EMF'S
Electrosmog: The Expert Guide to the Effects of EMFs on the Body
The damage electromagnetic fields (EMFs) can inflict on the human body is very real, and health organizations are only slowly realizing the extent of the problem. After all, electromagnetic and radiofrequency fields are everywhere these days, including in the office, at home, in the car, and wherever we take our cell phones. As a doctor, it’s so important to be aware of the symptoms caused by electromagnetic sensitivity, and what action can be taken to counteract the disease.
An electromagnetic field comprises energy created from electrical and magnetic energy emitted by electronic devices. The electrical current running through a device creates the magnetic field, and the electrical field is generated by the difference in voltage.
The planets and the solar system all have electromagnetic fields, as does the human body. Electromagnetic fields are a fact of life. However, due to advances in technology over the past thirty years, we’re now exposed to man-made EMFs on a daily basis for long periods from multiple sources. This is something that only happened occasionally in the past.
These two maps show the increase in electromagnetic pollution from 2004 (above) until 2022 (below) with a corresponding increase in 5G cell antenna, satellites, cell phone antennas, smart meters, smart appliances, and wearable smart devices.
The human body generates its own electromagnetic fields in relation to the heart, brain, and nervous system, so it isn’t that far-fetched to imagine that man-made EMFs can disrupt the health of sensitive individuals.
As many modern electronic devices can emit different frequencies of EMFs simultaneously, as practitioners we must take combined exposures into consideration when treating our patients.
Electromagnetic fields, sometimes known as electrosmog, can have a severe impact on human health. While there’s considerable skepticism about the types of health effects caused by EMFs, there’s evidence that long-term exposure can contribute to diseases such as some forms of cancer, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s.
Much of the focus in legislation and guidelines regarding EMF exposure relates to excessive thermal effects, meaning the increased temperatures caused by absorption of electromagnetic energy. However, a rise in temperature isn’t the only way electromagnetic fields can affect the human body. This is largely unreported by political organizations and in the press. EMF regulations remain largely unchanged to reflect EMF dangers, but the tide is turning.
Recent guidelines on EMF exposure across the world include:
While government bodies and organizations are beginning to pay attention, we now need to be aware of the specific health risks related to electromagnetic fields.
Electromagnetic fields can cause the following health conditions:
For patients with electromagnetic hypersensitivity and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), any exposure to EMFs causes a systematic change in their body, leading to long-term illness. Researchers first noted skin-specific reactions, including skin and mucosa signs of itching and redness, flushing, pain, papules, and pustules in patients who were exposed to electronic screens and mobile phones in studies conducted back in the 1980s. They also noted symptoms in the same patients that were triggered in the heart and central nervous system. Further research in the early 2000s regarding electrical hypersensitivity noted headaches in about 85 per cent of cell phone users, with a significant number of subjects also reporting fatigue, dizziness, nausea, itching, redness, burning, and cognitive symptoms.
EMFs activate mast cells and increase histamine release, increasing the intracellular uptake of calcium across cell membranes.
In Sweden, Olle Johannson is leading the way with research into the effects of EMFs on mast cell physiology. Johannson describes a phenomenon called electromagnetic-hypersensitivity (EHS), where certain patients experience reactions to the full-body penetration of electrical and magnetic fields in their environment. Specifically, patient labeling of ‘environmental illness’ or ‘multiple chemical sensitivity’ are the strongest predictors of electro-hypersensitivity to EMFs. Whenever a patient presents with symptoms suggestive of mast cell activation syndrome, I immediately enquire about their exposures to electrical fields, magnetic fields, radiofrequency fields, and dirty electricity then have them answer the EMF sensitivity questionnaire.
All of these diseases and changes in the body are serious, but let’s focus on electromagnetic hypersensitivity, as this is an extremely modern disease that can often be mistaken for other conditions.
Electromagnetic sensitivity, also known as electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS), is a physical intolerance to electromagnetic fields generated by power lines and power stations, electronic radio signals, and/or Wi-Fi. One patient with electromagnetic sensitivity may be more sensitive than another. Electromagnetic hypersensitivity exists on a spectrum dependent on individual susceptibility and the strength and duration of the EMF exposure. Individuals with this condition may have symptoms occurring from exposure to EMF radiation even below recommended reference levels and, when completely isolated from these fields, have complete remission of their symptoms. Although there’s still skepticism regarding the diagnosis of electromagnetic sensitivity, there are plenty of studies indicating that the condition exists. In modern society, it’s harder than ever to avoid electromagnetic fields. In fact, the sheer density of overlapping electromagnetic fields and radiation fields means that doctors are likely to be seeing increasing numbers of patients exhibiting the same symptoms.
When patients experience symptoms suggestive of EHS, this cluster of chronic inflammatory disorders still lacks validated pathogenic mechanisms, diagnostic biomarkers, and management guidelines. Many individuals get marginalized by their traditionally trained healthcare providers as having a psychogenic or somatization disorder. However, the research is continuing to advance and has provided several plausible mechanisms that explain how EMFs cause electromagnetic sensitivity, including:
Of course, these issues are often interconnected. When a patient’s body is out of balance, many reactions can happen simultaneously.
For a medical practitioner, one of the most fascinating aspects of the illness caused by electronic magnetic fields is that the symptoms seem so familiar. Our patients present with symptoms very similar to those found in patients with long-term chronic illness, particularly autoimmune disorders. In fact, many patients struggling with EMF exposure may have been misdiagnosed as suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome or multiple chemical sensitivity. Many patients have neurological symptoms such as numbness and tingling in various body parts suggestive of multiple sclerosis, but when an MRI is performed, the characteristic white matter lesions of multiple sclerosis are not evident
Electromagnetic hypersensitivity exposure symptoms are characterized by a broad range of nonspecific multiorgan symptoms suggestive of both acute and chronic inflammatory processes, involving skin, nervous system, respiratory, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal systems. These symptoms may include:
Not all symptoms are present at the same time. In addition, these symptoms can vary from one patient to another, as an individual’s genetics, state of health, and exposure to other environmental or immune stressors influence how EMF manifests in the body. In most cases, these symptoms are self-reported and there’s an absence of organ-specific pathological signs except skin manifestations, which are the most common.
Additional symptoms experienced by patients living near a cell phone tower include:
Some patients may react to an EMF source over time, whereas others are so frequently affected by acute exposure that the symptoms and cause are easy to miss. I can’t stress enough how crucial it is to ask the right questions as part of a routine doctor visit, ensuring that no stone is left unturned. It’s important to note that some patients only react to specific sources of EMFs, such as smart meters or cell phones.
It’s also advisable to keep EMFs in mind when examining patients who don’t exhibit classic electromagnetic hypersensitivity symptoms. The new man-made pollution of EMFs hasn’t been studied in detail in terms of its adverse effects on the human body. There’s certainly an argument to consider the effects EMFs could have on non-sensitive individuals, increasing their levels of biological stress at a cellular level. If you’re treating a patient who’s sensitive to heavy metals, chemicals, perfumes, fragrances, and other toxins, it’s worthwhile to educate him or her on how to reduce EMF exposure.In fact, we could all benefit from reducing our exposure to electromagnetic fields wherever possible. Even though not all of us are sensitive, EMFs do increase our chances of developing symptoms and diseases related to increasing levels of oxidative, free radical damage to vital cells of our body.
In addition, keep in mind that other medical conditions may be linked to electromagnetic sensitivity, often meaning that your patient is suffering from a total toxin overload or immune dysfunction, with electromagnetic exposure being the “straw that breaks the camel’s back”, so to speak.
These conditions include:
You’ll have to connect the dots between your patient’s different ailments, because your patient often won’t be able to do so.
Man-made electromagnetic fields can be loosely sorted into two types, namely power-based and wireless-based. Electricity EMFs are generated by any appliance or machine operating on alternating current (AC) power. Radiofrequency EMFs, also known as microwave frequency EMFs, are generated by communication devices and the cell tower network.
Sources in the home are from such things as home appliances and lighting, including:
Places where the electricity enters the home are also sources, such as:
Other sources include:
Sources at school and work include fluorescent lighting, especially compact fluorescent bulbs, as well as proximity to a variety of devices, such as:
Public sources include proximity to:
Other public sources include:
BPL is a relatively new technology that uses the existing electrical power grid to transmit a radio frequency signal for internet access. BPL runs through all buildings with electrical wiring, exposing occupants to constant radio frequency, even if they aren’t signed up for the service.
Sources in the home include:
Wireless sources include:
Sources at school and work include wireless networks, phones, computers, and cell towers or antennae such as:
Public sources include:
Faced with a list like the one above, many of your patients may feel that avoiding EMFs is impossible. However, there are ways to minimize exposure if your patient is struggling with electromagnetic sensitivity.
When diagnosing electromagnetic sensitivity, it’s crucial to rule out other illnesses, understanding that this illness can make other environmental and immune conditions worse. However, if your patient believes that they’re struggling with EMF exposure, it’s likely to be true. There are a number of ways to diagnose electromagnetic sensitivity.
Questionnaires
The first way is to complete a questionnaire and have it reviewed by a healthcare professional well-versed in the diagnosis of EHS. Please be forewarned that there won’t be many healthcare practitioners who will be vaguely interested, never mind well informed on this issue. However, it’s relevant to note that the International Classification of Diseases ICD-10 includes codes for RFR and other forms of non-ionizing radiation.
Take a full history of health problems and EMF exposure, using a functional medicine timeline:
Ensure that you ask the patient the following questions:
Look for the health issues listed above, but also watch for blood pressure problems, increased risk of infections, lack of coordination, urinary urgency, tinnitus, and a sensation of pressure in the head and ears.
The severity of electromagnetic sensitivity depends on the person and the type of exposure. Full body EMF exposure may create flu-like symptoms, whereas cell phone use may cause a slight headache.
Order tests and examine the patient
Begin with basic tests, including blood pressure and resting heart rate tests with an electronic device in the morning, while still in bed. Omron devices are quite adequate for this purpose. These levels may need to be monitored by the patient, possibly several times a day in different locations. Encourage patients to keep a journal of their symptoms and how they feel over the course of the week.
Have them do the ten-minute blood pressure and pulse test. Advise them to lie down for five minutes then take their blood pressure and pulse. They should then stand up and at one minute, three minutes, five minutes, and ten minutes they need to repeat the blood pressure and pulse readings without moving or talking. They need to note the difference between their highest and lowest pulse rates, as well as the difference between the highest and lowest systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Advise them that they should be concerned if their pulse rate changes more than thirty beats over this ten-minute time period and their systolic blood pressure falls more than twenty points.
Blood work may include:
Second-morning urine test to assess urinary catecholamines
24-hour urine test
Also consider the following:
Urine test
When treating a family, it’s worth checking out individual susceptibility to electromagnetic sensitivity.
Most of the studies to date on EHS have been animal-based, but a human case-controlled study, published in 2014, Metabolic and Genetic Screening of Electromagnetic Hypersensitive Subjects as a Feasible Tool for Diagnostics and Intervention[i] demonstrated that sensitive individuals may have shared organic determinants of impaired detoxification of common physic-chemical stressors, altered cell membrane integrity, pro-inflammatory cytokine markers, and depleted antioxidant defenses.
The following drug metabolizing enzyme-gene polymorphisms and cell markers were studied and were shown to have altered functions in sensitive individuals:
It’s best to liaise with a building biologist who can visit the patient’s home or workplace and carry out the necessary checks for the different types of EMF exposures that are derived from electrical and wireless sources. Crucially, a building biologist can assess your patient’s current sleeping arrangements in relation to electronics located close to the head and trunk of the body. A professional building biologist can provide suggestions regarding how to reduce the EMF exposure as part of the measurement report.
For a building biologist in Calgary, contact Mitch Marchand of EMF Aware at 1-403-264-2970
For a building biologist in your area, contact the Building Biology
Limit EMF exposure and provide a diagnosis
Advice on how to limit EMF exposure is included in the section below. Diagnosis of your individual patient depends upon careful monitoring of the times, places, and circumstances of possible EMF exposure, as well as the changing or intensity of symptoms over time. The report from the building biologist can help you determine whether EMF exposure is likely to be the culprit. However, other potential causes need to be excluded before you reach a diagnosis of electromagnetic hypersensitivity or EMF-related health problems.
Treatment
Although the main focus should be on minimizing EMF exposure, it’s also beneficial for your patient if you work together to strengthen their immune systems, improve antioxidant defenses, reduce their total body burden of associated toxins, improve diet with macro and micronutrient adjustments, help them to sleep and reduce stress. After all, everything’s connected.
Focus on things such as:
A lifestyle or health coach may be able to help with these aspects of the patient’s recovery.
Many of your patients may feel frustrated with the diagnosis of electromagnetic sensitivity because of the nature of modern life and the reality of working all day in an office or with other industrial machinery. Yet it’s important to stress to them that it’s possible to counteract their symptoms with careful behaviors.
The most important piece of advice you can give to any patient suffering from electromagnetic sensitivity is to move if they live near a power line and transformer, since these are such a powerful source of EMFs.
Close proximity to the following places can also be problematic for patients with electromagnetic sensitivity:
Cell phone towers emit microwave radiation and can have a directional beam, but some emit in all directions. A broadcast station is problematic when it’s closer than 1.24 miles (2 km) and a direct line of sight usually leads to greater exposures. Proximity to emergency service facilities is a risk because the personnel use terrestrial trunked radio (TETRA) to communicate. Airports and military bases use radar and shortwave radio communications, in addition to other harmful technologies.
Ideally, your patient should consult a building biologist to learn more about the specific EMFs that may be radiating from inside their home, but may also be occuring externally.
Here are some general guidelines for your patients to follow after their diagnosis.
In the home
It’ is advisable that everyone limit their cell phone and cordless calls by frequency and duration. Children should never use cordless phones or cell phones at all, as the level of radiation penetration into the brain far exceeds that experienced by adults.[iv]
If there’s a need to use a cordless phone or cell phone, use a wired headset. These types of headsets are best, but any type of cord that creates distance between a person’s head and the phone is helpful. Alternatively, use the speakerphone. Avoid using Bluetooth headsets at all costs, as these generate RFs. While it’s harder than ever for patients to avoid using wireless laptops and wireless routers these days, if possible, your patient should use a computer that’s plugged into a cable modem via LAN (Ethernet cable). Stress the importance of having a non-wireless router, as unfortunately most routers default to wireless even when the Wi-Fi isn’t being used. It’s also impossible to determine if the router is transmitting wirelessly.
In addition to the recommendations above regarding bedrooms, hire a building biologist to determine which circuits to turn off at night. An electrician can then install a cut-off switch so that when you turn off your lights at night in the bedroom, this also turns off all the electrical supply to the room. If a cut-off switch isn’t installed, all electrical devices in the bedroom must be unplugged from the wall socket every night.
A Christmas light timer can be employed to turn off all Wi-Fi access at night, although using wired internet through ethernet at home is the best option. If your use of Wi-Fi is unavoidable, only plug the router in when the Wi-Fi is in use and unplug the router during sleeping hours. Beacon signal, power output, and number of radios enabled can be configured to reduce the amount of exposure from wireless access points. Install the wireless access points as far as possible from occupied space, such as your desk, and never have the wireless access points located in a child’s bedroom. You must also always work at least ten feet away from where the Wi-Fi signal is generated.
Compact fluorescent bulbs may be better for the environment, but they can emit dirty power. To protect your health, switch to LED or incandescent light bulbs and remove any dimmer switches from the home. However, keep in mind that LED light bulbs can still be a concern, as they’re known to disturb melatonin production and affect sleep patterns.
Although also recommended as being good for the environment, solar panels can emit dirty electricity if they use a particular type of inverter to convert the electricity that’s generated. If a neighbor uses a solar panel, EMF can permeate the neighborhood. You should also ask your immediate neighbors to turn off their Wi-Fi routers at night and when not in use. When you see several different wireless networks available on your device, it’s important to remember that each individual signal is a RF stressor and can potentially interfere with your health.
All personal wireless devices, such as cell phones, tablets, or laptops, need to be kept one foot away from a person’s body. Keep your laptop on the table, use speakerphone or wired headphones when talking on the phone, and use airplane mode when carrying a cell phone in your pocket. In addition, ensure that you’re ten feet away from these devices when they’re charging. Bluetooth should also be turned off unless it’s in use.
As EMS increases sensitivity to other environmental toxins, it’s also important to ensure that the home is free of pollutants such as mold, toxins, and common household chemicals. Get a quality air purifier with a HEPA filter and keep it at least a foot away from you. Doctors, please note that you should follow protocol to ensure that your patient isn’t dealing with a secondary sensitivity.
While driving and out in public
Don’t use cell phones in the car as it can be immediately dangerous, but also ramp up exposure to EMFs. In particular, avoid using cell phones when children are present, as RF levels can be incredibly high in the back seat while a phone is used in the front of the car. Turn off cell phones in the car and avoid returning or taking calls while driving, retrieving messages when you arrive at a safe spot. In addition, don’t use Bluetooth for hands-free, as this is also a source of EMFs. Try to select a cell phone with a low specific absorption rate or SAR value. Choose the lowest where possible, which you can learn more about with this handy guide.
At work and at school
Most of the precautions recommended for the home can also be used at work or school, although there may be some resistance from bosses, coworkers, teachers, and the school district authorities. However, there’s no reason to use Wi-Fi in the classroom if it’s not pertinent to the lesson.
Although it may be tempting to provide all these guidelines at once, many patients may feel overwhelmed by all the things they’re advised to remember. Introduce the guidelines gradually where possible, perhaps focusing on those related to the bedroom and the home to begin with, alongside those regarding personal and portable electronic devices. Remind your patients that this is a process, and that it takes time to improve electrosmog symptoms.
There are several forms of EMF protection your patient can employ to minimize their exposure to electromagnetic fields. These include:
As healthcare professionals, we need to be aware of man-made pollutants, particularly those that have been introduced without any consideration of the health risks. Cell phones, Wi-Fi hotspots, and electrical devices seem to be everywhere these days, and the number of patients with electromagnetic sensitivity is bound to increase over time. You’re uniquely qualified to advise patients on how to minimize their vulnerability to EMFs. Ultimately, EMF exposure is avoidable but with your help, your patients can see a real improvement in their health.
This is a summary of 4425 peer review EMF studies showing biological effects downloaded from the ORSAA database. Oceania Radiofrequency Scientific Advisory Association (ORSAA) is a not-for-profit organization composed of scientists and professionals from various academic disciplines who are investigating the scientific research that relates to the effects of artificial electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on humans, animals, and the environment. As the name indicates, ORSAA has a special focus on radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) that includes high frequency microwaves widely used for wireless communication and surveillance technologies. However, ORSAA’s interest in biological effects research extends to extremely low frequency (ELF) fields such as those utilized for domestic electrification or power frequencies.
[i] Sage C., Burgio E., Electromagnetic Fields, Pulsed Radiofrequency Radiation, and Epigenetics: How Wireless Technologies May Affect Childhood Development. Child Development, XXX 2017, Vol 00, No 0, pages 1-8
[ii] Mchiara De Luca et al., Metabolic and Genetic Screening of Electromagnetic Hypersensitive Subjects as a Feasible Tool for Diagnostics and Intervention Mediators of Inflammation Vol 201 Article ID 924184
[iii] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30169019/
[iv] https://ehtrust.org/research-on-childrens-vulnerability-to-cell-phone-radio-frequency-radiation/
