Magnetic hypersensitivity
TdF suggested Eduardo Rodrigues
illustrates Flavio Ba
edition Felipe van Deursen
It is a condition where people are said to be affected by magnetic fields or sources of electricity. When they are close to cell phones, Wi-Fi networks or any electrical appliance, their health would be harmed. The World Health Organization does not consider EHS (acronym for “electromagnetic hypersensitivity”) a disease, but a phenomenon. And he recommends psychological treatment to those who call themselves “electrosensitive”. EHS gained prominence in 2015, with the series Better Call Saul (available on Netflix). In it, Chuck McGill (Michael McKean), the protagonist’s brother, suffers from the problem. He avoids leaving the house and forces everyone who visits him to leave cell phones, laptops and even car keys outside. Little known, EHS generates a lot of controversy.
Disease or freshness?
While Science Debates, Two Countries Have Taken Action
MORE CONTROVERSIAL
Studies carried out in the US and Europe at the beginning of the 21st century (when EHS became better known) show that there is no way to prove a direct relationship between the onset of symptoms and exposure to electromagnetic sources
LESS CONTROVERSY
The medical community is still debating the matter, but two countries already recognize the existence of the problem: Sweden and Canada. In the Scandinavian country, there are even health services where electromagnetic exposure levels are lower than normal
SYMPTOMS
The most common ones recorded are sensitivity to light, distorted vision, tiredness, headaches, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, nausea, palpitations and even paralysis. Many of them are also signs of stress and depression.
Radiation in everyday life
Electric field strength measured in household appliances (* Volts per meter, at a distance of 30 cm)
Iron
120 V/m*
Refrigerator
120 V/m*
Toaster
80 V/m*
Hairdryer
80 V/m*
TV
60 V/m*
Light bulb
5V/m*
One last curiosity
To avoid interference with telescopes, Green Bank (USA) is free from electromagnetic waves. Therefore, the city attracts electrosensitive migrants
READ TOO
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SOURCES Swedish Association for Electrosensitives, Human Rights Commission of Canada, International Journal of Neuroscience, WHO, Louisiana State University (USA)