Electrosensitivity, also known as EHS (Electro-Hyper Sensitivity), is a condition where individuals experience symptoms when exposed to cell towers, wireless devices, or electromagnetic currents.
The range of symptoms includes sleep disturbances, chronic fatigue, chronic pain including migraines, difficulties with short-term memory and concentration (referred to as “foggy brain”), mood disorders like depression and anxiety, skin problems, dizziness, loss of appetite, movement difficulties, visual problems, tinnitus, frequent night-time urination including bedwetting in children, heart palpitations, difficulty regulating blood sugar levels, nosebleeds, asthma, cold extremities, and reproductive problems, among others. It’s worth noting that individuals sensitive to electromagnetic fields can experience these symptoms even at levels below internationally accepted guidelines.
These symptoms have been reported by an increasing number of people. Similar symptoms were observed decades ago in military personnel exposed to radiofrequency radiation from radar and, more recently, in firefighters working near cell towers or with smart meters installed in their homes.
The origins of Electromagnetic Field Syndrome can be traced back in history
Russian doctors first used the term “radio wave sickness” to describe an occupational illness observed in workers exposed to microwave or radiofrequency radiation. The symptoms were referred to as “neurasthenic” and were initially recognized by an American physician, George Beard, in 1868. He coined the term “neurasthenia” to describe a new type of illness prevalent among telegraph line installers and later among telephone switchboard operators who were exposed to high levels of electricity in their work. The condition was commonly known as the “disease of civilization.” In 1906, Toronto telephone switchboard operators went on strike due to the mysterious neurasthenic symptoms they experienced. A commission was established to study the illness, but its findings falsely attributed the symptoms to flashing lights and overwork. This historical context sheds light on the early stages of this “disease of civilization” associated with electricity usage.
In the present day, with wireless technology being omnipresent in major cities, vehicles, and homes, it is challenging to avoid constant exposure to radio waves used in the telecommunication industry. While all individuals are affected by the radio waves emitted by these devices, not everyone experiences immediate symptoms such as ringing in the ears, headaches, rashes, or nervousness. Studies involving individuals who report electrosensitivity often face difficulties as they cannot immediately determine if the electromagnetic field is turned on or off, as the effects take time to manifest and can persist for several hours after exposure.