The microwave syndrome or electro-hypersensitivity: historical background

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Electromagnetic Fields
• Public Health

Background:

• Microwave generating equipment became widespread during WWII with radar development.
• Soviet bloc countries documented adverse health effects from microwave exposure at non-thermal intensities.
• Western countries initially dismissed these findings, attributing health effects solely to tissue heating.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review evidence on the health effects of microwave exposure.
• To investigate the phenomenon of
• microwave syndrome
• or electro-hypersensitivity (EHS).
• To explore the link between increasing electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure and reported EHS cases.

Main Methods:

• Historical review of Soviet and Western reports on microwave exposure effects.
• Analysis of anecdotal evidence from accidental exposures.
• Examination of the increasing incidence of EHS in relation to widespread wireless technology adoption.

Main Results:

• Soviet studies reported symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and cognitive impairment from microwave exposure.
• Accidental exposures in Western countries led to similar persistent symptoms.
• Reports of "microwave illness" at the US Embassy in Moscow were initially dismissed as anxiety.

Conclusions:

• There is growing evidence that EHS is a genuine condition caused by EMFs, especially microwaves.
• The incidence of EHS is rising with increased exposure to EMFs from devices like mobile phones and WiFi.
• While the reasons for individual sensitivity remain unclear, acute or excessive EMF exposure can induce EHS.