ID Number		2750
Study Type		Epidemiology
Model		IEI [idiopathic environmental intolerance] -EMF or EHS (electromagnetic hypersensitivity) studies in Taiwan.
Details		AUTHORS' ABSTRACT: Huang et al. 2017 (IEEE #6892): Idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF) describes symptoms sufferers attribute to exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF). In Taiwan, the prevalence rate of IEI-EMF was 13.3% in 2007, but a survey using the same method found the rate declined to 4.6% in 2012. Because media reports may encourage readers to attribute their symptoms to EMF, the change might be related to media coverage. We searched articles indexed in the largest newspaper database in Taiwan to evaluate the association between media coverage and the prevalence of IEI-EMF. We also assessed the effects of other potential affecting factors. The number of newspaper articles related to EMF and IEI-EMF increased from 2005 to 2007 and then has been decreasing until 2012, which is compatible with the change in the prevalence of IEI-EMF. However, from 2007 to 2012, the other potential affecting factors such as density of mobile phone base stations, number of mobile phone users, total mobile phone calling time, and number of text messages sent through mobile phones all increased in Taiwan. This finding indicated a positive association between media coverage and the prevalence of IEI-EMF in Taiwan, which might also be true in other countries. Huang et al. 2018 (IEEE #6927):Background: Electromagnetic hypersensitivity refers to health effects attributed to electromagnetic fields (EMF) exposure and has been formally named idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF) by the World Health Organization. Because of the growing use of cell phones, IEI-EMF has become a global public health concern. A survey in 2007 in Taiwan showed that the prevalence rate of IEI-EMF was 13.3%, which is higher than rates in studies conducted previously. The survey also found that the rate was higher in women. Methods: To evaluate whether the prevalence rate of IEI-EMF is increasing and to verify the higher risk in women, we conducted a nationwide questionnaire survey using the same methods as the 2007 survey to assess the change in the prevalence rate of IEI-EMF in Taiwan. We also conducted a review of the literature and a meta-analysis to evaluate the changes in the prevalence rate around the world. Results: On the basis of the representative sample of 3303 participants, we found that the prevalence rate of IEI-EMF in aiwan declined from 13.3% to 4.6% over a period of 5 years. The literature review also found the prevalence rates in other countries to be decreasing, instead of increasing as predicted previously. The meta-analysis of the data from the literature showed that women are more likely to have IEI-EMF than men, with an odds ratio of 1.19 (95% confidence interval: 1.011.40). Conclusions: We found the prevalence rate of IEI-EMF has been declining, instead of increasing as predicted previously. Women are more likely to report having IEI-EMF than men. Further studies to explore the causes leading to the declines may help the public, scientific community, and government deal with idiopathic intolerance to other environmental exposures.
Findings		Effects (questionable health significance)
Status		Completed With Publication
Principal Investigator		National Cheng Kung U, Tainan, Taiwan
Funding Agency		?????
Country		TAIWAN, PROVINCE OF CHINA
References		Huang, PC et al. Environ Res. 161:329-335, (2017) 161:329-335 Huang, PO et al. Environmental Health., (2018) 17:5- Huang, PC et al. Environ Health. , (2022) 21:31-
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