EHS – Electrohypersensitivity

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Updated – May 23, 2024

According to the definition of the Association of European Environmental Medicine, the abbreviation EHS (ElectroHyperSensibility) summarizes non-specific symptoms, such as poor concentration, headaches, tiredness, ringing in the ears, increased irritability, sleep disorders, dizziness or feelings of numbness that are caused by artificially generated electromagnetic fields.

The diffuse and intangible clinical picture often leads to a lack of understanding among the public and frequent doctors. The Association of European Environmental Medicine has therefore suggested that EHS be clinically assessed as part of chronic multi-system diseases* and that there are environmentally specific reasons for this.

Biological effects

Short-term exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) results in the activation of the immune system, which leads to stress reactions. Long-term high-frequency (HF) radiation causes an intracellular imbalance, including through an excessive increase in calcium, which can induce cell and DNA damage (strand breaks) and thus the formation of tumors if the cell repair mechanisms cannot repair the defects without errors.
It is noteworthy that such effects can also be observed at loads below applicable limit values.

Studies on EMF effects

The problem of the effects of EMF has so far been discussed by almost a thousand Studies viewed from many perspectives and has thus been lifted out of the realm of “imaginary illnesses”. Lobbying often gets in the way here too. It is therefore important to intensify public relations work in order to achieve due attention from all disciplines involved and to provide those affected with recognition and effective help, to reconsider limit values and to bring about legal amendments in the short term.

Study on 5G

In one Contribution from April 29, 2023, update from May 7, 2023, reported EpochHealth about the health effects of 5G radiation in the case of a Swedish woman whose house is 60 m away from a 5G radio mast and who complained of health problems.

Support for self-help

A Self-help network in the Ravensburg district is regionally committed to abandoning 5G and establishing one Further training in “Clinical Environmental Medicine” in the training of doctors and other activities and much more.

Also the Weisse-Zone-Rhön eV supports the residents in their efforts to reduce radiation exposure, especially with regard to electro-sensitive citizens and the planned 5G expansion, and points out dangers that not only require precaution but also averting danger.

The issue of electrical sensitivity is also addressed Association for electrosensitive people and those affected by mobile communications.

The European Academy of Environmental Medicine (EUROPAEM) – EMF working group already has one in 2016 Guideline for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of EMF-related complaints and diseases* published.

Excerpted quote: “This EMF guideline provides an overview of the current state of knowledge on EMF-related health risks and provides recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment and accessibility of EHS in order to improve or restore the individual health status of those affected and for the development of prevention strategies.”

Contact with environmental health professionals

The German Professional Association of Clinical Environmental Medicine e. V. offers a portal to Find doctors familiar with environmental medicine in regional surroundings.

Shielding measures

Next to the Shielding rooms The problem for those affected by EHS is, among other things, protection outside their own four walls, on the street, when shopping, etc.

Two of those affected made a virtue out of necessity and worked on radiation-reflecting fabrics. She tailor Clothing made from appropriately finished materials that is both functional and fashionable.

However, the effect of the shielding is limited because the fabrics are subject to stress, not just from being worn, but also from repeated washing processes, which reduces the shielding performance over time. It is also recommended to wear appropriately equipped clothing in several layers on top of each other in order to reduce radiation exposure as much as possible.
Technically, shielding is referred to as damping. The unit for the attenuation measure is dB (deci Bel). A negative value represents a reduction in radiation power, a positive value an increase. An attenuation of -50 dB corresponds to a reduction in radiation to 99.999 %.
The layman would now assume that this reduction is already enormous. But this value still corresponds to the noise of a side street at rush hour. Only 99,999,999.99 % would correspond to -100 dB, i.e. silence. So it really depends on the number of places after the decimal point!

The offer from Wavesafe® is very comprehensive; in addition to clothing, other items relating to protection against EMF are also offered.