The prevalence of symptoms attributed to electromagnetic field exposure: a cross-sectional representative survey in Switzerland.

Sozial- und Praventivmedizin · 2006 · Unclear · Low evidence

← Research stream

UnclearLow evidencePaper 5093

Study snapshot

PublicationSozial- und Praventivmedizin · 2006

Study typecross_sectional

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To investigate health risk perception as well as to assess the prevalence of self-reported symptoms attributed to electromagnetic fields (EMF) and other environmental exposures in the general population of Switzerland. METHODS: Between May and June 2004, telephone interviews of a representative sample of the Swiss population (n=2048, >14 years old) about: (1) health symptoms attributed to five environmental factors (one of which was EMF), (2) health risk perception related to 12 environmental risk factors (five of which were different EMF sources). RESULTS: We found a prevalence of 5% (95% CI 4-6%) for electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) in our study sample. The most common health complaints among EHS individuals were sleep disorders (43%) and headaches (34%), which were mostly attributed to power lines and mobile phone handsets. In addition, 53 percent (95% CI 51-55%) were worried about adverse health effects from EMF, without attributing their own health symptoms to them. CONCLUSIONS: The large proportion of the population who is concerned or attributes own symptoms to EMF may cause societal conflicts given the ubiquity of EMF in our everyday life.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typecross_sectional

Effect directionunclear

PopulationRepresentative sample of the Swiss population (>14 years old) interviewed by telephone (May–June 2004)

Sample size2048

Exposureself-reported (survey; past duration not specified)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In a representative Swiss telephone survey (n=2048), 5% (95% CI 4–6%) reported symptoms attributed to EMF (EHS). Among those reporting EHS, the most common complaints were sleep disorders (43%) and headaches (34%), mostly attributed to power lines and mobile phone handsets. Additionally, 53% (95% CI 51–55%) reported worry about adverse health effects from EMF without attributing their own symptoms to EMF.

Outcomes measured

Prevalence of self-reported electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) / symptoms attributed to EMF
Types of symptoms attributed to EMF (e.g., sleep disorders, headaches)
Health risk perception / worry about adverse health effects from EMF

Limitations

Cross-sectional, self-reported survey data (symptoms and attribution not objectively verified)
Telephone interview methodology may be subject to reporting/recall and selection biases
No quantitative EMF exposure measurements reported
Causality cannot be inferred from the design

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "cross_sectional",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "multiple EMF sources (including power lines and mobile phone handsets)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "self-reported (survey; past duration not specified)"
  },
  "population": "Representative sample of the Swiss population (>14 years old) interviewed by telephone (May–June 2004)",
  "sample_size": 2048,
  "outcomes": [
    "Prevalence of self-reported electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) / symptoms attributed to EMF",
    "Types of symptoms attributed to EMF (e.g., sleep disorders, headaches)",
    "Health risk perception / worry about adverse health effects from EMF"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In a representative Swiss telephone survey (n=2048), 5% (95% CI 4–6%) reported symptoms attributed to EMF (EHS). Among those reporting EHS, the most common complaints were sleep disorders (43%) and headaches (34%), mostly attributed to power lines and mobile phone handsets. Additionally, 53% (95% CI 51–55%) reported worry about adverse health effects from EMF without attributing their own symptoms to EMF.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Cross-sectional, self-reported survey data (symptoms and attribution not objectively verified)",
    "Telephone interview methodology may be subject to reporting/recall and selection biases",
    "No quantitative EMF exposure measurements reported",
    "Causality cannot be inferred from the design"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "electromagnetic hypersensitivity",
    "EHS",
    "risk perception",
    "self-reported symptoms",
    "prevalence",
    "Switzerland",
    "telephone survey",
    "power lines",
    "mobile phone handsets"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Population concern and symptom attribution related to EMF risk perception; relevant to general EMF health risk discourse."
    }
  ]
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1007/s00038-006-5061-2
PubMed: 17193782

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library