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Feeling dizzy and nauseous when using a mobile phone might be a sign of electromagnetic hypersensitivity! The World Health Organization has termed this condition "Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity" (EHS). Yesterday, the College of Public Health at National Taiwan University announced that they will conduct a survey on the prevalence of EHS in Taiwan by the end of the year, aiming to establish local electromagnetic wave protection guidelines.
Latest Research
The digital age has brought about new allergies for the E-generation. At the "Electromagnetic Field Health Risk Seminar" yesterday, Lin Yi-ping, an assistant professor at the Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene at National Taiwan University, pointed out that many people oppose the installation of high-voltage towers and mobile phone base stations near their homes. While panic factors are present, it is indeed possible that some individuals feel discomfort upon exposure to electromagnetic waves. A telephone survey of over 2,000 people by the California Department of Health found that 3.6% of respondents were sensitive to electromagnetic waves.
No Objective Diagnostic Standards Yet
Dr. Chiu Ming-chang from the Department of Neurology at National Taiwan University mentioned that in outpatient clinics, they occasionally receive complaints of dizziness from people who believe it is related to mobile phone base stations near their homes. However, it is currently difficult to confirm a causal relationship.
Lin Yi-ping noted that the World Health Organization has defined EHS, with symptoms including skin redness, tingling and burning sensations, neurasthenia, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, palpitations, and digestive disorders. However, there are no objective diagnostic standards yet, and diagnosis is primarily based on subjective reports from individuals. She once encountered an American who said his wife was allergic to electromagnetic waves, forcing them to live in a specially made tin house in the woods, away from the city, to shield from electromagnetic fields. Professor Chan Chang-chuan from the Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene at National Taiwan University mentioned that there is even a group of people in the U.S. who moved from California to Arizona to live in a house completely without electricity.
Associate Professor Chou Kuei-tien from the National Development Institute at National Taiwan University conducted a telephone survey of over 900 people and found that 80% of respondents believed frequent mobile phone use could cause physical illnesses, indicating deep public concern about electromagnetic waves.
California Spent 200 Million on Assessment
Chan Chang-chuan stated that the California Department of Health spent $7 million (approximately NT$226.17 million) over ten years to assess the risks of electromagnetic waves. They require new buildings to place electrical equipment as close to corners as possible and communicate openly and transparently with residents about the locations of towers and base stations. Taiwan could reference these experiences to develop local electromagnetic wave protection guidelines.
Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (EHS) Profile
- Characteristics: Various non-specific symptoms attributed to discomfort from exposure to electromagnetic fields.
- Symptoms: Skin redness, tingling and burning sensations, neurasthenia, and other non-specific symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, nausea, palpitations, and digestive disorders.
- Prevalence:
- A telephone survey of over 2,000 people by the California Department of Health found a prevalence rate of 3.6%.
- Some EHS patients have mild symptoms that alleviate when away from radiation sources, with about 10% of patients being more severe, requiring them to stop working and change their lifestyles.
- Treatment: Avoid electromagnetic waves as much as possible and treat symptoms.
Source: World Health Organization website
Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity: Dizziness, Nausea from Phone Use, Some Move to Suburbs
Latest Research
The digital age has brought about new allergies for the E-generation. At the "Electromagnetic Field Health Risk Seminar" yesterday, Lin Yi-ping, an assistant professor at the Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene at National Taiwan University, pointed out that many people oppose the installation of high-voltage towers and mobile phone base stations near their homes. While panic factors are present, it is indeed possible that some individuals feel discomfort upon exposure to electromagnetic waves. A telephone survey of over 2,000 people by the California Department of Health found that 3.6% of respondents were sensitive to electromagnetic waves.
No Objective Diagnostic Standards Yet
Dr. Chiu Ming-chang from the Department of Neurology at National Taiwan University mentioned that in outpatient clinics, they occasionally receive complaints of dizziness from people who believe it is related to mobile phone base stations near their homes. However, it is currently difficult to confirm a causal relationship.
Lin Yi-ping noted that the World Health Organization has defined EHS, with symptoms including skin redness, tingling and burning sensations, neurasthenia, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, palpitations, and digestive disorders. However, there are no objective diagnostic standards yet, and diagnosis is primarily based on subjective reports from individuals. She once encountered an American who said his wife was allergic to electromagnetic waves, forcing them to live in a specially made tin house in the woods, away from the city, to shield from electromagnetic fields. Professor Chan Chang-chuan from the Institute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene at National Taiwan University mentioned that there is even a group of people in the U.S. who moved from California to Arizona to live in a house completely without electricity.
Associate Professor Chou Kuei-tien from the National Development Institute at National Taiwan University conducted a telephone survey of over 900 people and found that 80% of respondents believed frequent mobile phone use could cause physical illnesses, indicating deep public concern about electromagnetic waves.
California Spent 200 Million on Assessment
Chan Chang-chuan stated that the California Department of Health spent $7 million (approximately NT$226.17 million) over ten years to assess the risks of electromagnetic waves. They require new buildings to place electrical equipment as close to corners as possible and communicate openly and transparently with residents about the locations of towers and base stations. Taiwan could reference these experiences to develop local electromagnetic wave protection guidelines.
Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (EHS) Profile
- Characteristics: Various non-specific symptoms attributed to discomfort from exposure to electromagnetic fields.
- Symptoms: Skin redness, tingling and burning sensations, neurasthenia, and other non-specific symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, nausea, palpitations, and digestive disorders.
- Prevalence:
- A telephone survey of over 2,000 people by the California Department of Health found a prevalence rate of 3.6%.
- Some EHS patients have mild symptoms that alleviate when away from radiation sources, with about 10% of patients being more severe, requiring them to stop working and change their lifestyles.
- Treatment: Avoid electromagnetic waves as much as possible and treat symptoms.
Source: World Health Organization website