Physicians for Safe Technology

Wireless Technology and Public Health

Electrosensitivity

Update 10/21/23

Electrosensitivity (EHS) symptoms are reported in an increasing number of people throughout the world in the presence of cell towers, cell phones, wireless devices or electromagnetic currents. Symptoms, which  are mostly neurologic, include headaches, dizziness, insomnia, irritability, depression, fatigue, have also been reported decades ago in military personnel exposed to radiofrequency radiation from radar and today in firefighters when cell towers have been placed on or adjacent to fire stations, as well as some individuals after smart meters were placed on their homes. Although some research suggests these symptoms can be psychosomatic, these studies are flawed in their methodology.  The spectrum of symptoms, time of symptom onset and frequency triggers vary in individuals, who also have different genetics and nutrition.  Dr. William Rea developed the most accurate and effective method of determining electrosensitivity many decades ago.    Abundant historical documentation of electrosensitivity is revealed in the occupational and military literature since at least the 1930’s, providing evidence this is a pathologic condition.  There is also a growing body of peer reviewed science to support electrosensitivity as a bonafide diagnosis accompanied by diagnostic biomarkers.  EHS has also be recognized as a disability by the American Access Board that should be officially listed along with chemical sensitivity.

The Electrosensitivty Society was formed to assist those who are questioning wether or not they have electrosensitivity. They are dedicated to helping people who have electro-hyper-sensitivity (EHS).  They help people to find medical specialists familiar with EHS, remediation specialists who can help reduce EMF exposure and they help people to find and/or create low EMF zones where they can comfortably live, work and better enjoy life.  They also provide email and phone consultation.   https://www.electrosensitivesociety.com/

Dr. Magda Havas, Founder of the Electrosensitivity Society has created in 2023 a short video explaining EHS –The Root Cause Protocol for Treating EHS.

Accommodation for Environmental Sensitivities: Legal Perspective. 2007

The Canadian Human Rights Commission filed a report in 2007, Accommodation for Environmental Sensitivities: Legal Perspective by Cara Wilkie and David Baker. The authors state, “Environmental sensitivities are a group of poorly understood medical conditions that cause people to react adversely to environmental triggers…Individuals with environmental sensitivities experience adverse reactions to environmental agents that are prevalent throughout the built environment and include electromagnetic fields and the chemicals found in building materials, furniture, cleaning and copying products, fragrances and pesticides.” The authors examined case law and looked at building codes as barriers for those with sensitivities, best practices , conflicting interests, the threshold of undue harm and how are conflicts regarding accommodation preferences resolved. Accommodation for Environmental Sensitivities: Legal Perspective. 2007. https://www.chrc-ccdp.gc.ca/sites/default/files/legal_sensitivity_en_1.pdf

Court Cases Challenge the ADA

See also

The EUROPAEM EMF Guideline 2016 

The EUROPAEM EMF Guideline 2016 for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of EMF-related health problems and illnesses is a comprehensive guide written by many scientists and physicians in Europe who are part of the European Academy for Environmental Medicine (EUROPAEM) – EMF working group:

Abstract here EUROPAEM EMF Guideline 2016

Full Paper here  EUROPAEM EMF Guideline 2016

Three Part Overview on Electrosensitivity on PST site

See  Electrosensitivity tabs under Review of Topics to read a three part overview of electrosensitivity.

The Science of Electrosensitivity

To read about the Science of  EHS you can visit our page here and read a summary. Electrosensitivity Scientific Literature

IEEE List of All Research Articles on Electrosensitivity

http://ieee-emf.com/IEEEstudysearch.cfm?FrequencyRangeID=4&FrequencySubRangeID=&IEEE_SubTypeID=&AccessionNo=&LastName=&RefKeyWord=&DateStart=&DateEnd=&Country=&StudyTypeID=2&&StudySubTypeID=35

ES News- Older information from 1996

Lucinda Grant authored  Electrical Sensitivity News

Personal Stories About EHS

Dr. Scott Eberle– For an enlightening article in the Santa Clara County/Monterey County Medical Association Bulletin describing  how a physician learned about his own electrosensitivity you can read Dr. Scott Eberle’s What’s the Diagnosis Doctor?

Writer Alison Main has documented her experience in developing electrosensitivity and her frustration at being more isolated from other people and useful technology. Electro-Sensitivity:When the Modern World Hurts

Anne Mills writes about her experience in All EMFd Up (Electromagnetic Fields): My Journey Through Wireless Radiation Poisoning and How You Can Protect Yourself. (2019) She wonders as well what her diagnosis is. The onset of strange symptoms, in a strange country, in the middle of the night led Mills to more than a diagnosis of microwave illness. After suffering months of unexplained nausea, insomnia, ringing in the ears, fatigue and body aches she consulted with a German doctor to help her figure out what was happening.  In her journey to find her own health she learned about the secrecy of government agencies and how evidence of health effects are suppressed. Her diary reads like Anne Frank. Chilling and a warning to us all. The last part of the book is devoted to valuable DYI measures to protect your home and family. In the age of wireless this book is a necessary read.

Noah Davidson speaks out about elctrosensitivity severe symptoms that developed in his two children after a 5G tower was placed in front of their home in Sacramento.  He hired a building biologist to help shield his house and move the children farther away to mitigate the problem. An article about this was published in Public News Service Oct 9, 2020.

See Also Electrosensitivity Stories for many stories from peopl in all walks of life- https://mdsafetech.org/electrosensitivity-stories/

MOVIE- ELETTRA- Italian Film about Electrosensitivity

A short Italian film (2022) stars an actress who is electrosensitive and also portrays a woman who develops electrosensitivty(EHS). Elettra is a powerful and beautifully produced film that demonstrates what it is like to have EHS and the frustration of not being believed. It has had nominations by 5 green cinema festivals in Italy and abroad. It can now be seen on vimeo– Elettra.

BOOKS

BOOK-The book “The Invisible Disease: The Dangers of Environmental Illnesses Caused by Electromagnetic Fields and Chemical Emissions“ by Gunni Nordstrom (2003) explores the potential that electricity, computers, and commonly used chemicals could actually pose a health risk. The Swedish investigative journalist highlights that a growing number of people are becoming highly sensitive to light, electricity, and chemicals that most of us come into contact everyday. Their symptoms include a broad range -from cognitive effects to fatigue to rashes to  burnout.

BOOK- The book “The Invisible Rainbow: A History of Electricity and Life by Arthur Firstenberg traces the history of electricity from the early eighteenth century to the present, making a compelling case that many environmental problems, as well as the major diseases of industrialized civilization―heart disease, diabetes, and cancer―are related to electrical pollution.

PG&E REFUNDS SMART METER “OPT-OUT” FEES TO EMF-DISABLED CUSTOMER

In a press release April 22, 2021, it is stated that PG and E refunded, by court order, “Opt Out” fees to Nina Beety, who is disabled by electromagnetic sensitivity, as an “unlawful surcharges against a disabled person (ADA Title II Technical Assistance Manual, II-1.3000 Relationship to title III)… She explained that EMF-emitting devices cause her disabling health effects. PG&E ignored Beety’s requests for disabled accommodation, and refused to allow residential customers to have analog, non-digital meters without paying a so-called “opt- out” fee. The family was forced to pay $415. in fees to avoid Smart Meters on their home.”

“It took facing a bankruptcy judge in court for PG&E to quit fighting and refund fees that were unlawful surcharges under the ADA and that discriminate against disabled people…

Beety said, “With this action, PG&E and other utilities must now halt their practice of charging unlawful “opt-out” surcharge fees to customers disabled by electromagnetic sensitivity or who have other EMF-sensitive medical conditions, and the companies must refund all unlawful surcharge fees already paid by these disabled customers. Utilities must allow the simple, readily achievable, and reasonable disabled accommodation of analog, electromechanical, non-digital utility meters for all disabled persons who require them.”

EMF Refugees

A website called Electrosensitivity has general information about electrosensitivity  and includes a page on EMF Refugees, who loose their jobs and homes because of this illness. See Electrosensitivity Home page or EMF Refugees.

Other Uses of RF radiation in the Military

News Article:  The Guardian.  Air Force Accused of “Zapping” Protesters. This article describes symptoms of fatigue, headaches, anxiety, depression in protestors outside of an American airbase in England. http://www.historicalpapers.wits.ac.za/inventories/inv_pdfo/AG1977/AG1977-A11-6-16-005-jpeg.pdf

Note: The above article is related to the 1980’s peace camp in England at an American airbase, as described in this Guardian article. How the ​Greenham Common protest changed lives: ‘We danced on top of the nuclear silos’. March 20, 2017.   https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/mar/20/greenham-common-nuclear-silos-women-protest-peace-camp

Managing Anxiety and Detoxing from Electronics: Tips and Tools

Dr. Magda Havas has also written a brief article on anxiety which may be related to overuse of electronic devices that emit radio frequency radiation, electrosensitivity and how to reduce exposure and detox from electronic devices that can in some people cause symptoms.  Could your Wireless Technology be Contributing to your Anxiety? Does This Happen to You?

Building Biologists to Mitigate Electrosensitivity Symptoms

Building biologists look at all toxic exposures in the home that can cause long term health problems as well as short term symptoms of chemical sensitivities. There are building biology experts who also consult with people who have electrosensitivity issue.

For a list of certified Building Biologists go to the Building Biology Institute’s Electromagnetic Radiation Specialists list

Headlines

See Also