RADIATION from mobile phones, computers and microwave ovens could
be damaging your health, Government experts are to admit for the
first time.
In a report next month, they will acknowledge that the items could
be causing headaches, joint pain, depression and fatigue in some
users who have developed a sensitivity to electricity.
Tens of thousands of people in the UK are thought to suffer from
the condition, called electrosensitivity, yet it is not formally
recognised by the medical profession. Some sufferers even become
affected by the radiation in electromagnetic fields surrounding
everyday items such as hairdryers and televisions. However, their
complaints are often dismissed by GPs as being purely psychological.
Campaigners hope that acknowledgement of the condition in a report
by the Health Protection Agency will lead to better treatment of
sufferers and research into cures.
But it could also open the floodgates to legal action by patients
who claim mobile phone masts have made them ill.
Rod Read, of the charity Electrosensitivity UK, said: 'It's very
difficult for people to get a diagnosis because it's not officially
recognised as an illness. 'Doctors have no training in it whatsoever.
Some are more sympathetic than others but most try to look for interpretations
such as work stress. 'They treat individual symptoms rather than
the underlying cause.' More women than men suffer from electrosensitivity,
which is often triggered by intensive mobile phone or computer use.
Over time, sufferers - who often have other allergies - find they
become increasingly affected by electrical equipment such as televisions,
fridges and cookers. Symptoms include headaches, 'tingling' of the
joints and ringing in the ears.
Many people also experience extreme tiredness, memory and concentration
problems and depression.
Sufferers often claim they are being 'zapped' by the electromagnetic
fields emitted by electrical devices.
Mr Read said: 'It's life-shattering for a lot of people in terms
of employment and where they live and what they can do. 'They experience
disbelief and ridicule from their partner, best friend and boss.
'People change jobs, they give up work, they drop out of view, they
become isolated and depressed.' Campaign group Powerwatch believes
up to five per cent of the population is severely affected by electrosensitivity.
Up to a third of people could be suffering some ill effects of our
hi-tech society. However, if electrosensitivity is diagnosed at
an early stage, sufferers can make changes to their lifestyle which
could stop them developing reactions to other electrical goods.
For instance, if they realised their mobile phone was the root of
the problem, they could stop using it.
Radiation from mobile phone masts can be screened out by lining
walls with a layer of aluminium foil and hanging special silver-plated
curtains over windows, while a thinner form of the same material
can be slung over beds.
In Sweden, where electrosensitivity is recognised, sufferers receive
grants to replace electric cookers with gas stoves.
In their workplaces, electrical Hexes are replaced with highly-insulated
cables to reduce the emission of radiation.
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