Hypersensitivity to electricity: Working definition and additional characterization of the syndrome

Those who believe that electric appliances trigger adverse symptoms have co ined the label hypersensitivity to electricity. Scientific research has not been able to identify a direct link between electromagnetic fields and sym ptoms, and no diagnostic criteria exist. Groups with reported hypersensitiv ity are very heterogeneous. A need exists for an operational working defini tion and improved characterization of groups. We report an investigation of symptoms and risk indicators associated with reported hypersensitivity to electricity - based on a survey at a high-technology, multinational telecom munications corporation. Comparisons are also made with patients referred t o a university department of occupational and environmental health. No asso ciation was found between specific psychosocial work characteristics nor pe rsonal traits and hypersensitivity to electricity. We present skin and neur ovegetative symptom indices. Results indicate that skin, and not neuroveget ative symptoms, characterize the syndrome, at least during the first years of illness. For characterization, we propose a set of dimensions, including triggering factors, behavior, and duration of symptoms. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc.