Electropollution

from FEB - The Swedish Association for the ElectroSensitive

28 Aug 1999

About ElectroSensitivity

Electrical Oversensitivity or Electrical Hypersensitivity is a fairly new phenomenon, the first cases and discussions came to public knowledge in the early seventies.

The first signs of electrical hypersensitivity are often experienced as a minor irritation when working with VDTs (Computer monitors, surveillance monitors, common TV – Television sets). A frequent symptom is that of warmth or a burning sensation in the face, not unlike a strong sunburn. Some people develop a reddish skin blemish or rash at the same time. These can also be accompanied by a tingling sensations in the skin, both facially and/or over other parts of the body. In addition eye problems can occur. You might get the feeling that the mucus membranes have dried.

These initial symptoms must be regarded as a serious first warning! Switch off the VDT when not in use, cut down time before the VDT, move the VDT far away from the user, buy a new low emission, grounded, monitor with a Cu-net embedded into the front glass (shielding glass).

Warning signs

These are symptoms that people experience with eg. VDT work. For some individuals the problem becomes gradually worse, the symptoms are sustained for longer periods.

An unnatural warmth or burning sensation in the face.
A tingling, stinging or pricking sensation in the face or other areas of the body.
Dryness of the upper respiratory tract or eye irritation.
Problems with concentration, dizziness and loss of memory.
Swollen mucus membranes resulting in nonviral/bacterial swelling of nose, throat, ear and sinuses.
Feeling of impending influenza that never quite breaks out.
Headache and nuasea.
Teeth and jaw pains.
Ache in muscles and joints.
Cardiac palpitations.

Naturally the differences between individuals are great, some may only have one or a few symptoms, some have many, some have light symptoms, some may have severe difficulties.

What is Electrical Sensitivity?

Comments and suggestions are welcome.

Electrical Sensitivity Network, PO Box 4146, Prescott AZ 86302 USA.

The author is an electrically sensitive patient, but not a medical doctor or scientist.

For your protection, seek respected medical or other appropriate advice prior to making changes in your current program.

Electrical sensitivity is a new medical area. As more research and surveys are completed, facts about electrical sensitivity will become more clear and may change from the initial impressions presented here.

Electrical sensitivity (ES) is a form of environmental illness — a chronic illness triggered by exposure to electromagnetic fields.

Being electrically sensitive means having an illness that noticeably reacts or intensifies near electrical appliances, power lines, and/or other electromagnetic field (EMF) sources. ES includes recurring feelings of stress or illness when near these EMF sources, even if the person affected has no illness apparent when not exposed to EMF’s. Any noticeable, recurring ill health that is triggered by an electromagnetic field, and that diminishes or disappears away from the EMF source, constitutes a case of electrical sensitivity.

Just as the chemically sensitive can become very sensitive to small amounts of chemicals, ES patients can become hypersensitive to EMF levels that normally would not be noticeable to the general public. However, the dividing line between "safe" and unsafe levels of EMF exposure is not presently clear for the public at large.

People sometimes become ill from an EMF source, such as having an electrical appliance (i.e., clock, cassette player, etc.) too close to their bed. Published accounts mention symptoms such as insomnia, nausea, headache, or other noticeable health problems from prolonged exposure to these EMFs.

In one United States case, a multiple chemical sensitivity patient developed nausea after meals in addition to his usual MCS (multiple chemical sensitivity) symptoms. He thought about what he was doing differently and began to suspect that maybe his new health problem had something to do with his new VCR (video cassette recorder). He talked to friends about EMFs. One friend suggested he buy a gaussmeter to measure EMFs in his house. He did and subsequently measured EMF exposure in his house, including his appliances. A new cassette player on his bed's headboard gave a high reading, even when it was shut off. He moved the cassette player away from his bed. His nausea gradually decreased from that point on.

Other similar instances were reported in a United States newsletter that interviewed German EMF testing technician, Wolfgang Maes. Three cases of people with problems sleeping were noted, all corrected by removing everything electrical from the bedroom. In addition, a child who had stomach pains, nervousness, insomnia, and headaches was able to sleep without headaches after the EMF wall wiring problems of his bedroom were solved. One day after the EMF was reduced, all of his health problems began to improve. A fifth case mentioned was a two-year-old with headaches and severe muscle cramps all over. She slept with a radio alarm clock on under her pillow to stay warm. When the parents took away the radio, the child gradually improved.

In the cases cited, moving the offending EMF source(s) or correcting wall wiring problems produced a return to health or substantial improvement in health.

Were these people electrically sensitive? Although their health problems were not permanent, for a time they seemed to be electrically sensitive to a specific EMF source or location. If the EMF source had not been found and their EMF exposure reduced, they may have developed a more severe and permanent ES.

There are degrees of ES just as there are degrees of chemical sensitivity. Allergies are a mild form of chemical sensitivity; Sick Building Syndrome, a more severe form. Multiple chemical sensitivity is chemical sensitivity's most severe and chronic form. The one-time, reversible form of ES from the cases noted above seem to be representative of a mild form of ES.

With chronic, long-term ES, the person becomes sensitive to an initiating EMF frequency, intensity, or duration. Later, the illness is further triggered when the person is exposed to other EMF sources also. This environmental illness process is called a spreading phenomenon. A one-time ES experience should be considered a warning sign of possible chronic ES susceptibility.

Electrical sensitivity has the great potential for being a missing link that uncovers explanations for many noticeable, recurring health problems people currently have no medical answers for and no long-term relief.

Common ES symptoms when exposed to EMF sources are headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, tingling or prickling sensation on the skin, burning skin or eyes, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, muscle or joint pain, and heart rate fluctuations. Less common, but more severe reactions include paralysis, seizures, and unconsciousness.

Terminology

Electrical sensitivity (ES) is a modern illness of the technological age. A review of available literature reveals that ES has been known by the following terms:

· Electric Hypersensitivity

· Electrical Hypersensitivity

· Electrical Oversensitivity

· Electrical Sensitivity (ES)

· Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Hypersensitivity

· Electromagnetic Field Sensitivity

· Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity

· Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity Syndrome

· Electromagnetic Sensitivity

· Electrosensitivity

· Electrosupersensitivity

· Microwave Hearing

· Microwave Sickness

· Screen Dermatitis*

· Taos Hum

· "Terminal" Dermatitis*

· Video Operator's Distress Syndrome (VODS)*

The term electrical sensitivity seems to be generally understood and acceptable for United States and foreign communications. Electrical sensitivity also suits the term chemical sensitivity, another part of the environmental illness picture.

*Terms relating to electrical sensitivity symptoms specific to computer users.

ES Basics

The following general tips are ways some electrically sensitive (ES) patients have adapted their environment to maintain an independent life. However, for the severely ES, many of these techniques will not be enough and total EMF (electromagnetic field) avoidance is necessary. Please note that gas appliances are not an option for the chemically sensitive (MCS) patient. Also, exposure to gas emissions from gas appliances may in time lead to MCS in some people.

Appliances - Testing with a gaussmeter before purchase is helpful. Some appliances produce stronger fields than others; some turn on and off more frequently than others. Example: An iron that turns off and on more times in a given period than another iron produces a high EMF power surge each time it turns on and is more problematic. Unplugging appliances not in use is helpful as some appliances produce a measurable field when plugged in but turned off. Distance from the operating appliance is helpful. Non-electric sources are preferable when possible (toothbrush, can opener, razor, etc.).

Car - Older cars with less electronics are best. If the patient cannot tolerate the motor running while sitting in the front seat (assuming the car's motor is in the front), then a larger vehicle with a back seat may be helpful.

Computer - None in the home and none operating in the vicinity of the patient is best. Reaction ranges can exceed 40 feet, depending on the patient's sensitivity.

Cooking - Microwave ovens are most troublesome; electric ranges are often troublesome too. A hot plate or a toaster oven may be helpful especially if kept at a distance while cooking. Gas ranges are an option for the non- chemically sensitive.

Housing - Multi-dwelling accommodations are most troublesome-apartments, hotels, motels, condominiums, etc.-because the surrounding environment cannot be controlled. A single-unit dwelling is best. The more remote the location, the better for reducing wireless communications exposure.

Lighting - Ordinary incandescent bulbs are better than fluorescent ones to reduce EMF exposure. Energy-efficient, electronic ballast bulbs are most problematic for the ES. Some find full-spectrum bulbs helpful, but these are generally of the fluorescent variety which have stronger EMFs than incandescent bulbs.

Sun-sensitive and light-sensitive patients may require special lighting conditions. Dimmer switches should be avoided due to their high EMF’s.

Metal - Metal attracts and re-radiates EMFs of all sorts. Reducing metal in and around the home is helpful; if metal is used for EMF shielding it should be grounded to reduce reactions.

Metal jewelry is often troublesome and best not worn.

Phone - Some are able to use a speaker phone which does not have a transformer.

Refrigerator - Either turning the motor off (by using the knob inside the refrigerator) or unplugging the refrigerator for short periods of time (1 hour or less is best) while you are in the kitchen avoids the motor's EMFs. Gas refrigerators are an option for the non-chemically sensitive.

TV set - None in the home is ideal; some still watch TV, but at a distance - the further away the better. Reaction ranges can exceed 40 feet, depending on the patient's sensitivity.

Wiring - Measuring magnetic fields in the home with a gaussmeter can determine whether any unusual elevated magnetic fields are present, which may represent a wiring problem creating unnecessary magnetic fields. Also, turning off the electric current to the bedroom at night is helpful to promote sleep. Be sure necessary appliances are not accidentally turned off when turning the bedroom circuit off-refrigerator, etc. Obtain proper assistance with wiring problems, circuit shutdowns, and metal grounding to reduce the risk of electric shock or electrocution.