RE-POSTED 15 May 2017: In March 2017, a team of scientists and doctors from ECERI (European Cancer and Environment Research Institute), including Dr. Lennart Hardell, Dr. David Carpenter, and Professor Dominique Belpomme, met with officials at the World Health Organization as a first step towards having electrohypersensitivity included in the International Classification of Diseases.
"The prevalence of EHS seems to be increasing today, and many people get symptoms when exposed to ELF- and/or RF-EMF. With the ever more extensive use of wireless technologies, nobody can avoid being exposed. It is important to work toward getting objective diagnostic criteria for EHS, and have it recognized and officially accepted as hypersensitivity, an illness caused by exposure to EMF. Thus, it is necessary to give an International Classification of Diseases to EHS. If and when EHS is accepted as a diagnosis by society and the medical profession, measures can be taken especially in consideration for this group of people with EHS regarding healthcare, accommodation, school, and work."
"The prevalence of EHS seems to be increasing today, and many people get symptoms when exposed to ELF- and/or RF-EMF. With the ever more extensive use of wireless technologies, nobody can avoid being exposed. It is important to work toward getting objective diagnostic criteria for EHS, and have it recognized and officially accepted as hypersensitivity, an illness caused by exposure to EMF. Thus, it is necessary to give an International Classification of Diseases to EHS. If and when EHS is accepted as a diagnosis by society and the medical profession, measures can be taken especially in consideration for this group of people with EHS regarding healthcare, accommodation, school, and work."
Lena Hedendahl1 / Michael Carlberg2 / Lennart Hardell2
1Research and Innovation Unit, County Council of Norrbotten, SE-971 89 Luleå, Sweden
2Department of Oncology, University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden
Corresponding author: Lena Hedendahl, MD, Research and Innovation Unit, County Council of Norrbotten, SE-971 89 Luleå, Sweden, E-mail: (email)
Citation Information: Reviews on Environmental Health. Volume 30, Issue 4, Pages 209–215, ISSN (Online) 2191-0308, ISSN (Print) 0048-7554, DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2015-0012, September 2015
Publication HistoryReceived:2015-06-29Accepted:2015-08-17Published Online:2015-09-15
Abstract
Background: In 1970, a report from the former Soviet Union described the “microwave syndrome” among military personnel, working with radio and radar equipment, who showed symptoms that included fatigue, dizziness, headaches, problems with concentration and memory, and sleep disturbances. Similar symptoms were found in the 1980s among Swedes working in front of cathode ray tube monitors, with symptoms such as flushing, burning, and tingling of the skin, especially on the face, but also headaches, dizziness, tiredness, and photosensitivity. The same symptoms are reported in Finns, with electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) being attributed to exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF). Of special concern is involuntary exposure to radiofrequency (RF)-EMF from different sources. Most people are unaware of this type of exposure, which has no smell, color, or visibility. There is an increasing concern that wireless use of laptops and iPads in Swedish schools, where some have even abandoned textbooks, will exacerbate the exposure to EMF.
Methods: We have surveyed the literature on different aspects of EHS and potential adverse health effects of RF-EMF. This is exemplified by case reports from two students and one teacher who developed symptoms of EHS in schools using Wi-Fi.
Results: In population-based surveys, the prevalence of EHS has ranged from 1.5% in Sweden to 13.3% in Taiwan. Provocation studies on EMF have yielded different results, ranging from where people with EHS cannot discriminate between an active RF signal and placebo, to objectively observed changes following exposure in reactions of the pupil, changes in heart rhythm, damage to erythrocytes, and disturbed glucose metabolism in the brain. The two students and the teacher from the case reports showed similar symptoms, while in school environments, as those mentioned above.
Discussion: 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 recognized as a specific diagnosis in the rest of the world, and no established treatment exists.
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.
Excerpts
Background
In recent decades, human beings and other species have
been increasingly exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic
fields (RF-EMF) (1, 2). Exposure is involuntary from,
e.g. base stations and wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) routers used
for wireless internet communication, but also voluntary
through personal use of such devices as mobile phones,
cordless phones and wireless connected laptops, iPads,
etc. At homes and in offices, we now see a new development
with wireless “talk” between different appliances
causing increased passive exposure to RF-EMF.
Many people are concerned about the potential
adverse health effects of RF-EMF. Of special concern is
exposure from sources that the individual cannot control,
close out, or even reduce. However, most people are
unaware of this type of exposure, which has no smell,
color, or visibility. Cordless phones may be placed close
to the bed, whereby the sleeper is unnecessarily exposed
to RF-EMF from its base station. Many take their smart
phones everywhere and put them on the bedside table or
even under the pillow at night. Laptops and iPads are frequently
used in schools, at work, and in the home. Schools
in Sweden usually have wireless networks reaching every room in the building. This makes it easy and convenient
to teach and keep in contact everywhere. In some schools,
almost all education is conducted through a personal computer
given to each student. The same type of development
is going on in offices and other workplaces. Free Wi-Fi is
also available to everyone in some city centers in Sweden.
Electric light can be switched on all day during dark
winter months, and in our homes, we are dependent on
electricity and electric appliances for cooking, cleaning,
and washing clothes and dishes. Technical development
has accelerated rapidly during the last century. It has
made life easier and more convenient.
However, there are people who experience sideeffects
from electrical and wireless equipment. They can
experience symptoms that include headaches, nausea,
dizziness, skin problems (itching, pricking, and heating),
heart arrhythmias, concentration and memory difficulties,
sleep problems, aches in muscles and joints, etc. (3). They
present different symptoms depending on the frequency
of the EMF. It can also vary widely which symptoms a
person gets depending on his or her individual sensitivity
and weaknesses. The intensity of the symptoms can vary
from weak to strong within seconds and last from minutes
to several days. The symptoms can make everyday life
very disabling and difficult to manage.
...
Wi-Fi in schools
Over the last few years, while all public schools and most
private schools in Sweden have installed wireless access
to the Internet (Wi-Fi), there have been reports in newspapers
of teachers and children experiencing symptoms
of EHS (10, 11). In classes with one laptop per student,
exposure to EMF can be especially high. Symptoms often
include tiredness, headaches, dizziness, and difficulties
with concentration and memory. Some recover at home,
whereas others have problems sleeping at night. Palpitation
of the heart is another reported symptom.
A debate has started in Sweden as to whether students
should be allowed to use their mobile phones during
school time. It is usually not exposure to EMF from the
phone that is the issue of this debate, but rather the time,
energy, and attention it takes away from school work.
...
Conclusions
The prevalence of EHS seems to be increasing today, and
many people get symptoms when exposed to ELF- and/or
RF-EMF. With the ever more extensive use of wireless technologies,
nobody can avoid being exposed. It is important
to work toward getting objective diagnostic criteria for EHS,
and have it recognized and officially accepted as hypersensitivity,
an illness caused by exposure to EMF. Thus, it is necessary
to give an International Classification of Diseases to
EHS. If and when EHS is accepted as a diagnosis by society
and the medical profession, measures can be taken especially
in consideration for this group of people with EHS
regarding healthcare, accommodation, school, and work.
Measurements of exposure to EMF should be performed
in classrooms and in school yards during a typical
school week. The results must be evaluated in relation to
current knowledge of biological effects from EMF exposure.
This should lead to a precautionary approach using
wired solution of the internet connection, but also reduction
of other sources of EMF exposure. This approach
should be similar as for control of exposure to other toxic
agents such as asbestos and radon emissions. It is time to
consider ELF-EMF and RF-EMF as environmental pollutants
that need to be controlled.
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