Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity Syndrome (EHS): Why Is It So Common & What Can You Do About It?
Updated 4 August 2024.
Electro-sensitivity symptoms are becoming commonplace—reflecting the increasing digitisation of our lifestyles and digital infrastructure with 5G and the IoT. What’s causing this? Learn more, plus find out how to advocate for yourself.
First, what is Electromagnetic Hyper Sensitivity (EHS)?
EHS is also called Electromagnetic Sensitivity, electro-hypersensitivity, electro-sensitivity, electrical sensitivity (ES) and “Idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF)”.
EMF is an "electrostatic" field or electromagnetic field that comes off any electronic device that emits energy, frequencies, radiation, or field of energy of any type.
Back in the 1970s, EHS was known as “microwave syndrome", clinically characterised by the a wide spectrum of symptoms affecting various organs, typically including central nervous system symptoms. The vast majority of electrohypersensitive (EHS) patients complain about headaches on contact with an electromagnetic source.
A report from the former Soviet Union described it as “microwave syndrome”[r]. The Soviet military recognised early on the possible side-effects from radar and radio radiation. Medical diagnoses frequently noted various symptoms typically including central nervous system symptoms, that occur following the patient's acute or chronic exposure to electromagnetic fields.
Statements on EHS by health organisation
Austria is the only country with a written suggestion to guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of EMF-related health problems. Apart from this, EHS is not recognised as a specific diagnosis in the rest of the world.
However, institutions such as the WHO, the European Environment Agency (official advisory body to the European Union), and many research and scientific organisations have proposed and advocated for recommendations around EMFs.
This includes the groundbreaking Bioinitiative Report was published by scientists, public health and public policy experts to document the scientific evidence on electromagnetic fields. It has since been updated over the years 2014-2019. (Download the Bioinitiative Report 2014-2019 updated edition.)
In 2015, the Fifth Paris Appeal Colloquium showed a focus on electromagnetic fields and EHS. You can watch Dr Lennart Hardell’s presentation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JehrGVPTUos
What are the Symptoms of EHS?
Patients can have neurologic, neuro-hormonal and neuro-psychiatric symptoms [1] following exposure to EMF as a consequence of neural damage and over-sensitised neural responses, including: headaches, concentration difficulties, sleep problems, depression, a lack of energy, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms.
Studies conducted in 2001 and 2002 revealed that people reported symptoms most frequently due to exposure to cell phone base stations (74%), cell phones (36%), cordless (DECT) phones (29%) and power lines (27%) visual displays and fluorescent lighting (1.9%), electrical factors and also chemicals or smells (2.4%).
Symptoms, their duration, and their impact on the person’s quality of life and ability to function in daily life. Mild EHS may manifest with mild symptoms such as prickling or burning sensations that disappear within seconds or minutes after EMF exposure (e.g. using a cell- phone) has stopped. With moderate EHS the severity, frequency and duration of the symptoms increase. For example, a headache may persist for several hours after using the cell-phone. With severe EHS the problem becomes chronic and persistent.
A study, mandated by the Swiss Federal Government and performed by the University of Bern in 2004, Swiss doctors working with complementary diagnostic and therapeutic tools reported that 71% of their consultations related to EMF.
This facts are jarring, but what’s even more worrying is that the majority of these symptoms are accepted as nothing out of the ordinary or a matter of lifestyle fatigue, and is thus usually ignored.
Often electromagnetic hypersensitivity exacerbates any systemic health issues that you already have, including heavy metals and mercury toxicity, Candida yeast infection (moulds and fungi), bacterial or viral infections, bio-toxins or parasites [4].
Learn more about wireless harms and the symptoms at the advocacy group. This page highlights studies that establish wireless technology radiation can create cognitive effects such as ADHD and other behavioral disorders. https://wearetheevidence.org/wireless-harms/ I also share important research about fertility and children’s health here.
Who is most vulnerable? What are the signs in Children?
Studies show that children are especially vulnerable to developing chronic health conditions from EHS, like obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease—all things that can disrupt their mental and emotional growth and development.
One case report detailed how two 15-year-old male students and one 47-year-old female teacher who expericienced health effects like headaches, difficulties concentrating, tachycardia, poor memory, or dizziness when exposed to Wi-Fi in school [3]. This study highlighted the potential health impacts from increasing RF exposure of students and teachers by Wi-Fi.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified EMFs as a "possible human carcinogen” after consistent epidemiologic evidence of an association between childhood leukemia and exposure to extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields [2].The first study between the link was in 1979! The evidence has grown to cover associations with other childhood cancers.
What is behind the treatment disparities?
While there are many factors that affect how EHS is seen and addressed, whether by the individual him/herself or in medical field, it is clear there is rising recognition and evidence in the biological harm of EMFs.
The WHO recommendations are based on based on currents induced in the body (ELF) and thermal effects (RF). It does not consider long-term non-thermal effects.
The BioInitiative reports are global groundbreaking milestones comprehensive review of biological effects and health effects of low-intensity electromagnetic radiation, including thousands of published studies on: gene and protein expres- sion, DNA, immune function, neurology and behavior, blood-brain barrier, brain tumors and acoustic neuromas, childhood leukemia, melatonin, Alzheimer’s disease, breast cancer, fertility and reproduction, fetal and neo- natal disorders, and autism.
The European Environment Agency compared the risks of non-ionising radiation (EMF) to other environmental hazards such as asbestos, benzene, and tobacco, urgently recommending to implement a precautionary approach regarding EMF.
Many countries have taken their own initiative to reduce EMF exposure, especially to their most people.
For example, Belgium has banned the advertising of mobile phones for children under seven. France banned Wi-Fi in nurseries for children under the age of 3 and to enable Wi-Fi at primary schools with children under the age of 11 only when used specifically for lessons. Public places offering Wi-Fi must clearly advertise this fact on a sign.
References & Resources
The microwave syndrome or electro-hypersensitivity: historical background. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26556835/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32289567/
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.1201/b16968-13/childhood-leukemia-extremely-low-frequency-magnetic-fields-critical-evaluation-epidemiologic-evidence-using-hill-framework-leeka-kheifets-john-swanson
http://www.stralskyddsstiftelsen.se/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/hedendahl_hardell_2015.pdf
See what happens when micro-organisms are exposed to harmful energy and what causes electromagnetic hypersensitivity: https://youtu.be/qMAV-pZMlZs
Greco F, Garnier O, Macioce V, Picot MC. Prevalence of Migraine Disease in Electrohypersensitive Patients. J Clin Med. 2023 Jun 16;12(12):4092. doi: 10.3390/jcm12124092. PMID: 37373785; PMCID: PMC10299347. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37373785/