Is it time to crack out the tin foil hat, or should everyone calm down a bit?

It’s long been debated whether Wi-Fi and other free-to-air electromagnetic waves have a negative impact on the health of those near them. People have claimed to experience unexplained symptoms when exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMF), and this has resulted in the belief that they’re hypersensitive to EMF, with a wide range of symptoms and illnesses resulting – in particular, a condition known widely and generically as EHS.

What is EHS?

EHS stands for Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity Syndrome. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines EHS as ‘…a variety of non-specific symptoms, which afflicted individuals attribute to exposure to EMF (electromagnetic fields)…resembling multiple chemical sensitivities that seem to lack any apparent toxicological or physiological basis’.

What are the signs and symptoms of EHS?
There are no specific symptoms that healthcare professionals associate with EHS, but reported signs for varying individuals include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Skin irritations including rashes, prickling and burning sensations
• Fatigue
• Stress
• Pain and aching in joints and muscles

What are the claims of those affected?

There have been several reports over the years that have hit the headlines, with people claiming to have been severely affected by this affliction.

Most notably, there was the case of a 15-year-old girl from the Cotswolds who committed suicide due to the apparent detrimental effect that the Wi-Fi signals at her school had on her life. She claimed to experience daily nausea, blinding headaches and a lack of concentration due to her allergic reaction to the Wi-Fi.

Other sufferers have reported that they experience violent shaking, severe headaches, disorientation and sleep disturbance due to their proximity to internet hubs and phone masts. Some have even resorted to moving home to a more secluded area to avoid being exposed to Wi-Fi signals.

What do the experts say? Is it real?

The World Health Organisation states that electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) refers to a range of non-specific symptoms that some people attribute to exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF), including Wi-Fi, mobile phones, and other electronic devices. Reported symptoms can include headaches, fatigue, dizziness, skin sensations, concentration problems, nausea and heart palpitations.

The WHO recognises that these symptoms can be very real, and sometimes disabling, for those who experience them. However, its review of the scientific evidence concludes that there is currently no clear scientific evidence linking these symptoms to exposure to EMF or Wi-Fi, and controlled studies show people with EHS cannot reliably detect EMF exposure.

As a result, the WHO does not recognise EHS as a medical diagnosis or a defined medical condition, and says it has no clear diagnostic criteria and may not represent a single identifiable illness. Instead, the organisation suggests the broader descriptive term “Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance (IEI)”, meaning symptoms attributed to environmental factors without a confirmed medical cause.Read more about this HERE.

Dr James Rubin, a senior lecturer in psychology at King’s College London, who has carried out extensive research on EHS through studies on more than 1,000 people who claim to have the condition, was unable to conclude that Wi-Fi was the culprit for their symptoms, and that other factors needed to be taken into consideration. In fact, he was quoted as saying: “The science suggests that it isn’t [electromagnetic signalling] that is causing the illness.”

Alternative theories

Environmental pollutants

According to the WHO, there are several environmental factors that could result in EHS symptoms; excessive noise and/or indoor air pollution in an office area, the continual flicker of fluorescent lights, and too much time in front of a computer screen could all contribute to the ‘non-specific’ symptoms associated with EHS.

The ‘nocebo effect’

This is a psychological disorder that was termed for a patient who believes so strongly that electromagnetic fields can cause EHS symptoms that they start physically experiencing some of them, even if they haven’t been exposed.

Lifestyle choices

Regular headaches could be a sign of dehydration, or from drinking too much caffeine, which would also disrupt a person’s sleep. Dizziness could be caused by a flu-like virus, vertigo, or a problem with eyesight.

So, is it real or not?

While there is no doubt that the people who claim to be allergic to Wi-Fi are indeed suffering from the symptoms they present, the question is whether they are caused by EMF. From our findings, we believe not.

Have your say – do you believe Wi-Fi allergy exists, or are people just looking for a name for their afflictions and something to blame?