While adverse effects of long-term exposure to wi-fi radiation, like cancer, infertility and DNA damage may not surface in some for years, there are many who suffer immediate effects. Health care providers are now learning to diagnose and treat environmentally induced electromagnetic sensitivity, also known as microwave sickness, electromagnetic hypersensitivity and now the universally recognized term EMR Syndrome (Electromagnetic Radiation Syndrome/EMR-S).
Symptoms manifest neurologically and immunologically when exposed to:
Radiofrequency radiation
Electric and magnetic fields
One or more of the types of electromagnetic radiation found in the modern environment
This nine-minute animiated film chronicles one woman's experience with EMS: vimeo.com/810958040.
See eight-minute R2ID3: Root Cause Protocol for Treating EHS from Magda Havas, PhD: www.youtube.com/watch?v=teMyNiR6684&t; see also her 2025 paper, Precursors Need to be Considered to Promote Recovery from Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance–Attributed to Electromagnetic Fields: esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/view/6253
The Science
Those who suffer from EHS can feel the radiation hitting various biological systems when they encounter cell towers, routers, access points, cordless phones, smart meters, laptops, iPads, tablets, baby monitors, fluorescent lights or any other devices pulsing signal. Patients experience a myriad of immediate or latent symptoms that may include pain or tightening in the chest, altered heartbeat, tinnitus in the ears, headaches, nosebleeds, insomnia, fatigue, diminished concentration, cognitive impairment, poor memory, behavioral issues, anxiety, depression, anger, suicidal ideation and more. Symptoms can disappear or diminish over time when exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) is eliminated.
See the following studies:
Mary Redmayne and Siobhan Reddel: Redefining electrosensitivity: A new literature-supported model, Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine. 25 Jan 2021.
The Critical Importance of Molecular Biomarkers and Imaging in the Study of Electrohypersensitivity. A Scientific Consensus International Report is written by 35 EMF experts for the acknowledgement of EHS as a distinct neuropathological disorder and for its inclusion in the WHO International Classification of Diseases. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(14), 7321.
Dominique Belpomme and Philippe Irigaray: Electrohypersensitivity as a Newly Identified and Characterized Neurologic Pathological Disorder: How to Diagnose, Treat, and Prevent It, Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Mar; 21(6): 1915. It estimates 50% of the population is already suffering from EHS.
Yael Stein and Iris G Udasin: Electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS, microwave syndrome) - Review of mechanisms, Environmental Research. 2020 Jul;186:109445. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109445. Epub 2020 Mar 30.
Rea WJ, Pan Y, Fenyves EJ, Sujisawa I, Suyama H, Samadi N, Ross GH: Electromagnetic Field Sensitivity: Journal of Bioelectricity: Vol 10, No 1-2 is a provocation study where those with EHS experienced biological effects when exposed to EMFs but not to sham exposures. J Bioelectricity 1991; 10 (1-2): 241-256.
McCarty DE et al, (December 2011) Electromagnetic hypersensitivity: evidence for a novel neurological syndrome, Int J Neurosci. 2011 Dec;121(12):670-6. Epub 2011 Sep 5 [View Author's abstract conclusions] [View on Pubmed]
Nishimura T et al, (March 2011) A 1-uT extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field vs. sham control for mild-to-moderate hypertension: a double-blind, randomized study, Hypertens Res. 2011 Mar;34(3):372-7. Epub 2011 Jan 20 [View Author's abstract conclusions] [View on Pubmed]
Martin Pall: Microwave frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produce widespread neuropsychiatric effects including depression, J Chem Neuroanat. 2016 Sep;75(Pt B):43-51. doi: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2015.08.001. Epub 2015 Aug 21.
See other EHS papers at https://www.powerwatch.org.uk/science/studies.asp#es
Additional Resources
The following sites provide detailed information on EHS:
Dr. Olle Johannson and Davida van der Walt have created an In the Know series of short (5-minutes or less) videos to explain electromagnetic sensitivities and their complexities:
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-LNIDIU7AuBH2xkIFZe68_oxQ-w822Od
Dr. Cindy Russell, California surgeon, and others launched Physicians for Safe Technology to teach the medical community and the public about wireless radiation health risks:
https://mdsafetech.org/
The Electrosensitive Society provides support and resources to those with EHS: https://www.electrosensitivesociety.com/
Dr. Erica Mallery-Blythe provides a one-hour lecture that will help those new to this topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNFdZVeXw7M
She also summarizes the issue well here:
http://www.camexpo.co.uk/electromagnetic-radiation-modern-health-hazard/
Andre Fauteux wrote an extensive article on the history of EHS which explains why this disease and MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivities) have not yet been recognized in the mainstream:
https://maisonsaine.ca/english/electrohypersensitivity-conference-debunks-nocebo-effect-theory.html
WEEP, a Canadian initiative for safe wireless, electric and electromagnetic policy, provides an understanding of electromagnetic hypersensitivity and offers documents for Talking to Your Doctor and Living with EHS; A Survival Guide.
The Building Biology Institute certifies Electromagnetic Radiation Specialists who can be hired to measure and remediate EMF exposures in person and/or by remote consultation:
buildingbiologyinstitute.org/find-an-expert/certified-consultants/electromagnetic-radiation-specialists/
See also their five-part series on Reducing Occupant Exposure to EMFs in Residential Construction:
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtOuBSUfZX7oB_Rnpk-eQskUA9V7GaSjH
They offer helpful free fact sheets as well:
buildingbiologyinstitute.org/free-fact-sheets/
GEOVITAL Academy has been dealing with chronic health issues in its patients by creating healthier homes, and radiation protection plays a big part. They need more consultants but for information, solutions and their existing consultants, go to www.en.geovital.com and you can reach out to Patrick van der Burght. They have an informative range of videos about shielding paint on a playlist at YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWQWmoVZoj1VtabizfWKzCYHdEpjGV6oK
Jeromy Johnson is a safe technology advocate who became electrohypersensitive. He offers 10 steps to healing EHS: http://www.emfanalysis.com/ehs-guide/
Dr. Magda Havas, associate professor of Environmental and Resource Studies at Trent University, in the article "The Disease of 'Modern' Civilization... Neurasthenia," provides a history of EHS as experienced in other generations by telegraph line installers and telephone switch board operators, followed by radar operators: http://www.magdahavas.com/the-disease-of-modern-civilization-neurasthenia/
The Books page on this website offers suggestions for in-depth reading.
Israeli and New York lawyer Dafna Tachover has developed electrohypersensitivity from wireless technology and established the We Are the Evidence website. She encourages EHS sufferers to share their story on this website so she can provide the evidence to legislators, and so EHS sufferers can find support:
https://wearetheevidence.org/
Australian Steve Weller provides ELECTROMAGNETIC HYPERSENSITIVITY (EHS) A PERSONAL CASE STUDY: A briefing on EHS for Health Professionals, Research Scientists, Government Officials and concerned members of the Public: https://electroplague.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/steveweller-a-personal-ehs-case-study-public-2014-april-11.pdf
Many ask if shielding or neutralizing products work. A 2019 study lends insights and recommends exposure reduction instead:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969719308526?via%3Dihub
The non-profit Wireless Education offers a half-hour on-line course that provides exposure reduction strategies; it is advisable to have all adults and adolescents in a home take the course so families can level-set with the science and risks, then have a fact-based conversation about harm reduction:
https://www.wirelesseducation.org/store/l2/
Men's Health magazine featured the cover story, The Quiet House, in 2022 about one man's journey with environmental illnesses including EMS, and what he did to begin recovering and build a safe home:
www.menshealth.com/trending-news/a39049886/mystery-illness-lyme-disease-emf-essay/
Diagnosing and Treating EHS
For a quick overview, see the 8-minute video R2ID3: Root Cause Protocol for Treating EHS by Dr. Magda Havas, Associate Professor Emeritus of Environmental and Resource Studies at Trent University: www.youtube.com/watch?v=teMyNiR6684
Health care providers can be trained through the EMF Medical Conference 2021 (note: the original 24.5 CME/CE conference was held in 2021 but the on-line training remains highly relevant and the courses are now available at no cost): https://emfconference2021.com/
In May 2016, 15 leaders in the field contributed to the 35-page publication EUROPAEM EMF Guideline 2016 for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of EMF-related health problems and illnesses. This EMF Guideline gives an overview of current knowledge regarding EMF-related health risks and provides concepts for the diagnosis and treatment and accessibility measures of EHS to improve and restore individual health outcomes as well as for the development of strategies for prevention: https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/reveh-2016-0011/pdf
Physicians for Safe Technology offers A Clinical Approach to Electrohypersensitivity including insurance codes: https://mdsafetech.org/problems/electro-sensitivity/a-clinical-approach-to-ehs/
World Health Organization (WHO) International Classification of Diseases’ Code T-66 for a diagnosis of “Radiation Sickness” and Code W90 which recognizes that “Exposure to Other Nonionizing Radiation” can cause injury.
Dr. Mallery-Blythe also provides a written summary for doctors to learn about and treat EHS:
Download Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity: A Summary by Dr Erica Mallery-Blythe (PDF)
The Austrian Medical Association’s EMF Working Group (AG-EMF) provides guidelines too for the diagnosis and treatment of EMF related health problems and illnesses. Click here for pdf.
Many who experience electrical sensitivities also suffer from multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS). At the 5th Paris Appeal Congress, 18th of May, 2015 at the Royal Academy of Medicine, Belgium, experts convened to discuss "Environmental idiopathic intolerance: what role for EMFs and multiple chemicals?" They are asking for international codes to classify and treat EHS and MCS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTFAMlCKUBM
Jeromy Johnson offers additional suggestions, and lists EHS knowledgeable doctors in the U.S. and Europe: http://www.emfanalysis.com/medical-doctors/
In Unplug: How to Survive and Thrive in a Wi-Fi World Gone Wild, Sam Wieder recounts the personal journey that led him to recognize how the EMFs in his life were draining his energy and the steps he took to reclaim his health.
EMF-reduced homes are being built in Seattle:
http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2015/03/community-post-seattles-first-emf-reduced-homes-debut-in-the-central-district/
Dave Stetzer of Stetzer Electronics provides filters to remediate dirty electricity that can help reduce EHS symptoms: http://www.stetzerelectric.com/
In Grenoble, France, a judge ordered the "smart" water meter be replaced with a non-radiation-emitting meter at the home of a person who is electrosensitive:
http://www.lepoint.fr/societe/compteur-d-eau-intelligent-une-electrosensible-obtient-son-retrait-09-12-2016-2089186_23.php
Note, many users of "wearables" experience adverse symptoms. See customer statements on the Fitbit website: https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Charge-2/Headache-and-severe-dizziness-Charge-2/td-p/1648794
The following paper reviews "Shielding methods and products against man-made Electromagnetic Fields: Protection versus risk":
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnx1bmRlcnN0YW5kaW5nZW1mc3xneDo1NzljODM5ZTFmODEwNjc4
Some have found Annie Hopper's Dynamic Neural Retraining System to be helpful in reducing or eliminating EHS and other environmental illness symptoms related to a chronic stress response and limbic system impairment: https://retrainingthebrain.com/; the accompanying book is "Wired for Healing"
As one sufferer of multiple chemical sensitivities and EMS indicated, "The problem is trauma to the brain (chemical, EMF, physical abuse, injury, PTSD, etc.) so you have to teach the brain to act normally again. That is, rewire the brain. It's NOT easy, but with determination it can be done!"
https://retrainingthebrain.com/research-3/
Medical Practitioners
The American Academy of Environmental Medicine trains practitioners to address environmentally-induced illnesses. You can find practitioners on their website:
https://aaemonline.org/
Dr. Lisa Nagy practices in Vineyard Haven, Martha's Vineyard, MA:
Environmental Health Center in Dallas, TX, founded by pioneer Dr. William Rea, has been treating people for the whole environmental toxic load for many years and has helped thousands:
http://www.ehcd.com/
Dr. Scott Eberle does not treat for EHS, but he has recovered from EHS personally. He shares his story and resources below which may be useful to other medical practitioners and EHS sufferers: http://www.petawam.com/doctorscorner.html
This 15-minute video with Clint Ober and three MDs (Drs. Koniver, Mercola, Sinatra) explains what earthing or grounding is, and how it can help to reverse inflammation that leads to disease:
https://vimeo.com/205264910
Government Accommodations
The United States Access Board's IEQ Indoor Environmental Quality Project indicates electromagnetic sensitivities may be considered disabilities under the ADA:
https://www.access-board.gov/research/building/indoor-environmental-quality/
The Access Board recommends the following accommodations:
https://www.access-board.gov/research/building/indoor-environmental-quality/recommendations-for-accomodations/
Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is one of several services provided by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). JAN offers the following Accommodation Ideas for Electromagnetic Sensitivity:
https://askjan.org/disabilities/Electrical-Sensitivity.cfm?csSearch=2894814_1
In 2022, Elizabeth Kelley, Dr. Magda Havas, Sheena Symington and Susan Malloy were invited to present to the National Council on Disability. See video, transcript and slides:
www.electrosensitivesociety.com/national-council-on-disability-ncd-ehs-mcs-presentation-may-12-2022/
In 2023 the National Council on Disabilities included wireless exposures in the Framework to End Health Disparities of People with Disabilities. See item six on page 10: ncd.gov/publications/2023/Framework-to-End-Health-Disparities-People-with-Disabilities
The Center for Electrosmog Prevention offers guidelines for How to File an ADA Accommodations Request for Electrosensitivity to Avoid Small Cells and Wifi:
http://www.electrosmogprevention.org/ada-accommodations-for-rf-exposures/ada-for-es-to-avoid-small-cells-and-wifi/
The following paper was presented by the U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA, at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine, November 8, 1998, "NUTRIENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF ELECTROMAGNETIC SENSITIVITY, AN EMERGING DISEASE":
http://www.francisholisticmedicalcenter.com/images/Electromagnetic_Sensitivity.pdf
Housing
The following sites are for wireless-free communities and people looking for housing: https://www.facebook.com/groups/571481532909496/permalink/1378983178825990/
http://www.radiationrefuge.com/home
Low-EMF seapods are being designed as a housing alternative: oceanbuilders.com/#emf
Doubts
Electrohypersensitivity is a relatively new term, so there will be those who doubt it exists until it comes mainstream. The following paper on the NIH PubMed database sheds some light:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22153604
The nocebo effect theory is incorrect: the vast majority of people with EHS ignored the health risks of EMFs. See:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26369906
"Overall, symptoms appear before subjects start questioning effects of EMF on their health, which is not consistent with the hypothesis that IEI-EMF originates from nocebo responses to perceived EMF exposure. However, such responses might occur at the sixth stage of the process, potentially reinforcing the attribution. It remains possible that some cases of IEI-EMF originate from other psychological mechanisms."
Below is one of the earlier studies done on Electromagnetic Field Sensitivity by six M.Ds/Ph.D.s lead by Dr. William Rea:
http://www.aehf.com/articles/em_sensitive.html
Two studies prove that EHS is a medical, not a psychological condition:
2014 DeLuca Study identified statistically significant genetic and metabolic differences in EHS subjects compared to non-EHS subjects, as well as reduced levels of glutathione and impaired detoxification ability. Risk of EHS development was increased 9.7 times in individuals who are missing two genes GSTM1 and GSTT1, which are glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzymes that detoxify by conjugation with glutathione:
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/mi/2014/924184/
2015 Belpomme Study identified biomarkers in many of those with EHS that are out of normal range:
http://www.ehs-mcs.org/fichiers/1454070991_Reliable_biomarkers.pdf
Israeli and New York lawyer Dafna Tachover has developed electrohypersensitivity from wireless technology. She founded the website We Are the Evidence and in September 2016 testified before the FCC's Disability Advisory Committee (5 minutes):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qg0H63GLkU&feature=youtu.be
Suicide
This article from China indicates Taiwan removed cell towers in 2007, citing suicide as one possible outcome of EHS:
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/2007/11/06/129715/1500-cellphone.htm
In 2015, Jenny Fry, a teen in the U.K. committed suicide and her parents believe it was because of EHS:
http://news.yahoo.com/teen-allergic-to-wifi-commits-suicide-parents-say-223912154.html
... and in her Mother's own words:
http://www.odwyerpr.com/story/public/6832/2016-05-04/mother-wi-fi-caused-suicide-victim-tells-tragic-story.html
In 2014, a priest committed suicide after suffering from EHS for 10 years:
http://ehsfighback.blogspot.com/2014/02/when-priests-commit-suicide.html
Note: The information provided here is publicly available on the Internet.
It is intended to provide a starting point to inform you of EMF dangers.
Please do your own research, draw your own conclusions, and act accordingly to protect those you love.