Electromagnetic hypersensitivity close to mobile phone base stations – a case study in Stockholm, Sweden

Authors: Lennart Hardell, Tarmo Koppel

Year: 03/02/2022

Category: Environmental Health

Journal: Reviews on Environmental Health

DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2021-0169

URL: https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/reveh-2021-0169/html

Abstract

Overview

A previously healthy worker developed symptoms of electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) after being exposed to high levels of anthropogenic electromagnetic fields (EMFs) at a new office location. This abstract summarizes the findings from the case study conducted in Stockholm, Sweden.

Findings

  • The primary symptoms included headache, arthralgia, tinnitus, dizziness, memory loss, fatigue, insomnia, transitory cardiovascular abnormalities, and skin lesions.
  • These symptoms were largely relieved after a two-week sick leave.
  • Measurements showed high levels of radiofrequency (RF) and extremely low frequency (ELF) EMFs in the workplace, specifically:
    • Radiofrequency field level at 1.72 V/m (7,852 μW/m2)
    • Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) from electric power at 50 Hz measured to 285 nT (mean 241 nT)
    • Electric train ELF-EMF at 16.7 Hz measured to 383 nT (mean 76 nT)
  • The proximity to mobile phone base station antennas, a TETRA emergency services transmitter, and electric train railroad were identified as potential causes of high EMF exposure.

Conclusion

The study concludes that the worker's health symptoms are likely linked to long-term exposure to multiple sources of EMFs in the workplace, with RF-EMF exposure being highlighted as the most probable cause for the developed health problems.

EMF EHS RF radiation health risks electromagnetic fields environmental health
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