EMF Toxicity and the One Name Project: EMR Syndrome
Dr Lisa Hutchinson
One of the biggest misconceptions most people have about cell phone radiation, Wi-Fi, smart meter radiation and Bluetooth, is that it’s safe. Sadly, the reality is far more disturbing. There are thousands of independent studies that demonstrate electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are extremely dangerous to human health and wildlife. Even the World Health Organization (WHO) has officially stated that radiofrequency radiation (RFR) of the type transmitted by cell phones, 5G masts, and cell towers are potential human carcinogens. As introduced in our Welcome blog, man-made EMFs impact the biology of our cells and many can feel and suffer from symptoms. Some people feel these hazardous adverse events very acutely and experience severe, debilitating and, in some cases, life-threatening symptoms.
OneNameProject
Many people are still unaware of the harmful and damaging effects of man-made EMFs; however, for those unfortunate enough to experience debilitating symptoms, their daily lives are impacted to the extent that many have resorted to moving homes or have to sleep or reside permanently in Faraday cage-protected environments to avoid the unbearable toxicity they experience. These paralysing effects are not rare, which led several individuals harmed by EMFs to initiate the OneNameProject. The term until now that has been used to describe individuals experiencing these severe symptoms is ‘electrohypersensitive’ or EHS. The concerned and altruistic individuals on the OneNameProject came together and decided to redefine this syndrome and determine a better, more-representative name.
Electromagnetic Radiation Syndrome or EMR Syndrome (EMR-S)
All electric and magnetic fields are part of the electromagnetic spectrum, and frequencies that range from low to high have the ability to disrupt human physiology through emanated or radiated field effects. It is important to emphasize that the spectrum of illnesses that develop with continued EMF exposure is hard to encapsulate in a single term – much like cancer is not one disease, but a collection of over 200 types of cancers. It is a challenge to generate a single name or term that totally encompasses the complexities of a multifaceted disorder: with this in mind, the Decision Making Committee (DMC) of the OneNameProject deliberately chose not to rely on technical medical terms, diagnosis codes, or scientific precision. Instead, they decided to create a broad, comprehensive term that would resonate with the public. The new name is: Electromagnetic Radiation Syndrome or EMR Syndrome (EMR-S), which is broadly inclusive of all EMF-related illnesses, and encompasses collectively how EMFs and radiating sources impact those affected.
EMR Syndrome is a simple name for people to learn and use in conversation. It also helps establish an EMF-related illness or consequence for people to recognise. As the public becomes more familiar with the name EMR Syndrome and its relatedness with health effects, it will begin to link electromagnetic radiation to those health effects. It is hoped that over time, the meaning of EMR will take hold and be understood for the environmental threat that it poses. EMR Syndrome is easy to pronounce, understand, and has no strong, competing acronym. Notably, this name was selected because other names, such as electrohypersensitive, inherently imply that the symptoms experienced occur because a person is unusually reactive to their environment. In such circumstances, people can be wrongly ‘labelled’ by their condition as being either hyper or sensitive. Instead, EMR Syndrome (EMR-S) emphasizes that the EMR is the cause of deleterious symptoms, of which there are many and of varying intensity – hence the term syndrome.
The OneNameProject was pioneered by a group of brave individuals, many of whom suffer with this syndrome, and have become disabled as a result. These advocates, together with scientists, medical professionals and prominent organizations, have tirelessly attended city council meetings and have campaigned for years to change the laws regarding manmade EMFs and radiation damage. With this new name, those affected are no longer ‘defined’ as hyper or sensitive. The toxic effects of man-made, wireless, electromagnetic radiation and EMFs should be acknowledged. Therefore, the term EMR Syndrome will magnify and empower the impact of these collective efforts.
As always, when a revised term of nomenclature is introduced into wider society and within the already established scientific and medical literature, to avoid confusion and maintain continuity, the older term EHS might be advantageous to include, while simultaneously introducing readers to the term EMR Syndrome or EMR-S. Such an approach would enable all people with EMR-S to avoid experiencing stigmatisation or be misunderstood. The OneName Project would not be possible without the help of the global DMC who embarked on the challenging mission of bringing the one name goal to fruition. The OneNameProject had extensive input from the community forum, and the panel arrived at this much-needed resolution. Please see the appendix below to view the organizing committee and DMC.
Next Steps
We encourage everyone to use EMR Syndrome in everyday speaking, accommodation requests, and advocacy work across the board. The naming process, which will soon be formally documented, is a huge step. EMR-S accommodation cards are in the works and will serve the dual purpose of 1) requesting a personal accommodation and 2) educating the public about EMR Syndrome. The OneNameProject will continue to build recognition with educational brochures, developing a website, social media campaigns, and much more. We are grateful for previous accomplishments and for our community’s determination and spirit. Thanks to those for taking this journey forward, and we invite you to join hands as we continue to raise awareness and take the next historic chapter together.
The organizing committee who developed EMR-S is listed below.
Kent Chamberlin, Ph.D., Past Chair and Prof. Emeritus, Electrical and Computer Engineering, UNH and advocate for the EMF-Disabled
Nicholas Martin, United Kingdom, EMF-Disabled
Andrew Molnar, Director of Ithacans for Safe Technology; EMF-Disabled
Ruth F. Moss, Director of SafeTech Westchester; EMF-Disabled
Pam Wallace, Director at SafeTech Forward in Michigan, identifies as EMF-disabled.
The OneNameProject decision-making committee is enclosed below.
Katherine Armitage, MLCH (member of the Lakeland College of Homeopathy) and co-host of a British 5G awareness raising zoom. Homeopath, yoga teacher, writer, activist & campaigner re 5G/EMF harms.
Robert J. Berg, Esq. Attorney who has been a litigator for the past 40 years, specializing in wireless facilities and cell tower law.
Dr. Devra Lee Davis, Ph.D. MPH. Founder and President Emerita of Environmental Health Trust, a scientific think tank that publishes research and educates policymakers and the public on environmental health hazards. She is currently Visiting Professor of Medicine at The Hebrew University Hadassah Medical
School, Jerusalem, Israel, and Ondokuz Mayis University Medical School, Samsun, Turkey.
Heidi M. Davis – Chair, The Leto Foundation that advocates for environmental safety and accountability. Currently engaged in children’s environmental health advocacy, working on both the local and state level to advocate for protective public health policy on challenging environmental health matters; the particular focus is on pediatrics to ensure children have the benefit of healthy environments in which to thrive and grow.
Dr. Magda Havas, B.Sc., Ph.D. Professor Emerita at Trent University, Canada. Involved with the harmful effects of electromagnetic fields/radiation since 1995 with research indicating altered blood viscosity, altered heart rate variability, a stress response, increased blood sugar among some diabetics, increased symptoms of
Multiple Sclerosis among those who are sensitive to this radiation.
Debra Lynne Fry – Qualified Dental Nurse. Mother of Jenny Fry who died a preventable death in 2015 due to EMF exposure, and now a campaigner for wi-fi disabling in schools, nurseries, and hospitals in the UK.
Sharon Goldberg, MD – Integrative Internal Medicine Physician in private practice in Santa Fe, NM, Course Director for EMF Medical Conference 2021, Editorial Board member, Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine and Building Biology Institute Advisory Board member.
Luc Leenders – former photographer, EMF-expert by experience, coordinator Stralingsarmvlaanderen.be and EMFkaart.be, contributor to SaveBelgium.be, co-author of EMF video-clips. Lead plaintiff lawsuit against governments in Belgium regarding HF radiation safety standards.
Julie Levine – Founder and Executive Director of 5G Free California. A life-long activist for peace and justice, she became ill from microwave pulse radiation (aka electro hypersensitivity syndrome) and now works to limit the rollout of harmful wireless technologies.
Rob van der Boom – Chairman of both the EHS Foundation in the Netherlands and Europeans for Safe Connections (ESC). Retired in 2021 from the Ministry of Transport in The Netherlands where he worked to improve aviation safety, working nationally in safety inspection, policy making and research coordination.
Doug Wood – Founder and National Director, Americans for Responsible Technology, and co-developer of the TechSafe Schools project and the BabySafe Project. Associate Director of non-profit Grassroots Environmental Education, focusing on strategic planning and campaign development.