Question
Is electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) / idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF) a real syndrome?
Answer
No.
Explanation
Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance attributed to Electromagnetic Fields (IEI-EMF), known also as electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) or "microwave syndrome" is a claimed sensitivity to electromagnetic fields. People self-diagnosing as having IEI-EMF/EHS report a wide range of symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nauseau, fatigue, and other non-specific symptoms.
Systematic reviews have failed to uncover a connection between the symptoms experienced and electromagnetic fields. A 2005 review of 31 provocation studies for IEI-EMF was "unable to find any robust evidence to support the existence of (electromagnetic hypersensitivity) as a biologic entity". A 2010 followup "failed to uncover any evidence which challenges that conclusion". Additional reviews from 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2015 had similar results, concluding the reviewed studies were "not able to address the issue of causality between exposure and outcome" and that "there is no evidence that short-term low-level exposure causes non-specific symptoms in EHS or other individuals".
However, the reviews acknowledge that the reviewed studies have methodological shortcomings which could be addressed by further studies. In 2017, these shortcomings were addressed with an approach which matched the RF-EMF intensity and duration to the reported sensitivity of individual cases and accounted for the reported time of onset. While the sample size was small (n=3), these IEI-EMF participants were unable to correctly identify when they were being exposed during double-blind testing.
A number of the reviewed studies also noted a difference between the effects experienced in the blinded and non-blinded parts of the trials, with IEI-EMF individuals reporting strong symptoms when told they were being exposed to EMF regardless of whether they were. This suggests a nocebo effect.
Lastly, there is currently no known biological or biophysical mechanism whereby an effect could be expected at the environmental exposure levels which sufferers report.
Disclaimer
If you suffer from chronic symptoms similar to the ones described by IEI-EMF individuals and your doctor has not been able to find an explanation, please continue to try and get control over your health with the help of medical professionals who can perform further tests to determine the cause. The World Health Organization has published an advisory for physicians in identifying the factors which may be responsible for the experienced symptoms.
Sources
Röösli, M., Radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure and non-specific symptoms of ill health: A systematic review, (Environmental Research, 2008)
Röösli, M., et al., RSystematic review on the health effects of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields from mobile phone base stations, (Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 2010)
Rubin, G.J., et al., Electromagnetic hypersensitivity: a systematic review of provocation studies, (Psychosomatic Medicine, 2005)
Rubin, G.J., et al., Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance Attributed to Electromagnetic Fields (Formerly ‘Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity’): An Updated Systematic Review of Provocation Studies, (Bioelectromagnetics, 2010)
SCENIHR (Scientific Committee on Emerging nad Newly Identified Health Risks), Potential health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF), (SCENIHR Opinions, 2015)
Seitz, H., et al., Electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) and subjective health complaints associated with electromagnetic fields of mobile phone communication--a literature review published between 2000 and 2004, (Science of the Total Environment, 2005)
Verrender, A., et al., IEI-EMF provocation case studies: A novel approach to testing sensitive individuals., (Bioelectromagnetics, 2017)