Modern health worries and exposure perceptions of individuals reporting varying levels of sensitivity to electromagnetic fields: results of two successive surveys

Abstract

Overview

Individuals reporting sensitivity to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) experience a range of symptoms and concerns. This research delves into the nature of these worries, focusing on the health behaviors and exposure perceptions of people during the COVID-19 pandemic—when the use of telecommunication devices surged due to lockdowns.

Methods

• Two surveys conducted in Belgium during 2020 and 2021 with participants answering questions on EMF sensitivity, health concerns, and exposure control strategies.
• Statistical analyses, both nonparametric and multivariate, were employed to evaluate the survey responses.

Findings

The study reveals that individuals with higher sensitivity to EMFs tend to worry more about their exposure and adopt more strategies to curtail it, though many still feel highly vulnerable to EMFs. Such results align with an increased health anxiety during periods of global stress like the pandemic.

Conclusion

The ineffectiveness of current exposure avoidance strategies and the ongoing distress point to the necessity for innovative healthcare approaches to assist those who perceive themselves as sensitive to EMFs. Highlighting the seriousness of their perceptions of health impacts, this study backs an empathetic reevaluation of care practices for EMF-sensitive individuals.