Electrical sensitivity (ES), also known as electrical hypersensitivity, produces symptoms in a patient when exposed to common levels of electromagnetic fields (EMF) from electrical sources in the environment such as power lines, motors, computers, and so on.
ES patients often are also MCS sufferers. Other at-risk groups for developing ES seem to be CFS patients and those experiencing mercury toxicity from dental amalgams. Overexposure to EMF can bring on ES, independent of other illness. Some ES patients experience only one symptom when EMF exposed, but often more than one symptom is apparent. Electrical sensitivity is more well-known in Europe than the United States, due in part to Sweden’s active support group, FEB, which has about 2,000 members.
Once a patient realizes that proximity to electrical sources is the triggering event that leads to their symptoms, they find EMF avoidance helpful for reducing reactions. Unfortunately, with the advent of increasing wireless technology, such as cellular phone service and paging systems, EMF avoidance is becoming very difficult for the sensitive, creating more suffering and leading to life-threatening consequences for the severely ill. The chemical sensitivity equivalent of this wireless technology might be aerial pesticide sprayings, a life-threatening event for many MCS patients.
In the past, if daily computer use at work caused symptoms, a cause-and-effect relationship could be determined by noticing that these symptoms abated evenings and weekends and intensified at work. It would become clear that the workplace, at least, was responsible for the development of the symptoms. However, it could instead be a “sick building” problem in the workplace due to chemical exposures.
For the newly ES, it will now be more difficult to pinpoint the cause of their symptoms if they are also reacting to the ambient EMF exposure from various wireless services. The new digital cellular is particularly troublesome for some ES; the previous analog cellular system, operating at a lower frequency, was much less of a problem.
Signs, symptoms & indicators of Electrical Hypersensitivity
Unexplained nausea
Constant fatigue
General dizziness
Short-term memory failure
Trouble concentrating
Periods of confusion/disorientation
Facial burning/tingling
A tingling, stinging or pricking sensation of the face or other areas of the body is considered one of the symptoms of electrical sensitivity.
Chest pressure
Rashes
Itchy skin
Facial flushing
Conditions that suggest Electrical Hypersensitivity
Risk factors for Electrical Hypersensitivity
History of unexplained nausea
Absence of short-term memory loss
Electrical Hypersensitivity can lead to
Dupuytren's Contracture
Physical forces, such as electrical fields, seem to be indicated by some research in causing this condition.
Recommendations for Electrical Hypersensitivity
Electrical Devices
The use of electrical appliances can be minimized, but more importantly, long term exposure to current carrying wires should be avoided. Beds should be moved away from electrical wiring where possible.
The use of an instrument like The CellSensor can help you detect areas in your home where you should not be spending a lot of time. Easy to use, you just walk through your house with the simple instructions not to put furniture or beds where the meter finds a hot spot over 2 milligauss.
Headaches, fatigue, depression, pain, all have been linked to these hot spots.
Another product is called Dr. Gauss Meter.
Topical Applications
A company called NaturalNano is developing a special paint which will block unwanted cell phone signals.
Nanotechnology is used to mix copper into the paint in a way that deflects radio signals. This could be combined with a filtering device that intercepts phone signals outside the shielded space, effectively letting some transmissions through while blocking others.
The Wireless Association, the leading cell phone trade group, has argued that any method of selectively blocking calls is illegal. However, since the paint is a passive device, rather than an active jammer, it may be allowable under the laws.
Schools, churches, and performance venues have all sought means of effectively limiting calls to true emergencies. [Newsday March 1, 2006]
For doors, walls, floors and ceilings, CuPro-Cote or Silver Lining conductive paints offer very good shielding and are very convenient. Apply like ordinary paint on interior surfaces. You can paint over the conductive paint with a standard latex paint to achieve the desired color and to protect the conductive surface.
You can also cover the walls with a conductive fabric such as FlecTron or Zelt. Apply the fabric as you would a wallpaper, remembering to overlap slightly at the seams to avoid leakage. You can cover over the fabric with a standard wallpaper, paneling or drywall.
Cover windows with conductive plastic film such as Clear-Shield or ISOLUX and/or shielded drapes (or drape linings) with conductive fabric such as See-Thru.
Key
| Weak or unproven link |
| Strong or generally accepted link |
| Weakly counter-indicative |
| Likely to help |
| Highly recommended |