Factors that risk being left out of the equation


Electromagnetic fields stemming from gadgets such as kettles, computers and microwaves contribute towards a cloud of unseen emissions - even when they are switched off.


It's a sinister idea, and "electromagnetic hypersensitivity" is sweeping Britain, or at least the Independent and the Daily Mail last week. Symptoms include fatigue, tiredness, concentration difficulties, dizziness, nausea, heart palpitations, and digestive disturbances; and since these are real symptoms, causing genuine distress, the problem deserves to be considered seriously, and carefully.


There are two things the newspapers left out of their stories:
The first is the scientific evidence, and the second is a very crucial nuance. We'll deal with the evidence first, because science is "hard".

The Science

There have been 31 studies looking at whether people who report being hypersensitive to electromagnetic fields can detect their presence, or whether their symptoms are worsened by them. A typical experiment would involve a mobile phone hidden in a bag, for example, with each subject reporting their symptoms, not knowing if the phone was on or off.


Thirty-one is a good number of studies, and 24 found that electromagnetic fields have no effect on the subjects. But seven did find a measurable effect. And because I have a reputation for pedantry to uphold: in two of those studies with positive findings, even the original authors have been unable to replicate the results; for the next three, the results seem to be statistical artefacts (details on Bad Science) and for the final two, the positive results are mutually inconsistent (one shows improved mood with provocation, and the other shows worsened mood). It's a slightly obsessive form of value for money you get here, but it's value nonetheless.

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