Odor and Noise Intolerance in Persons with Self-Reported Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity

Steven Nordin, Gregory Neely, David Olsson and Monica Sandström
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Steven Nordin: Department of Psychology, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
Gregory Neely: Department of Psychology, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
David Olsson: Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden
Monica Sandström: Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden

IJERPH, 2014, vol. 11, issue 9, 1-12

Abstract: Lack of confirmation of symptoms attributed to electromagnetic fields (EMF) and triggered by EMF exposure has highlighted the role of individual factors. Prior observations indicate intolerance to other types of environmental exposures among persons with electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS). This study assessed differences in odor and noise intolerance between persons with EHS and healthy controls by use of subscales and global measures of the Chemical Sensitivity Scale (CSS) and the Noise Sensitivity Scale (NSS). The EHS group scored significantly higher than the controls on all CSS and NSS scales. Correlation coefficients between CSS and NSS scores ranged from 0.60 to 0.65 across measures. The findings suggest an association between EHS and odor and noise intolerance, encouraging further investigation of individual factors for understanding EMF-related symptoms.

Keywords: idiopathic environmental intolerance; environmental illness; chemical sensitivity; noise sensitivity; hyperacusis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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