Electrohypersensitivity– a moving target from VDT to WiFi

Kjell Hansson Mild1 and Monica Sandström2

1. Dept. of Radiation Sciences,

2. Dept. of Occup. and Environ. Medicine,

Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden

kjell.hansson.mild@radfys.umu.se

Already in the 1980s VDT related skin rashes were

reported, UK, Norway, Sweden.

(VDT: static E field = screens, magnetic field from

coils – pregnancy questions, etc)

From the 90s patients also started to complain

about problem with other electrical equipment and

the term ”electromagnetic hypersensitivty” was

introduced since EMF was the only common factor.

Since the 90s many people experienced symptoms

while using mobile phones.

WHO 2004

EHS* is characterized by a variety of non-specific

symptoms, which afflicted individuals attribute to

exposure to EMF. The symptoms most commonly

experienced include dermatological symptoms as

well as neurasthenic and vegetative symptoms The

collection of symptoms is not part of any

recognized syndrome.

*Other terms: electrohypersensitivity, electro-sensitivity,

electrical sensitivity, and electrical allergy.

Ref: Hansson Mild K, Repacholi M, van Deventer, and P Ravazzani, Eds. Electromagnetic

Hypersensitivity. Proceedings from an international workshop on EMF Hypersensitivity,

Prague, Czech Republic, Oct 27-27, 2004. WHO Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data, ISBN

92 4 1594 8

Internet search for EHS

The handicap federation in Sweden

Skin:

- burning

sensations

- stinging

- itching

General symptoms:

- fatique

- general

discomfort

- headaches

Autonomic nervous system:

- palpitations

- respiratory distress

- sleep disturbances

Cognition:

- concentration problems

- memory loss

Symptoms

What causes the symptoms ?

Video display screens

Office machines

Electric equipment

Fluorescent tubes

Power lines

Mobile phones

Base stations

Heterogeneous group !

•Large variation in symptoms

•The same sources give different symptoms

•One/a few/many sources give symptoms

•Varying severity of handicap

•The progression differs:

(better/worse/no change)

•Different results of measures

No uniform picture!

Research ?

•Epidemiology (environment, ind. factors)

•Medical examinations (case reports)

•Follow-up studies of measures and treatment

•Provocation studies

Why provocation studies ?

Causal connection between agents and

biological response

How to measure the response ?

Provocation with

known factors known response

Neurophysiological effects of flickering light in patients with perceived electrical hypersensitivity.

M. Sandström, E. Lyskov, A. Berglund, S. Medevedev, K. Hansson Mild:JOEM. 1997, 39:15-22.

Neurophysiological study of patients with perceived ”electrical hypersensitivity”.

E. Lyskov, M. Sandström, K. Hansson Mild.Int J of Psychophysiology. 2001,42:233-241.

Provocation study of persons with perceived electrical hypersensitivity and controls using magnetic field

exposure and recording of electrophysiological characteristics.

E. Lyskov, M. Sandström, K. Hansson Mild.Bioelectromagnetics. 2001, 22:457-462.

Holter ECG monitoring in patients with perceived electrical hypersensitivity.

Sandström M, Lyskov E, Hansson Mild K, et alInt J Psychophysiol. 2003 Sep;49(3):227-35.

Provoking factor – response

Basic condition

Flickering light EEG, CFF

Sound SSR, SSR latency,

HR, HRV

External load

Mental load

Physical load

Magnetic field

Exposure set up

Flickering light sources

M. Sandström 990906

Fluorescent Compact low VDTlight tube energy lamp

20 Hz

Time (ms)2001000

VE

P A

mplit

ude (

µV

)

25 Hz

Time (ms)2001000

VE

P A

mplit

ude (

µV

)

45 Hz

Time (ms)100500

VE

P A

mplit

ude (

µV

)

55 Hz

Time (ms)100500

VE

P A

mplit

ude (

µV

)

65 Hz

Time (ms)100500

VE

P A

mplit

ude (

µV

)

75 Hz

Time (ms)60200 40

VE

P A

mplit

ude (

µV

)

5 µV

5 µV

Flickering light

Noise

Mental load

Physical load

Study 1 Flickering light

Stimuli

Flickering light

Noise

Mental load

Physical load

Magnetic field

Study 2

Study 3

•Hyperreactivity to external factors

•Increased sympathetic activity

•Higher CFF

•Heterogeneous group

•No connection with magnetic field

exposure

In summary

Test person with

equipment for HRV

and MF registration

0

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HR

EHS

CONTROLS

Figure 1. 24-hour registration of heart rate (mean

values for each hour) from EHS and controls. In bars the

95% confidence intervals are shown.

Figure 2. 24-hour registration of normalized HF (mean values for each hour) from EHS and controls. In bars the 95% confidence intervals are shown

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HF

n (

%)

Controls

EHS

EHS

CONTROLS

Conclusion of the HRV study

a disturbance of the circadian

rhythms of the autonomous

regulation

significantly less parasympathetic

activity during sleep

Hyperreactivity to external

factors

Increased sympathetic activity

Higher CFF

Significantly less parasympathetic

activity during sleep

Among EHS patients we found:

Observed deviations in EHS references

Higher HR Wang et al (1994)

Lyskov et al (2001)

Higher diast. blood pressure Lyskov et al (2001)

Divergent temp. increase left/right Wennberg et al (1994)

Divergent pupill reaction Rea et al (1991)

Wang et al (1994)

Higher amplitude in

Visual Evoked Potential

after light stimulus Sandström et al (1997)

Lyskov et al (2001)

Nordin S, Neely G, Olsson D, Sandström M. Odor and noise intolerance in persons with self-reported electromagnetic hypersensitivity. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2014 11(9):8794-805.

The findings suggest an association between EHS and odor and noise intolerance

Johansson A, Nordin S, Heiden M, Sandström M. Symptoms, personality traits, and stress in people with mobile phone-related symptoms and electromagnetic hypersensitivity. J Psychosom Res. 2010 68(1):37-45.

The EHS group reported more symptoms than the MP group, both EMF-related and EMF-nonrelated. The MP group reported a high prevalence of somatosensory symptoms, whereas the EHS group reported more neurasthenic symptoms.

MP relatedWarmth behind/around ear

Tingling sensation

VDTrelated

Skin symptoms: stinging, itching,

burningrosacea

Electric equipment

relatedFatigue, headache, dizziness,

concentration difficulties,cardiovascular symptoms

Hyperreaktivity to external factors

Higher CFF

Unbalance in ANS

Heterogenous grupp

Clinically applicable

Summary of several studies on EHS

EHS: Previously known as Da Costas syndrome??

Symptoms of Da Costa's syndrome

include fatigue upon exertion, shortness of

breath, palpitations, sweating, and chest pain.

Physical examination reveals no physical

abnormalities causing the symptoms.[9]