Electromagnetic Sensitivity

Definition

Electromagnetic Sensitivity, also known as Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (EHS), Electrosensitivity, or Microwave Sickness is a condition in which an individual experiences symptoms like headaches, dizziness, unusual heart palpitations, or insomnia, around wireless technologies or electrical devices such as smart meters, cell towers, Wi-Fi, mobile phones, cordless phones, power line magnetic fields, intermediate frequencies, and electric fields from various electronics devices. The condition, whereby some "electrosensitive" people suffer from intolerance to electromagnetic fields has been acknowledged in the European Council's Resolution 1815 (2011), section 8.1.4.

Symptoms

• "Neurological: headaches, dizziness/nausea, memory and concentration difficulties, insomnia, depression/anxiety, fatigue/weakness, numbness/tingling, muscle and joint pains.
• Cardiac: heart palpitations, shortness of breath, heart arrhythmias, high blood pressure.
• Eyes: pain/discomfort, pressure in the eyes, deteriorating vision, cataracts.
• Ears: ringing in the ears, hearing loss.
• Other: skin problems, digestive problems, dehydration, nosebleeds, impaired sense of smell and light sensitivity."

-Taken from EMFacts Consultancy's Consumer Health and Safety Advice.

Warnings about Chronic, Continual Exposure

According to Hecht and Balzer's analysis of 878 scientific works from Russian medical literature, the symptoms may take 3-5 years of exposure to emerge. Within the first 5 years, avoiding or reducing exposure may eliminate symptoms. However, after 10 years, severe symptoms and disease may become evident.

Hecht and Balzer's Analysis Regarding Chronic Exposures to Microwaves

0-3 years	3-5 years	5-10 years	10+ years
Few or No symptoms	Mild symptoms	Moderate symptoms	Severe symptoms Approaching disease

Dr. Belpomme, Oncology Professor at Paris Descartes University, found there is more than one phase of electromagnetic intolerance syndrome. What starts out as symptoms to a particular frequency, e.g., ear pain from cell phone use, may in a later phase, develop into sensitivity to a wide range of frequencies.

Note: With acute levels of radiation, e.g., living directly under a cell tower, moderate to severe symptoms could arise in less than one year.

Scientific Research on EHS

The following are a few studies related to electromagnetic sensitivity or microwave sickness:

• Stein, Yael and Iris G. Udasin, 2020 "Electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS, microwave syndrome) – Review of mechanisms"
• Belpomme, Dominique and Philippe Irigaray, 2020 "Electrohypersensitivity as a Newly Identified and Characterized Neurologic Pathological Disorder: How to Diagnose, Treat, and Prevent It"
• Belyaev, Igor et al, 2016 "EUROPAEM EMF Guideline 2016 for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of EMF-related health problems and illnesses"
• Marino, Andrew et al., 2017 "Trigeminal neurons detect cellphone radiation: Thermal or nonthermal is not the question"
• Belpomme et al, 2015 "Reliable disease biomarkers characterizing and identifying electrohypersensitivity and multiple chemical sensitivity as two etiopathogenic aspects of a unique pathological disorder"
• Sage, Cindy, 2015 "The implications of non-linear biological oscillations on human electrophysiology for electrohypersensitivity (EHS) and multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS)"
• Hedendahl, Lena et al., 2015"Electromagnetic hypersensitivity--an increasing challenge to the medical profession"
• Redmayne, Mary, Olle Johansson, 2014 "Could myelin damage from radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure help explain the functional impairment electrohypersensitivity? A review of the evidence"
• De Luca, Chiara et al, 2014 "Metabolic and Genetic Screening of Electromagnetic Hypersensitive Subjects as a Feasible Tool for Diagnostics and Intervention"
• Genuis et al., 2012 "Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity: Fact or Fiction?" published in Science of the Total Environment
• McCarty et al, 2011 "Electromagnetic hypersensitivity: evidence for a novel neurological syndrome"
• Rea, William J. et al, 2009 "Electromagnetic Field Sensitivity"
• Tuengler et al, 2013 "Hypothesis on how to measure electromagnetic hypersensitivity"
• Lyskov et al, 2001 "Neurophysiological study of patients with perceived 'electrical hypersensitivity'"

See also the Environmental Health Trust's Electromagnetic Sensitivity page.

Possible scientific explanations for the symptoms of electromagnetic hypersensitivity are provided in the following table:

Possible Scientific Explanations for EHS Symptoms

Symptom	Possibly Related Objective Effects/Animal Research
Headache	Opening of the Blood-brain barrier, effects on the dopamine-opiate systems of the brain, and blood cell clumping. See References
Cardiovascular problems	Calcium efflux in animals' hearts; Arrhythmia in animals; Tachycardia in double-blind study with DECT cordless phones (See References.) High blood pressure found in double-blind studies (see Devra Davis' book Disconnect).
Tinnitus	A study at the University of Vienna (Hans-Peter Hutter et al, 2010) found that risk of tinnitus increased with years of cell phone use.
Immune Problems	The RNCNIRP 2011 mentioned that a number of papers published in 2010 showed immune response to RF EMF and that chronic RF EMF exposure may lead to "borderline psychosomatic disorders." See also the Bioinitiative Report section on immune system effects.
Memory loss	Reduced synaptic activity in hippocampus neurons; Memory loss and neuronal death observed in rats; See References.
Sleeping Disorders like Insomnia	EMF reduces levels of melatonin; 3 hours of exposure prolongs latency to reach first cycle of deep sleep, and decreases stage 4 sleep (see reference)
Depression	Affects blood levels of serotonin in participants within 300m of a cell site. See References
EHS symptoms	Certain types of EMF have been found to damage Myelin. Myelin provides electrical insulation for the nervous system.

Evidence of biological harm from EMF's consists of a variety of sources, including:

• Objective findings such as changes to neutrotransmitters, DNA breaks, free radical increase, and brain glucose metabolism,
• EHS Biomarkers have been developed by the Austrian Medical Association and Russia Center for Electromagnetic Safety.
• Double-blind studies showing impacts on the heart and blood pressure,
• Epidemiological studies of cancer around cell towers, radio towers, TV towers, and electricity towers.
• Mental health studies on youth showing increased symptoms from cell phones and Wi-Fi,
• Survey studies near base stations (cell towers/masts) showing increased symptoms with proximity to the base station,
• Animal studies, and
• Plant studies

Read more about possibly related health conditions like infertility, cancer, sleep disruptions, arrhythmia, neurological disease, ADHD, immune system disorders, asthma, etc. For some scientific mechanisms which may explain the symptoms, refer to the science overview.

Mobile Phone Base Stations (Cell Tower) Studies

Typically within 300-400 meters of mobile phone base stations, increased reports of subjective symptoms are observed, including the following: Fatigue, headache, sleep disturbance, discomfort, irritability, depression, loss of memory, dizziness, nausea, loss of appetite, visual perturbations, concentration difficulty, and cardiovascular problems. See the links below for some sample abstracts:

• France: R. Santini et al., July 2002 (PubMed ID 12168254, PubMed ID 12168254)
• Spain: E. Navarro et al., 2003 (The Microwave Syndrome: A Preliminary Study in Spain.)
• Poland: A Bortkiewicz, 2004 (PubMed ID 15620045).
• Egypt: Abdel-Rassoul et al., 2007 (PubMed ID 16962663) and Emad F. Eskande et al., 2011 (sciencedirect)
• Germany: Kempten West, Mobilfunk in Kempten West

Wi-Fi can provide even greater exposures than mobile phone base stations and therefore there are similar concerns for Wi-Fi exposure.

Double-Blind Studies

The following are some double-blind studies regarding EMF biological effects:

• A double-blind study showed that electrosensitive individuals experience Tachycardia from DECT cordless phones (Magda Havas)
• A rise in blood pressure was found from a double-blind study on ten healthy individuals after 35 minute exposures to digital cell phones.
• A female physician develops electrosensitive symptoms following initiation of EMF exposure (P < 0.05) (International Journal of Neuroscience, 2011)

Note: For a list of common deficiencies of double-blind studies which claim that patients cannot sense radiation better than chance, see Common Deficiencies of Double-blind Studies on Electrosensitivity.

Individual Risk Factors for Electrosensitivity

Some of the following potential risk factors for electrosensitivity may account for the variation of responses from different people:

• 5-10 years of 24x7 exposure to wireless radiation, intermediate frequencies/dirty electricity, or high powerline electric and magnetic fields.
• Metals: Silver mercury amalgam fillings, iron overload in the brain (see Iron below), metal implants, and wearing of metallic jewelry, may be a risk factor. With silver amalgams, some studies suggest that mercury release from amalgams may be greater in the presence of EMF (Mortazavi et al, 2015). Furthermore, metals may also act as an antenna and increase local RF energy absorption. Other metals like aluminum may also be potential metal toxins.
• Iron: Dr. Irigaray talks of iron oxides in the brain called magnetosomes, whose quantity varies per individual, and which may be a risk factor in electrosensitivity. For example, we have a study by Henry Lai suggested that microwave radiation increases free radicals via iron-catalyzed Fenton cycle. Furthermore, a study by Maaroufi et al suggests that lower frequencies in the kHz range may increase oxidative stress for rat brains that have iron overload. Accumulated iron in the brain may also be a risk factor in Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's.
• Genetic problems for correcting EMF-induced DNA breaks
• Poor Nutrition: Lai/Singh found that EMF-induced DNA damage could be partly blocked with antioxidants used before and after exposure.
• Toxins may make some people more vulnerable. Microwaves, by opening the blood brain barrier, may make people more vulnerable to toxins by letting them pass through the protective barrier. There appear to be some MCS (multiple chemical sensitivity) individuals who also have electrosensitivity. According to Genuis's literature review, one Swedish study found people with EHS had higher levels of PBDE's, a flame retardant.

Treatment for Electrosensitivity

• According to the Austrian Medical Association's guidelines, Section 6. Treatment, reducing EMF exposure is the primary method of treament.
• For exposures that are unavoidable, check the Protection page for shielding solutions and the Distance page for optimal distances.
• Experimental results have also shown that Nutrition can provide some protection against EMF's. See Hagström et al, 2013.
• The best treatment, however, seems to be the reduction of electric fields (especially important for healing), dirty electricity, or intermediate radio-frequencies, magnetic fields, and wireless radiation.
• For more detailed information on precautions to take, check the Precautions table.

The Emergence of Electrosensitivity Worldwide

Electrosensitivity is a growing problem, which can restrict a person's access to society and access to work. As early as the late 1980s, Swedish telecom engineer, Per Segerback, and many of his colleagues, developed electrosensitivity near a cell tower. His story has been featured in Fortune magazine, Popular Science magazine, and the video documentary, Public Exposure: DNA, Democracy, and the Wireless Revolution. Since then, the problem has now spread worldwide. Below is a partial list.

In 2011, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution on the potential dangers of electromagnetic fields on the environment. This resolution includes evidence for electrosensitivity and calls for measures to protect electrosensitive individuals. Sweden, Canada (the Canadian Human Rights Commission), and Spain have also provided some limited level of recognition for electrosensitivity as an environment-related disability. Efforts are being made to gain formal recognition from the World Health Organization for both EHS and MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity).

Country	Reports of Electrosensitivity
USA	- The BBC reported in 2011 that many EHS are flocking to the radio-free zone of West Bank, Virginia to escape EMF's. - The EMR Policy Institute compiled personal affidavits across the USA to protest FCC's upcoming broadband wireless plan. - Recently, the roll-out of smart meters is rapidly adding even greater numbers to the EHS population, since some of these devices transmit frequently and at levels stronger than cell phones.
Canada	Schoolchildren in Simcoe county develop symptoms of EHS due to Wi-Fi installations in the school. See CBC News and Safe School Committee.
Sweden	Electrosensitivity (Eloverkansligas) is today recognized as a disability in Sweden, where it is estimated to affect as many as 230,000 Swedes. See "Black on White" which includes Swedish testimonies.
France	- In 2008, France National Library switches from Wi-Fi to wired internet as a result of health complaints of staff workers. - Later, in 2009, Next-Up created the first radiation free refuge in the Drome in France for people with electrosensitivity (electrosensibilite) who are having difficulty living in urban environments. -Dominique Belpomme performed research on more than 200 people who considered themselves electrosensitive, with clinical and biological analyses to support that the condition is real.
Italy	A similar refuge zone as the one in France was opened in Italy in 2010.
Spain	In 2011, a Labor Court recognized a college professor as permanently incapacitated by electrosensitivity (electrosensibilidad). In 2016 and 2018, two other cases of electrosensitivity were also recognized by Spanish Courts.
UK	Anecdotes of electrosensitivity abound in the UK as well, for example, in this article, Making Waves in The Guardian from 2004.
Germany	See videos of electrosensitivity (elektrosensibilitat) in Germany.
India	In India, there are recent 2010 reports from Tehelka that India's urban areas may violate safety standards, including Delhi, Mumbai, and others, and at least one person has developed electrohypersensibility, and many have developed cancer. Note that the individual mentioned with electrohypersensibility is one of the earliest adopters of cell phones in India.
Taiwan	See videos of concerns in Taiwan of long-term health effects of wireless technology (last video).
Korea	A Korean epidemiology study on 501 high school students found greater rates of depression amongst those who used cell phones the most. See Mental Health Studies on Children.
Japan	See a video on Electrosensitivity in Japan from cell towers.
New Zealand	Health symptoms were found around the radio tower in Ouruhia, New Zealand, including ringing in the ears and cardiac symptoms.

Resources

• Brian Stein, Full Electromagnetic Sensitivity, Lecture Part 1, Part 2 by Electromagnetic Man
• The Triggers and Symptoms of ES, from Powerwatch UK
• Powerwatch UK website on Electrosensitivity
• Environmental Medicine Evaluation of Electromagnetic Fields by Oberfield from Salzburg, Austria. Covers many aspects of EMF and how they relate to health. See especially the section on microwaves.
• Commonwealth Club Program on Health Effects of Cell Phones, Wireless Technologies & Electromagnetic Fields
• WHO workshop in Prague on electrosensitivity.
• Neil Cherry Report, Figures 13 and 20 suggest that even 0.1 μW/cm² = 1 mW/m² is not adequately safe.
• For safety standard recommendations from the Salzburg Resolution, the Seletun Scientific statement, and the Bioinitiative Report, see Wireless Safety Standards
• See Environmental Medicine Matters for comments on differences observed for those adversely impacted by EMF's versus chemicals.
• Olle Johansson of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and Magda Havas, professor at Trent University in Canada, are two scientists who study electrosensitivity. See the double-blind study by Magda Havas on arrhythmia from DECT cordless stations.

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