Electromagnetic Sensitivity
also known as “microwave sickness”
We are all electrical.
The human body normally functions by using natural electromagnetic energy. Humans are electromagnetic beings. Thus, we are all affected by electromagnetic fields in our environment. People worldwide are reporting health issues and symptoms after exposures to electromagnetic fields.
“Symptoms include headaches, concentration difficulties, sleep problems, depression, a lack of energy, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms…The primary method of treatment should mainly focus on the prevention or reduction of EMF exposure, that is, reducing or eliminating all sources of high EMF exposure at home and at the workplace. The reduction of EMF exposure should also be extended to public spaces such as schools, hospitals, public transport, and libraries to enable persons with EHS an unhindered use (accessibility measure).”
– EUROPAEM EMF Guideline 2016 for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of EMF-related health problems and illnesses (Belyaev 2016)
Magda Havas, Erica Mallery-Blythe, Susan Molloy, Sheena Symington, and Libby Kelley testified in May 2022 as an invited presentation to the National Council on Disability and before a group representing NIDDLRR’s long term research plan needs. They asked that disability research on people with environmental illness be included in NIDDLRR’s long term research program.
Click here to download the Transcript of EHS/MCS presentation to the National Council on Disability May-12-2022.pdf
More details at electrosensitivesociety.com
SYMPTOMS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC SENSITIVITY
Headaches, Sleeping Problems, Concentration and Memory problems, Nosebleeds, Extreme thirst, Bad allergies, Unexplained Skin rashes, Digestive Problems, Neurological problems Heart Palpitations, Strong Fatigue, Appetite Loss
DIAGNOSIS and TREATMENT
Clinicians have developed assessment tools and clinical protocols to assess and treat patients.
- PRELIMINARY Clinical Practice Guidelines in the Diagnosis and Management of Electromagnetic Field Hypersensitivity (EHS) Dr. Riina Ines Bray BASc, MSc, MD, FCFP, MHSc Medical Director, Environmental Health Clinic, Women’s College Hospital Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
- Patient Questionnaire on Electrical Sensitivity by Physicians for Safe Technology is an assessment tool to understand EMF exposures.
Austrian Medical Association
The Austrian Medical Association has developed a guideline for differential diagnosis and treatment of health problems associated with outdoor and indoor electrosmog.
Resources
Steps to Manage Symptoms
Medical Billable Codes
Exposure to Nonionizing Radiation ICD 10 Medical Codes for Exposure to nonionizing radiation – ICD-10-CM W90
“The ICD-10 code is the standard diagnostic tool for epidemiology, health management & clinical purposes. It is used for medical code lookups by physicians, nurses, researchers, health information managers, medical billing coders, health information technology workers, insurers & patient organizations to classify diseases and other health problems recorded on many types of health records, including death certificates. ICD 10 codes are also used by medical billers & payers for reimbursement purposes.”
Medicare Accepted ICD-10 codes under W90 for Exposure to other nonionizing radiation. These codes can be used for all HIPAA-covered transactions.
Accomodations and Legal Issues
This issue has become political, due to the billions and trillions of dollars at stake. People are unable to live and work due to their symptoms. Some people are able to receive accommodations at work but many people are being denied. Legal action has been an important way to move forward.
U.S. Access Board Indoor Environmental Quality report on electromagnetic sensitivity and multiple chemical sensitivity recommendations.
A project of the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) with funding support from The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board)
- “During the public comment period on the proposed rule, the Access Board received approximately 600 comments from individuals with multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) and electromagnetic sensitivities (EMS). They reported that chemicals released from products and materials used in construction, renovation, and maintenance of buildings, electromagnetic fields, and inadequate ventilation are barriers that deny them access to most buildings.”
- “There are a significant number of people who are sensitive to chemicals and electromagnetic fields. Surveys conducted by the California and New Mexico Departments of Health and by medical researchers in North Carolina found 16 to 33 percent of the people interviewed reported that they are unusually sensitive to chemicals, and in the California and New Mexico health departments’ surveys 2 percent to 6 percent reported that they have been diagnosed as having multiple chemical sensitivities C. Miller and N. Ashford, “Multiple Chemical Intolerance and Indoor Air Quality,” in Indoor Air Quality Handbook Chapter 27.8 (McGraw-Hill 2001). Another California Department of Health Services survey has found that 3 percent of the people interviewed reported that they are unusually sensitive to electric appliances or power lines. P. LeVallois, et al., “Prevalence and Risk Factors of Self-Reported Hypersensitivity to Electromagnetic Fields in California,” in California EMF Program, “An Evaluation of the Possible Risks From Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMFs From Power Lines, Internal Wiring, Electrical Occupations and Appliances, Draft 3 for Public Comment, April 2001” Appendix 3.”
- “Individuals with multiple chemical sensitivities and electromagnetic sensitivities who submitted written comments and/or attended the public information meetings on the draft final rule, requested that the Access Board include provisions in the final rule to make buildings and facilities accessible for them.”
- “The Board has not included such provisions in their rules, but they have taken the commentary very seriously and acted upon it. As stated in the Background for its Final Rule Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities; Recreation Facilities”
- “The Board recognizes that multiple chemical sensitivities and electromagnetic sensitivities may be considered disabilities under the ADA if they so severely impair the neurological, respiratory or other functions of an individual that it substantially limits one or more of the individual’s major life activities. The Board plans to closely examine the needs of this population, and undertake activities that address accessibility issues for these individuals.
- IEQ Indoor Environmental Quality Project link
USA Job Accommodation Network of the Equal Opportunity Commission
Job Accommodation Network (JAN) of the Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC), who governs whether employers are accommodating employees with ADA recognized disabilities, tells USA employers to look at to learn how to accommodate employees who have this Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) recognized disability. They now call it electrical sensitivity.
US Job Accomodation Network/Equal Opportunity Commission Key Accommodations:
- “Allow communication via typewriter or handwritten notes rather than via computer or cover the computer with Plexiglas or other shielding material
- Provide headset/handset extenders or alternate headsets to lengthen the distance between devices that trigger symptoms and the employee’s body
- Change the employee’s shift to allow for less exposure to others’ devices
- Relocate workplace away from areas where symptoms are triggered. This may include limiting certain types of devices in the vicinity of the employee’s workstation
- Allow telework
- Allow the employee to meet with others in areas where triggers are minimized or allow remote access to meetings or activities that must take place in areas that trigger symptoms.
- Provide wired telephones and network connections
- Provide building-wide and/or workspace shielding of equipment and devices, for example add filters to fluorescent lights and tape electrical cords.”
- Accommodating Employees with Electrical Sensitivity
Many people recieve accomodations at work in the USA. Some people need to go to court to get accomodations. Here are some examples.
USA
2014:US Resident Provided Accommodations in Housing Case Regarding “Smart” Water Meters: Mechanical Meter For Resident PLUS Neighbors
2014; Los Angeles Unified School District Accommodated a Teacher Who Fell Ill After Wireless Installation.
On September 18, 2014, LAUSD, the second largest public school district in the US, officially accommodated teacher Ms. Anura Lawson by approving her request to have the Wi-Fi turned off in her classroom during the 2014-2015 school year and alternatively approving a reassignment to a different school site where Wi-Fi has yet to be installed.
Watch the video of her testimony to the LAUSD School District Here. Read her letter of accommodation here.
Peterborough, Canada
The City has an information sheet to help organizations accommodate individuals who have electromagnetic hypersensitivity. They recommend – among other things:
- Temporarily disable City owned WAP devices.
- Turn off or minimize fluorescent and LED.
- Notify attendees to set mobile phones to airplane mode.
United Kingdom
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Parents have now won a 5 year legal battle against 2 local authorities to have their child accommodated in school for EHS. They won in the Upper Tribunal, thus the ruling is also precedent setting. We believe this is the first case in the world where a government body is legally mandated to make low EMF educational provisions to accommodate a child with EHS
UK: Early ill-health retirement’ and ‘Employment Support Allowance’ awarded on the basis of Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (EHS)
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Sally Burns, a 59 year old social worker successfully won her appeal for early ill-health retirement and will now receive full pension due to disabling Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (EHS).
Excerpt from the press release by Dr Erica Mallery-Blythe:
“The Independent Registered Medical Practitioner (IRMP) report concludes: “Mrs. Burns has a medical condition that renders her permanently incapable of undertaking any gainful work. There currently are no treatments available for her condition; avoidance of emissions is the only way to significantly reduce her symptoms.”
Dr Mallery-Blythe explains:
”There is no legal precedent here as this case never went to court. It is useful, no doubt and can be referenced by others in a similar situation, but no ‘legal precedent’ has been set here and the ‘healthcare system’ is far broader than one IRMP! Just because one IRMP recognised it, does not create an obligation for others to do the same (although it certainly helps pave the way).
…. all this being said…. I am also involved in another case which will be truly precedent setting as it is being held in the Upper Tier Tribunal Court.”
Australia
2013, Court Case Won McDonald and Comcare
- The AAT ruling means McDonald will continue to be paid 75% of his salary, as compensation for his illness. Read news coverage here
Montreal, Canada
A mother takes it to court: A Montreal lawyer has filed a discrimination complaint against the Public Health Department (PHD) of Montreal and the Quebec government who refuse to give him and his three children reasonable accommodations due to EHS. Read it here.
International
France: 13 Plaintiffs Win: The Tribunal de Grand Instance of Bordeaux ordered in favor of 13 of the 206 plaintiffs who had initiated a lawsuit against the installation of the electric meter created by Enedis.
France: BBC News- French court recognizes EHS as a handicap: BBC NEWS
France: 12/2016: France orders removal of Smartmeter because of electromagnetic radiation
Spain: High Court of Madrid Ruling Recognizes “Electrosensitivity” as Grounds for Total Permanent Disability – Towards Better Health, 4th August 2016 Legal Ruling (in Spanish)
In Spain there have been multiple judgments in favor of people disabled by EMF exposure.
Scientific Declarations
“We, physicians, acting in accordance with the Hippocratic Oath, we, scientists, acting in the name of scientific truth, we all, medical doctors and researchers working in different countries worldwide, hereby state in full independence of judgment,
that a high and growing number of persons are suffering from EHS and MCS worldwide; that EHS and MCS affect women, men and children;
that on the basis of the presently available peer-reviewed scientific evidence of adverse health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and various chemicals, and on the basis of clinical and biological investigations of patients, EHS is associated with exposure to EMFs and MCS with chemical exposure…”
- Excerpt from the 2015 Brussels International Scientific Declaration on Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Download
Magda Havas PhD at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
“Electrosmog, the missing link as it relates to cancer, reproductive problems and electrohypersensitivity.”
Readings
Notre Dame Magazine I Am an EMF Refugee
What It’s Like to Be Allergic to Wi-Fi NY Magazine By Alexa Tsoulis-Reay
Allergic to life: the Arizona residents ‘sensitive to the whole world’
Dr. Scott Eberle An Underworld Journey: Learning to Cope With Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity / What’s the Diagnosis Doctor?
Men’s Health Magazine: The Quiet House: About a man with lymes- chemical, mold and EMF sensitivity
Rio Times Swedish study says 5G causes Microwave Syndrome
Acupuncture Today, EMF Exposures: Adverse Effects on Patient Health and Outcomes
USA: How to File an ADA Accommodations
By the Center for Electrosmog Prevention, 2019
- The following ADA Accommodations Request Packet may be used by ES (electrosensitivity) sufferers to apply for reasonable accommodations to help avoid RF radiation from “small cells” and wifi in public government areas, related to accessibility or any other Title II application. “Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to State and Local Governments.
- This packet is freely available for use only under Fair Use (non-commercial) terms and agreement with the CEP & Packet Disclaimers. It does not substitute for legal advice and there is no guarantee of successful outcome.
- Link: How to File an ADA Accommodations Request for Electrosensitivity to Avoid Small Cells and Wi-Fi
Expert Reports
Erica Mallery-Blythe MD Working Draft: A Summary of EHS detailing science and legal issues related to electrical sensitivity.
Andrew A Marino PhD The peer reviewed research of electromagnetic sensitivity 8/8/2016
Scientific Presentations
5th Paris Appeal Congress, 18th of May, 2015, Royal Academy of Medicine, Belgium, Abstracts WHAT ROLE FOR ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS AND CHEMICALS?
Electro Hypersensitive individuals (EHS) in the digital world
Dr. Yael Stein MD, at UNESCO Chair in Bioethics 10th World Conference Slideshare
ELECTROHYPERSENSITIVITY: INPUT OF MECHANISTIC STUDIES WITH LOW-INTENSITY RADIOFREQUENCY AND EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY ELCTROMAGNETIC FIELDS by Igor Belyaev PhD Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia
Dr. Olle Johansson and Dr. Isaac Jamieson 2014 EESC, Brussels Presentation
A 2020 review entitled “Evidence for a health risk by RF on humans living around mobile phone base stations: From radiofrequency sickness to cancer reviewed the existing scientific literature and found radiofrequency sickness, cancer and changes in biochemical parameters.
The International Journal of Molecular Sciences published “Electrohypersensitivity (EHS) as a Newly Identified and Characterized Neurologic Pathological Disorder: How to Diagnose, Treat, and Prevent It” (Belpomme & Irigaray, 2020). This paper documents the data and shows EHS is a neurologic pathological disorder which can be diagnosed, treated, and prevented. Utilizing a database of over 2000 electrohypersensitivity (EHS) and/or multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) self-reported cases, they found EHS can be clinically characterized by a similar symptomatic picture to multiple chemical sensitivity by low-grade inflammation and an autoimmune response involving autoantibodies against O-myelin. According to the authors: “80% of the patients with EHS present with one, two, or three detectable oxidative stress biomarkers in their peripheral blood, meaning that overall these patients present with a true objective somatic disorder.”
“The Critical Importance of Molecular Biomarkers and Imaging in the Study of Electrohypersensitivity. A Scientific Consensus International Report” in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences is a scientific consensus international report authored by 32 scientists. They call for the acknowledgement of electrohypersensitivity as a distinct neuropathological disorder and for inclusion in the WHO International Classification of Diseases (e.g., distinct from the current grouping within other ICD codes addressing exposure to non-ionizing radiation) (Belpomme et al., 2021). The paper presents the French teams’ EHS/MCS physiopathological model based on low-grade neuroinflammation and oxidative/nitrosative stress-induced blood–brain barrier disruption, which attempts to account for the mechanisms through which pathophysiological effects could take place in the brain of EHS and/or MCS patients and how EHS and/or MCS pathogenesis may consequently occur. The paper also documents the methodological defects that make provocation tests unsuitable for sham versus EMF exposure analysis in EHS-bearing patients. The paper documents how EHS patients’ RFR exposure has been found to increase plasma glucose levels, affect heart rate variability and in multiple sclerosis-bearing patients RFR exposure can worsen symptoms, meaning that RFR can induce objective, bioclinical alterations in humans.
Selection of Published Research
Hardell L, Koppel T. Electromagnetic hypersensitivity close to mobile phone base stations – a case study in Stockholm, Sweden. Rev Environ Health. 2022 Mar 2. doi: 10.1515/reveh-2021-0169. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35238501.
Belpomme D et al. The Critical Importance of Molecular Biomarkers and Imaging in the Study of Electrohypersensitivity. A Scientific Consensus International Report. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021; 22(14):7321.
Microwave radiation from base stations on rooftops gave medical symptoms consistent with the microwave syndrome, LINK to PDF in Swedish, Medicinsk Access no. 1/2022.
- The first-ever study of the health effects of 5G radiation on humans shows that 5G causes typical symptoms of microwave syndrome and a massive increase in microwave radiation. The case study also confirms that radiation well below levels allowed by the authorities causes ill health. The Swedish Radiation Protection Foundation study was published in Medicinsk Access no. 1/2022. It was carried out by the oncologist and researcher Lennart Hardell from the Research Foundation for Environment & Cancer and Mona Nilsson from the Radiation Protection Foundation.
- Read article about the study in the Rio Times Swedish study says 5G causes Microwave Syndrome
Redmayne M, Reddel S. Redefining electrosensitivity: A new literature-supported model. Electromagn Biol Med. 2021 Jan 25:1-9. doi: 10.1080/15368378.2021.1874971. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33492997.
Electrohypersensitivity as a Newly Identified and Characterized Neurologic Pathological Disorder: How to Diagnose, Treat, and Prevent It. (2020) Belpomme D and Irgaray P. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Mar 11;21(6).
Electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS, microwave syndrome) – Review of mechanisms. (2020) Stein Y and Udasin IG. Environmental Research. Vol 186. July 2020.
The Prevalence of People with Restricted Access to Work in Manmade Electromagnetic Environments. (2019) Bevington M. Journal of Environment and Health Science. Vol 5:1, 01-12. ResearchGate-
Neuroimaging Findings in US Government Personnel With Possible Exposure to Directional Phenomena in Havana, Cuba. (2019)Verma R et al. JAMA. 2019;322(4):336-347. H
Becoming electro-hypersensitive: A replication study. (2019) Dieudonne, M. Bioelectromagnetic 40: 188-200 (2019).
Heuser, G. and S.A. Heuser. “Functional brain MRI in patients complaining of electrohypersensitivity after long term exposure to electromagnetic fields.” Rev Environ Health (2017). doi: 10.1515/reveh-2017-0014.
- Ten adult patients with electromagnetic hypersensitivity underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) brain scans.
- All ten patients had abnormal functional MRI brain scans.
Marino AA, Kim PY, Frilot Ii C. Trigeminal neurons detect cellphone radiation: Thermal or nonthermal is not the question. Electromagn Biol Med. 2016 Jul 15:1-9.
- Results: Trigeminal neurons were capable of detecting temperature changes far below skin temperature increases caused by cellphone radiation. Simulated cellphone radiation affected brain electrical activity associated with nonlinear cognitive processing of radiation-induced thermal afferent signals. Radiation standards for cellphones based on a thermal/nonthermal binary distinction do not prevent neurophysiological consequences of cellphone radiation.
Belpomme D, Campagnac C, Irigaray P., Reliable disease biomarkers characterizing and identifying electrohypersensitivity and multiple chemical sensitivity as two etiopathogenic aspects of a unique pathological disorder. Rev Environ Health, vol. 30, no. 4, 2015, pp. 251-71.
Igor Belyaev, Amy Dean, Horst Eger, Gerhard Hubmann, Reinhold Jandrisovits, Markus Kern, Michael Kundi, Hanns Moshammer, Piero Lercher, Kurt Müller, Gerd Oberfeld*, Peter Ohnsorge, Peter Pelzmann, Claus Scheingraber and Roby Thill, EUROPAEM EMF Guideline 2016 for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of EMF-related health problems and illnesses, Rev Environ Health 2016. Read the full PDF
- “We recommend treating EHS clinically as part of the group of chronic multisystem illnesses (CMI), but still recognizing that the underlying cause remains the environment. In the beginning, EHS symptoms occur only occasionally, but over time they may increase in frequency and severity. Common EHS symptoms include headaches, concentration difficulties, sleep problems, depression, a lack of energy, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms. A comprehensive medical history, which should include all symptoms and their occurrences in spatial and temporal terms and in the context of EMF exposures, is the key to making the diagnosis.”
Electromagnetic hypersensitivity – an increasing challenge to the medical profession. Reviews on Environ Health. 2015 Sep 15.
- CONCLUSION: It seems necessary to give an International Classification of Diseases to EHS to get it accepted as EMF-related health problems. The increasing exposure to RF-EMF in schools is of great concern and needs better attention. Longer-term health effects are unknown. Parents, teachers, and school boards have the responsibility to protect children from unnecessary exposure.
Sage C. The implications of non-linear biological oscillations on human electrophysiology for electrohypersensitivity (EHS) and multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). Rev Environ Health. 2015 Sep 12.
- Electrohypersensitivity (EHS) can be a precursor to, or linked with, multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) . Similarity of chemical biomarkers is seen in both conditions [histamines, markers of oxidative stress, auto-antibodies, heat shock protein (HSP), melatonin markers and leakage of the blood-brain barrier]. Low intensity pulsed microwave activation of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) is postulated as a mechanism of action for non-thermal health effects.
Mortazavi G, Mortazavi SM. Increased mercury release from dental amalgam restorations after exposure to electromagnetic fields as a potential hazard for hypersensitive people and pregnant women. Rev Environ Health. 2015 Dec 1;30(4):287-92. doi: 10.1515/reveh-2015-0017.
- Based on these findings, as infants and children are more vulnerable to mercury exposures, and as some individuals are routinely exposed to different sources of electromagnetic fields, we possibly need a paradigm shift in evaluating the health effects of amalgam fillings.
De Luca et al., Metabolic and Genetic Screening of Electromagnetic Hypersensitive Subjects as a Feasible Tool for Diagnostics and Intervention, Mediators of Inflammation, vol. 2014, no. 924184, 2014.
- Growing numbers of “electromagnetic hypersensitive” (EHS) people worldwide self-report severely disabling, multiorgan, non-specific symptoms when exposed to low-dose electromagnetic radiations, often associated with symptoms of multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) and/or other environmental “sensitivity-related illnesses” (SRI).
Redmayne, M. and O. Johansson. “Radiofrequency exposure in young and old: different sensitivities in light of age-relevant natural differences.“ Rev Environ Health, vol. 30, no. 4, 2015, pp. 323-35.
Tuengler A, von Klitzing L., Hypothesis on how to measure electromagnetic hypersensitivity.Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine, vol. 32, no. 3, 3013, pp. 281-90.
Juutilainen, Jukka, Timo Kumlin, and Jonne Naarala. “Do extremely low frequency magnetic fields enhance the effects of environmental carcinogens? A meta-analysis of experimental studies.” International Journal of Radiation Biology, vol. 82, no. 1, 2006, pp. 1-12.
Rea, William J., et al. “Electromagnetic field sensitivity.” Journal of Bioelectricity 10.1-2 (1991): 241-256.
Dr. Marino’s Research summaries that looks at the changes in brain electrical activity that were caused by EMF transduction. The mathematical method developed is called Analysis of Brain Recurrence (ABR), is an algorithm that runs on a computer and extracts physiological information from the EEG.