Heavy metal exposure in patients suffering from electromagnetic hypersensitivity.
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.


OBJECTIVE
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.
Ghezel-Ahmadi
David
D
Department of Psychiatry, University of Mainz, Germany. david.ahmadi@web.de
Engel
Alice
A
Weidemann
Jörg
J
Budnik
Lygia Therese
LT
Baur
Xaver
X
Frick
Ulrich
U
Hauser
Simone
S
Dahmen
Norbert
N
D001822:Body Burden; D002104:Cadmium / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007854:Lead / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead; D008628:Mercury