Electro-pollution:Diary of the electrosensitive

* John, a former director of an IT consultancy


My first experience with electrosensitivity was seven years ago, while working very near a satellite-communications base station. I worked in that job for 11 months, and had concentration and short-term memory problems for most of that time. About three years ago, I installed wireless networking in my home and office. So, for 18 months, I had near-continuous exposure to wireless networking, laptops, computers, and DECT [digital enhanced cordless telecommunication] and mobile phones.


It was then that both I and my close colleagues noticed a significant effect on my work capability – poor concentration/focus, poor short-term memory, headaches. I also noticed I could tell when the wireless network was on because of sensation in the skin of my face. So I switched off all of the wireless equipment, and started to use a Q-Link pendant, following a recommendation.


Both of these changes made an improvement, but I was still having problems. I moved house to a semi-rural location, but my issues with concentration/motivation/memory still gave me problems. For example, once a week, I used to have to go to the Institute of Directors in London for regular weekly meetings. But every time I went, my symptoms got significantly worse, and those days were a complete write-off for me. I discovered they had wireless broadband in the building.


I had to resign from my firm.


* Jason, a 33-year-old heavy mobile-phone user, who first developed ES symptoms about seven years ago


I get tingling in my forehead and my head starts to burn. Then, if I don’t get away from the source that is affecting me, the left-hand side of my head can go numb and feel like it’s burning up inside. Finally, I get extremely lethargic and go in a zombie-like state. I feel the need to lie down and sleep, but sleep does not refresh. I can feel I am going to collapse at any time.


My short-term memory is now terrible. I also get very confused, and have difficulty making decisions and become very disorientated.


I have seen numerous doctors, but no one has offered any explanation or help. I have had to move house three times in the last two years, and every home I live in I have had to have completely rewired-in screened mains cables to eliminate electrical fields. Also, I can no longer drive or use any public transport due to the high magnetic fields present in vehicles and from people using mobile phones. In the last 12 months, I have also become sensitive to certain chemicals, showing early signs of MCS [multiple chemical sensitivity], and the symptoms are virtually the same as I get from electricity.


I am dictating this as I can no longer write or touch paper. We can’t have visitors anymore because I can smell washing powder on their clothes. I have to sit in the gloom as my eyes have become sensitive to sunlight.

Connection error. Connection fail between instagram and your server. Please try again
Written by What Doctors Don't Tell You

Explore Wellness in 2021