Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity Research Articles

Deep into the Water: Exploring the Hydro-Electromagnetic and Quantum-Electrodynamic Properties of Interfacial Water in Living Systems

Normal water structures are maintained largely by interactions with bi-omacromolecular surfaces and weak electromagnetic fields, which enable extended networks for electron and proton conductivity. All standard chemistry is totally reliant on electrostatics and avoids all mention of elec-trodynamics and the consequent radiation field, which is supporting the notion of water as a primary mediator of biological effects induced via electromagnetic means into living systems. Quantum Electrodynamic (QED) field theory have produced a vision of water in a liquid state as a medium, which for a peculiarity of its molecular electronic spectrum reveals itself as an essential tool for long-range communications, being able to change its supra-molecular organization in function of the interaction with the environment. This paper draws attention to the fact that interfacial water (nanoscale confined water) has been shown, independently by Emilio Del Giudice et al. and by Gerald Pollack et al., to contain respectively Coherence Domains (CDs) and Exclusion Zones (EZs), which may be regarded as long-range ensembles of CDs, dynamic aqueous structures, which uses the special properties of water, such as its electron/proton dynamics and organized response to electromagnetic fields, to receive electromagnetically encoded signals endowed with coherence (negentropy) at a low frequency, and sum the resultant excitations, so as to foster the redistribution of that coherence at frequencies which may affect biological systems. The phase transition of water from the ordinary coherence of its liquid state (bulk water) to the semi-crystalline or glassy and super-coherent state of interfacial water and its role in living organisms is discussed. The link between interfacial and intracellular water of the living and 1) the thermodynamic correlation between electron and proton transfer responsible for the redox potential of chemical species, 2) the Grotthuss mechanism and the H eightfold path, 3) superconductivity and superfluidity (dissipationless quantum states), 4) the proton motive force and protons role in biological liquid-flow systems, and 5) two possible explanations to as many non-ordinary phenomena, one related to the mind-body severely stressful condition due to a Near Death State (NDS) or to a Near Death Like State (NDLS), namely the Electromagnetic Hyper Sensitivity (EHS) or Electromagnetic After-Effect (EAE), the other related to the harmful consequences avoided during the so-called fire walking (ceremony), are discussed.

Magnetic sense of living organisms and electromagnetic hypersensitivity

Magnetic sense of living organisms and electromagnetic hypersensitivity

Dental Approach in Treatment of Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity

Dental Approach in Treatment of Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity

Comment on ‘Cell phone use and ill health: is there a definite relationship?’

Prof Gboyega A Ogunbanjo, in his editorial entitled ‘Cell phone use and ill health: is there a definite relationship?’, published in South African Family Practice, has addressed the possible link between mobile phone use and adverse health effects such as cancer. He has also discussed the challenging issue of electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS). Although his editorial has remarkable strengths, this paper needs some clarifications. The main concerns regarding the evidence presented in this paper about possible association of mobile phone use with cancer are discussed. In this light, recent evidence that supports a possible link as well as the shortcomings of the reports claiming no association between exposure to radiofrequency radiation and cancer are presented.

Oxidative stress in electrohypersensitivity self‑reporting patients: Results of a prospective invivo investigation with comprehensive molecular analysis.

A total of 32 electrohypersensitivity (EHS) self-reporting patients were serially included in the present prospective study for oxidative stress and antioxidative stress response assessment. All thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARs) were measured in the plasma, particularly malondialdehyde (MDA) for lipid peroxidation; additional measurements included total thiol group molecules, reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG) for oxidative stress assessment and nitrotyrosine, a marker of peroxynitrite-induced oxidative/nitrosative stress. In addition, the activity of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) was measured in red blood cells (RBCs) and glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in RBCs and plasma. Depending of the biomarker considered, 30–50% of EHS self-reporting patients presented statistically significantly increased TBARs, MDA, GSSG and NTT mean plasmatic level values in comparison with normal values obtained in healthy controls (P<0.0001). By contrast, there were no plasmatic level values above the upper normal limits for GSH, GSH/GSSG ratio, total glutathione (GluT) and GSH/GluT ratio, and values for these GSH-associated biomarkers were statistically significantly decreased in 20–40% of the patients (P<0.0001). Furthermore, in RBCs, mean SOD1 and GPx activities were observed to be statistically significantly increased in ~60% and 19% (P<0.0001) of the patients, respectively, while increased GR activity in RBCs was observed in only 6% of the patients. The present study reports for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, that overall ~80% of EHS self-reporting patients present with one, two or three detectable oxidative stress biomarkers in their peripheral blood, meaning that these patients-as is the case for cancer, Alzheimer's disease or other pathological conditions-present with a true objective new pathological disorder.

Characteristics of perceived electromagnetic hypersensitivity in the general population.

Health problems evoked in the presence of electrical equipment is a concern, calling for better understanding for characteristics of electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) in the general population. The present study investigated demographics, lifestyle factors, frequency and duration, coping strategies, proportion meeting clinical criteria for intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (EMF) and comorbidity. Using data from a large-scale population-based questionnaire study, we investigated persons with self-reported (n=91) EHS in comparison to referents (n=3,250). Middle age, female sex and poor perceived health was found to be associated with EHS. More than 50% in the EHS group reported having EMF-related symptoms more often than once a week, and the mean number of years experiencing EHS was 10.5. More than half of the EHS group reported that their symptoms started after a high-dose or long-term EMF exposure, that they actively tried to avoid EMF sources and that they mostly could affect the EMF environment. A minority of the EHS group had sought medical attention, been diagnosed by a physician or received treatment. Exhaustion syndrome, anxiety disorder, back/joint/muscle disorder, depression, functional somatic syndrome and migraine were comorbid with EHS. The results provide ground for future study of these characteristic features being risk factors for development of EHS and or consequences of EHS.

Physical and chemical trigger factors in environmental intolerance.

Individuals with environmental intolerance (EI) react to exposure from different environmental sources at levels tolerated by most people and that are below established toxicological and hazardous thresholds. The main aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of attributing symptoms to chemical and physical sources in the environment among individuals with different forms of self-reported EI and in referents. Cross-sectional data from a population-based study, the Västerbotten Environmental Health Study (n = 3406), were used and individuals with self-reported EI to chemicals, buildings, electromagnetic fields and sounds as well as a group with multiple EIs were identified. The Environmental-Symptom Attribution Scale was used to quantify degree to which health symptoms are attributed to 40 specific environmental exposures and sources, with subscales referring to the four types of EI. All EI groups, except the group with building related intolerance (BRI), reported more symptoms from the expected sources compared to the referents. In addition, individuals with chemical and sound intolerance reported symptoms from building related trigger factors, and individuals with electromagnetic hypersensitivity reported symptoms from chemical trigger factors. The study suggests that individuals with BRI react to fewer and more specific trigger factors than do individuals with other EIs, and that it is important to ask about different sources since three of the EI groups attribute their symptoms to a wide variety of sources in addition to the sources to which their EI implicates.

Beneficial effects of a Fermented Papaya Preparation for the treatment of electrohypersensitivity self-reporting patients: results of a phase I-II clinical trial with special reference to cerebral pulsation measurement and oxidative stress analysis

Background: Electromagnetic Field Intolerance Syndrome (EMFIS), also termed Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance (IEI) attributed to Electromagnetic Fields (IEI-EMF) by WHO, is a newly identified pathological disorder occurring in electrohypersensitivity (EHS) self-reporting patients. To date, there has been no recognized treatment of this disorder. We have shown that EHS self-reporting patients experience some degree of oxidative stress, inflammation, and autoimmune response. Additionally, Fermented Papaya Preparation (FPP) has some antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and immuno-modulating properties. The objective of this phase I-II clinical trial was thus to test whether FPP treatment is well tolerated, can improve clinical outcomes, and normalize biological abnormalities. Methods: 32 EMFIS-bearing patients were serially included in this trial, among which 26 and 16 of them were evaluable after 3 and 6 months of FPP treatment, respectively. Clinical assessment was conducted during a specific face to face interview by using a validated pre-established questionnaire. Biological assessment consisted of measuring intracerebral tissue pulsometric index (PI) in the temporal lobes with ultrasonic cerebral tomosphygmography (UCTS), in addition to oxidative stress and inflammation with a battery of oxidative stress and inflammation-related peripheral blood tests.Results: Overall clinical improvement was obtained in 50-60% of the cases, among which 20-35% presented major improvement that mainly consisted of the regression of cognitive symptoms such as loss of short term memory, concentration, attention deficiencies, insomnia, and fatigue. This clinical improvement was objectively supported by a statistically significant normal recovery of mean PI in the temporal lobes and by a FPP-related antioxidative effect evidenced by a statistically significant decrease in malondialdehyde levels in the plasma (p&lt;0.0001) and increase in the Glutathione peroxidase activity in red blood cells (p&lt;0.01) in patients experiencing oxidative stress. Moreover, this trial evidenced some degree of FPP-related anti-inflammatory effects by demonstrating a statistically significant decrease in histamine (p=0.049) and HSP27/HSP70 chaperone proteins (p=0.007) in the peripheral blood of patients with initial increased values of these inflammation-related biomarkers.Conclusion: The results suggest a beneficial clinical and biological therapeutic effect of FPP in EHS self-reporting patients. However, the precise underlying mechanism has not yet been elucidated.

&lt;b&gt;Modified Hoyokangoto Added with Ogikenchuto Improved Multiple Complaints in a Patient with Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity and Multiple Chemical &lt;/b&gt;&lt;b&gt;Sensitivity&lt;/b&gt;

&lt;b&gt;Modified Hoyokangoto Added with Ogikenchuto Improved Multiple Complaints in a Patient with Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity and Multiple Chemical &lt;/b&gt;&lt;b&gt;Sensitivity&lt;/b&gt;

Functional brain MRI in patients complaining of electrohypersensitivity after long term exposure to electromagnetic fields.

Ten adult patients with electromagnetic hypersensitivity underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) brain scans. All scans were abnormal with abnormalities which were consistent and similar. It is proposed that fMRI brain scans be used as a diagnostic aid for determining whether or not a patient has electromagnetic hypersensitivity. Over the years we have seen an increasing number of patients who had developed multi system complaints after long term repeated exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs). These complaints included headaches, intermittent cognitive and memory problems, intermittent disorientation, and also sensitivity to EMF exposure. Regular laboratory tests were within normal limits in these patients. The patients refused to be exposed to radioactivity. This of course ruled out positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) brain scanning. This is why we ordered fMRI brain scans on these patients. We hoped that we could document objective abnormalities in these patients who had often been labeled as psychiatric cases. Ten patients first underwent a regular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scan, using a 3 Tesla Siemens Verio MRI open system. A functional MRI study was then performed in the resting state using the following sequences: A three-dimensional, T1-weighted, gradient-echo (MPRAGE) Resting state network. The echo-planar imaging (EPI) sequences for this resting state blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) scan were then post processed on a 3D workstation and the independent component analysis was performed separating out the various networks. Arterial spin labeling. Tractography and fractional anisotropy. All ten patients had abnormal functional MRI brain scans. The abnormality was often described as hyper connectivity of the anterior component of the default mode in the medial orbitofrontal area. Other abnormalities were usually found. Regular MRI studies of the brain were mostly unremarkable in these patients. We propose that functional MRI studies should become a diagnostic aid when evaluating a patient who claims electrohypersensitivity (EHS) and has otherwise normal studies. Interestingly, the differential diagnosis for the abnormalities seen on the fMRI includes head injury. It turns out that many of our patients indeed had a history of head injury which was then followed sometime later by the development of EHS. Many of our patients also had a history of exposure to potentially neurotoxic chemicals, especially mold. Head injury and neurotoxic chemical exposure may make a patient more vulnerable to develop EHS.

MCS and EHS: An Australian Perspective

Abstract Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) and electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) are serious emerging health issues the world over. Despite evidence of a physiological etiology, MCS and EHS continue to be regarded as psychiatric disorders in some countries. Case study documents an Australian family sensitized to numerous everyday chemicals and electromagnetic frequencies as a consequence of exposure to organophosphate and organochlorine insecticides and phenoxy herbicides. Further exposure to toxicants additionally sensitized the mother to light, sound, and pain, the latter manifesting as chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Ignoring documentation from her ecologist, skeptical social workers used the Mental Health Act to have her forcibly removed from her controlled environment. Placed in psychiatric care, she was diagnosed as psychotic on the rationale that, as neither MCS nor EHS existed, belief in their physicality constituted a delusion, which was in itself a manifestation of psychosis. The s...

An Underworld Journey: Learning to Cope with Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity

Abstract Electromagnetic hypersensitivity is an illness in which exposure to electromagnetic radiation can produce a variety of physical symptoms. In most towns and cities, current levels of this radiation are more than a million times higher than previous levels under which life has evolved. People who are chronically exposed or have some other inciting event, or both, may become severely electrosensitive, thus becoming deprived of safe access to much of their surroundings. The immediate physical consequences of this malady can be devastating, and the secondary psychological challenges often are just as dire. This N = 1 study by a physician with severe electromagnetic hypersensitivity describes the “underworld journey” of a person suffering from this illness. Key Words: Environmental anxiety/eco-anxiety—Environmental health.

A Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network–Based Model for Predicting Subjective Health Symptoms in People Living in the Vicinity of Mobile Phone Base Stations

Advances in modern technologies such as telecommunication have widely expanded the applications of wireless systems. Therefore, humans are continuously exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produced by widely used devices such as mobile and cordless phones and Wi-Fi routers. According to the World Health Organization, electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) is the medical term for a variety of nonspecific symptoms that afflicted subjects attribute to exposure to different sources of EMFs. About 25% of the general population reports different levels of environmental intolerance to factors such as EMFs, and studies performed in Europe show that about 75% of general practitioners had visited patients complaining of EHS. In this paper, multilayer perceptron neural network (MLPNN)–based models are proposed to predict the subjective health symptoms in inhabitants living in the vicinity of mobile phone base stations. The classifier uses several parameters such as demographic data, environmental exposure to a mobile phone station, and the health conditions of an individual as input to estimate subjective health symptoms. Out of 699 data sets recorded from 363 men and 336 women via questionnaire, 70% were used for training, 15% for validation, and the remaining 15% for testing the developed system. The performance of the developed system (sensitivity and specificity) in predicting the subjective health symptoms is as follows: headache (72%, 91%), fatigue (8%, 98%), sleep disturbance (97%, 93%), dizziness (65%, 85%), vertigo (65%, 84%). These promising results suggest that this system might be useful as a means for predicting the health symptoms in people living in the vicinity of mobile phone base stations, which ultimately enhances the quality of life of these individuals through providing appropriate medical care and introducing effective methods for reducing the effect of these exposures. Key Words: Mobile phone base stations—Electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS)—Artificial neural network—Radiofrequency.

Increasing levels of saliva alpha amylase in electrohypersensitive (EHS) patients

Purpose: To assess the level of various salivary and urinary markers of patients with electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) and to compare them with those of a healthy control group.Materials and methods: We analyzed samples from 30 EHS individuals and a matched control group of 25 individuals (non-EHS) aged between 22 and 66. We quantified cortisol both in saliva and urine, alpha amylase (sAA), immunoglobulin A and C Reactive Protein levels in saliva and neopterin in urine (uNeopterin).Results: sAA was found to be significantly higher (p < 0.005) in the EHS group. uNeopterin and sAA analysis showed a significant difference based on the duration of EHS.Conclusion: Higher levels of sAA in EHS participants may suggest that the sympathetic adrenal medullar system is activated. However, most of the analyzed markers of the immune system, sympathetic activity and circadian rhythm did not vary significantly in the EHS group. There is a trend to the higher levels of some variables in subgroups according to the EHS duration.

Umweltmedizinische Syndrome

Environmental medical syndromes comprise sick building syndrome (SBS), multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS)/idiopathic environmental intolerances (IEI), electromagnetic hypersensitivity, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), burnout, fibromyalgia, and the candida syndrome. There is also some overlap described in the literature. There is still no established knowledge of etiology, pathology, pathophysiology, diagnostics, therapy, prevention and prognosis. These syndromes are thought to result from acomplex interaction of physical, chemical and/or (micro)biological environmental stresses, individual dispositions, psychological influencing factors, perceptual and processing processes, variants of somatization disorders, culturally or socially caused distress, or simply iatrogenic causation. Examination and treatment methods must be developed or existing ones scientifically validated. However, all uncertainties in the assessment of these syndromes do not absolve the physician from taking patients seriously and helping them as best as possible.

Nature relatedness is connected with modern health worries and electromagnetic hypersensitivity.

Although nature relatedness is considered a positive characteristic, its relationship to constructs involving worries about the negative effects of artificial environmental factors is also feasible. A questionnaire assessing modern health worries, electrosensitivity, somatosensory amplification, spirituality, and nature relatedness was completed by 510 individuals. Nature relatedness was related to electrosensitivity, modern health worries, and spirituality. In a binary logistic regression analysis, somatosensory amplification, modern health worries, and nature relatedness were associated with electrosensitivity, and nature relatedness moderated the connection between modern health worries and electrosensitivity. In naive representations, "natural" might be associated with health, whereas "modern" and "artificial" evoke negative associations.

Effects of personalised exposure on self-rated electromagnetic hypersensitivity and sensibility – A double-blind randomised controlled trial

BackgroundPrevious provocation experiments with persons reporting electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) have been criticised because EHS persons were obliged to travel to study locations (seen as stressful), and that they were unable to select the type of signal they reported reacting to. In our study we used mobile exposure units that allow double-blind exposure conditions with personalised exposure settings (signal type, strength, duration) at home. Our aim was to evaluate whether subjects were able to identify exposure conditions, and to assess if providing feedback on personal test results altered the level of self-reported EHS. MethodsWe used double-blind randomised controlled exposure testing with questionnaires at baseline, immediately before and after testing, and at two and four months post testing. Participants were eligible if they reported sensing either radiofrequency or extremely low frequency fields within minutes of exposure. Participants were visited at home or another location where they felt comfortable to undergo testing. Before double-blind testing, we verified together with participants in an unblinded exposure session that the exposure settings were selected were ones that the participant responded to. Double-blind testing consisted of a series of 10 exposure and sham exposures in random sequence, feedback on test results was provided directly after testing. Results42 persons participated, mean age was 55years (range 29–78), 76% were women. During double-blind testing, no participant was able to correctly identify when they were being exposed better than chance. There were no statistically significant differences in the self-reported level of EHS at follow-up compared to baseline, but during follow-up participants reported reduced certainty in reacting within minutes to exposure and reported significantly fewer symptoms compared to baseline. ConclusionOur results suggest that a subgroup of persons exist who profit from participation in a personalised testing procedure.

Electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) in occupational and primary health care: A nation-wide survey among general practitioners, occupational physicians and hygienists in the Netherlands.

Subjects who attribute health complaints to every day levels of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (EMF) have been referred to as electrohypersensitive (EHS). Previous surveys in Europe showed that 68-75% of general practitioners had ever been consulted on EHS. Given the lack of data on EHS in the Netherlands in the general population and on EHS in occupational settings, we performed a national survey among three professional groups that are likely in the first line of being consulted by EHS individuals. Results show that about one third of occupational hygienists, occupational physicians and general practitioners had ever been consulted by one or more EHS subjects. Many of these professionals considered a causal relationship between EMF and health complaints to some degree plausible, and their approach often included exposure reduction advice. Given the lack of scientific evidence for EHS and how low level EMF exposure could cause reported health complaints and given the finding that the majority of these professionals felt insufficiently informed about EMF and health, targeted information campaigns might assist them in their evidence based dealing with subjects who attribute symptoms to EMF.

The electromagnetic basis of social interactions

ABSTRACTIt has been established that living things are sensitive to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields at vanishingly small intensities, on the order of tens of nT. We hypothesize, as a consequence of this sensitivity, that some fraction of an individual’s central nervous system activity can be magnetically detected by nearby individuals. Even if we restrict the information content of such processes to merely simple magnetic cues that are unconsciously received by individuals undergoing close-knit continuing exposure to these cues, it is likely that they will tend to associate these cues with the transmitting individual, no less than would occur if such signals were visual or auditory. Furthermore, following what happens when one experiences prolonged exposure to visual and like sensory inputs, it can be anticipated that such association occurring magnetically will eventually also enable the receiving individual to bond to the transmitting individual. One can readily extrapolate from single individuals to groups, finding reasonable explanations for group behavior in a number of social situations, including those occurring in families, animal packs, gatherings as found in concerts, movie theaters and sports arenas, riots and selected predatory/prey situations. The argument developed here not only is consistent with the notion of a magnetic sense in humans, but also provides a new approach to electromagnetic hypersensitivity, suggesting that it may simply result from sensory overload.

Electromagnetic hypersensitivity caused by dental material metal post core

Electromagnetic hypersensitivity caused by dental material metal post core