The Prevalence of People With Restricted Access to Work in Man-Made Electromagnetic Environments

{
  "publication_year": 2019,
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "man-made electromagnetic environments",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "General population and people with IEI-EMF/EHS (based on surveys)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Prevalence of IEI-EMF/EHS (mild, moderate, severe)",
    "Prevalence of restricted access to work in man-made electromagnetic environments"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Based on analyses of surveys, the paper assesses evidence as indicating IEI-EMF/EHS prevalence of about 5.0–30% (mild), 1.5–5.0% (moderate), and <1.5% (severe) in the general population. It estimates the prevalence of people restricted in access to work in man-made electromagnetic environments at 0.65% of the general population, and about 18% among those with moderate IEI-EMF/EHS.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Based on analyses of existing surveys rather than primary data collection",
    "Different survey types and varying definitions of IEI-EMF/EHS are noted, which may affect prevalence estimates",
    "Potential under-reporting is discussed but not quantified in the abstract",
    "Sample sizes and survey methodologies are not described in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "unknown",
  "stance": "concern",
  "stance_confidence": 0.7,
  "summary": "This paper analyzes existing surveys of IEI-EMF/EHS to estimate how common restricted access to work may be in man-made electromagnetic environments. It reports assessed prevalence ranges for mild, moderate, and severe IEI-EMF/EHS in the general population and estimates that 0.65% of the general population may have restricted access to work. The abstract notes possible under-reporting and suggests workplace adjustments may help some affected individuals remain employed.",
  "key_points": [
    "The study is based on analyses of two types of surveys: general-population surveys and surveys of people with IEI-EMF/EHS.",
    "It highlights that definitions of IEI-EMF/EHS vary and may include subconscious through severe symptoms.",
    "The paper assesses evidence as indicating mild IEI-EMF/EHS prevalence of about 5.0–30% in the general population.",
    "It reports moderate IEI-EMF/EHS prevalence of about 1.5–5.0% and severe prevalence of <1.5% in the general population.",
    "It estimates restricted access to work in man-made electromagnetic environments at 0.65% of the general population.",
    "It estimates that restricted access to work affects about 18% of people with moderate IEI-EMF/EHS.",
    "The abstract discusses possible under-reporting and notes that workplace adjustments may reduce work restriction rates."
  ],
  "categories": [
    "EHS/IEI-EMF",
    "Occupational/Workplace",
    "Epidemiology/Prevalence"
  ],
  "tags": [
    "Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity",
    "IEI-EMF",
    "Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance",
    "Workplace Accommodation",
    "Employment Restriction",
    "Prevalence Estimates",
    "Survey Analysis",
    "Man-Made Electromagnetic Exposure",
    "Disability"
  ],
  "keywords": [
    "restricted access to work",
    "man-made electromagnetic environments",
    "IEI-EMF",
    "EHS",
    "prevalence",
    "survey"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "ehs",
      "weight": 0.95,
      "reason": "The paper focuses on IEI-EMF/EHS prevalence and related functional impacts."
    },
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.75,
      "reason": "It estimates restriction in access to work in electromagnetic environments and discusses workplace adjustments."
    }
  ],
  "social": {
    "tweet": "Review of survey evidence estimates IEI-EMF/EHS prevalence ranges and suggests ~0.65% of the general population may have restricted access to work in man-made electromagnetic environments (Bevington, 2019).",
    "facebook": "A 2019 paper analyzing survey evidence reports prevalence ranges for IEI-EMF/EHS and estimates that about 0.65% of the general population may have restricted access to work in man-made electromagnetic environments, with under-reporting discussed.",
    "linkedin": "Bevington (2019) analyzes survey evidence on IEI-EMF/EHS and estimates that ~0.65% of the general population may have restricted access to work in man-made electromagnetic environments, highlighting definitional variability and the potential role of workplace adjustments."
  }
}