Electrohypersensitivity a moving target from VDT to WiFi Kjell Hansson Mild 1 and Monica Sandström 2 1. Dept. of Radiation Sciences, 2. Dept. of Occup. and Environ. Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden kjell.hansson.mild@radfys.umu.se
Already in the 1980s VDT related skin rashes were reported, UK, Norway, Sweden. (VDT: static E field = screens, magnetic field from coils pregnancy questions, etc) From the 90s patients also started to complain about problem with other electrical equipment and the term electromagnetic hypersensitivty was introduced since EMF was the only common factor. Since the 90s many people experienced symptoms while using mobile phones.
WHO 2004 EHS* is characterized by a variety of non-specific symptoms, which afflicted individuals attribute to exposure to EMF. The symptoms most commonly experienced include dermatological symptoms as well as neurasthenic and vegetative symptoms The collection of symptoms is not part of any recognized syndrome. *Other terms: electrohypersensitivity, electro-sensitivity, electrical sensitivity, and electrical allergy. Ref: Hansson Mild K, Repacholi M, van Deventer, and P Ravazzani, Eds. Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity. Proceedings from an international workshop on EMF Hypersensitivity, Prague, Czech Republic, Oct 27-27, 2004. WHO Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data, ISBN 92 4 1594 8
Internet search for EHS
The handicap federation in Sweden
Symptoms Skin: - burning sensations - stinging - itching General symptoms: - fatique - general discomfort - headaches Autonomic nervous system: - palpitations - respiratory distress - sleep disturbances Cognition: - concentration problems - memory loss
What causes the symptoms? Video display screens Office machines Electric equipment Fluorescent tubes Power lines Mobile phones Base stations
Heterogeneous group! Large variation in symptoms The same sources give different symptoms One/a few/many sources give symptoms Varying severity of handicap The progression differs: (better/worse/no change) Different results of measures No uniform picture!
Research? Epidemiology (environment, ind. factors) Medical examinations (case reports) Follow-up studies of measures and treatment Provocation studies
Why provocation studies? Causal connection between agents and biological response How to measure the response? Provocation with known factors known response
Neurophysiological effects of flickering light in patients with perceived electrical hypersensitivity. M. Sandström, E. Lyskov, A. Berglund, S. Medevedev, K. Hansson Mild: JOEM. 1997, 39:15-22. Neurophysiological study of patients with perceived electrical hypersensitivity. E. Lyskov, M. Sandström, K. Hansson Mild. Int J of Psychophysiology. 2001,42:233-241. Provocation study of persons with perceived electrical hypersensitivity and controls using magnetic field exposure and recording of electrophysiological characteristics. E. Lyskov, M. Sandström, K. Hansson Mild. Bioelectromagnetics. 2001, 22:457-462. Holter ECG monitoring in patients with perceived electrical hypersensitivity. Sandström M, Lyskov E, Hansson Mild K, et al Int J Psychophysiol. 2003 Sep;49(3):227-35.
Provoking factor response Basic condition Flickering light Sound EEG, CFF SSR, SSR latency, HR, HRV External load Mental load Physical load Magnetic field
Exposure set up
Flickering light sources
Fluorescent Compact low VDT light tube energy lamp M. Sandström 990906
20 Hz 55 Hz VEP Amplitude (µv) 5 µv VEP Amplitude (µv) 0 100 Time (ms) 25 Hz 200 0 50 Time (ms) 65 Hz 100 VEP Amplitude (µv) VEP Amplitude (µv) 5 µv 0 100 Time (ms) 45 Hz 200 0 50 Time (ms) 75 Hz 100 VEP Amplitude (µv) VEP Amplitude (µv) 0 50 Time (ms) 100 0 20 40 Time (ms) 60
Stimuli Study 1 Flickering light Study 2 Study 3 Flickering light Noise Mental load Physical load Flickering light Noise Mental load Physical load Magnetic field
In summary Hyperreactivity to external factors Increased sympathetic activity Higher CFF Heterogeneous group No connection with magnetic field exposure
Test person with equipment for HRV and MF registration
120 100 80 HR 60 40 EHS CONTROLS 20 0 10.00-12.00-14.00-16.00-18.00-20.00-22.00-00.00-02.00-04.00-06.00-08.00- Figure 1. 24-hour registration of heart rate (mean values for each hour) from EHS and controls. In bars the 95% confidence intervals are shown.
40.0 35.0 30.0 25.0 HFn (%) 20.0 15.0 10.0 5.0 Controls EHS EHSCONTROLS 0.0 10.00-12.00-14.00-16.00-18.00-20.00-22.00-00.00-02.00-04.00-06.00-08.00- Figure 2. 24-hour registration of normalized HF (mean values for each hour) from EHS and controls. In bars the 95% confidence intervals are shown
Conclusion of the HRV study a disturbance of the circadian rhythms of the autonomous regulation significantly less parasympathetic activity during sleep
Among EHS patients we found: Hyperreactivity to external factors Increased sympathetic activity Higher CFF Significantly less parasympathetic activity during sleep
Observed deviations in EHS references Higher HR Wang et al (1994) Lyskov et al (2001) Higher diast. blood pressure Lyskov et al (2001) Divergent temp. increase left/right Wennberg et al (1994) Divergent pupill reaction Rea et al (1991) Wang et al (1994) Higher amplitude in Visual Evoked Potential after light stimulus Sandström et al (1997) Lyskov et al (2001)
Johansson A, Nordin S, Heiden M, Sandström M. Symptoms, personality traits, and stress in people with mobile phone-related symptoms and electromagnetic hypersensitivity. J Psychosom Res. 2010 68(1):37-45. The EHS group reported more symptoms than the MP group, both EMF-related and EMF-nonrelated. The MP group reported a high prevalence of somatosensory symptoms, whereas the EHS group reported more neurasthenic symptoms. Nordin S, Neely G, Olsson D, Sandström M. Odor and noise intolerance in persons with self-reported electromagnetic hypersensitivity. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2014 11(9):8794-805. The findings suggest an association between EHS and odor and noise intolerance
MP related Warmth behind/around ear Tingling sensation VDT related Skin symptoms: stinging, itching, burning rosacea Electric equipment related Fatigue, headache, dizziness, concentration difficulties, cardiovascular symptoms
Summary of several studies on EHS Hyperreaktivity to external factors Higher CFF Unbalance in ANS Heterogenous grupp Clinically applicable
EHS: Previously known as Da Costas syndrome?? Symptoms of Da Costa's syndrome include fatigue upon exertion, shortness of breath, palpitations, sweating, and chest pain. Physical examination reveals no physical abnormalities causing the symptoms. [9]