Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity: How Can a Person Be Allergic to Electronic Devices?

As modern societies industrialize and the technological revolution continues, the number and diversity of electronic devices have increased. Although these devices have made our lives easier and safer, they are also accompanied by possible health risks due to their emissions of electromagnetic fields (EMF).

Several individuals have reported various health problems related to exposure to EMF. Some of them have mild symptoms and react by avoiding the sources of EMF. Meanwhile, others are so severely affected that their entire lifestyle is affected. This reaction to EMF exposure has been generally termed "electromagnetic hypersensitivity," or EHS.

What is Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity?

Electromagnetic hypersensitivity is a condition characterized by a variety of non-specific symptoms attributed by affected individuals to exposure to EMF. It resembles multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS), a health disorder linked to low-level environmental chemical exposure.

There is a large estimate of the occurrence of electromagnetic hypersensitivity in the general population. A survey of occupational medical centers revealed that the prevalence is a few individuals per million. However, another study by independent groups yielded much higher estimates, with about 10% of reported cases identified as severe.

Individuals who experience electromagnetic hypersensitivity commonly experience dermatological symptoms such as redness and burning sensations. They can also manifest neurasthenic and vegetative symptoms like tiredness, dizziness, heart palpitation, fatigue, concentration difficulties, nausea, and digestive disturbances. The collection of these symptoms is not part of any recognized medical syndrome.

Experts also found considerable geographical variability in the prevalence of electromagnetic hypersensitivity and in the reported symptoms. The incidence of EHS has been reported to be higher in countries like Germany, the UK, France, Sweden, Denmark, and Austria.

Meanwhile, symptoms related to video display units (VDUs) were more prevalent in Scandinavian countries. They are also more commonly associated with skin disorders than elsewhere in Europe.

What Causes Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity?

Several studies have been conducted to understand the cause of electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS). In most studies, EHS individuals were exposed to electromagnetic fields similar to those attributed to the cause of the symptoms. The goal was to elicit symptoms under controlled laboratory settings.

Most of these studies indicate that EHS individuals cannot detect electromagnetic field exposure more accurately than non-EHS individuals. Double-blind studies also suggest that the symptoms were not correlated with exposure to EMF.

It has been suggested that the symptoms reported by EHS individuals might come from environmental factors that are not related to electromagnetic fields. There are also some theories that these symptoms are due to pre-existing psychiatric conditions and stress reactions as a result of worrying regarding the health effects of electromagnetic fields rather than exposure itself.

Electromagnetic hypersensitivity is characterized by various non-specific symptoms which differ from person to person. The symptoms are real and can even vary widely in severity. EHS can also be a disabling problem for the affected individual.

However, the World Health Organization reported that electromagnetic hypersensitivity has no clear diagnostic criteria or scientific basis for connecting EHS symptoms to electromagnetic field exposure.