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Electrical Sensitivity & Hypersensitivity
Electrical Sensitivity & Hypersensitivity
Source: Environmental Illness Resource
Information Provided By: http://www.powerwatch.org.uk/
What is Electrical Hypersensitivity (EHS)?
Electrical hypersensitivity (EHS) is a combination of up to three factors:
A natural sensitivity, similar to other idiopathic or allergic reactions, which is not typical of the
general population.
Sensitisation by some trigger, which could be one, or more, of a variety of commonly encountered
substances.
Sensitisation by some incident, which has the capability of damaging the bioelectrochemical
communication within the body.
Some people are electrically sensitive, that is they are aware of the presence of electromagnetic
fields (EMFs), but are not adversely affected by them. Other people may or may not be aware of
the presence of EMFs, but can become seriously ill in their presence. These people we refer to as
electrically hypersensitive (EHS). People who have developed EHS have a physiological disorder,
characterized by neurological and idiopathic reactions, that noticeably appear or intensify near
sources of EMFs such as electrical appliances, especially VDUs (computer monitors), power lines,
fluorescent lights, mobile phones, cordless phones, wireless computers (wLANs), mobile phone
base stations, etc.
Being EHS means experiencing recurring feelings of stress or illness when near an EMF source.
Any noticeable, recurring ill health that is triggered by an electromagnetic field, and that diminishes
or disappears away from the EMF source, constitutes a case of electrical hypersensitivity. While
symptoms may diminish quickly after the exposure is reduced, it can take several days, weeks or
occasionally months if the person has become severely sensitised, for the effects to disappear.
It is not yet known whether EHS is an independent condition, or a kind of Multiple Environmental
Sensitivity Syndrome, linked possibly also to Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome.
For EHS sufferers living in a high EMF environment, it is like a person with auditory sensitivity trying
to carry on normal life with someone shouting in both ears all the time.
Many electrically sensitive people seem to have quite dry skin and can carry high electrostatic
charges on their body. Not only can other people experience a 'zap' when touching the person, but
the electrostatic charges can also be transferred to electronic equipment causing equipment to
malfunction. This can sometimes give an appearance of clumsiness or ineptitude, which can lead to
a lack of confidence in using electrical equipment. This is quite concerning when young people,
even in pre-school nurseries, are being exposed to computers, and they may develop this
sensitivity, which can lead to a lifelong lack of confidence and self-esteem problems.
How many people does EHS affect?
People who have EHS develop different symptoms, for reasons that are poorly understood. Some
people will react to power-frequency electric fields, some to magnetic fields and some to both. They
may (or they may not) also react to radiofrequency fields such as those transmitted by the mobile
phone networks, some reacting to the phones, some to the masts, and some to both. Some people
will only react to radiofrequency fields and not to power-frequency fields. Some people will even
react to sunlight, another part of the EMF spectrum.
Because of this the condition is not an easy one to diagnose. People with EHS often cannot go into
hospital, even to visit. Hospitals are full of electrically powered equipment, some giving off very high
EMFs, and hospitals have fluorescent lights, a common trigger for EHS and intolerable to most EHS
people.
The incidence of EHS seems to be slightly higher in women than in men, and there appear to be
significant day to day variations in their sensitivity. Many people with EHS have lower incomes and
may be unemployed. These variations may be explained, at least in part, by difference in Health
and Safety practices, especially with regard to chemical (and other) exposures in lower paid jobs,
and the fact that EHS can lead to the inability to work in a 'normal' environment.
The social, work and financial lives of EHS sufferers are likely to be affected by the fact that
fluorescent lights are used in public offices (making it hard to make claims for, or to draw, Social
Security benefits), shops, libraries, theatres, cinemas, concert halls, restaurants, churches, trains,
trams and buses.
A study by the Irish Doctors Environmental Association reported that half the people reporting
ill-health effects as a result of living near to mobile phone base stations were unable to work due to
the severity of the symptoms. They also led a very restricted social life, feeling like 'prisoners' in
their own homes, which were not always comfortable places for them to be either.
Even cars have electrical and electronic equipment (power wiring, fan motors, computerised
controls and dashboards) that can disturb electrically hypersensitive people, especially in the front
seat.
Many trains, railway stations and planes now contain wireless computing systems, so that
passengers can access the internet 'on the move'. City centres are being covered by WiMAX
systems, making access for EHS sufferers ever more difficult. Neighbours who are 'ham' radio
operators can, even unwittingly, make an EHS neighbour's life almost unbearable. A nearby
lamp-post height mobile phone mast can make a house uninhabitable by an EHS person. They may
not even be able to go down a road where one of these masts is situated. This makes living a
'normal' life almost impossible in severe cases of EHS.
It is generally accepted that probably between 3% and 7% of the population are EHS to some
degree and maybe up to 35% show some mild indications of electro-stress.
What are the initiators of EHS?
Electrical hypersensitivity can have a variety of causes; computer monitors (VDUs), fluorescent
lights, mobile and cordless phones are believed to be among the most common initiators of the
problem; working in high magnetic fields, MRI scans, wireless computing systems, chemical
overload, 'closed head' injury, allergy, low energy lamps, trauma, electric shock, metallic implants,
even lightning strikes are other initiators. Many people experience an abrupt onset of symptoms
following exposure to a novel EMF such as fields associated with a new computer, a new phone or
new fluorescent lights.
Working in high electromagnetic fields can produce sensitivity. Drivers of electric trains are
members of a group in which hypersensitivity can lead to very dangerous consequences. 10 - 25%
of UK train drivers report 'missing time', time in which they were unaware of their surroundings.
However brief this 'absence' may be, if it is at a critical place, e.g. coming up to a red light, it is
possible that this could lead to fatal accidents.
British biophysicist Peter Alexander said, "Once the individual is sensitized to an agent the initial
aggressor is immaterial. The biological reaction will be the same to all agents." EHS commonly also
develops with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). Computer monitors, and many other electronic
items, give off quite toxic volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) when the cases and electronic
components 'burn in' from new.
According to the UK's Building Research Establishment, and a separate Australian study, new
houses 1-2 years old can emit many times the level of potentially carcinogenic volatile organic
compounds as houses built just 10 years ago. The sources include formaldehyde from treated
wooden floors and furniture, toxic compounds from fresh paints and solvents, and hormone
disrupting chemicals from carpets and vinyl flooring.
Symptoms
Try the questionnaire at the end which includes most of the symptoms experienced by people with
electrical hypersensitivity.
Tips for avoiding electrical hypersensitivity
Reduction of exposure in the house
There are two main sources of EMFs inside the home. The house wiring, and electrical appliances.
Check your house wiring to ensure that field levels where you sleep and sit for extended periods,
the two places where your biological systems are at their most vulnerable, are low.
Check the levels from all electrical appliance, especially near the bed and those which have a
motor and heater. If you are unsure keep all electrical appliances at least a meter away from your
pillow (including un-earthed bedside lights), clock radios, TVs, etc. Cordless phones and mobile
phones should not be in the bedroom as they both give off high fields. Cordless phones emit
microwave radiation all the time, mobile phones emit at maximum strength intermittently when on
standby, and the re-charging unit gives off power-frequency fields as well.
Do not use an induction hob in the kitchen, and keep your distance from all electrical appliances
when in use, especially if you are pregnant, are attempting to conceive (men and women) or if you
have a compromised immune system due to ill-health or age.
Reduction of exposure at work
Many offices are full of electronic and electric appliances, computers, faxes, printers, photocopiers,
air conditioners, de-humidifiers, electric fans, etc. Phones and burglar alarms can use microwaves.
Computers are increasingly networked using microwaves. All these can make working life
unbearable for the EHS office worker.
In the community
Schools, hospitals, residential homes, shops are all full of fluorescent lighting and other equipment
that can provoke idiopathic reactions in the EHS person, making their tolerance level even more
sensitised. Most shops have electronic tills, and security tagging devices, for stock control and to
prevent theft. All these can produce symptoms for the person with EHS.
Mobile phone street masts are springing up everywhere, in residential areas, city centres, shopping
malls, train and bus stations. These can produce very severe symptoms in people with EHS.
Transport
All modern forms of transport (Cars, trains, trams, planes, buses and coaches) can have high
levels of electromagnetic fields. Older cars, more basic planes are usually less of a problem. Trains
are becoming more of a problem with the addition of wireless computing facilities on board and in
stations.
Other things you might consider doing to keep as healthy as possible
People with EHS should wear clothes and shoes made of natural materials or even special
conductive clothing and footwear that is made for workers in the electronics semiconductor
industry. You need to have flooring that is made of natural material, as you build up static charges
every time you move your feet. You should 'earth' yourself frequently, by touching metal objects, or
walking barefoot on the earth. Drink plenty of 'good' water, extra to what you take in tea and coffee,
which are diuretic. People in general suffer from sub-clinical de-hydration, and it seems to be more
of a problem for people with EHS.
Some people with EHS benefit from many complementary health treatments. These have not had a
lot of researched done, but there is some information in the book on EHS (below).
For further information see the EMFields website www.emfields.org for the range of Powerwatch
publications, 'Electrical Hypersensitivity, a Modern Illness' which contains detailed references to the
research mentioned in this article, and 'The Powerwatch Handbook' which has a chapter on
avoiding EHS, and plenty of practical advice on reducing your exposure to potentially damaging
electromagnetic fields.
Do EMF Shielding Products Really Work?
Many people have brought our attention to adverts for pendants, buttons, towers, etc. that claim
they protect the wearer, or the house, from EMFs.
We have tested some of these, and our extensive range of instrumentation show no change
whatsoever in electromagnetic fields as a consequence of wearing the item, putting it on a mobile
phone or computer or putting it in a room where the electrically sensitive person sits. In fact some
mains-driven towers can make the situation worse.
Most companies wrap up their claims in pseudo-scientific jargon, claiming research in some
unrecognised 'scientific' institution, by some unheard of authority, with poor, to non-existent,
research protocols, using units of scale or measurement that have been devised specially for the
task. Pictures showing dramatic changes in blood composition, etc. may be on different scales
and/or taken in different situations, making them impossible to compare. Unfortunately, the
documentation can look quite convincing to somebody without the experience of making sense of
scientific research, which we spend most of our working time doing.
Having said that, we freely admit that we are unable as yet to test any very subtle effects on the
human immune system that many claim their item makes. Unfortunately the scientifically validatable
instrumentation does not exist in most parts of the world to do this, whatever the claims may be.
Russia has a history of making some really major scientific breakthroughs in areas of the subtle
sciences, as for a long time they were unable to match the financial inputs of many Western health
services. It is certainly an interesting place to watch for new, very genuine, additions to our
biological knowledge.
Meanwhile, we suggest two things. Whatever may (or may not) work at a subtle level, is less likely
to be effective if you do not also address the gross infliction of EMFs on the human body. You need
to remove these before the subtle energies of the body can have a chance at putting right any
damage done. Then only buy gadgets with a money-back guarantee. If it works for you, keep it, if it
doesn't return it and get your money back. We realise that the person with EHS may need sveral
weeks, even months, to feel the benfits of EMF reduction. We have no answer for that.
On the Powerwatch website FAQ section (on the menu on the left hand side of the homepage),
Q11 (below) is a useful tool for evaluating the claims made by companies. This was a real-life
promotion that was brought to our awareness.
11. How do I know whether I can trust the research done to support mobile phone EMF safety
microchips?
Electrical Hypersensitivity Questionnaire
Do you suffer from electrical hypersensitivity?
Score as follows:
If you have the symptom described:
Frequently - score 2
Occasionally - score 1
Never - score 0
Do you suffer from:
1. Numbness, weakness or prickling sensations in your joints or limbs
2. Feelings of abnormal tiredness or weakness that cannot be explained by your life commitments
3. Changes in your ability to think clearly or finding it difficult to concentrate, depending on where
you are
4. Aches and pains, cramps or muscle spasms in your joints, bones and muscles in your shoulders,
arms, legs, feet, wrists, ankles, elbows and pelvis. Fibromyalgia
5. Headaches
6. Tenseness
7. Restlessness, anxiety
8. Memory loss
9. Sleep disturbance, insomnia
10. Feebleness, dizziness, tremors
11. A tendency to skin redness, itchiness, rashes, tingling or dry skin
12. Abdominal pain, digestive problems, irregular bowel movements, sickness
13. Feeling too hot, fever
14. A smarting, irritating sensation, a pain, or a feeling as if there is grit in your eyes. Blurred vision
or flickering before the eyes
15. Nosebleeds or blood pressure changes
16. Heart arrhythmias or irregularities, palpitations or chest pain
17. Toothache or neuralgia
18. Hair loss
19. Hearing clicks, humming, buzzing, hissing or a high-pitched whine
20. Sensitivity to light, especially fluorescent lights or computer screens (sometimes, though rarer,
even daylight)
21. Bouts of unusual irritability, rage, violence, destructiveness, feeling hostile
22. Thyroid problems
23. A generalised feeling of impending influenza that never quite breaks out
24. Depression
25. 'Missing time', blackouts or convulsions.
If you scored 15 to 25 out of 50, you may be one of the 35 per cent of people suffering from some
degree of electro-stress. If you scored more than 25, you may have developed EHS.
Source: Environmental Illness Resource
Information Provided By: http://www.powerwatch.org.uk/
What is Electrical Hypersensitivity (EHS)?
Electrical hypersensitivity (EHS) is a combination of up to three factors:
A natural sensitivity, similar to other idiopathic or allergic reactions, which is not typical of the
general population.
Sensitisation by some trigger, which could be one, or more, of a variety of commonly encountered
substances.
Sensitisation by some incident, which has the capability of damaging the bioelectrochemical
communication within the body.
Some people are electrically sensitive, that is they are aware of the presence of electromagnetic
fields (EMFs), but are not adversely affected by them. Other people may or may not be aware of
the presence of EMFs, but can become seriously ill in their presence. These people we refer to as
electrically hypersensitive (EHS). People who have developed EHS have a physiological disorder,
characterized by neurological and idiopathic reactions, that noticeably appear or intensify near
sources of EMFs such as electrical appliances, especially VDUs (computer monitors), power lines,
fluorescent lights, mobile phones, cordless phones, wireless computers (wLANs), mobile phone
base stations, etc.
Being EHS means experiencing recurring feelings of stress or illness when near an EMF source.
Any noticeable, recurring ill health that is triggered by an electromagnetic field, and that diminishes
or disappears away from the EMF source, constitutes a case of electrical hypersensitivity. While
symptoms may diminish quickly after the exposure is reduced, it can take several days, weeks or
occasionally months if the person has become severely sensitised, for the effects to disappear.
It is not yet known whether EHS is an independent condition, or a kind of Multiple Environmental
Sensitivity Syndrome, linked possibly also to Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome.
For EHS sufferers living in a high EMF environment, it is like a person with auditory sensitivity trying
to carry on normal life with someone shouting in both ears all the time.
Many electrically sensitive people seem to have quite dry skin and can carry high electrostatic
charges on their body. Not only can other people experience a 'zap' when touching the person, but
the electrostatic charges can also be transferred to electronic equipment causing equipment to
malfunction. This can sometimes give an appearance of clumsiness or ineptitude, which can lead to
a lack of confidence in using electrical equipment. This is quite concerning when young people,
even in pre-school nurseries, are being exposed to computers, and they may develop this
sensitivity, which can lead to a lifelong lack of confidence and self-esteem problems.
How many people does EHS affect?
People who have EHS develop different symptoms, for reasons that are poorly understood. Some
people will react to power-frequency electric fields, some to magnetic fields and some to both. They
may (or they may not) also react to radiofrequency fields such as those transmitted by the mobile
phone networks, some reacting to the phones, some to the masts, and some to both. Some people
will only react to radiofrequency fields and not to power-frequency fields. Some people will even
react to sunlight, another part of the EMF spectrum.
Because of this the condition is not an easy one to diagnose. People with EHS often cannot go into
hospital, even to visit. Hospitals are full of electrically powered equipment, some giving off very high
EMFs, and hospitals have fluorescent lights, a common trigger for EHS and intolerable to most EHS
people.
The incidence of EHS seems to be slightly higher in women than in men, and there appear to be
significant day to day variations in their sensitivity. Many people with EHS have lower incomes and
may be unemployed. These variations may be explained, at least in part, by difference in Health
and Safety practices, especially with regard to chemical (and other) exposures in lower paid jobs,
and the fact that EHS can lead to the inability to work in a 'normal' environment.
The social, work and financial lives of EHS sufferers are likely to be affected by the fact that
fluorescent lights are used in public offices (making it hard to make claims for, or to draw, Social
Security benefits), shops, libraries, theatres, cinemas, concert halls, restaurants, churches, trains,
trams and buses.
A study by the Irish Doctors Environmental Association reported that half the people reporting
ill-health effects as a result of living near to mobile phone base stations were unable to work due to
the severity of the symptoms. They also led a very restricted social life, feeling like 'prisoners' in
their own homes, which were not always comfortable places for them to be either.
Even cars have electrical and electronic equipment (power wiring, fan motors, computerised
controls and dashboards) that can disturb electrically hypersensitive people, especially in the front
seat.
Many trains, railway stations and planes now contain wireless computing systems, so that
passengers can access the internet 'on the move'. City centres are being covered by WiMAX
systems, making access for EHS sufferers ever more difficult. Neighbours who are 'ham' radio
operators can, even unwittingly, make an EHS neighbour's life almost unbearable. A nearby
lamp-post height mobile phone mast can make a house uninhabitable by an EHS person. They may
not even be able to go down a road where one of these masts is situated. This makes living a
'normal' life almost impossible in severe cases of EHS.
It is generally accepted that probably between 3% and 7% of the population are EHS to some
degree and maybe up to 35% show some mild indications of electro-stress.
What are the initiators of EHS?
Electrical hypersensitivity can have a variety of causes; computer monitors (VDUs), fluorescent
lights, mobile and cordless phones are believed to be among the most common initiators of the
problem; working in high magnetic fields, MRI scans, wireless computing systems, chemical
overload, 'closed head' injury, allergy, low energy lamps, trauma, electric shock, metallic implants,
even lightning strikes are other initiators. Many people experience an abrupt onset of symptoms
following exposure to a novel EMF such as fields associated with a new computer, a new phone or
new fluorescent lights.
Working in high electromagnetic fields can produce sensitivity. Drivers of electric trains are
members of a group in which hypersensitivity can lead to very dangerous consequences. 10 - 25%
of UK train drivers report 'missing time', time in which they were unaware of their surroundings.
However brief this 'absence' may be, if it is at a critical place, e.g. coming up to a red light, it is
possible that this could lead to fatal accidents.
British biophysicist Peter Alexander said, "Once the individual is sensitized to an agent the initial
aggressor is immaterial. The biological reaction will be the same to all agents." EHS commonly also
develops with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). Computer monitors, and many other electronic
items, give off quite toxic volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) when the cases and electronic
components 'burn in' from new.
According to the UK's Building Research Establishment, and a separate Australian study, new
houses 1-2 years old can emit many times the level of potentially carcinogenic volatile organic
compounds as houses built just 10 years ago. The sources include formaldehyde from treated
wooden floors and furniture, toxic compounds from fresh paints and solvents, and hormone
disrupting chemicals from carpets and vinyl flooring.
Symptoms
Try the questionnaire at the end which includes most of the symptoms experienced by people with
electrical hypersensitivity.
Tips for avoiding electrical hypersensitivity
Reduction of exposure in the house
There are two main sources of EMFs inside the home. The house wiring, and electrical appliances.
Check your house wiring to ensure that field levels where you sleep and sit for extended periods,
the two places where your biological systems are at their most vulnerable, are low.
Check the levels from all electrical appliance, especially near the bed and those which have a
motor and heater. If you are unsure keep all electrical appliances at least a meter away from your
pillow (including un-earthed bedside lights), clock radios, TVs, etc. Cordless phones and mobile
phones should not be in the bedroom as they both give off high fields. Cordless phones emit
microwave radiation all the time, mobile phones emit at maximum strength intermittently when on
standby, and the re-charging unit gives off power-frequency fields as well.
Do not use an induction hob in the kitchen, and keep your distance from all electrical appliances
when in use, especially if you are pregnant, are attempting to conceive (men and women) or if you
have a compromised immune system due to ill-health or age.
Reduction of exposure at work
Many offices are full of electronic and electric appliances, computers, faxes, printers, photocopiers,
air conditioners, de-humidifiers, electric fans, etc. Phones and burglar alarms can use microwaves.
Computers are increasingly networked using microwaves. All these can make working life
unbearable for the EHS office worker.
In the community
Schools, hospitals, residential homes, shops are all full of fluorescent lighting and other equipment
that can provoke idiopathic reactions in the EHS person, making their tolerance level even more
sensitised. Most shops have electronic tills, and security tagging devices, for stock control and to
prevent theft. All these can produce symptoms for the person with EHS.
Mobile phone street masts are springing up everywhere, in residential areas, city centres, shopping
malls, train and bus stations. These can produce very severe symptoms in people with EHS.
Transport
All modern forms of transport (Cars, trains, trams, planes, buses and coaches) can have high
levels of electromagnetic fields. Older cars, more basic planes are usually less of a problem. Trains
are becoming more of a problem with the addition of wireless computing facilities on board and in
stations.
Other things you might consider doing to keep as healthy as possible
People with EHS should wear clothes and shoes made of natural materials or even special
conductive clothing and footwear that is made for workers in the electronics semiconductor
industry. You need to have flooring that is made of natural material, as you build up static charges
every time you move your feet. You should 'earth' yourself frequently, by touching metal objects, or
walking barefoot on the earth. Drink plenty of 'good' water, extra to what you take in tea and coffee,
which are diuretic. People in general suffer from sub-clinical de-hydration, and it seems to be more
of a problem for people with EHS.
Some people with EHS benefit from many complementary health treatments. These have not had a
lot of researched done, but there is some information in the book on EHS (below).
For further information see the EMFields website www.emfields.org for the range of Powerwatch
publications, 'Electrical Hypersensitivity, a Modern Illness' which contains detailed references to the
research mentioned in this article, and 'The Powerwatch Handbook' which has a chapter on
avoiding EHS, and plenty of practical advice on reducing your exposure to potentially damaging
electromagnetic fields.
Do EMF Shielding Products Really Work?
Many people have brought our attention to adverts for pendants, buttons, towers, etc. that claim
they protect the wearer, or the house, from EMFs.
We have tested some of these, and our extensive range of instrumentation show no change
whatsoever in electromagnetic fields as a consequence of wearing the item, putting it on a mobile
phone or computer or putting it in a room where the electrically sensitive person sits. In fact some
mains-driven towers can make the situation worse.
Most companies wrap up their claims in pseudo-scientific jargon, claiming research in some
unrecognised 'scientific' institution, by some unheard of authority, with poor, to non-existent,
research protocols, using units of scale or measurement that have been devised specially for the
task. Pictures showing dramatic changes in blood composition, etc. may be on different scales
and/or taken in different situations, making them impossible to compare. Unfortunately, the
documentation can look quite convincing to somebody without the experience of making sense of
scientific research, which we spend most of our working time doing.
Having said that, we freely admit that we are unable as yet to test any very subtle effects on the
human immune system that many claim their item makes. Unfortunately the scientifically validatable
instrumentation does not exist in most parts of the world to do this, whatever the claims may be.
Russia has a history of making some really major scientific breakthroughs in areas of the subtle
sciences, as for a long time they were unable to match the financial inputs of many Western health
services. It is certainly an interesting place to watch for new, very genuine, additions to our
biological knowledge.
Meanwhile, we suggest two things. Whatever may (or may not) work at a subtle level, is less likely
to be effective if you do not also address the gross infliction of EMFs on the human body. You need
to remove these before the subtle energies of the body can have a chance at putting right any
damage done. Then only buy gadgets with a money-back guarantee. If it works for you, keep it, if it
doesn't return it and get your money back. We realise that the person with EHS may need sveral
weeks, even months, to feel the benfits of EMF reduction. We have no answer for that.
On the Powerwatch website FAQ section (on the menu on the left hand side of the homepage),
Q11 (below) is a useful tool for evaluating the claims made by companies. This was a real-life
promotion that was brought to our awareness.
11. How do I know whether I can trust the research done to support mobile phone EMF safety
microchips?
Electrical Hypersensitivity Questionnaire
Do you suffer from electrical hypersensitivity?
Score as follows:
If you have the symptom described:
Frequently - score 2
Occasionally - score 1
Never - score 0
Do you suffer from:
1. Numbness, weakness or prickling sensations in your joints or limbs
2. Feelings of abnormal tiredness or weakness that cannot be explained by your life commitments
3. Changes in your ability to think clearly or finding it difficult to concentrate, depending on where
you are
4. Aches and pains, cramps or muscle spasms in your joints, bones and muscles in your shoulders,
arms, legs, feet, wrists, ankles, elbows and pelvis. Fibromyalgia
5. Headaches
6. Tenseness
7. Restlessness, anxiety
8. Memory loss
9. Sleep disturbance, insomnia
10. Feebleness, dizziness, tremors
11. A tendency to skin redness, itchiness, rashes, tingling or dry skin
12. Abdominal pain, digestive problems, irregular bowel movements, sickness
13. Feeling too hot, fever
14. A smarting, irritating sensation, a pain, or a feeling as if there is grit in your eyes. Blurred vision
or flickering before the eyes
15. Nosebleeds or blood pressure changes
16. Heart arrhythmias or irregularities, palpitations or chest pain
17. Toothache or neuralgia
18. Hair loss
19. Hearing clicks, humming, buzzing, hissing or a high-pitched whine
20. Sensitivity to light, especially fluorescent lights or computer screens (sometimes, though rarer,
even daylight)
21. Bouts of unusual irritability, rage, violence, destructiveness, feeling hostile
22. Thyroid problems
23. A generalised feeling of impending influenza that never quite breaks out
24. Depression
25. 'Missing time', blackouts or convulsions.
If you scored 15 to 25 out of 50, you may be one of the 35 per cent of people suffering from some
degree of electro-stress. If you scored more than 25, you may have developed EHS.