Abstract
BackgroundElectromagnetic hypersensitivity refers to health effects attributed to electromagnetic fields (EMF) exposure and has been formally named “idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields” (IEI-EMF) by the World Health Organization. Because of the growing use of cell phones, IEI-EMF has become a global public health concern. A survey in 2007 in Taiwan showed that the prevalence rate of IEI-EMF was 13.3%, which is higher than rates in studies conducted previously. The survey also found that the rate was higher in women.MethodsTo evaluate whether the prevalence rate of IEI-EMF is increasing and to verify the higher risk in women, we conducted a nationwide questionnaire survey using the same methods as the 2007 survey to assess the change in the prevalence rate of IEI-EMF in Taiwan. We also conducted a review of the literature and a meta-analysis to evaluate the changes in the prevalence rate around the world.ResultsOn the basis of the representative sample of 3303 participants, we found that the prevalence rate of IEI-EMF in Taiwan declined from 13.3% to 4.6% over a period of 5 years. The literature review also found the prevalence rates in other countries to be decreasing, instead of increasing as predicted previously. The meta-analysis of the data from the literature showed that women are more likely to have IEI-EMF than men, with an odds ratio of 1.19 (95% confidence interval: 1.01—1.40).ConclusionsWe found the prevalence rate of IEI-EMF has been declining, instead of increasing as predicted previously. Women are more likely to report having IEI-EMF than men. Further studies to explore the causes leading to the declines may help the public, scientific community, and government deal with idiopathic intolerance to other environmental exposures.
Highlights
Electromagnetic hypersensitivity refers to health effects attributed to electromagnetic fields (EMF) exposure and has been formally named “idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields” (IEI-EMF) by the World Health Organization
Households were randomly selected from each of the 25 geographical areas of Taiwan according to proportional population size, and a respondent above 18 years of age was enrolled from each household
To compare the results of our survey with those of the 2007 survey, we adjusted the IEI-EMF prevalence rate for sex, education level, and age according to the demographic data in 2007 reported by the government
Summary
Electromagnetic hypersensitivity refers to health effects attributed to electromagnetic fields (EMF) exposure and has been formally named “idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields” (IEI-EMF) by the World Health Organization. A survey in 2007 in Taiwan showed that the prevalence rate of IEI-EMF was 13.3%, which is higher than rates in studies conducted previously. As IEI-EMF constitutes a worldwide public health issue, its prevalence rate has been investigated globally. It was reported in 1998 as 3.2% in California [12] and in 2004 as 5% in Switzerland [13]. A survey in Taiwan in 2007 showed that the prevalence rate was 13.3% [14], much higher than those reported in other countries. To evaluate whether the prevalence of IEI-EMF is increasing, we conducted a survey in Taiwan using the same methods as those in the 2007 survey [14] and performed a meta-analysis to assess the global time trend in the prevalence rate. We conducted a review of the literature on the difference in the risk between the two sexes
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