Where can I find information on electrical sensitivity?

The health effects reported by electrosensitivity sufferers tend to be subjective, non-specific symptoms. As yet, no consistent evidence has been found of any objective signs of disease in this group (Irvine, 2005). Initial Swedish and Nordic reports were mainly of facial skin effects attributed to extensive use of visual display units such as dry eyes and burning skin (Irvine 2005). However, recently in Europe as a whole and in the USA, more general and severe symptoms have been reported by a smaller group of people, especially neurological symptoms such as headache, fatigue and tinnitus, and skin symptoms throughout the body. Irvine (2005) noted the overlap in many sufferers with other conditions regarded as FSS (Functional Somatic Syndromes, Barsky & Borus 1999) / IEI (Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance, Kroenke & Swindle 2000); these include CFS, MCS, hypersensitivity or autoimmune disease. Figures from Levallois (2002) and Carlsson et al (2005) both show over 50% of ES sufferers also reporting MCS or similar conditions. Other authors have noted that people reporting severe ES generally have these conditions or have had high levels of use of electrical equipment such as mobile phones. (Rea 1991, Grant 1997, Smith 1997). Different sufferers report different levels of susceptibility to electric fields, magnetic fields and various frequencies of electromagnetic waves (including fluorescent and low-energy lights, and microwaves from mobile and cordless/portable phones). (Philips 2003). Other surveys of ES sufferers have not been able to find any consistent pattern to these symptoms (Hillert et al, 2002; Röösli et al, 2004). Instead symptoms reflecting almost every part of the body have been attributed to EMF exposure.