Electromagnetic sensitivity
Electromagnetic sensitivity
Is electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) real?
In a study published online on July 6, Dr Dariusz Lezczynski, Adjunct Professor of Biochemistry from the University of Heksinki, reviewed the scientific evidence for this debilitating and controversial condition.
EHS is the term used to describe symptoms experienced by people when exposed to electromagnetic fields from electrical sources, such as powerlines and wiring, or telecommunications sources, such as mobile phones, phone towers, WiFi, Bluetooth and so on.
Symptoms often include headaches, sleep problems, memory and concentration problems, fatigue, anxiety and depression, though many more symptoms have been reported.
Professor Lezczynski analysed the studies conducted on EHS prior to March 2021 which consisted, broadly, of three main types:
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population surveys to determine the incidence of EHS
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provocation studies, where subjects were exposed to a field and their reactions noted
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and biophysical studies, where subjects were exposed and changes to the body (skin, blood-brain barrier, urine etc) were tested.
According to Lezczynski, the overall evidence from this body of research is insufficient to prove that EHS exists.
But that doesn’t prove that EHS does not exist. And that’s because there are problems with the way that much of this research has been conducted that make its conclusions doubtful, Lezczynski says.
‘The opinion that there is no causality link between EHS and EMF is unproven,’ he concludes.
In fact, EHS may very well be real. Individuals vary in sensitivity to many environmental agents. Why not electromagnetic fields?
Lezczynski says, ‘The phenomenon of the individual sensitivity to radiation is well known for ionizing radiation, for non-ionizing ultraviolet radiation and for ultrasound.’ He also points out that studies have shown that different strains of cells react differently to the same exposures.
What’s needed, Professor Lezczynski says, is a new approach. ‘Research should focus on finding suitable biochemical and biophysical markers that could be used, in combination with single-individual-focused provocations studies, to determine the sources of the EHS symptoms.’
Dariusz Leszczynski, ’Review of the scientific evidence on the individual sensitivity to electromagnetic fields (EHS)’, Rev Environ Health July 6, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1515/reveh-2021-0038
What you can do
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See our free downloadable resource on what you can do about EHS here.
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Take a look at our organic Australian zeolite which some people with sensitivities find helpful.
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Check out the field in your home and talk to us about how you can reduce them with our Home Test Kit.
Do you have questions?
Did you know you can talk to a consultant for professional advice?
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What else you can do