Abstract

Overview

The study aims to assess the prevalence of environmental intolerances (EIs) to various factors such as chemicals, buildings, electromagnetic fields (EMFs), and sounds in both Swedish and Finnish populations. This research highlights the challenges associated with ill-health due to low-level environmental exposures commonly encountered in occupational and environmental medicine.

Methods

• Population-based questionnaire surveys were conducted in the Västerbotten Environmental Health Study (Sweden) and the Österbotten Environmental Health Study (Finland).
• Participants were asked about symptoms attributed to exposure to chemicals, certain buildings, EMFs, and intolerance to sounds.
• Prevalence rates were calculated according to different demographical groups and comparisons were made between Swedish and Finnish respondents.

Findings

In the Swedish sample of 3406 individuals, self-reported EIs were as follows: 12.2% to chemicals, 4.8% to certain buildings, 2.7% to EMFs, and 9.2% to sounds. Finnish participants (n=1535) reported higher rates of intolerance to chemicals (15.2%) and buildings (7.2%), but a lower rate for EMFs (1.6%). Factors such as age and gender were influential, with women and older age groups reporting EIs more frequently.

Conclusion

The significant variance in EI prevalence between the Swedish and Finnish samples may indicate different cultural perceptions and concerns regarding environmental exposures. Such disparities can influence individual sensitivity and reporting behaviors across populations.