Electrosensitivity

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As electro-sensitive people are called, claiming to electric , magnetic or electromagnetic fields to perceive (EMF). Such fields are generated by electrotechnical systems and are supposed to cause so-called electrosmog . Sources of the primarily technically used EMF are mostly cellular radio , radio transmitters , radar devices , DECT telephones, WLAN , microwave ovens or Bluetooth . Other higher-frequency radiation such as gamma , X-ray , infrared radiation or visible light are not considered, although these also represent electromagnetic fields.

In a study published by the Commission on Radiological Protection in 2011 it says:

"The results of the DMF [Note: German Mobile Telecommunications Research Program] show that the original fears about health risks could not be confirmed. The research results of the DMF also did not provide any new indications of previously unrecognized health effects. In agreement with other international bodies ( ICNIRP 2009, WHO 2011) it can be stated that the protection concepts underlying the existing limit values ​​are not called into question. "

The same study stated that there was still a need for research and that it was out

"[...] from the point of view of radiation protection [...] to determine that on the basis of the research projects carried out, the overall problem of the biological-medical effects of the fields of mobile communications could not be finally clarified."

A distinction must be made between electromagnetic sensitivity , i.e. the ability of a living being to physically perceive EMF, and electromagnetic hypersensitivity , which is supposed to show itself in the development of symptoms of illness as a result of the action of electrical or electromagnetic fields.

Studies on electrosensitivity

Most studies cannot prove the alleged hypersensitivity in humans. In older studies up to 2003, which dealt with the question of the detection of high-frequency fields by electrosensitive people, there was no confirmation of the hypothesis that electrosensitive people could indicate whether a corresponding field was present. Further scientific studies did not find any connection between subjective symptoms and the presence of high-frequency fields in people who described themselves as electro-sensitive.

A peer-review study from the Netherlands, the TNO -FEL-Report, examined in 2003 a possible different effect on people who describe themselves as electrosensitive with two different mobile radio systems. A significant result was shown here for the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), but not for the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM).

Part of the TNO study on electrosensitivity was repeated and published in 2005 by a research group at ETH Zurich in a double-blinded cross-over study. The results contradict the results of the TNO study.

A study by Gerlinde Kaul from the German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) showed that 48 people who described themselves as electro-sensitive did not react to high-frequency fields and alternating magnetic fields under scientific conditions and could not indicate when these fields were active . The control group consisted of 96 people.

The stochastic athermal effects are to be distinguished from the thermal effects of EMF. The damage potential of the latter on all living beings above a certain threshold value has been proven beyond doubt for decades. However, there is no evidence of the athermal effects mentioned above.

Electromagnetic hypersensitivity

In 1998, an EU report on electromagnetic hypersensitivity says that “there are no diagnostic criteria and no proven mechanisms of action”.

The World Health Organization also concluded in 2005 that there is no connection between electromagnetic fields and the symptoms associated with electromagnetic hypersensitivity.

Symptoms

This article or the following section is not adequately provided with supporting documents ( e.g. individual evidence ). Information without sufficient evidence could be removed soon. Please help Wikipedia by researching the information and including good evidence.
The statements in the "Symptoms" section are not supported by individual evidence.

People who consider themselves to be electrosensitive report symptoms of malaise, headaches, severe sleep disorders and even cognitive deficits.

In the literature u. a. also hypertension or blood pressure fluctuations, dizziness , tinnitus , word finding difficulties , concentration problems , vision problems , skin disease and injuries described at the cellular level.

Frey effect

Some people may electromagnetic radio frequencies in the MHz and GHz range in the cochlea of the inner ear (cochlea) to trigger a silent perceptible acoustic stimulus. The effect was first reported in 1947 and has been studied since 1961. The Frey effect is reproducible. Minimal but rapid temperature changes in the millionths of a Kelvin range are assumed to be the cause of the high frequency.

Delimitations

When it comes to the general impact of the emitted fields on the environment (including humans), one speaks of electromagnetic environmental compatibility (EMC). When it comes to the effect on other technical devices, one speaks of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Biological effects of mobile radio - overall view -. Statement of the Radiation Protection Commission (adopted at the 250th meeting of the Radiation Protection Commission on September 29 and 30, 2011, PDF, accessed on November 20, 2015)
  2. ^ J. Schröttner, N. Leitgeb, L. Hillert: Investigation of electric current perception thresholds of different EHS groups. In: Bioelectromagnetics. Volume 28, Number 3, April 2007, pp. 208-213, ISSN  0197-8462 . doi: 10.1002 / bem.20294 . PMID 17080457 .
  3. ↑ S. Lonne cream, B. Andersson, L. Melin, M. Schultz Berg, B. Arnetz: Provocation with stress and electricity of patients with "sensitivity to electricity" . In: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine . tape 42 , no. 5 , 2000, ISSN  1076-2752 , pp. 512-516 , PMID 10824304 .
  4. ^ S. Braune, A. Riedel, J. Schulte-Mönting, J. Raczek: Influence of a radiofrequency electromagnetic field on cardiovascular and hormonal parameters of the autonomic nervous system in healthy individuals . In: Radiation Research . tape 158 , no. 3 , 2002, ISSN  0033-7587 , p. 352-356 , PMID 12175313 .
  5. ↑ A. Barth, L. Maritczak, E. Valic, C. Konnaris, C. Wolf: [Pseudostenocardia due to exposure to "electrosmog"] . In: German Medical Weekly (1946) . tape 125 , no. 27 , July 7, 2000, ISSN  0012-0472 , p. 830-832 , doi : 10.1055 / s-2000-7009 , PMID 10929538 .
  6. ↑ U. Flodin, A. Seneby, C. Tegenfeldt: Provocation of electric hypersensitivity under everyday conditions . In: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health . tape 26 , no. 2 , 2000, ISSN  0355-3140 , p. 93-98 , PMID 10817373 .
  7. ^ B. Andersson, M. Berg, BB Arnetz, L. Melin, I. Langlet: A cognitive-behavioral treatment of patients suffering from "electric hypersensitivity". Subjective effects and reactions in a double-blind provocation study . In: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine . tape 38 , no. 8 , 1996, ISSN  1076-2752 , pp. 752-758 , PMID 8863199 .
  8. ↑ William J. Rea, Yagin Pan, Ervin J. Fenyves, Iehiko Sujisawa, Hideo Suyama: Electro Magnetic Field Sensitivity . In: Journal of Bioelectricity . tape 10 , no. 1-2 , 1991, ISSN  0730-823X , pp. 241-256 , doi : 10.3109 / 15368379109031410 ( aehf.com [accessed October 25, 2018]).
  9. ↑ Maila Hietanen, Anna-Maija Hämäläinen, Tuula Husman: Hypersensitivity symptoms associated with exposure to cellular telephones: No causal link . In: Bioelectromagnetics . tape 23 , no. 4 , April 2, 2002, ISSN  0197-8462 , p. 264–270 , doi : 10.1002 / bem.10016 ( wiley.com [accessed October 7, 2018]).
  10. ↑ A. Barth, L. Maritczak, E. Valic, C. Konnaris, C. Wolf: [Pseudostenocardia due to exposure to "electrosmog"] . In: German Medical Weekly (1946) . tape 125 , no. 27 , July 7, 2000, ISSN  0012-0472 , p. 830-832 , doi : 10.1055 / s-2000-7009 , PMID 10929538 .
  11. ↑ TNO-FEL report: FEL-03-C148, 2003. Effects of Global Communication system radio-frequency fields on Well Being and Cognitive Functions of human subjects with and without subjective complaints.
  12. ↑ TNO report FEL-03-C148. ( Memento of August 21, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) at: milieuziektes.nl
  13. ^ Status of the discussion on the TNO study. on: milieuziektes.nl
  14. Jump up ↑ SJ Regel, S. Negovetic, M. Röösli, V. Berdiñas, J. Schuderer, A. Huss, U. Lott, N. Kuster, P. Achermann: UMTS base station-like exposure, well-being, and cognitive performance . In: Environmental health perspectives. Volume 114, Number 8, August 2006, pp. 1270-1275, ISSN  0091-6765 . PMID 16882538 . PMC 1552030 (free full text).
  15. ↑ Gerlinde Kaul: Results and correlations of findings from the observation of 'electrosensitivity' to a 50 Hz magnetic field and the GSM radio field of a cell phone. (PDF; 25Kb) Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health , November 21, 2006, accessed on December 21, 2015 .
  16. ↑ G. Kaul: "Electrosensitivity". Does the perception stand up to reality? In: Symposium medical. 17, issue 6, 2006, p. 12ff.
  17. ↑ A. Ahlbom, U. Bergqvist, JH Bernhardt, JP Cesarini, LA Court: ICNIRP Guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz) . In: Health Physics . tape 74 , no. 4 , 1998, ISSN  0017-9078 , p. 494-521 , PMID 9525427 ( icnirp.org [PDF; accessed October 7, 2018]).
  18. ↑ EU report on "electromagnetic hypersensitivity". In: Dtsch Arztebl. 95 (4), 1998, pp. A-130 / B-112 / C-108.
  19. ↑ Gerlinde Kaul: What causes “electromagnetic hypersensitivity”? (PDF; 1.5 MB) Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 2009.
  20. ↑ WHO | Electromagnetic fields and public health. Retrieved October 25, 2018 .
  21. ^ JA Elder, CK Chou: Auditory Response to Pulsed Radiofrequency Energy . In: Bioelectromagnetics. Supplement 6, May 21, 2003, pp. 162–173, accessed on June 12, 2015, doi: 10.1002 / bem.10163 (PDF; 113 KB)