Electromagnetic hypersensitivity and occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF)

Introduction
Scientific publications on electromagnetic hypersensitivity began in the early 80' and were first related to video display terminals in the professional environment. Electromagnetic hypersensitivity is now more heterogeneous and complaints about electromagnetic fields (EMF) are often associated to mobile phone or wifi. Provocation studies did not find that persons claiming to have electromagnetic hypersensitivity were more able to detect EMF than others or that they displayed any special physiological changes when exposed to EMF. Since 1996, WHO defined this syndrome as Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance to ElectroMagnetic Fields (IEI-EMF), characterised by symptoms attributed to EMF. The diagnostic is made by the person itself. The symptoms are heterogeneous and are frequently encountered in the general population. Despite the lack of a proven causal relationship with EMF, these symptoms, and the anxiety related, can lead to important suffering. Some persons with IEI-EMF are even unable to work. IEI-EMF is classified among the functional somatic syndromes as other syndromes with no physiological basis (as multiple chemical sensitivity).
Directive and IEI-EMF
Studies showed that persons who feel more stressed in their professional environment and are less satisfied with their work are more prone to IEI-EMF. There are some elements in the directive that could frighten these persons: the directive does not consider long term effects; the limit values can be exceeded temporarily and a worker must be informed that he can have transient symptoms.
Discussion
Persons with IEI-EMF are afraid of adverse health effects and often think that these effects are not taken into account by official agency. For them, everything that can aggravate their fears will be difficult to handle.