| 23. Electrical hypersensitivity:
Disturbing electromagnetic fields |
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| June 23 Wednesday 16-18 G English See also event # 57! |
Phenomenon, analysis and prospects for electrosensitives (ESs) - The EHS syndrome Certain individuals (1½%, according to Swedish studies) develop a 'receptor' for certain frequencies of the electromagnetic frequency spectrum and become physically ill. Hereditarily determined 'gifts' in body functions make that electrical (EF) or electromagnetic fields (EMF) of certain qualities induce malfunction of the nervous system. One or more of the following symptoms may occur: fatigue, nausea, headache, loss of memory and concentration ability, buzzing ears, skin problems and a range of secondary reactions. ES individuals express 'vague health complaints', feel lousy like having the flu and are not taken seriously by their family doctors. Symptoms always worsen when no action is undertaken to minimize EMF exposure, regular work become impossible and EHs become socially isolated. EHS individuals may respond to both EF and EMF. Different fields apper to induce different effects but we need more data to analyze field effects of different physical appearance. Therapy not available No medicine is available to bring relief. There is one therapy that always works: take EHs out of their regular environment and in an electrically 'clean' environment. HS symptoms disappears totally within a few days. Re-entering their normal environment confronts them with EMF again and illness is again imposed on them within hours or a day. Restructuring the electric environment is the only option for ESs. Hazardous EMFs The Dutch working group of EHS (founded in 2002) wishes to know the factors making such people ill. A questionnaire was presented indicating which EMF affected ESs, what their complaints were and what measures were taken to alleviate the problems. Some 60 EHs answered. It would appear that hazardous fields occur outdoors as well as indoors, EMF of extremely low frequency (ELF) as well as high frequency (HF). Extremely low frequency (ELF) hazards Close examination of the reports indicated that some health effects could be attributed to irregularities in the 50 Hz power supply from the regular distribution system. Strong EMF emerge from underground power cables running through the streets. Sudden drops or shifts in field intensity are now considered hazardous for the ESs. Other outdoor hazards come from overhead electricity circuits of train and streetcars. We think it are the irregularities in DC currents that provide the distressing signals. ELF peaks in voltage are caused by traction motors consuming power during acceleration and delivering power during deceleration. Indoor ELF hazards come from common household and office appliances of various nature. Problems are often related to computer work and watching TV and video or audio systems. Characterization of wave form and pulse shape We developed specific EMF detector coils and used oscilloscope and frequency analyzer equipment to examine the radiation from modern electronic instruments and focused on the digital pulses emanating from such systems. Whenever we detected pulses of short duration (some 25 msec.) and high signal-to-noise ration, the equipment was found 'irritating' by ESs. These digital pulses emanate from the electronic power supplies and data transport channels between IT equipment. Analog pulses emanating from all rotating electromotors used in household and professional situations could also be irritating but rarely so for ESs in general. The ever-increasing density of transmitters and base-stations for mobile communication outdoors and indoors provides us with a serious problem. We take it that it are not the HF signals that cause the problems but rather the ELF-frequency of signal modulation. In particular the cordless DECT telephones now penetrating most of the homes presents a major threat to health conditions of many. We found that removal of such telephones already may cause great relief among EH persons. Lack of public concern because of false norms for exposure ES persons move into social isolation because 'nobody' believes their story. It is true that EMF intensities several orders of magnitude below the safety norms of ICNIRP can be catastrophic to some. For instance, our working group stresses that HF fields from outdoor or indoor transmitters should not exceed 1 µW/m², whereas ICNIRP advices 4,5 of 9 W/m²: about 7 orders of magnitude difference (!). Raising public interest Collaboration of epidemiologists and science investigators is necessary to raise public awareness to the level of widespread involvement and inspiration. Since Lena Hellert demonstrated that a substantial percentage of people in the Stockholm area report problems with EMF, duplication of similar work is other countries is desirable for public confidence to grow. Scientists are in need of clear scientific questions to be tackled. Numerous experiments of low- en high-frequency experiments on different research animal models have been reported but very few of them on man. We should think of suitable phenomena in the ailments mentioned above to help bio-medical scientists define proper questions related to such ailments in men. What about EMF victims right now? There is no time to waste. With what we know now already we give instructions as to desired changes in habits and use of electronic gadgets. For avoiding all relevant EMFs, it may ultimately be wise to leave urban environments and settle in rural areas for a cleaner and healthier life. |
| Contact: |
Dr. Hugo SCHOONEVELD * Dutch Working Group on Electrical Hypersensitivity * www.electroallergie.org * schooneveld@electroallergie.org |