Heavy metal exposure in patients suffering from electromagnetic hypersensitivity
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- Ghezel-Ahmadi, David; Engel, Alice; Weidemann, Jörg; Budnik, Lygia Therese; Baur, Xaver; Frick, Ulrich; Hauser, Simone; Dahmen, Norbert
- Source
- Science of the Total Environment. Jan2010, Vol. 408 Issue 4, p774-778. 5p.
- Subject
- *PHYSIOLOGICAL effects of heavy metals
*PHYSIOLOGICAL effects of electromagnetism
*ALLERGIES
*ELECTROMAGNETIC devices
*PATHOLOGICAL physiology
*DETOXIFICATION (Alternative medicine)
*PHYSIOLOGICAL effects of cadmium
*PHYSIOLOGICAL effects of lead
*PATIENTS
- Language
- ISSN
- 0048-9697
Abstract: Background: Risks from electromagnetic devices are of considerable concern. Electrohypersensitive (EHS) persons attribute a variety of rather unspecific symptoms to the exposure to electromagnetic fields. The pathophysiology of EHS is unknown and therapy remains a challenge. Objectives: Heavy metal load has been discussed as a potential factor in the symptomatology of EHS patients. The main objective of the study was to test the hypothesis of a link between EHS and heavy metal exposure. Methods: We measured lead, mercury and cadmium concentrations in the blood of 132 patients (n =42 males and n =90 females) and 101 controls (n =34 males and n =67 females). Results: Our results show that heavy metal load is of no concern in most cases of EHS but might play a role in exceptional cases. Conclusions: The data do not support the general advice to heavy metal detoxification in EHS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]