Physiological variables and subjective symptoms by 60 Hz magnetic field in EHS and non-EHS persons

Electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) is a set of claims of adverse medical symptoms self attributed by exposure to electromagnetic field. In this study, we simultaneously investigated both physiological changes (heart rate, respiration rate, and heart rate variability) and subjective symptoms to determine the origin of EHS. Two volunteer groups (15 self-reported EHS and 16 non-EHS participants) were tested under both sham and real exposure to 12.5 μT magnetic fields at 60 Hz that lasted a half an hour. The magnetic field exposure did not have any effect on physiological variables or subjective symptoms in either group. We conclude that the subjective symptoms did not result from exposure to 12.5 μT magnetic field at 60 Hz.