Children, the elderly and anyone with a lowered immune system are most at risk from the health effects.
The health effects from electrosmog can take 10 – 20 years to manifest themselves, however for some, the effect can appear immediately
Research shows that between 3% and 5% of the general population could be ES sufferers. In Sweden, for example, 285, 000 people (over 3% of the population) are registered as ES and claim disability benefit from the government
In November 2005, the Health Protection Agency printed the ‘Definition, Epidemiology and Management of Electrical Sensitivity’ report, commissioned to identify and appraise the literature in order to describe and define ES
1. How common is electrosensitivity?
Electrosensitivity is a new condition and varies in severity, so a clear diagnosis is not always possible. Also, there is a dramatic rise in this condition, due to increased exposure. Different countries have different levels of exposure allowed and this is also refelected in the variations of diagnosis. In Sweden, where electrosensitivity is a recognized condition, about 5% of the population
2. With what symptoms does electrosensitivity present?
The two most common symptoms are fatigue and mental impairment; poor memory, lack of concentration. Other symptoms are severe headaches, disrupted sleep patterns and skin rashes (especially facial from computers).
3. What physiology is causing the symptoms?
At present this is unclear. Also unknown is why some patients are more susceptible.
4. How can you test for electrosensitivity?
There are no diagnostic testing facilities for ES in the U.K., diagnosis rests entirely on the patients observation and symptoms.
5. How can ES be distinguished from other conditions?
The only clear indicator is to take measures to reduce exposure, such as moving to a remote location, stopping using electronic equipment, or switching off all electricity at night, and then see whether this improves their condition.
6. Are there varying degrees of electrosensitivity?
Symptoms can vary dramatically in their severity. Some people are forced to live in remote areas, possibly with no electricity, some need simply to avoid the worst areas in their home. Many people don’t know they are suffering from very mild ES, as they just experience fatigue, headaches, etc after using computers or a mobile phone.
7. Is there a known cure?
At present, not a cure as such. Treatment depends on detection, avoidance and protection. However, if exposure is reduced by avoidance and protection measures, the sensitivity appears to lessen.
8. What treatments are available?
1. Detection. Meters are available to measure EM fields in the patient’s environment. Action can then be taken to avoid being in areas of high EM fields for long periods of time, such as rearranging furniture etc.
2. Avoidance. Patients should be advised to avoid exposure by not using mobile phones or digital cordless phones (the latter are more of a risk). They should not use electrical items which are close to the body such as hairdryers, electric blankets etc., and to maintain a distance from such items as computers, TV’s and so on.
3. Protection. It is now possible to obtain materials which block EM fields, which can be used for curtains, mattress pads or nets over the bed to provide an EM free zone when sleeping.
10. Who is most at risk of ES?
Patients who are occupationally, or at home, exposed to high levels of electromagnetic fields. So workers in the electronic industries, communication industries and on power distribution systems will be at risk. Those who live in homes near high voltage power lines or in line of microwave transmitters will be more susceptible to developing ES.
11. Does a predisposition to ES run in families?
If several members of one family are affected it is more likely that there has been excessive exposure to all of them, say in the home environment, rather than any genetic predisposition.