provide us with essential sub-

stances or energies that work together to sustain us in excellenthealth.

SUNSHINE AND ITS ROLEIN HUMAN HEALTH

History of SunbathingThroughout recorded and unrecorded history, humans have

made use of the beneficial effects of the sun. Playing and/or relaxing

in its illuminating rays have been as much a part of natural livingas the procuring of food and water or any other necessity of humanlife. Indeed, humans originally existed without clothing on any partof their body and were sun-kissed throughout the years of theirlifespan.

Positive evidence of the use of the sunbath is offered to us bymany of the ancient civilizations. It is known that the Babylonians,Egyptians, Assyrians, Greeks and Romans all were aware of the hy-

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gienic use of the sun and equippedtheir cities with sun gardens for thispurpose. Akhenaton of Egypt, Zoroast-er of Persia and Hippocrates of Greeceall looked upon the sun as a greatforce and worshiped it as a god. An ex-ample of this worship is given to us bythe Egyptians, whose first temple waserected in honor of their sun god. Itwas located in a city called On, east ofthe Nile, and its name was laterchanged to Heliopolis - City of theSun.

The ancients knew of the effectsthe sun had on strengthening thebody, including the muscles and

nerves, and extensive instructionswere given in this regard by Herodotus. The Romans applied thisknowledge in the training of their gladiators, giving them regularsunbaths. It is also known from the writing of Philostratus that theOlympian athletes were required to take sunbaths.

In the old German epicpoem, the Edda, we learn of thehygienic use the Germans madeof the sunshine, carrying theirsick to the sunny mountainslopes for exposure to its rays.

An account has also beenrecorded regarding the Incas ofPeru using the sunbath in thetreatment of syphilis.

In the third century, A.D.,Mithraism, or sun worship,came very close to being accept-ed as the universal religion. It

was very similar to Christianity in many essential respects. The fi-nal triumph of Christianity practically ended the sunbath even

though it was so widely employed by the peoples of that time. Thesunbath was viewed by Christians as a pagan ritual. This condem-nation of the sunbath could be considered the beginning of an eraknown as the Middle Ages, or the Dark Ages, when many of thedesirable features of ancient civilization were destroyed and re-placed by an anti-natural philosophy and culture. During this thou-sand-year era, only the Jewish and Arabian physicians preserved thesunbath in their care of the sick.

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Throughout recorded andunrecorded history, hu-mans have made use ofthe beneficial effects of

the sun. Playing and/or re-laxing in its illuminatingrays have been as much apart of natural living as theprocuring of food and wa-ter or any other necessityof human life.


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Regarding the modern phase of sunbathing, there was a dual ori-gin - one of these in Europe, the other in the United States. Firstwe shall discuss the European phase: Waldvogel, of Bohemia, advo-cated sunbathing as far back as 1755, but he had few, if any, fol-lowers. Madame Duhamel, in 1857, believed in the use of the sun-bath to aid children in their recovery from tuberculosis. Dr. Lah-mann of Germany employed the "Sun and Air Cure" in his institu-tion, as did Bilz in his world-famous sanitarium, as early as 1872-73. But the person who is given credit as the originator of the mo-dem practice of sunbathing is Arnold Rikli, who prescribed sun-baths to his patients at his institution, established at Weldes Kraion the Adriatic Sea in 1855. He wrote seven books describing hismethods, the principal ones being translated into the Spanish,French and Italian languages.

The first series of observations relating to the effects of sunlighton disease were made by Dr. Loncet of Lyons, France, about 1890-

1900. In 1911, Dr. Rollier, a Swiss physician, also did some workin this area. Both of these people enjoyed favorable results, and, asa result, sunbathing has continued to grow in popularity in all partsof Europe.

One last name should be mentioned, that of Dr. Finsen of Den-mark, whose comparative experiments with the rays of both sun-light and artificial light became largely responsible for the vast arrayof artificial lighting apparatus used in the treatment of disease.

In the United States, the first advocate of sunbathing wasSylvester Graham, a pioneer hygienist, who not only discussed theimportance of sunshine, but also the detrimental effects of cloth-

ing. He presented his ideas in his masterful work, "Lectures on theScience of Human Life," first published in 1843, stressing the bene-fits of sunshine on bone growth and development.

Another hygienist, Dr. Russell Trall placed great emphasis uponthe power of sunlight in both health and disease. His writings, pub-lished around the mid nineteenth century, clearly show a deepawareness and understanding of the need for sunlight and its valuein cases of rickets, scrofula (tuberculosis of the cervical lymphnodes) and anemia. Although credit is generally given to Huld-schinsky, who in 1919 proved the definite value of sunshine in

overcoming rickets, Dr. Trall was actually about seventy yearsahead of him in making this discovery.Additionally, Dr. James C. Jackson and Dr. Dio Lewis both used

the sunbath in caring for their patients at about the same time asDr. Trall. These facts point out that these individuals were usingthe sunbath previous to Dr. Loncet's observations as to the effectsof sunlight in disease between 1890-1900. Actually, the sunbathhas been employed in this country for over a hundred years, espe-

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cially among the pioneer hygienists who have not received theirdue recognition.

The Use Of SunshineBoth plants and animals make use of the catalytic powers of

sunlight, attaining the highest form oftheir development in the neighbor-hood of the equator, where the sun'srays are most abundant. At the equa-tor, life exists in greatest profusion,but as we approach the higher lati-tudes, where nights are longestthroughout the many winter months,we notice life consists of less-devel-oped forms or is absent altogether.

Sunlight is an essential nutritive

factor to both plant and animal life.Under its influence, plants both ex-crete and absorb oxygen. Their leavesare able to absorb carbon dioxide fromthe air and convert it into sugar, thus

forming a carbohydrate. This is the process of photosynthesis, andboth chlorophyll and xanthophyll are associated with this process,making the green color of plant life. Photosynthesis is basically ar-ranged into 3 steps:

1) Energy is captured from sunlight.2) The energy is used to make ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and

a high-energy compound call NADPH (nicotinimide-adenine dinu-cleotide phosphate).

3) ATP and NADPH are used by the plant to produce the energyrich carbohydrates.

Additionally, the conversion ofstarch into sugar during the ripen-ing process of fruits requires theaction of both the heat and light ofthe sun for perfection. The beauti-ful coloring of the flowers, stems,

leaves and fruits of plants are alldependent on sunlight for theirproduction. When deprived of it,the result is an inferior plant, paleor colorless, that is said to be etio-lated. This word is also used to de-scribe the process of our skin turn-ing pale when deprived of sunlight.

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Both plants and animalsmake use of the catalyticpowers of sunlight, attain-ing the highest form oftheir development in theneighborhood of the equa-tor, where the suns rays

are most abundant. At theequator, life exists ingreatest profusion.


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The colors of butterflies, birds and animals are also determinedby light, as is their complete develop-ment. An example of this was given byDr. Trall. He pointed out that in thetadpole the process of metamorphosisis arrested if it is deprived of sunlight.It is unable to develop into a frog;rather, it continues to grow as a tad-pole. Complete absence of light resultsin blindness and even eyelessness.

Sunlight also enables the animalbody to assimilate calcium, and it isbecause of this that it is of great valuein the prevention of rickets and tuber-culosis. A lack of calcium is associatedwith both of these conditions. This as-

similation of calcium may be observedby comparing chicken eggs of variousbirds. Those raised in the sunlight produce harder and thickershells than those not so exposed.

The influence of sunlight is also intimately related to the num-ber of red cells and hemoglobin in the blood. An insufficiency oflight will cause an increase in the serum or watery portion of theblood and a corresponding decrease in the quantity of blood fibrinand red corpuscles, resulting in anemia. But with sufficient sun-light, the oxygen-carrying power of the blood is increased, the circu-lation of the blood is improved, and consequently the blood's power

to repair and build tissue is in-creased.

Sunlight's influence on the mus-cles is to add to their size and quali-ty and to enhance their contractilepowers by improving the conditionof the entire body, including thenerves that control the muscles. Inaddition, by improving the overallhealth and vitality of the body, sun-

shine is the finest cosmetic, helpingthe body to smooth away wrinkles,to strengthen and tone the skin, and, at the same time, to insure asoft, delicate texture and overall beauty. It may also be said that, ingeneral, the pigmented skin is stronger, contributes to the health ofthe entire organism and, therefore, is subject to fewer diseases, andis less sensitive to heat and cold.

Regarding the pregnant mother and her unborn child, it must be

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The conversion of starchinto sugar during theripening process of fruits

requires the action of boththe heat and light of thesun for perfection. Thebeautiful coloring of theflowers, stems, leaves andfruits of plants are all de-pendent on sunlight for

their production.


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noted that the benefits to be derived from sunlight are greatest dur-ing periods of development and rapid gains in flesh. Sunshine,again, by improving overall health and vitality, aids in the skeletaldevelopment of the baby and helps preserve the normal alkalinityof his/her blood. Additionally, its influence on the unborn will aidin promoting sounder sleep; deeper, slower breathing; normalizedblood pressure; and an increase in urinary excretion. Sunbaths be-fore and after childbirth will increase the mother's ability to nurseher child, with an improvement in the quality of the milk. It willproduce better general health in the mother and prevent the loss ofblood, making for a more painless delivery. Another benefit is thatpregnant mothers who get sufficient sunlight experience little if anytiredness, backaches and loss of appetite.

All anabolic activities in the body ultimately depend on sunlightfor most effective function. Jacob Lieberman, O.D., Ph.D., in hisbook Light: Medicine of the Future, sums it up like this:

"I spoke of light as anutrient for our bodies,and our eyes as the ma-jor entry points throughwhich light profoundlyaffects us. In addition tothe effects of ocularly

perceived light on both our nervous and endocrine systems, lightalso affects the blood coursing through our eyes. It has been calcu-lated that the entire volume of blood pumped by the heart circu-lates through the eyes every two hours. The eyes are the only part

of the body where light can enter through transparent biologicalwindows. These windows - the cornea, aqueous humor, lens, andvitreous humor - allow the energy of light to directly stimulate theeyes and blood, and to indirectly stimulate all other body functions.How is the blood, which transports most of the body's nutrients, af-fected by the direct stimulation of light?

"Just as a car's engine requires a balanced mixture of fuel andoxygen ignited by a spark plug, the body's engine requires a bal-anced mixture of fuel (nutrition) and oxygen ignited by light. A bal-anced mixture of components results in biological combustion,

which gives us the energy to function efficiently and stay healthy."It is known that every substance (vitamin, mineral, chemical,etc.) ingested by the body as food has a maximum wavelength ab-sorption characteristic. In other words, for any ingested substanceto be fully processed or used by the body, it needs to go through aseries of chemical reactions that are catalyzed (ignited) by a specificportion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Just as blue light is neces-sary for the proper breakdown and excretion of bilirubin by the

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body (as in jaundice), and ultraviolet light is necessary for the com-plete synthesis of vitamin D, any substance consumed by the bodyrequires interaction with a specific portion of the electromagneticspectrum in order for it to be fully metabolized. Without this spe-cific portion of the spectrum of light, the substance would not befully used, resulting in some aspect of physiological functioning be-ing left in the dark."

Thus, the natural sunlight entering our eyes is directly picked upby substances flowing in the blood that is coursing through oureyes. Very little is known about the effects of this interaction,though it is no doubt important to full health. If our eyes are onlyreceiving the unnatural spectrum of light provided by artificialsources, it is likely that incomplete and/or inefficient metabolismtakes place. This light deficiency has been termed "malillumina-tion" by Dr. John Ott.

Sunshine in SicknessIt has been shown that after a fast or any wasting illness, obtain-

ing sufficient sunshine will enablethe body to build higher qualityflesh. It will also enable the body tomost efficiently digest and assimi-late food. This is not to imply thatwe should wait to become sick tomake use of the sun's rays. The sun is not a therapeutic agent; it isa basic essential of good health and nutrition. Sunlight is of valuein all states and conditions of the body and in all stages of develop-ment. Its importance must be relegated to that of hygiene, and itshould not be thought of as a specific "cure" for a disease condition.

We spoke earlier of the great importance sunlight plays in properbone development. This is due to the fact that only through the aidof sunlight, particularly the ultraviolet rays, may the laying downand fixation of the calcium and phosphorus salts be accomplishedin an ideal fashion as to make for the transformation of cartilageinto bone. On the other hand, when insufficient sunlight is ob-tained, the result is defective, misshapen, brittle and easily brokenbones, a condition known as rickets.

Sunlight also proves invaluable in cases of glandular inactivity,favorably affecting irregularities of ovulation, pubertal difficultiesand impotency. Acne, a condition representing a glandular distur-bance of the skin, is also noticeably aided by sunlight, as is the con-dition of psoriasis. Also, as sunshine aids in increasing the coagu-lating power of the blood, it is of inestimable value to sufferersfrom hemorrhage disorders. Additionally, if cautiously applied, thesunbath can be very valuable in some nervous affections.

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The sun is not a therapeuticagent; it is a basic essentialof good health and nutrition.


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to avoid excessive exposure by retreating to the shade.We must distinguish be-

tween suntan and sunburn.This latter is a true burn andinjures the skin just as if it wasfire or scalding water. An in-flammatory process results andmay be accompanied by severeblisters, general discomfort, andlater a peeling of the dead tis-sue.

As in other burns, there arethree degrees of sunburn. A firstdegree burn produces rednessdue to an excess of blood in the skin, causing much or little dis-comfort, depending upon the severity of the burn. In second degree

burns, the skin becomes intensely red and painful to the touch andmay be accompanied by diarrhea, fever and/or vomiting. Blistersmay develop and then burst, discharging their fluid contents overthe body. There is also much itching and finally peeling of the skin.A third-degree burn results in a sloughing dermatitis and may endin death. Complications may develop, such as inflammation of thebrain, stomach and intestines; blood poisoning; and hemorrhages.

The SunbathSunbaths play a vital role in the life processes of human nutri-

tion, the tanning process being coincident with them. There is atendency to overexpose the skin to acquirea "good tan," and this should be avoided,as it will enervate the body, lessening thevalue of the sunbath.

The untanned body should begin withexposure to the solar rays of about tenminutes a day and increase gradually untilan hour or more may be taken withoutharm. Too much sun will result in rest-lessness and decreased nerve tone. Gener-

ally, additional precaution must be takenby blond and red-haired people, as they donot pigment as readily as dark-haired peo-ple. Heliophobes, those individuals whoredden and blister and are cautioned tostay out of the sun, should still take sunbaths but do so for shortperiods during the early morning or late afternoon hours to avoid

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large amounts of ultraviolet rays.The sunbath should be taken in an entirely nude state or with

scanty attire, preferably without glasses or hats, as the eyes andhair also benefit. Sunglasses render the eyes more sensitive to thesunlight and ultimately impair the vision. It is also known thatsunlight accelerates the growth of hair.

Suntan lotion or olive oilon the skin is unnecessaryand should not be used.These will prevent all the ul-traviolet rays from being ab-sorbed and will inhibit theoil-secreting glands of thebody from working properly.They will not prevent the in-jurious effects of excessive

sunbathing, nor will theyprovide for a uniform tan.Remember, it is not meretanning that we seek, but a

general revitalizing of the entire organism, not confined to the skinalone.

If the sunbath is taken at the beach, additional caution must beexercised, as the reflection from thesand and water cause more sun rays tostrike the body. Thus, burning will re-sult more quickly. Neither a thin haze

over the sun nor a cool breeze will pre-vent the ultraviolet rays from reachingus. It is important to understand inthis context that it is not the sun'sheat from which we benefit (exceptsecondarily on a cold day), but ratherit's light. The hot sun is very exhaust-ing and should be avoided, and likeother animals we should instinctivelyseek the shade at these times.

Those people living in colder cli-mates must take advantage of thewarmer months to secure an amplesupply of sun-made reserves to carrythem through sunless periods. This isnot to say that the body stores up sun-

shine, but rather it stores up substances produced with the aid ofsunshine to be used in times of stringency. Along with vitamin D,

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Suntan lotion or olive oil onthe skin is unnecessary

and should not be used.These will prevent all theultraviolet rays from beingabsorbed and will inhibitthe oil-secreting glands ofthe body from workingproperly. It is not mere

tanning that we seek, but ageneral revitalizing of theentire organism, not con-fined to the skin alone.


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there are likely other materials that are synthesized in the bodywith the aid of the sun's rays. These body reserves will be adequateas long as the general mode of living throughout the year is not en-ervating. All forms of excesses, dissipation of the emotions, lack ofrest and sleep, sexual excesses, overwork and/or an improper dietwill waste these reserves.

Some additional precautions should be noted in the case of in-valids or generally weak individuals. If the sunbath leaves the per-son feeling weak or depressed or with an increase in any of his/hersymptoms, then it has been overdone. Fever, headache, weariness,loss of appetite and sleeplessness may all be considered signs of ex-cess. In those individuals suffering from asthma or tuberculosis, adifficulty in breathing may be experienced. Nervous patients maynot be able to sleep due to a stimulating effect caused by too muchsun. The end result for securing the sunbath should be to produce abetter feeling in the individual, not worse. A person's need for sun-

light is dependent upon their ability to make use of these light rays.Overindulgence of the sunbath will lend to additional enervationand is damaging.

It is best to gradually increase one's exposure to the suns raysand at the same time pay close attention to the body's natural sig-nals that enough exposure has been taken. These signals includerestlessness, increased perspiration due to overheating, and possiblymental confusion, i.e. feeling "spaced out". The goal of the sunbathis to be a soothing and pleasurable experience that does not overex-tend the body's ability to nourish itself with the sun's energies. Justas with food nutrition, moderation, well within one's capabilities, is

ideal. Too much, even if no outward damage to the skin is seen, isharmful.

NATURAL LIGHT VERSUSARTIFICIAL LIGHT

The Physics of SunlightSunlight, when broken up by means of a prism, is

found to be composed of the color bands of the

spectrum- red, orange, yellow, green, blue, in-digo and violet. These different colors repre-sent different rates of vibration, increasingas we go from red to violet, while theirwavelengths decrease. These visiblerays give us sensations of light, colorand heat. In addition to these colorrays, sunlight also contains other rays

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not perceptible to our ocular sense and therefore invisible. Thewavelengths immediately shorter than visible violet and those im-mediately longer than visible red are both invisible to humans andare called ultraviolet and infrared, respectively.

Regarding the heating power of sunlight, it is found to be great-est at the red end of the spectrum where it blends with the infraredrays, while the greatest chemical activity takes place at the violetend, blending with the ultraviolet rays. These invisible rays of thesun are the most beneficial ones. However, the complete colorspectrum, blended in perfect proportion, is needed for ideal growthand development of both plants and animals. Being as the sun's en-ergies have been a primary driving force for all life on Earth foreons, it stands to reason that all living physiological systems re-quire the natural rays of the sun for optimum functioning andhealth.

Artificial light does not radiate a complete spectrum but instead

produces a light with an excess and deficiency of one or more of thecolor rays. In the case of incandescent lighting, most of its light isyellow, orange and red, whereas the standard "cool white" fluores-cent light emits mostly yellow-green light. The various so-called"sunlamps" produce either too much ultraviolet or too much in-frared radiation and are definitely harmful. They may causeheadaches, third degree burns and severe conjunctivitis.

Artificial LightThe effects of artificial lighting have been noticed in both plants

and animals. John Ott, of the Time Lapse Research Laboratory, dis-covered that the apples on a branch of a tree under artificial lightgrew larger than those growing under natural light, but they did not

mature or ripen. Despite the addition of many chemicalproducts to produce more color in the fruit, the fruit never

acquired color until exposed to ultraviolet rays from thesun.

Further observations made by Ott revealed thatthe ratio of the sexes of plants was affected by differ-

ent wavelengths of the spectrum. Experimenting ona pumpkin vine raised in a basement under a

skylight and a cool, pinkish, white fluorescentlight, it was noticed that the female pump-kin-producing flower turned yellow, thenblack and finally dried up and droppedoff the vine. Consequently, the vine did

not produce fruit. When these lights were re-placed with tubes containing more blue in them, thefemale buds developed bountifully, while the male buds dried up,

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turned black and dropped off the vine at an early stage. The usualratio of male to female buds on a pumpkin vine is seven to one re-spectively; however, in these artificially-lighted plants, normal re-production could not take place.

In general, it has been observed that plants grown in artificiallight lack the rugged constitution of plants grown under naturallighting conditions. Their growth may be stimulated by subjectingthem to longer hours of light, as compared to the natural light cycleof the revolving earth. But this forced growth produces plants bear-ing flowers and fruit of lesser quality and color appeal than thosegrown in sunlight.

The animal world is also adversely affected by variance of lightwavelengths. In an experiment con-ducted to determine the effects of dif-ferent light on animals, 1000 micewere used and divided among three

different light environments: Thosereceiving natural daylight produced anequal amount of male and female off-spring; those under white fluorescentbulbs produced 70% females and 30%males; and those under pink fluores-cent bulbs produced 30% females and 70% males. This latter groupdid not thrive as well as either of the two other groups. All thoseexposed to the pink light quit breeding two months earlier and diedone month earlier than those exposed to the white light.

As these experiments were made with a strain of mice in which

malignancy develops in 98% of them, almost all the mice did suc-cumb to cancer. However, those mice under natural daylight devel-oped cancer two months later than those under the white fluores-cent bulbs, and three months later than those under the pink fluo-rescent bulbs. An additional effect was noticed: Those mice receiv-ing the pink light gave birth to young who were smaller in numberand size than those mice receiving natural light.

Other investigations have shown that light definitely affects thepituitary gland, as well as other areas in the midbrain and hypotha-lamic regions. In the early 1920's, William Rowan demonstrated

that the varying seasonal lengths of the daylight were responsiblefor the migration of birds. In other studies conducted by Bochenek,Marburg and Gudden, it was shown that light may occasion reac-tion on the entire endocrine (hormonal) system of an animal vianerve impulses originating in the retina and reaching other areas ofthe brain by way of accessory optic pathways. Thus, artificial light,not being of the same quality as natural light, can play havoc withthe endocrine system via the nerves.

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All plants and animals re-quire alternating periods

of light and dark so thatsome vital processes mayrest while others becomeactivated.


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Full versus Incomplete Spectrum LightingIn 1980, Dr. Fritz Hollwich conducted a study comparing the ef-

fect of sitting under strong artificial cool-white (non-full- spectrum)illumination versus the effects of sitting under strong artificial illu-

mination that simulates sunlight (full-spectrum).Using changes in the endocrine system to eval-uate these effects, he found stress-like levels of ACTHand cortisol (the stress hormones) in individuals sit-ting under the cool-white tubes. These changes weretotally absent in the individuals sitting under the sun-light simulating tubes. The significance of the find-ings becomes clear when the functions of ACTH andcortisol are examined. Both of these metabolic hor-mones play major roles in the functioning of the en-tire human body and are very much related to the

stress response. Since their activity increases understress and since both of these hormones also functionas growth inhibitors, this may account for the obser-vation that persistent stress stunts bodily growth inchildren. These findings clarify the observations of

others regarding the agitated physical behavior, fatigue and reducedmental capabilities of children spending their entire days in schoolunder artificial illumination.

Hollwich concluded thatthe degree of biological dis-turbance and the resultingbehavior maladaptationswere directly related to thedifference between the spec-tral composition of the artifi-cial source and that of natu-ral light. Hollwich's worknot only confirms the biolog-ical importance of full-spec-trum lighting, but it also re-confirms the importance of

specific colors by evaluatingthe effects of their omissionfrom our daily lives. Based on the research of Hollwich and others,the cool-white fluorescent bulb is legally banned in Germany hospi-tals and medical facilities.

More recently, it has been found that full-spectrum lighting inthe work place creates significantly lower stress on the nervous sys-tem than standard cool-white lighting and reduces the number of

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absences due to illness. These findings seem to indicate that full-spectrum lighting may act to boost the immune system in the sameway as natural sunlight.

A study was conducted involving some elderly men at a nursinghome who spent most of their time indoors under the influence ofunnatural lighting. They found that these men suffered a severelydiminished ability to absorb calcium; yet when the lights were re-placed with special bulbs designed to simulate sunlight, their calci-um absorption was increased by 15% within a month. Even moredisturbing research conducted by scientists has indicated that fluo-rescent lighting can cause genetic mutations, cancer and death inthe cells of many life forms, including humans.

Aside from the facts concerning the direct negative effects of un-natural lighting, we must also consider their more indirect effect onour body rhythms. Their presence, by turning night into day, tendto imbalance the circadian rhythms - the regular cycles of rising

and falling body temperature, variations in body chemicals, etc.,that naturally occur approximately once every 24 hours. The resultmay be what three West German photobiologists have called 'lightstress."

All plants and animals require alternating periods of light anddark so that some vital processes may rest while others become ac-tivated. The anabolic activities during the night can take place effi-ciently only when not interfered with by lighting, which will con-tinue to stimulate activity in the living cells. The result is that theprocesses of growth and repair are interrupted, resulting in the ne-cessity for disease, and the body is robbed of a certain degree of re-

generating life force.Experiments testing the influence of artificial light on fish re-

vealed that, when exposed to too many hours of light, the fishceased to reproduce. When time exposed to light was cut downgradually over a period of weeks, the fish resumed reproduction ifexposed to pink light, but not under the slightly bluish white light.Also, under the pink light, the ratio of female to male offspring was80 to 20 respectively and the development of the secondary sexcharacteristics of the male offspring was retarded.

Regarding humans, some scientists suspect that the age at which

girls reach sexual maturity might be influenced by the artificial illu-mination of nighttime. It has been noticed that in countries experi-encing long winter nights, girls are now reaching sexual maturitymonths or years younger than their grandmothers did. Apparently,their normal maturation cycle is being interfered with by the intro-duction of artificial lighting into their lives, thereby increasing therate at which they mature.

As to the effects of light and reproduction, we learn this from

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Textbook of Medical Physiology by Arthur C. Guyton:The Pineal Gland--Its Function in Controlling Seasonal Fertility:

"For as long as the pineal gland has been known to exist, it hasbeen ascribed a myriad of different functions, even including beingthe seat of the soul. However, it is known from comparative anato-my studies that the pineal gland is a vestigial remnant of what wasa third eye high in the back of the head in lower animals.

"Many physiologists have been content with the idea that thisgland is in truth merely a vestigial remnant, but others haveclaimed for many years that it plays important roles in the controlof sexual activities and reproduction, functions that still others saidwere nothing more than the zealous imaginings of physiologistspreoccupied with sexual delusions.

"But now, after years of turmoil and dispute, it looks as thoughthe sex advocates have at last won, and that the pineal gland doesindeed play an important regulatory role in sexual and reproductive

function. For, in lower animals in which the pineal gland has beenremoved or in which the nervous circuits to the pineal gland havebeen sectioned, the normal annual periods of seasonal fertility arelost. To these animals such seasonal fertility is very important be-cause it allows birth of the offspring in the spring and summermonths when survival is most likely. Unfortunately, the mecha-nism of this effect is still not entirely clear but it seems to be thefollowing:

"First, the pineal gland is controlled by the amountof light seen by the eyes each day. For instance,

in the hamster, greater than 13 hours of dark-

ness each day activates the pineal gland, whileless than that amount of darkness fails to ac-tivate it, with a very critical balance betweenactivation and non-activation. The nervous

pathway involved is this: passage of light sig-nals from the eyes to the suprachiasmal nucleus

of the hypothalamus and thence to the pinealgland activates pineal secretion. Second, the pineal glandsecretes melatonin and several other similar substances.Either melatonin or one of the other substances then

passes either by way of the blood or through the fluid ofthe third ventricle to the anterior pituitary gland to con-trol gonadotropic hormone secretion."In the presence of pineal gland secretion, the go-

nadotropic hormone secretion is suppressed in at leastsome species of animals, and the gonads become inhibited

and even involuted. This is what presumably occursduring the winter months when there is more dark-

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ness. But after about four months of dysfunction, the gonadotropichormone secretion breaks through the inhibitory effect of thepineal gland, and the gonads become functional once more, readyfor a full springtime of activity."

A common disease of those living in the northern latitudes dur-ing the winter months is called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD.It is characterized by drastic mood swings, depression, feelings ofwithdrawal and changes in personality. Sufferers usually eat more(especially carbohydrates), sleep more, have less energy, usuallyshow depressed immune function, are less interested in sex andgain weight. It is seen primarily in adults between the ages of 20and 50. It affects four times more women than men. It is some-what similar to the conditions of hibernation in some mammals.This disease is one of sunlight starvation. This occurs because ofless daytime exposure to the sun for most people due to shorterdays and also cold outdoor temperatures.

SAD symptoms are allevi-ated by exposure to sunlightor an artificial equivalent.The effects proceed like this:sunlight enters the eyes, anda portion of that light energyis shunted directly to thepineal gland, which is locateddeep in the brain. This lightenergy affects tiny light re-ceptors in the pineal, and

thereby triggers melatoninand other hormonal output.These hormones have manyeffects within the body. Inaddition to the fact that the pineal gland regulates the onset of pu-berty, induces sleep, and influences our moods, it also acts as thebody's light meter and timer, orchestrating our internal functionsand synchronizing them with the external environment of nature.

Since the pineal is primarily regulated by natural light changes,we are manipulating and desensitizing its function with our

widespread use of artificial deficient lighting in our indoor world.Whenever possible during the winter months, expose yourself tonatural sunlight for extended periods of time. If that is not practi-cal, you should seriously consider acquiring one of the recently de-veloped natural light simulators in the form of full-spectrum fluo-rescent lights for your living area.

From this information, we may understand the importancelighting plays in our daily lives and we may also suspect that all the

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effects of artificial lighting have yet to be uncovered. A true scienceof health must endeavor to ascertain all aspects of life and livingand their ultimate effects on human health.

AIR AND BREATHINGAir is the gaseous substance that makes up the atmosphere of

the earth and provides every living thing with its breath of life.Plants respirate through their leaves; insects breathe through tiny

openings in their bodies; frogsbreathe partly through their skin;fish absorb oxygen out of the wateras it passes over their gills; and hu-mans receive their supply of oxygenpartly through the skin, but largelythrough the lungs. The independentlife of a body does not begin until it

takes its first breath and this func-tion of breathing continues until the

end of life. This is the process of respiration, and it must be consid-ered the primary function of the living organism. We can live manyweeks without food and some days without water, but if the func-tion of breathing is interfered with for only a few minutes, our lifequickly ends.

Respiration is an automatic, involuntaryprocess, being regulated at the medullaoblongata in the brainstem according to

the body's internal needs. With healthylungs, we breathe normally and rhythmi-cally, yet unconsciously, as the process isnormally beyond our conscious control.At rest we breathe slowly and less deeply.As activity is increased, breathing be-comes more rapid, with greater excur-sions of the diaphragm and chest to allowfor increased oxygen intake.But the respiratory movements are notconfined to the chest alone; they are sys-

temic motions pervading the wholetrunk. It is known that the rhythmic pul-sations of the heart synchronize with themovements of the chest in respiration.

These breathing movements also constitute an important factor inthe circulation of the blood, as we may experience in the case of adrowned person being resuscitated by artificial respiration, by

24

By far, the largest organs inthe body are the lungs, su-perbly designed and adapt-ed to their work of receivingair. Keep them filled with

the freshest air possible.


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which circulation and heart action are restored.By far, the largest organs in the body are the lungs, superbly de-

signed and adapted to their work of receiving air. They fill the tho-rax from the clavicle (collarbone) to the lowermost ribs and fromthe sternum in front to the spine in back. When the chest wall israised through the action of the muscles of the chest, and when thediaphragm is depressed, the chest cavity expands, this forms a vac-uum, and the air rushes into it. Conversely, when the chest wallcontracts and the diaphragm is relaxed and raised, the air is forcedout of the lungs. Coincidentally with this process, the blood flowsthrough the lungs, picking up oxygen, carrying it to the cells andgiving off carbon dioxide that it has brought from the cells. Thiswhole process is automatic and is regulated by the body's need foroxygen.

A normal pair of lungs contains approximately a billion tiny aircells. If these cells were all spread out on a flat surface, they would

cover an area 40 x 50 feet. The average man inhales daily approxi-mately 777,000 cubic inches of air, and in this same time 125 bar-rels of blood are purified in the lungs. Here the poisons and impuri-ties of the body are brought by the blood and cast off. Also, theblood absorbs a fresh supply of oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and theessence of sunlight to be conveyed to all parts of the body to fur-nish the trillions of cells with the normal stimulation to activate itsvarious functions. This is a continuous process, and if it is inter-fered with, the result could be fatal. When respiration is obstructed,the lips quickly turn bluish-purple due to the rapid collection ofcarbon dioxide gas in the blood. In only a few seconds, if respiration

is impeded the blood will turn almost black in color, signifying agreat increase in poisons.

Until about seventy five years ago, fresh air was considered byphysicians as being dangerous to the sick, especially during thenight, and all windows were kept closed and all air holes wereplugged up to prevent any air from entering. Thanks to the work ofthe early pioneers of hygiene such as Graham, Trall, Densmore,Page, Oswald and others, most people of today are aware of the im-portance of adequate ventilation at all times.

Although the Greeks and Romans were able to manufacture

glass, they did not use it to obstruct their windows. Instead, theyallowed the free passage of light and fresh air to enter their dwellinghouses. It was not until later periods, called the Middle Ages, thatthe fear of night air and of other natural instincts including a fearof eating raw foods became predominant, and habitual indoor lifebetween closed walls became customary. This grew out of thephilosophies and religions of the day that preached anti-naturaldoctrines.

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Fresh Is BestOxygen is essential to the highest physical and mental develop-

ment of humans. This may be provid-ed through free ventilation and exer-

cise in the open air. Although thereseems to be more need for fresh airduring the daytime while we are activethan during the night when we are in-active, this is hardly an argument forsleeping in unventilated rooms. Insleep, nature seeks complete rest andreduced oxygenation. This is providedfor by decreased breathing, and shouldnot be accomplished by the breathing

of foul air. If at all possible, keep a window open in your sleeping

area, even if just a bit.Regular and continuous breathing is essential to meet the needs

of life, and it is for this reason that we should live, dress and carryourselves in ways that do not interfere with the process of breath-ing. Five minutes of deep breathing twice a day will not compensatefor inadequate breathing the rest of the day. It is what we habitual-ly do all day that counts in the long run, rather than any five-minute breathing sessions. Proper and sufficient breathing dependsupon a number of factors, including health of nose, throat, chest,lungs and abdomen; proper body posture; freedom of movement ofthe chest and abdomen (lack of restrictive clothing); well-ventilatedhomes, bedrooms, etc and ample exercise in the out of doors.

In this light, mention should bemade that exercises to develop thechest and to increase its capacity foroxygen are well advised. Modern lifegenerally does not adequately developthe musculature and framework ofthe chest, and it is for this reasonthat the modern man or woman'sbreathing reserve is small compared

to that of wild animals and those peo-ple of more primitive societies. Re-garding our breathing apparatus, thenormal nose permits adequateamounts of air to enter the lungsthrough but one nostril under ordi-

nary conditions. When under great stress, as when running, the ad-ditional nostril should provide for the ingress of sufficient air, pro-

26

Five minutes of deep

breathing twice a day willnot compensate for inade-quate breathing the rest ofthe day. It is what we ha-bitually do all day thatcounts in the long run.


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viding both nostrils are normal. Generally, mouth breathing is asymptom of disease, as in adenoids, polyps, nasal catarrh, a cold,etc. Every day we should take advantage of the cleanest air availablein the particular vicinity in which we live. It is important that wedo some exercises that will promote greater oxygen intake. Thiswill also enable us to throw out additional poisons from our lungsand help to keep our breathing functions in a healthier condition.

Carbon dioxide is composed of one part carbon and two partsoxygen and is not easily detected, as itis colorless, odorless and tasteless. Forevery 2,500 parts of atmospheric air,there is one part of carbon dioxide.When the air we breathe contains 3%carbon dioxide, a drowsy feeling oc-curs, and when it is present in largerquantities, death quickly results. If the

organism does not promptly eliminatecarbon dioxide, every cell becomesweakened and the entire body suffers. Carbon dioxide gas is presentin all charged drinks, in beer and fermented liquids, in baking pow-der cookery, in self-rising flour products, in yeast bread and in allfermenting products.

At each exhalation the lungs discard enough gases, consisting ofcarbonic, lactic, hydrochloric, phosphoric and other acids, to poisona barrelful of air. In every 24-hour period, the amount of carbondioxide eliminated by the lungs is equal to a lump of charcoalweighing eight ounces.

With this in mind, consider also that every person in a roomneeds 3,000 cubic feet of fresh air an hour to insure purity. In thecase where several occupy a room not adequately ventilated, we in-hale the exhalations of others and ourselves, and the amount ofcarbon dioxide contained in the air increases, making it more dan-gerous to breathe. The early symptoms of mild carbon dioxide poi-soning are sensations of uneasiness and oppression, drowsiness,sneezing, headache and coughing.

Under the laws of accommodation, our bodies are equipped withpowers to enable it to tolerate for a time an atmosphere so poi-

sonous that it could cause a vital person to pass out if it were sud-denly entered into. This principal was illustrated by an experimentby Claude Bernard in which he used a bird placed under a bell-glass, providing it with enough oxygen for three hours, but then re-moving it at the end of the second hour and replacing this bird witha fresh, healthy one. It was shown that the latter died instantly, asit did not have sufficient time to accommodate itself to the vitiatedenvironment of the bell-glass.

27

At each exhalation thelungs discard enough gas-es, consisting of carbonic,lactic, hydrochloric, phos-phoric and other acids, to

poison a barrelful of air.


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In addition to carbon dioxide, our bodies also must deal with thepoisonous fumes of modern industrial cities. City air contains suchchemicals as carbon monoxide, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, ni-tric acid, hydrocyanic acid, benzene, methane, etc.

Another interesting fact: A professor H. H. Sheldon of New YorkUniversity once erected an apparatus in the Times Square theatri-

cal district that drew in air at roof level. Inone week, the apparatus cleaned341,250,000 cubic feet of air, removing fromit 12 cubic feet of solid matter composed ofdust, soot and tar and weighing 37 pounds.

The Actual PollutantsFibers floating in the air have a slight

negative health effect. Fibers are visible,macroscopic filaments, usually man-made.

They come from clothing, carpeting, uphol-stery, paper. One sees fibers floating in brightshafts of sunlight. They settle in calm air,drift along the floor and tangle into "dustbunnies" in calm areas - in corners, underbeds. Fibers are easily strained out of air byeven coarse filters, but removing them fromthe air isn't very important because they pose

housekeeping, not health problems.Silts have a moderate negative health effect.

Silts are microscopic particles which can stay sus-pended in calm air for some time. Common silts areairborne soil, smoke particles, allergens (pollens,fungus & mildew spores), bacteria and viruses. Theyare not individually visible to the naked eye, but, inlarge numbers, form visible haze or smoke. Silts arepulled out of the air stream and held tightly by theattracting fibers of electrostatic filters. Silts cause al-lergies and other well-documented health problems.Typically 20-40% removed by standard air filters.

Molecules can have a large negative health ef-

fect. Odors and molecular irritants are sub-micro-scopic molecules - about 10,000 times smaller thanthe smallest silts. Molecular irritants are especiallythreatening because they travel into the lungs wherethey dissolve and enter the bloodstream. They arethe only pollutants which actually enter our bodies.

Molecules are completely unaffected by particle filters. Fortunately,they are efficiently "sponged up" by adsorbents.

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Causes of Poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)Outdoor pollutants affect indoor air quality only slightly. Traffic

and industrial fumes, pollens, fungal spores, fine silts enter tight,modern buildings with entrance and exit foot traffic and "fresh air"

make-up as mandated by local codes.Indoor pollutants don't enterbuildings, but come from insidesources. Recent EPA studies showthat most indoor air pollutants aremolecules which have evaporatedfrom volatile sources indoors: foampadding, hardboard in modern furni-ture, glues used in hardboard andplywood construction materials,vinyl wall coverings, plastics in gen-

eral, carpeting, carpet padding,copiers (solvents), laser printers(ozone), blueprints (amines), housekeeping cleaning agents, janito-rial supplies (organic solvents), food preparation, cigarette smoke,perfumes, after-shaves, deodorants, soaps and human bodies.

Molecules, not particles, are the cause of most indoor air pollu-tion. Attempts to clean polluted indoor air by forcing it through thebest particle filters or electrostatic filters have failed becausemolecules are ten thousand times smaller than filterable particles -far too small to be strained out of the air.

Attempting to stop molecules (odors & chemical irritants) withordinary particle filters is like trying to catch gnats with a butterflynet!

The Only Natural ProtectionAll the protection one has against polluted air is to exhale it

through deeper breaths, but this should be done actively throughmovement. Ernest T. Seaton, in his story of the coyote, tells of thisanimal's protective instincts after ingesting some poisonous bait. Itinstinctively knows there is but one way it can overcome the poi-son, and that is by vigorous exhalation. If it can run long enough

and fast enough before the poison does its deadly work, the lungswill eliminate the poison and the animal will survive.

H. B. Meller of the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research said:"When it is known that one takes about 30 cubic inches of air intoone's lungs in each inhalation, or about seven times the weight offood and water consumed, it can be understood why more peopleare weakened, devitalized and poisoned by the pollution in the airthey suck into their lungs than by all the ingredients in the food

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they eat and the water they drink." When the air we breathe isfresh and pure, it brings life into the body, but when it is filled withpoisonous gases from industrial waste, etc., it leads us to ill-healthand premature death.

Air Fresheners"Air-Fresheners" and perfumes don't neutralize malodors; theymerely confuse our noses. Spraying molecules into the air adds toindoor air pollution. Remember, attractants for some are repellentto others. Why do you suppose so many types of perfumes are onthe market?

Air Duct CleaningIf dirty air ducts were a public health problem, like unsanitary

restaurant kitchens, one would expect responsiblelocal, state and federal health agencies to set standards, conduct in-

spections and fine or close down those in non-compliance. Sincethis is not the case, one may assume air ducts, in general, have notbeen found to be a major health problem. Of course, if visual in-spection shows filthy ducts, clean them. Then, keep them clean byusing better air filters. For those already compromised by allergiesor other respiratory problems, it would be helpful to clean dirty airducts while at the same time doing all one can to get themselveshealthy by living healthfully.

The "Sick Building" Problem

Polluted air, indoors or out, is sickening. Recently, indoor arehas become more polluted and we haven't know how to improve itbecause we are confused about what polluted air is. In our notknowing, we have floundered. We have blown a simple probleminto a public health issue, labeled it a syndrome, defined it and giv-en it a name.

Really, it's come to this - a building is officially labeled "sick" if20% or more of its occupants feel better after leaving it! Here's thesequence of how we placed ourselves in this mess:1) 1975 - OPEC fuel prices and heating & cooling costs increased2) 2) to save fuel, we tightened our buildings and reduced ventila-

tion3) heated or cooled air remained indoors longer4) molecular concentrations from evaporation within the buildinggrew5) higher concentrations of molecular pollutants made people sick

If your immediate situation leaves you with less than desired

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ability to acquire fresh air, you may consider some of the air filtersand purifiers on the market today.

Several types of simple air filterscan do a decent job of removingpollutants. They require some de-gree of maintenance to remain ef-fective. The newest technologiesuse adsorbents, which are essential-ly tiny molecular traps. They per-manently remove the offendingparticles. A tried and true adsor-bent is activated charcoal. Neweradsorbents are thousands of times more effective than charcoal. Besure to get a filter that uses the best adsorbent you can find.

Adsorbents - Should be on Every Air Filter

Adsorption, often confused with absorption, is a surface phe-nomenon. It refers to the adhering of molecules to surfaces ofporous solids. Absorption is an intermingling of two substances,e.g., oxygen dissolved in water.

We purify many materials by running them past adsorbents suchas activated alumina, activated charcoal, silica gel and zeolite. Whynot run indoor air past adsorbents?Drinking Water - Charcoal filters remove off-tastes, odors, color,chlorine, mercury, dissolved radon, pesticides and herbicides fromdrinking water at municipal water plants or home faucets. Activat-ed alumina removes lead, fluoride and selenium.Food Processing - Charcoal filters remove undesirable tastes, odorsand colors from ingredient water for canned, frozen or bottled foodsand beverages.Medicine - Charcoal capsules are prescribed to prevent food poi-soning. They soak up bacterial toxins in the stomach and in-testines. If a poison is ingested, the stomach is pumped and thedoctor administers a few teaspoons of charcoal in water.Industry/Military - Welders, painters, miners, firemen, soldiers -anyone exposed to dangerous air, wear gas masks or respiratorswhich pass all breathed air past adsorbents.

Life Support - Space and submarine crews live in completely recy-cled adsorbent-purified atmospheres.With our growing concern over poor indoor air, one wonders

why adsorbent-purified air isn't as commonplace as adsorbent-puri-fied water. Why aren't adsorbent air filters in homes, schools, officebuildings, restaurants, planes, trains and automobiles? Certainly, ifthey were, we would enjoy much cleaner, more attractive indoorair. The reason has been that pounds of very expensive adsorbents

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If your immediate situationleaves you with less than de-

sired ability to acquire freshair, you may consider someof the air filters and purifierson the market today.


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were required, so only critical applications could afford it.There are basically three classes of air filters:

Particulate - inexpensive - only protect air conditioning equipmentElectrostatic - expensive - remove silts and allergensAdsorbent - very expensive - remove odors and molecular irritants

Air-Cleaning Powder (APC) a new, high-efficiency adsorbentmixture is puffed into return air, resides on filter media, and therecaptures pollutants and causes them to adhere to the filter and bethrown away with it. It is 50,000 times more effective than char-coal, making it an extremely cheap way to purify your indoor air. Apinch of APC replaces pounds of activated carbon. Thus, now it isfar less expensive to control the quality of the air you breathe -whether at home, in your car, or at work. APC is made by CleanIndoor Air, Inc., (719) 460-0029.

Negative Ions

Negative ions in the air are naturally produced by such things aswaterfalls and ocean surf. Nearly everyone notices how invigoratedthey feel when near such areas.

Negative ion generators create billions of so-called negative ions,and these have the ability to attach to particulates from the air.The now heavier particles having a negative electrical charge willgenerally fall to the ground or cling to surfaces of anything nearby,effectively removing them from circulating air.

OzoneMuch ado has been made recently regarding the health benefits

of small amounts of ozone in the air, and devices have been con-structed in order to create ozone and pump it into the surroundingroom. But ozone is a dangerous pollutant, not an air pollution cure-all. Though ozone will indeed rapidly oxidize any carbon-basedmolecules that create odors in the air, it will also injure the delicatelining of the lungs and mucous membranes over time. Here's whatthe Consumer Union has to say about it:

"Ozone can purify drinking water, disinfect mildewed boats, anddeodorize fire-ravaged buildings. But ozone is also a toxic gas, acomponent of smog, with no known beneficial health effects. The

U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) lim-its ozone exposure in industrial settings to 100 parts per billion(ppb) over an eight-hour day, six days per week. At that level, ozoneirritates the eyes, makes the throat feel dry, and stresses the lungs.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set a limit of50 ppb for the ozone from electronic air cleaners. That's a sensiblelimit for the home.

"An ozone generator uses a high-voltage electric charge to con-

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vert oxygen in the air (O2) to ozone (O3), a pungent, powerful oxi-dant. At sufficiently high concentrations, ozone attacks and de-stroys gas molecules and microorganisms. Ozone has no effect ondust and other particulates, however."

When Consumers Union tested ozone generators under a varietyof conditions, they almost always produced ozone levels well abovethe FDA's limit of 50 ppb. Although ozone generators have limitedvalue in unoccupied spaces, it's highly questionable whether theybelong where people breathe.

Thus, one useful way to employ such machines is to help purifyair while you are not in the room or office, i.e. overnight. Also,ozone generators can help to neutralize the poisonous gases thatbleed out of new carpets, wood and pressboard, newly paintedrooms, etc. Use them to "blast" such rooms for a day or two whileno one is present. Remember that exposure to high levels of ozonewill cause definite damage to all respiratory tissues and must be

avoided.

SUMMARY OFLESSON ENH09Lesson ENH09 has dis-

cussed many reasons why hu-mans need sunshine on a reg-ular basis. Sunshine has beendescribed as one of the basicessentials of life and a valu-

able factor-influence in allstates and conditions of thehuman body. It is needed forassimilation of calcium andphosphorus salts and for theproduction of vitamin D inthe skin.

While sunshine and other nutritive factors obtained on a regularbasis result in fewer diseases, especially rickets, tuberculosis, ane-mia, insomnia, acne, psoriasis, leukemia, high blood pressure and

reproductive disorders (irregular ovulation, pubertal difficulties, im-potency, uterine hemorrhage, etc.), it cannot be considered a specif-ic "cure" for any disease condition, and it will not protect us fromother destructive habits we may indulge.

Excessive sunshine, especially under the sun's most intense rays,is not healthful and should be avoided. It may result in sunburn,dry, coarse skin and nervousness. In short, too much heat and sun-light is enervating. Tanning should not be considered the primary

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objective of sunbathing, and suntan lotions or oils should not beused because they will clog the body's skin pores and inhibit the oilsecreting glands of the body from working properly.

Lesson ENH09 also gave a history of sunbathing and the use ofsunshine for improved health, nerves and muscles. The practice ofsunbathing was just about lost during the Middle Ages, however,and its revival was brought about in large part as a result of the ef-forts of Hygienic pioneers, including Graham and Trall.

This lesson also explained that artificial lights do not produce acomplete spectrum of light, and they upset natural body rhythmsthat are tuned to the light of nature. Artificial lights produce an ex-cess of one or more of the color rays, and they interfere with nor-mal reproduction in plants and animals.

The anabolic activities that take place efficiently only at nightwhen not interfered with by artificial lighting are disturbed by theuse of artificial lights. Therefore, the processes of growth and repair

of cells and tissues are hindered and the body is robbed of some ofits life force. Additionally, this lesson stated that sunlamps areharmful and should not be used.

Air as the primary and the most immediate need of life was ad-dressed. It must be obtained in ample amounts and it must be freefrom pollutants, including the exhalations of ourselves and others.This means that good ventilation is necessity inside buildings, andwe should refrain from using polluting substances in our homesand offices. The fact that we consume more weight in air than infood and water combined makes it evident why people are so devi-talized by air pollutants.

The lungs were described, along with how they work to take inoxygen and eliminate carbon dioxide and other toxins. It was ex-plained that the heart works in harmony with the lungs. Thesymptoms of carbon dioxide poisoning were described, and thebody's process of accommodation was explained and illustrated.Also, some of the major air pollutants in cities were listed and theirdamages described.

The need for adequate ventilation during sleep was discussed,and the need for outdoor exercise was highlighted. Lesson ENH09also explained why passive deep breathing "exercises" should not be

indulged, but vigorous exercise should be obtained. Suggestionswere made on how to avoid the harmful effects of artificial lightingand on how to obtain adequate sunlight during the cold wintermonths of the temperate zones.

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QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LESSONQUESTION: Are specific deep breathing exercises recommendedfor greater intake of oxygen?ANSWER: If you are referring to a passive form of deep breathingnot associated with total bodily movement, then the answer is no,

they are not recommended. We must understand that the rate ofbreath is automatically controlled through the respiratory center inthe medulla of the brain. The more carbon dioxide that is con-tained in the blood, the more this center is stimulated, with a cor-responding increase in the rate of breathing. Conversely, oxygen in-hibits this center so that the more oxygen the blood possesses, theslower we breathe. Thus the breath rate and the volume of oxygenare always automatically adjusted to the body's true needs. Deepbreathing "exercises" that do not involve great muscular exertionwill not provide for any more air into the body than the blood cantake up according to its needs. Passive deep breathing "exercises" do

not force anything out of the body, nor do they "feed" the nerves orregenerate the body in any way. Such activities may result in men-tal confusion and various other symptoms and are best discarded.Active deep breathing, that which is coincident with various bodilymovements such as hiking, running, swimming, etc., occasion agreater need for oxygen and are beneficial. The body's normal re-sponse to this need is met through an increase of breath rate andvolume of oxygen intake.

QUESTION: Do all forms of artificial lighting produce detrimental

effects upon our health and, if so, what can we do to minimizethese effects?ANSWER: Yes, all forms of artificial lighting negatively affect ourhealth, but most of us must spend some time under their influencein order to live in this society. A few things may be done with re-gard to fluorescent light bulbs that will lessen the potential hazardsassociated with their use. First, we may use solid plastic covers overthe lighting fixtures to help filter out excessive ultraviolet lightrays. Secondly, and more importantly, we may use and encourageothers to use some of the more recently developed fluorescent tubesthat more closely simulate the full spectrum that is offered us by

sunlight; they should prove to be less harmful. If you must spendconsiderable time each day under the influence of poor spectrumfluorescent lights, purchase and use of the full spectrum bulbswould be highly advised.

QUESTION: How may one obtain sufficient sunlight during thecold winter months of the temperate zones?

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ANSWER: Humans originally came into existence when the con-ditions of the environment harmoniously agreed with their consti-tution. This was in such a climate as to allow for living withoutclothing, so as to be sun-kissed throughout the years of their exis-tence. Nowadays, many of us inhabit less comfortable areas of theworld and may only experience these life-giving rays part of theyear. A possible solution during the winter is to construct a solari-um or close off an area in such a way as to keep the wind out butthe solar rays in. Through the use of reflecting the rays, we may ad-ditionally produce more heat in this specialized area, thereby mak-ing it more comfortable for the sunbath. We may also secure somesunlight through an open window if conditions permit. But proba-bly the most important consideration is that we live healthfullythroughout the months so as to secure adequate nutritive reserves,and not dissipate our nerve energy through foodand/or sexual overindulgences or lack of adequate rest and sleep.

This will prove to be of paramount importance for maintaininggood health during those months not as suitable to humans.

SUPPLEMENTARY TEXT MATERIAL

SUNLIGHT AND AIROtto Carque

Most important for the preservation of health and vitality aresunlight and air. They are just as necessary for growth and perpetu-ation of life as are liquid and solid food. "When the sun does notenter, thy physician enters," says an old proverb. It has been foundthat the greatest mortality occurs in the narrow streets of cities andin houses having little exposure. The inhabitants of southernmountain slopes are stronger and healthier than those living on thenorthern sides. Inhabitants of secluded valleys, where the sun riseslate and sets early are generally afflicted with peculiar diseases,chiefly due to a lack of direct sunlight and its salutary power to dis-sipate and decompose noxious vapors that accumulate in dark andlow places.

The sun indeed is the great and ultimate source of all power that

manifests itself in the inorganic as well as in the organic forma-tions of matter. Plants require sunlight above all for the completionof their complicated organic combinations. While the lowestspecies of organic life, such as fungi, are capable of developing indarkness, the higher plants, which principally support animal life,always depend upon the rays of the sun for the processes of assimi-lating the elements of soil and atmosphere. They require especiallythe non-illuminating ultraviolet rays, which we know to be most

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active in the production of electrochemical effects.Likewise, the animal body is to a large extent directly dependent

upon sunlight for its growth and healthy development. It is a well-established fact that, as the result of an insufficiency of light, thefibrin and red blood corpuscles become diminished in quantity,while the serum or watery portion of the blood is increased, induc-ing leukemia, a sickness characterized by a great increase in thenumber of white blood corpuscles. A total exclusion of sunlight in-duces the severer forms of anemic diseases, originating from an im-poverished and disordered state of the blood.

Of the many experiments that have been made so far to demon-strate the beneficial effects of sunlight, the one conducted by JohnBlayton is the most remarkable and significant. In order to deter-mine whether the indirect or diffused daylight, perhaps during alonger period of time, has the same effect as the direct sunlight, heselected twelve bean plants of the same variety and in the same

stage of development. Then he planted them near one another insuch a way that six always had full direct sunlight, while the othersreceived only the diffused daylight. In October, the pods were har-vested, and the weight of those grown in the shade or diffused lightcompared with that of those exposed to the sun rays was found tobe in the proportion of 29:99; that of the dried beans 1:3.

This result was expected, but in the following year, when all theplants grown from the same seed received the full amount of the di-rect sunlight, the surprising fact was ascertained that those whichhad been raised in the shade yielded only half the amount of theprevious year's harvest, while in the fourth year they blossomed but

did not mature. The deprivation of direct sunlight during one sum-mer weakened the stock to such a degree that the species becameextinct after four years.

The lesson of this experiment may be applied with great benefitto humans and their daily habits. The highly beneficial effect ofsunbaths, if judiciously taken, is demonstrated by the above exam-ple in the best possible means. A dwelling place that admits thesunlight during all hours of the day is, therefore, one of the firstconditions for the preservation of health.

All mothers should realize the importance and benefits of sun-

light and use every opportunity to admit the direct rays of sun totheir living and sleeping rooms whenever and wherever this is pos-sible. Sunlight and fresh air are primal factors on which the normaldevelopment and health of the child depend.

Frequent exposures of the naked body to the sunlight will greatlyassist the system in the performance of all physiological functions.It will especially insure an even distribution of the blood. Such anadjustment of the circulation is necessary for the normal function-

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ing of all organs. People should make it a practice to expose theirnude bodies frequently to sunlight and fresh air in order to keep inthe best possible physical condition. Public parks should have en-closures where sunbaths and air baths can be taken, and theseshould become an adjunct of every modern progressive city.

Sunlight can kill cells in our bodies if the cells are exposed toomuch to the very intense rays of the sun. Moderation and discrimi-nation should always be exercised. Sunbaths are best taken in themorning, and an eastern exposure should be selected for the pur-pose.

Equal attention should be paid to a continuous supply of freshair directly, day and night. Not many persons seem to respect theabsolute necessity of the electrifying, life-giving oxygen for themaintenance of vitality and health. If the supply of air is cut off, wewill be suffocated, just as the flame of a lamp is extinguished if theair is prevented from passing to it. A person may live more than

sixty days without food and a few days without water, but when de-prived of air or oxygen, they die within a few minutes. This provesthat pure air is the most necessary of all the essentials of life.

There are also various kinds of microbes in the air, according tomoisture and temperature, causing fermentation and chemical dis-integration of organic substances. The composition of air, i.e., itsproportions of nitrogen and oxygen, is the same all over the surfaceof the earth. The degree of moisture or humidity in the air variesaccording to location and temperature. Carbon dioxide is alwayspresent, even in mid-ocean and forests, but its quantity is verysmall, ranging from three to four parts per ten thousand by volume.

In closed rooms, however, where numbers of persons are presentand at the same time gas and coal are burned, the percentage ofcarbon dioxide rapidly increases. At the same time, the air is filledwith other more poisonous gases, such as carbon monoxide andammonia, while the amount of oxygen is gradually lowered. Allthese facts should be seriously considered in the proper ventilationof living rooms, schoolrooms, etc. The following table, as an exam-ple, gives the average amount of carbon dioxide in 10,000 parts ofair found in different localities:Ocean and forests 0.3

Cities, open streets 0.4 to 0.5Bedroom during night, window partly open 0.8 window closed 1.2

School-rooms 1.5 to 3.0Hospitals 2.8School-room, 70 occupants

at close of school hrs 7.2

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Churches, during services 3.5 to 7.0Churches, if heated by furnaces 20.0 to 30.0Theatres, crowded meeting rooms 25.0Workshops, ill-ventilated 30.0

These figures show how little attention is paid to proper ventila-tion, and they explain the constant increase of pneumonia and sim-ilar diseases. The importance of pure air becomes still more obvi-ous if we consider the wonderful anatomical structure of the respi-ratory organs. The lungs, into which the air is drawn, consist oftwo rounded, oblong, somewhat flattened masses of cellular sub-stance. They are situated in the cavity of the chest, which commu-nicates with the atmosphere through the windpipe (trachea). Thetrachea, as it descends from the throat, branches off into largetubes, and these branch again and again into smaller and stillsmaller ones and finally into hair like vessels.

Through these the air penetrates into the remotest parts of the

cellular substance. Around each visible extremity nearly 18,000cells are clustered, each of which is connected through theseminute tubes with the external air. The cells vary in size. Theyhave an average diameter of about 1/100th inch. Their total num-ber has been estimated at about six hundred million. The wall ofthese cells is very thin; they are mere air vesicles.

The internal surfaces of all these cells together form an area ofabout one hundred sixty square yards of thin cell-wall. Over thewhole of this surface, minute blood vessels branch out, almost en-tirely covering it. Along these tiny vessels the blood continuallyflows and, in its course, absorbs through their walls the oxygen of

the inhaled air.It is in the delicate membrane of these blood vessels that the

change from venous into arterial blood is effected. The venousblood must be changed continually because it is an impure fluidcontaining matter that has already served for the support of life inthe various parts of the body. Carbon dioxide and other gases aregiven off, and the oxygen of the air enters the cells of the lungs andis absorbed by the minute vessels that spread over the cell walls.Within these vessels the oxygen combines directly with thehemoglobin of the blood, and by means of the action of the heart,

proceeds with it in ceaseless currents through the arteries andveins.To a certain extent the skin also absorbs oxygen and exhales car-

bon dioxide, the amount being about one-thirtieth of that excretedby the lungs. Besides, the skin gives off other gases, water and solidmatter, amounting to from one to two pounds during the day. Insummer people perspire more than in winter. During exercise orexertion more water is lost than at rest. All parts of the skin should

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be brought frequently in immediate contact with the external air.There are several million pores in the skin acting as little sewersthrough which various waste products of the system are constantlyexcreted. The clothing and particularly the underwear should beporous to permit free circulation of the air. Closely woven artificialfabrics cause the retention of waste matter that is partly reabsorbedby the system and thrown back on the lungs and kidneys, over-working and weakening these organs.

As has been shown that in ill-ventilated and often tobacco-ladenpublic halls, churches, schoolrooms, theatres and workshops, theair thrown off from the lungs is rendered still more noxious by theemanations of the skin. People, on leaving such places, feel thecontrast between the inside and outside air and erroneously blamethe fresh air as being responsible for their "colds," which are but theresult of the inhaled poisonous gases and their unsanitary meth

natural hygiene

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