Article publication date:
October 2022
Authored by:
Traini et al.
Summary:
This study evaluated factors associated with developing, maintaining, or discarding electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS). The study collected data over 10 years (2011-2021) from the Dutch Occupational and Environmental Health cohort study (n=892 participants, mean age 50 at baseline). The data were collected at three time points (baseline, 2-year and 10-year follow ups) on their perceived radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure and risk, self-reported non-specific symptoms and sleep disturbances, and self-reported EHS status at 10-year follow up. The results showed that 12% of participants reported EHS. Self-reporting of EHS was found to be associated with perceptions of high RF-EMF exposure and risk, and sleep disturbance. Also, there was a high probability of not attributing symptoms to RF-EMF exposure anymore over time.
Link to:
Published in:
Science of the Total Environment
Commentary by ARPANSA:
Consistent with the findings of this study, two Australian experimental studies (Verrender et al., 2018a; 2018b) also did not indicate a relationship between RF-EMF exposure and EHS. Further, they also demonstrated that the belief of being exposed to RF-EMF (rather than EMF exposure per se) contributes to triggering symptoms in healthy people. The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) provides evidence-based public health messages in relation to RF-EMF exposure and health, including EHS. Based on current scientific evidence, EHS is not caused by RF-EMF exposure at levels below the ARPANSA safety standard. This advice is consistent to the conclusion of the World Health Organisation (WHO) that EHS has no clear diagnostic criteria and there is no scientific basis to link EHS symptoms to RF-EMF exposure. Nevertheless, ARPANSA (akin to the WHO) acknowledges that the health symptoms experienced by the affected individuals differ and are real, and therefore, advise those affected to seek medical advice from a qualified medical specialist.
