A survey on electromagnetic hypersensitivity: the example from Poland

Abstract

A survey on electromagnetic hypersensitivity: the example from Poland Grzegorz Tatoń, Artur Kacprzyk, Tomasz Rok, Monika Pytlarz, Rafał Pawlak, Eugeniusz Rokita. A survey on electromagnetic hypersensitivity: the example from Poland. Electromagn Biol Med. 2021 Oct 22;1-8. doi: 10.1080/15368378.2021.1995873. Abstract Idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic field (IEI-EMF) called electromagnetic hypersensitivity or electrosensitivity appeared in Polish society awareness due to a considerable change made at the end of 2019 in Polish telecommunication laws. The aims of the project were to access the prevalence of IEI- EMF in Poland and to define a reliable methodology to study this phenomenon. The first step was the internet survey performed at the end of 2018. The IEI-EMF prevalence estimated at the level of 39.7% suggested considerable bias affecting the results. The faults of the first approach were analysed and then a second study stage was performed as a telephone survey at the end of 2020. The latter survey allowed estimating the prevalence of IEI-EMF as less than 1.8%. These discrepancies in the results of both surveys were connected to the medium used in the first survey (Internet) indirectly causing that the group pooled was not representative. The second pitfall was the definition of the criteria used for an electrosensitive person classification. This is why the IEI-EMF prevalence was investigated in the second stage with the use of numerous criteria. The application of different criteria allowed for essential conclusions concerning the appropriate methodology for such kinds of studies. Corrections of the methodology before the second survey allowed reliable results consistent with the results obtained in similar studies performed in other countries. Our findings also show that the IEI-EMF frequency reports presented in the literature have to be treated carefully and with some dose of scepticism. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov The worldwide prevalence of IEI-EMF is estimated at 1–13%. The results vary according to the data source and methodology of the studies used (Huang et al. 2018; Szemerszky et al. 2019). Conclusions The first study overestimated the incidence of IEI-EMF in Polish society at 39.7% due the limitations accompanying the study. The more realistic estimation based on the second research stage is 1.8%. The proposed criterion of IEI-EMF qualification assumes that a hypersensitive person is one whose symptoms differ from the rest of society and are so severe that she or he seeks medical help. Our results support the thesis that the criterion used in such studies for assigning subjects to the IEI-EMF group should be accurately defined and harmonized. Even slight differences in the survey questions and methodologies can result in considerably different IEI-EMF prevalence estimations.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

An internet survey (end of 2018) estimated IEI-EMF prevalence at 39.7%, which the authors attribute to bias and non-representativeness. A subsequent telephone survey (end of 2020), using multiple criteria for classification, estimated IEI-EMF prevalence as less than 1.8%, and the authors conclude that prevalence reports are highly sensitive to methodology and case-definition.

Outcomes measured

• Prevalence of idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic field (IEI-EMF) / electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS)
• Methodological factors affecting IEI-EMF prevalence estimates (survey medium; case-definition/criteria)

Limitations

• Sample size not reported in the provided abstract/metadata
• First-stage internet survey described as biased/non-representative
• Prevalence estimates depend strongly on criteria used to classify IEI-EMF; criteria harmonization needed

Suggested hubs

• who-icnirp (0.2)
  Addresses IEI-EMF prevalence/methodology, a topic often discussed in international EMF health guidance contexts, though no specific WHO/ICNIRP mention in the abstract.

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        "sar_wkg": null,
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    },
    "population": "Polish general population (survey respondents)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Prevalence of idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic field (IEI-EMF) / electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS)",
        "Methodological factors affecting IEI-EMF prevalence estimates (survey medium; case-definition/criteria)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "An internet survey (end of 2018) estimated IEI-EMF prevalence at 39.7%, which the authors attribute to bias and non-representativeness. A subsequent telephone survey (end of 2020), using multiple criteria for classification, estimated IEI-EMF prevalence as less than 1.8%, and the authors conclude that prevalence reports are highly sensitive to methodology and case-definition.",
    "effect_direction": "unclear",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in the provided abstract/metadata",
        "First-stage internet survey described as biased/non-representative",
        "Prevalence estimates depend strongly on criteria used to classify IEI-EMF; criteria harmonization needed"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "IEI-EMF",
        "electromagnetic hypersensitivity",
        "electrosensitivity",
        "prevalence",
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        "telephone survey",
        "methodology",
        "Poland",
        "telecommunication laws"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
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            "reason": "Addresses IEI-EMF prevalence/methodology, a topic often discussed in international EMF health guidance contexts, though no specific WHO/ICNIRP mention in the abstract."
        }
    ]
}

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