Electromagnetic hypersensitivity

This article is about a pseudomedical diagnosis. For the recognized effects of electromagnetic radiation on human health, see Electromagnetic radiation and health.

Electromagnetic hypersensitivity
Idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF), Electrohypersensitivity (EHS), Electro-sensitivity, Electrical sensitivity (ES), Wi-Fi allergy
Pseudomedical diagnosis
RisksNocebo
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Electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) is a claimed sensitivity to electromagnetic fields, to which adverse symptoms are attributed. EHS has no scientific basis and is not a recognized medical diagnosis, although it is generally accepted that the experience of EHS symptoms is of psychosomatic origin. Claims are characterized by a "variety of non-specific symptoms, which afflicted individuals attribute to exposure to electromagnetic fields".[1] Attempts to justify the claim that EHS is caused by exposure to electromagnetic fields have amounted to pseudoscience.[2]

Those who are self-diagnosed with EHS report adverse reactions to electromagnetic fields at intensities well below the maximum levels permitted by international radiation safety standards. Provocation trials have found that such claimants are unable to distinguish between exposure and non-exposure to electromagnetic fields.[3][4] A systematic review of medical research in 2011 found no convincing scientific evidence for symptoms being caused by electromagnetic fields.[3] Since then, several double-blind experiments have shown that people who report electromagnetic hypersensitivity are unable to detect the presence of electromagnetic fields and are as likely to report ill health following a sham exposure as they are following exposure to genuine electromagnetic fields, suggesting the cause in these cases is the nocebo effect.[5][6][7]

As of 2005, the WHO recommended that claims of EHS be clinically evaluated to determine and rule out alternative diagnoses for suffered symptoms.[1] Cognitive behavioral therapy and management of comorbid psychiatric disorders may be helpful in managing the condition.[8]

Some people who feel they are sensitive to electromagnetic fields may seek to reduce their exposure or use alternative medicine.[9] Government agencies have enforced false advertising claims against companies selling devices to shield against EM radiation.[10][11]

  1. ^ a b "Electromagnetic fields and public health: Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity". WHO Factsheet 296. World Health Organisation (WHO). December 2005. Archived from the original on 27 July 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  2. ^ "Electromagnetic hypersensitivity". Archived from the original on 20 March 2024. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  3. ^ a b Rubin, G. James; Hillert, Lena; Nieto-Hernandez, Rosa; van Rongen, Eric; Oftedal, Gunnhild (December 2011). "Do people with idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields display physiological effects when exposed to electromagnetic fields? A systematic review of provocation studies". Bioelectromagnetics. 32 (8): 593–609. doi:10.1002/bem.20690. ISSN 1521-186X. OCLC 5155348095. PMID 21769898. S2CID 29. Archived from the original on 17 December 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Roosli2008 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference regeletal2006 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference RubinPrim2006 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Wilén, Jonna; Johansson, Amanda; Kalezic, Nebojsa; Lyskov, Eugene; Sandström, Monica (2006). "Psychophysiological tests and provocation of subjects with mobile phone related symptoms". Bioelectromagnetics. 27 (3): 204–214. doi:10.1002/bem.20195. PMID 16304699. S2CID 39662872. Archived from the original on 18 December 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference fof was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference rooslietal2004 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Fair, Lesley (1 March 2008). "Federal Trade Commission Advertising Enforcement" (PDF). Federal Trade Commission. pp. 18–19. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 June 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference UKenforce was invoked but never defined (see the help page).