Review Article – Citation: J Sci Discov(2019); 3(1):jsd18020; DOI:10.24262/jsd.3.1.18020 Electrohypersensitivity (EHS) is an Environmentally-Induced Disability that Requires Immediate Attention
Dr Magda Havas. PhD
Trent School of the Environment, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario, K9J 7B8, CANADA
A growing number of countries are beginning to acknowledge that electrohypersensitivity (EHS) exists and a few countries have classified it as a disability or a functional impairment attributable to the environment. Epidemiological studies and invivo experiments show that exposure to non-ionizing radiation (NIR) from extremely low to microwave frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) at exposure intensities far below the maximum limits in international guidelines increases anxiety, depression, and physiological stress and impairs cognitive functions that include concentration, memory and learning. Furthermore, exposure to NIR contributes to neurodegenerative diseases including dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autismspectrum disorder. Exposure of the fetus to NIR (mobile phone) affects the neonatal heart and can lead to emotional and behavioral problems in human offspring. Similar exposures in laboratory studies report impaired cognitive performance, neuronal losses and pathological changes in the brain of rat offspring. The scientific and medical communities have repeatedly sent out urgent warnings, in the form of appeals, declarations and testimonies, that exposure to NIR needs to be reduced from a public health perspective. These warnings have been largely ignored. With continued development of wireless technology and the imminent roll out of new and densified technologies (e.g., 5G technology, satellite constellations, repeaters, wearables, Internet of Things), society will pay an enormous price for disregarding these warnings. It is long overdue for those responsible for public health, the health of children and health policy to take these warnings seriously and to provide a refuge for those afflicted by EHS. EHS is real, it is exacerbated by exposure to NIR, it is increasing among the population and when severe it becomes a disability. Action is long overdue to minimize exposure to
NIR and to provide a safe environment that all can enjoy.
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The first reported injury of 5G in a news report comes from Switzerland, where 5G has been launched in102 locations. The weekly French-language Swiss magazine L’Illustré interviewed people living in Geneva after the 5G rollout with alarming details of illness. In their article, With 5G, We Feel Like Guinea Pigs, posted July 18, 2019, they report neighbors met to discuss their many common symptoms and many unanswered questions.
5G: Its Legal but Not Safe
As soon as the antennas were installed, several residents and entire families in the heart of Geneva reported similar unusual symptoms of loud ringing in the ear, intense headaches, unbearable earaches, insomnia, chest pain, fatigue and not feeling well in the house. 29-year-old Geneva resident, Johan Perruchoud, called up Swisscom and was told that indeed the 5G cell towers were activated on the same day he began to feel the symptoms. When others called Swisscom they were told everything is legal and within guidelines.
Swiss Physician Denounces 5G and Calls for a 5G Moratorium
Dr. Bertrand Buchs, who has also called for a 5G moratorium, states he has seen more and more patients with similar symptoms. He notes, “In this case, our authorities are going against common sense … we risk experiencing a catastrophe in a few years… no serious study exists yet, which is not surprising when we know that this technology was developed in China, then to the United States. In Switzerland, we could open a line for people who feel bad, listen to these complaints and examine them. Our country has the means and the skills. The debate must be launched because the story is not about to end.”
Swisscom: Millions of Fast Connections
Swisscom states, “5G will create new opportunities for residential customers and businesses across Switzerland. 5G is the new mobile communication standard for digitisation, enabling the extremely fast connection of millions of devices, things and people.” Will those millions of fast connection enable communication, or instead disable people from communicating due to illness?
Dear Diary: Loud Humming, Lots of Pain, Nausea, No Sleep
These stories parallel that of Anne Mills, author of “All EMF’d Up”, who suffered wireless radiation poisoning in Germany when her husband was stationed there for work. She wrote a diary with identical symptoms of those in Geneva. As noted in the Swiss magazine L’Illustré article, her concerns, like those in Geneva, were dismissed. She consulted with German physician, Dr Horst Eger, to confirm her symptoms were that of microwave illness seen in military radar personnel and those working on microwave towers. All EMFd Up (Electromagnetic Fields): My Journey Through Wireless Radiation Poisoning and How You Can Protect Yourself. (2019)Anne Mills
“Mystery Illness” In Cuban and Chinese Diplomats is Microwave Poisoning
The New York Times and CBS reported unexplained symptoms in diplomats living in China and Cuba in 2017 and 2018. The source was found to be microwave radiation. UC San Diego Professor of Medicine, Dr. Beatrice Golomb, published an article in Neural Computation in September 2018, discussing the symptoms of the diplomats living abroad. The symptoms that diplomats and their families experienced, i.e. sleep problems, headaches, strange auditory sounds, anxiety and dizziness were similar to those with microwave illness reported inmilitary studies from pulsed microwave radiation. See Cuban Diplomats Likely Hit by Microwave Weapons.
Many Others Suffer Microwave Illness/Electrosensitivity
It is reported that 3% to 30% of the population have symptoms similar to Microwave illness or electrosensitivity, depending on the country and if mild to severe symptoms are reported.
Writer Alison Main has documented her experience in developing electrosensitivity and her frustration at being more isolated from other people and wireless technology she would like to use. Electro-Sensitivity: When the Modern World Hurts
EUROPAEM EMF Guideline 2016 for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of EMF-related health problems and illnesses gives an “overview of the current knowledge regarding EMF-related health risks and provides recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment and accessibility measures of EHS to improve and restore individual health outcomes as well as for the development of strategies for preventionor https://www.degruyter.com/view/j/reveh.ahead-of-print/reveh-2016-0011/reveh-2016-0011.xml?format=INTor EMF Guidelines
Prevalence of self-reported hypersensitivity to electric or magnetic fields in a population-based questionnaire survey. Hillert L et al. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2002 Feb;28(1):33-41. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11871850
Changes of Clinically Important Neurotransmitters Under the Influence of Modulated RF Fields- A Long-term Study Under Real-life Conditions. (2011) Buchner K and Eger H. https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/7521095891.pdf
A presentation by UK expert, Dr Erica Mallery-Blythe, on health and environmental impacts associated with exposure to electromagnetic radiation, with an especial focus on 5G, to an invited audience including Bath MP, Wera Hobhouse, BANES council leader, Dine Romero, and other BANES councillors and members of the public. Guildhall Bath – 5th July 2019.
A landmark Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the City of Berkeley’s cell phone right to know ordinance rejecting industries argument that the ordinance violates the first amendment. The Berkeley ordinance requires retailers to inform consumers that cell phones emit radiation and that “if you carry or use your phone in a pants or shirt pocket or tucked into a bra when the phone is ON and connected to a wireless network, you may exceed the federal guidelines for exposure to RF radiation.” In upholding this decision, the panel concluded that the public health issues at hand were “substantial” and that the “text of the Berkeley notice was literally true,” and “uncontroversial.”
Further, the panel determined that the Berkeley ordinance did not constitute preemption.
“Far from conflicting with federal law and policy, the Berkeley ordinance complemented and enforced it.”
The panel held that Berkeley’s required disclosure simply alerted consumers to the safety disclosures that the Federal Communications Commission required, and directed consumers to federally compelled instructions in their user manuals providing specific information about how to avoid excessive exposure.
Industry is expected to appeal for a full court en banc review, but this reviewing “panel concluded that CTIA had little likelihood of success based on conflict preemption.”
In response to this court rulingCTIA-v-Berkeley-9th-Circuit-opinion-7-2-2019 Devra Davis, PhD, MPH, President of Environmental Health Trust (EHT) issued the following statement:
“Congratulations to the hard-working indomitable Town Council and Citizens of Berkeley, California for upholding The Right to Know. More than a decade in the making this decision assures the right to know that cell phones emit radiation and that when the phone is touching the body levels can be exceeded.
Democracy rests on an informed public that freely consents to be governed. Reliable information is key to the functioning of our system. The right to know is essential to all citizens. And the duty to warn about potential hazards is an obligation of any company. Wherever the right to know and the duty to warn are not followed democracy itself is imperiled.
Thanks to the Berkeley ordinance billions more will learn that cell phones are two-way microwave radios and our bodies absorb this microwave radiation. New scientific studies, the work of the Phonegate Association and investigations from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation confirm that cellphones can exceed the US FCC limits up toeleven timeswhen held next to the body.
We at the Environmental Health Trust want to extend a great big thank you to Professor Lawrence Lessig of Harvard Law. And to all the many individuals who have dedicated their time to this important work including Joel Moskowitz PhD, Ellie Marks, Llyod Morgan, and many more.”
The Berkeley Cell Phone Right To Know Ordinance requires retailers post a notice with the following text.
“The City of Berkeley requires that you be provided the following notice:
“To assure safety, the Federal Government requires that cell phones meet radiofrequency (RF) exposure guidelines. If you carry or use your phone in a pants or shirt pocket or tucked into a bra when the phone is ON and connected to a wireless network, you may exceed the federal guidelines for exposure to RF radiation. Refer to the instructions in your phone or user manual for information about how to use your phone safely.”
Dr. Davis, Visiting Professor of Medicine, The Hebrew University, and the author of more than 220 scientific publications, is also the author of Disconnect–the truth about cellphone radiation. Prof. Davis testified on this issue before the Berkeley City Council in 2011 and 2015 alongside Joel Moskowitz, PhD, the Director of the Center for Family and Community Health at the University of California, Berkeley and Lawrence Lessig of Harvard Law who has represented Berkeley pro bono. In addition, Davisalso testified in the2009 Congressional Hearings on cell phone radiation regarding the fine print warnings on cell phone radiation buried in cell phones, urging public access to that information.
“While I am thrilled with the court decision and the fact that the ordinance remains it should not be this difficult. I started working on this with past city council member Max Anderson in 2009. But we did prevail over a $ trillion industry and their high priced lawyers thus I am happy to see justice prevailed. Consumers deserve the right to know in order to make informed decisions as to how they and their families use their cell phones. I am hopeful that we will now take this valuable ordinance to many other cities and in doing so save lives,” stated Ellie Marks of the California Brain Tumor Association who has long advocated for the right to know and also testified in the 2008 Congressional hearings on cell phone radiation.
In Europe, 13 phone models have been recalled or software updated afterPhonegate Alerte pressured the French government to release cell phone radiation measurement data from hundreds of cell phones. “The fact that cell phones exceed federal limits when tested touching the body is a scandal that has been going on for 30 years. It affects billions of cell phone users worldwide and will shake the cell phone industry itself,” stated Dr. Arazi who filed charges against the Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi for cell phone radiation measurements that violated regulatory levels.
“Parents are unaware that when a child holds a phone or iPad in their lap, or when then their teenager tucks the phone in their pants, that their child could absorbs radiation at levels that exceed US cell phone radiation limits,” stated Theodora Scarato, Executive Director of EHT. “We contacted the FDA when the French cell phone data were first released three years ago and called on them to take action. Yet no action? The CDC, FDA, and FCC must inform the public about this and take action to ensure protection for all cell phone users, especially children, and teenagers.” Scarato pointed out that manufacturers have buried fine print warnings regarding distances consumers should maintain wireless devices in not only for cell phones but also for wireless laptops, baby monitors, cordless phones, wireless speakers, and even drones and “smarthome” devices. EHT has a webpage listing the fine print warnings for many of these devices online.
Previous to Berkeley’s Ordinance, San Francisco became the first city in the country to pass and adopt cell phone safety legislation. The San Francisco ‘Right to Know’ ordinance was unanimously approved by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors on August 2, 2011. The ordinance required cell phone retailers to provide their customers with information detailing that if a user holds a phone too close to their body, a phone may exceed the radiofrequency energy exposure limitation set by the Federal Communications Commission.
Cell phone retailers were to provide information that provides measures customers can take to reduce their exposure to radiofrequency energy from cell phones. The original ordinance required that this information be provided via a store poster, and afactsheet to be given out with each phone sold and upon customer request.
However the CTIA (The Wireless Association) sued the cityand implementation of the ordinance was blocked in 2012 after a three year court battle.Although implementation in cell phone retail stores was halted, a City webpagedetailing ways to reduce exposure to wireless radiation. The Berkeley was designed to be purely factual simply ensuring that consumers were provided FCC information on the fact that cell phone radiation can exceed limits if devices are used in close proximity to the body.
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5G is rated as a “high impact” emerging risk affecting property and casualty claims in more than 3 years.
“As the biological effects of EMF in general and 5G in particular are still being debated, potential claims for health impairments may come with a long latency.”
“5G – short for fifth generation – is the latest standard for cellular mobile communications. Providing ultrafast broadband connection with higher capacity and lower latency, 5G is not only heaven for your smartphone. It will enable wireless connectivity in real time for any device of the Internet of things (IoT), whether that be autonomous cars or sensor-steered factory. In doing so, it will allow decentralised seamless interconnectivity between devices.
To allow for a functional network coverage and increased capacity overall, more antennas will be needed, including acceptance of higher levels of electromagnetic radiation. In some jurisdictions, the rise of threshold values will require legal adaptation. Existing concerns regarding potential negative health effects from electromagnetic fields (EMF) are only likely to increase. An uptick in liability claims could be a potential long-term consequence.
Other concerns are focused on cyber exposures, which increase with the wider scope of 5G wireless attack surfaces. Traditionally IoT devices have poor security features. Moreover, hackers can also exploit 5G speed and volume, meaning that more data can be stolen much quicker. A large-scale breakthrough of autonomous cars and other IoT applications will mean that security features need to be enhanced at the same pace. Without, interruption and subversion of the 5G platform could trigger catastrophic, cumulative damage. …
Potential impacts:
Cyber exposures are significantly increased with 5G, as attacks become faster and higher in volume. This increases the challenge of defence.
Growing concerns of the health implications of 5G may lead to political friction and delay of implementation, and to liability claims. The introductions of 3G and 4G faced similar challenges.
Information security and national sovereignty concerns might delay implementation of 5G further, increasing uncertainty for planning authorities, investors, tech companies and insurers.
Heated international dispute over 5G contractors and potential for espionage or sabotage could affect international cooperation, and impact financial markets negatively.
As the biological effects of EMF in general and 5G in particular are still being debated, potential claims for health impairments may come with a long latency.”
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A couple of weeks back, I hadtweeted about my ongoing interest in 5G technology, which is all set to be introduced in a few countries by 2020. It is a technology that is making waves at the moment and is gradually winning more people over with the kind of benefits it promises. As an investor and tech enthusiast, I too was looking forward to knowing how this technology could boost the current internet usage speed.
However, I was mildly amused whenWilliam Kelley Eidem, the author of the book ‘The Doctor Who Cures Cancer’, reached out to me over mail. Eidem wished to warn me about the potential health risks associated with 5G technology, and how it wouldn’t be right for me to use my platform to promote such a dangerous technology. We had a long drawn out conversation regarding how the technology is causing damage to people and bringing about a flu epidemic. I wouldn’t lie, it sounded extremely serious. Which is why I decided to investigate the matter further.
Now Eidem says, that more people will be experiencing ‘sickness in the extreme, including cramps, vomiting, diarrhoea, strokes, fainting, skin rashes, ringing in the ears, and on and on’ because of the devastating effects of 5G technology. On digging a little deeper, I found out that many cities in the US are well on their way to roll out their new phase of 5G technology. Most recently in the city of Providence, despite community opposition to the proposals over possible health effects, the new phase is all set to launch soon.
According to Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., there hasn’t been adequate studies on the health effects of 5G technology. He primarily blames the Federal Communications Commission and the Food and Drug Administration for their lack of oversight.
He said during a committee hearing.
“We’re kind of flying blind here, as far as health and safety is concerned.” But have scientists really not delved deeper into studying the effects of this technology?
That is in fact not true. I was slightly taken aback when I came across a petition opposing 5G technology, which had the support of more than 26,000 Scientists. The petition titled ‘Wireless Radiation: Stop The 5G Network On Earth And In Space, Devastating Impacts On Health And The Environment’ was addressed to the UN, WHO, EU, Council of Europe and governments of all nations.
The abstract of that petition read:
“We the undersigned scientists, doctors, environmental organizations and citizens from (__) countries, urgently call for a halt to the deployment of the 5G (fifth generation) wireless network, including 5G from space satellites. 5G will massively increase exposure to radio frequency (RF) radiation on top of 2G, 3G, and 4G networks for telecommunications already in place. RF radiation has been proven harmful to humans and the environment. The deployment of 5G constitutes an experiment on humanity and the environment that is defined as a crime under international law.”
As it turns out, all this hue and cry and the backlash isn’t for nothing. I mean we have all known about the harmful effects of cell phone radiation, but have chosen to use them anyway. But is ignorance bliss, in this case? It seems that the negative effects of 5G technology are more profound and pronounced. The scale at which the 5G technology wave is expected to roll out can be severely detrimental to human/animal life and the ecology on planet Earth. 5G will use phased array antennas to shoot beams of radiation at cell phones which according to the evidence available today, can cause severe damage to DNA, cells and organ systems in both plants and animals.
There is significant evidence present which indicates that electromagnetic pollution is largely responsible for causing modern day diseases like cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Additionally, with the proposed 5G from space programme, an estimated 20,000 satellites are to be deployed in space to offer 5G technology. If each of these satellites ‘emit millimetre waves with an effective radiated power of up to 5 million watts from thousands of antennas arranged in a phased array’, then it will drastically alter the electromagnetic environment of Earth and set us up for inevitable doom.
It is true that I was unaware of the severe health risks, that mass adoption of 5G technology can bring about on us. But now that I know better, I shall endeavour to work in my capacity as a fellow citizen of the planet, to spread greater awareness regarding this epidemic. I agree that as an entrepreneur and tech enthusiast, I have always envisioned emerging technologies paving the way forward for the improvement of our society. But we have to sometimes pause and ask ourselves, at what cost? Lives of animals and plants seem like too steep a price to pay in the name of development.
European countries are rolling out 5G mobile communications at breakneck speed as they seek to gain a competitive edge over the US and Asia. But some scientists have raised questions about the effects of 5G mobile phone radiation on public health and are calling for a precautionary approach
By 2020, at least one major city in every state in the European Union (EU) is due to have a 5G mobile phone service in operation, and by 2025, three-quarters of the European population is expected to have 5G access.
The new mobile phone technology promises to bring huge economic benefits, in the form of superfast mobile services, smart cities and intelligent devices connected and controlled through the internet of things.
It’s no surprise that Europe is racing to create a smart society, with the UK government one of many aiming to expedite 5G roll-out. London alone has nine trial sites.
Network operator EE has chosen 16 cities across the country to welcome its 5G services this year. Vodafone presented the captain of Manchester City’s women’s football team performing ball tricks on stage as a hologram at its launch. And Nokia has demonstrated how robots can solve intricate tasks in collaboration using 5G.
Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, “shares the government’s ambition for the UK to become a world leader in 5G” and plans “to release different types of spectrum bands for 5G as soon as practicable”. The watchdog has committed “to ensure site access and planning are not a barrier to the deployment of 5G”.
But behind the scenes, there is an ongoing debate about whether the telecoms industry and governments are rushing to implement the society of tomorrow, without fully scrutinising the long-term health effects of the electromagnetic radiation produced by 5G.
The radiation produced by mobile phones and phone masts is non-ionising radiation, which means that it does not directly cause cell and DNA damage, through the same mechanisms as X-rays or radioactive particles.
But electromagnetic radiation in high power densities can cause damage through other mechanisms, such as thermal damage by heating the skin in much the same way that a microwave oven cooks food.
Scientists argue for more research
The Swiss Foundation for Research on Information Technologies in Society (IT’IS) is an independent, non-profit organisation that researches the safety and quality of emerging electromagnetic technologies.
The foundation’s director and co-founder, Niels Kuster, says the implementation of 5G will use much higher frequency bands than 2G, 3G or 4G to satisfy the growing demand in data rates, but this induces much higher power density in human skin.
“Health risks associated with the omnipresent radio-frequency radiation for mobile devices [must be] studied before we expose the whole population [to] ever-rising levels of the electromagnetic fields from this technology”
Ernst von Weizsäcker, scientist
His colleague, Esra Neufeld, a scientist and consultant, adds: “The current standards do not prevent thermal damage of the skin and should be corrected in the next revision of the guidelines.”
5G will operate in a range of frequencies known as the millimetre wave band. Neufeld says there are “almost no studies at the millimetre wave range which can be used [to assess] risks” that technology poses for people, and such research is urgently needed.
One of the most renowned experts on environment policy in Germany, professor Ernst von Weizsäcker, goes further, calling for the deployment of 5G to be delayed until its risks are understood.
“We do not know for sure whether the mobile data transmission technology poses health risks, but we cannot yet exclude it either,” he says.
“Thus, we must insist that the health risks associated with the omnipresent radio-frequency radiation for mobile devices are studied before we expose the whole population with ever-rising levels of the electromagnetic fields from this technology.”
International safety standards
With few exceptions, governments on several continents are supporting and promoting the upgrade of mobile telecommunications to 5G frequencies which offer faster download speeds.
Governments, including the UK, take advice on radiation limits from a German-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), which has become the de facto organisation for assessing mobile safety and setting radiation exposure limits.
Eric Van Rongen, who chairs ICNIRP, tells us: “ICNIRP establishes whether health effects have been found and, on the basis of that, sets its limits. That is done with a large degree of conservatism.”
“The International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection establishes whether health effects have been found and, on the basis of that, sets its limits. That is done with a large degree of conservatism”
Eric Van Rongen, ICNIRP
While many 5G pilots are already under way, ICNIRP is reviewing its own mobile technology-related radiation advice and is expected to release revised limits later this year. ICNIRP is an independent body, which is not subjected to the same levels of scrutiny received by public organisations.
Governments are aware of health fears over new technologies. The EU Treaty and the European Commission refer to the precautionary principle, which should guide decisions to implement products or policies with unknown risks. In the 5G roll-out frenzy, most governments observe ICNIRP’s limits, which set safe exposure levels for electromagnetic radiation produced by mobile phones, phone towers and other radio emissions.
Some countries take the issue more seriously than others. France has prohibited Wi-Fi in kindergartens and restricted the use of Wi-Fi in primary schools. Cyprus has done the same. Switzerland has legally binding precautionary limits that are 10 times stricter for mobile communications installations than those of ICNIRP. Italy, Poland and Luxembourg have also set lower exposure limits than those of ICNIRP.
This cautious approach is not without problems. In Italy, for example, the country’s lower limits meant it was difficult to upgrade 3G antenna sites to 4G without reconfiguring the sites.
But this is not preventing the fast-track deployment of 5G networks across Europe….
Electromagnetic Sense Ireland 