Hypersensitivity to man-made electromagnetic fields (EHS) correlates with immune responsivity to oxidative stress: a case report

There is increasing evidence that exposure to weak electromagnetic fields (EMFs) generated by modern telecommunications or household appliances has physiological consequences, including reports of electromagnetic field hypersensitivity (EHS) leading to adverse health effects. Although symptoms can b...

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Main Authors: Thawatchai Thoradit, Marthe Chabi, Blanche Aguida, Soria Baouz, Verene Stierle, Marootpong Pooam, Stephane Tousaints, Casimir D. Akpovi, Margaret Ahmad
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Communicative & Integrative Biology
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19420889.2024.2384874
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author Thawatchai Thoradit
Marthe Chabi
Blanche Aguida
Soria Baouz
Verene Stierle
Marootpong Pooam
Stephane Tousaints
Casimir D. Akpovi
Margaret Ahmad
author_facet Thawatchai Thoradit
Marthe Chabi
Blanche Aguida
Soria Baouz
Verene Stierle
Marootpong Pooam
Stephane Tousaints
Casimir D. Akpovi
Margaret Ahmad
author_sort Thawatchai Thoradit
collection DOAJ
description There is increasing evidence that exposure to weak electromagnetic fields (EMFs) generated by modern telecommunications or household appliances has physiological consequences, including reports of electromagnetic field hypersensitivity (EHS) leading to adverse health effects. Although symptoms can be serious, no underlying mechanism for EHS is known and there is no general cure or effective therapy. Here, we present the case study of a self-reported EHS patient whose symptoms include severe headaches, generalized fatigue, cardiac arrhythmia, attention and memory deficit, and generalized systemic pain within minutes of exposure to telecommunications (Wifi, cellular phones), high tension lines and electronic devices. Tests for cerebral, cardiovascular, and other physiological anomalies proved negative, as did serological tests for inflammation, allergies, infections, auto-immune conditions, and hormonal imbalance. However, further investigation revealed deficits in cellular anti-oxidants and increased radical scavenging enzymes, indicative of systemic oxidative stress. Significantly, there was a large increase in circulating antibodies for oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDLox), byproducts of oxidative stress accumulating in membranes of vascular cells. Because a known primary effect of EMF exposure is to increase the concentration of cellular oxidants, we propose that pathology in this patient may be causally related to a resulting increase in LDLox synthesis. This in turn could trigger an exaggerated auto-immune response consistent with EHS symptoms. This case report thereby provides a testable mechanistic framework for EHS pathology with therapeutic implications for this debilitating and poorly understood condition.
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spelling doaj-art-893d13465c8d408bb4682ad5a93cda262024-12-09T07:16:03ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCommunicative & Integrative Biology1942-08892024-12-0117110.1080/19420889.2024.2384874Hypersensitivity to man-made electromagnetic fields (EHS) correlates with immune responsivity to oxidative stress: a case reportThawatchai Thoradit0Marthe Chabi1Blanche Aguida2Soria Baouz3Verene Stierle4Marootpong Pooam5Stephane Tousaints6Casimir D. Akpovi7Margaret Ahmad8UMR8256, CNRS, IBPS, Sorbonne Université, Paris, FranceUMR8256, CNRS, IBPS, Sorbonne Université, Paris, FranceUMR8256, CNRS, IBPS, Sorbonne Université, Paris, FranceUMR8256, CNRS, IBPS, Sorbonne Université, Paris, FranceUMR8256, CNRS, IBPS, Sorbonne Université, Paris, FranceDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, ThailandCabinet Medicale, FranceNon-Communicable Diseases and Cancer Research Unit (UR-MNTC), University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, BeninUMR8256, CNRS, IBPS, Sorbonne Université, Paris, FranceThere is increasing evidence that exposure to weak electromagnetic fields (EMFs) generated by modern telecommunications or household appliances has physiological consequences, including reports of electromagnetic field hypersensitivity (EHS) leading to adverse health effects. Although symptoms can be serious, no underlying mechanism for EHS is known and there is no general cure or effective therapy. Here, we present the case study of a self-reported EHS patient whose symptoms include severe headaches, generalized fatigue, cardiac arrhythmia, attention and memory deficit, and generalized systemic pain within minutes of exposure to telecommunications (Wifi, cellular phones), high tension lines and electronic devices. Tests for cerebral, cardiovascular, and other physiological anomalies proved negative, as did serological tests for inflammation, allergies, infections, auto-immune conditions, and hormonal imbalance. However, further investigation revealed deficits in cellular anti-oxidants and increased radical scavenging enzymes, indicative of systemic oxidative stress. Significantly, there was a large increase in circulating antibodies for oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDLox), byproducts of oxidative stress accumulating in membranes of vascular cells. Because a known primary effect of EMF exposure is to increase the concentration of cellular oxidants, we propose that pathology in this patient may be causally related to a resulting increase in LDLox synthesis. This in turn could trigger an exaggerated auto-immune response consistent with EHS symptoms. This case report thereby provides a testable mechanistic framework for EHS pathology with therapeutic implications for this debilitating and poorly understood condition.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19420889.2024.2384874Antioxidant therapyEHSelectromagnetic field sensitivityelectromagnetic fieldsEMF - LFoxidative stress
spellingShingle Thawatchai Thoradit
Marthe Chabi
Blanche Aguida
Soria Baouz
Verene Stierle
Marootpong Pooam
Stephane Tousaints
Casimir D. Akpovi
Margaret Ahmad
Hypersensitivity to man-made electromagnetic fields (EHS) correlates with immune responsivity to oxidative stress: a case report
Communicative & Integrative Biology
Antioxidant therapy
EHS
electromagnetic field sensitivity
electromagnetic fields
EMF - LF
oxidative stress
title Hypersensitivity to man-made electromagnetic fields (EHS) correlates with immune responsivity to oxidative stress: a case report
title_full Hypersensitivity to man-made electromagnetic fields (EHS) correlates with immune responsivity to oxidative stress: a case report
title_fullStr Hypersensitivity to man-made electromagnetic fields (EHS) correlates with immune responsivity to oxidative stress: a case report
title_full_unstemmed Hypersensitivity to man-made electromagnetic fields (EHS) correlates with immune responsivity to oxidative stress: a case report
title_short Hypersensitivity to man-made electromagnetic fields (EHS) correlates with immune responsivity to oxidative stress: a case report
title_sort hypersensitivity to man made electromagnetic fields ehs correlates with immune responsivity to oxidative stress a case report
topic Antioxidant therapy
EHS
electromagnetic field sensitivity
electromagnetic fields
EMF - LF
oxidative stress
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19420889.2024.2384874
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