Wireless sensitivity and co-morbidities: A prevalence study in Australia, Canada, and the United States

PAPER manual Next Research 2026 Cross-sectional study Effect: harm Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.1016/j.nexres.2026.101577 Evidence Lab

Abstract

Wireless radiation—such as from cell phones, Wi-Fi, smart meters, laptops, and cell towers—is pervasive in society. Wireless sensitivity is the condition of adverse health effects from exposure to wireless radiation. This study investigates the prevalence of wireless sensitivity, and the medical diagnosis of electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS), in the general population of three countries: the United States (US), Australia (AU), and Canada (CA). It also investigates the prevalence of wireless sensitivity/EHS with co-morbid conditions: chemical sensitivity/multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS), asthma/asthma-related conditions (ARCs), autism/autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), and fragrance sensitivity. Nationally representative population-based data were collected in February 2022 (US, AU) and May 2022 (CA) through online surveys of adults [n=3,475 (1,271; 1,104; 1,100) US, AU, CA, respectively]. The study found that, across the general population, 12.6% reported wireless sensitivity (12.8%, 17.4%, 7.5%), 10.0% reported medically diagnosed electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) (10.1%, 14.9%, 5.0%), and 14.0% reported either or both (14.3%, 18.9%, 8.7%). Among all gender and age categories, males ages 25 to 34 reported the highest prevalence proportionally. In addition, among those with wireless sensitivity/EHS, 80.6% also reported chemical sensitivity/MCS, 73.2% reported asthma/ARCs, 53.8% reported autism/ASDs, and 84.8% reported fragrance sensitivity. Given these results, across the three countries, over 26 million adults would experience health problems from wireless radiation. Results underscore the need for further research on ways to prevent and reduce exposures and associated adverse effects.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Cross-sectional study

Effect direction

harm

Population

Nationally representative online survey of adults in the United States, Australia, and Canada

Sample size

3475

Exposure

RF cell phones, Wi-Fi, smart meters, laptops, cell towers

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 95% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

In nationally representative adult surveys from the US, Australia, and Canada, 12.6% reported wireless sensitivity, 10.0% reported medically diagnosed EHS, and 14.0% reported either or both. Among respondents with wireless sensitivity/EHS, high proportions also reported co-morbid chemical sensitivity/MCS (80.6%), asthma/ARCs (73.2%), autism/ASDs (53.8%), and fragrance sensitivity (84.8%).

Outcomes measured

Self-reported wireless sensitivity prevalence
Medically diagnosed electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) prevalence
Prevalence of either wireless sensitivity or EHS
Co-morbid chemical sensitivity/multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS)
Co-morbid asthma/asthma-related conditions (ARCs)
Co-morbid autism/autism spectrum disorders (ASDs)
Co-morbid fragrance sensitivity
Prevalence by gender and age categories

Limitations

Cross-sectional survey design
Outcomes were self-reported in an online survey
Exposure was broadly defined as wireless radiation from multiple sources without quantitative exposure assessment
Abstract does not describe clinical verification beyond reported medical diagnosis of EHS

Suggested hubs

smart-meters (0.64)
Smart meters are explicitly listed among wireless radiation sources discussed in the study.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "cross_sectional",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "cell phones, Wi-Fi, smart meters, laptops, cell towers",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Nationally representative online survey of adults in the United States, Australia, and Canada",
    "sample_size": 3475,
    "outcomes": [
        "Self-reported wireless sensitivity prevalence",
        "Medically diagnosed electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) prevalence",
        "Prevalence of either wireless sensitivity or EHS",
        "Co-morbid chemical sensitivity/multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS)",
        "Co-morbid asthma/asthma-related conditions (ARCs)",
        "Co-morbid autism/autism spectrum disorders (ASDs)",
        "Co-morbid fragrance sensitivity",
        "Prevalence by gender and age categories"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In nationally representative adult surveys from the US, Australia, and Canada, 12.6% reported wireless sensitivity, 10.0% reported medically diagnosed EHS, and 14.0% reported either or both. Among respondents with wireless sensitivity/EHS, high proportions also reported co-morbid chemical sensitivity/MCS (80.6%), asthma/ARCs (73.2%), autism/ASDs (53.8%), and fragrance sensitivity (84.8%).",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Cross-sectional survey design",
        "Outcomes were self-reported in an online survey",
        "Exposure was broadly defined as wireless radiation from multiple sources without quantitative exposure assessment",
        "Abstract does not describe clinical verification beyond reported medical diagnosis of EHS"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.9499999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "wireless sensitivity",
        "electromagnetic hypersensitivity",
        "EHS",
        "RF exposure",
        "cell phones",
        "Wi-Fi",
        "smart meters",
        "cell towers",
        "prevalence",
        "cross-sectional survey",
        "co-morbidity",
        "MCS"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "smart-meters",
            "weight": 0.64000000000000001332267629550187848508358001708984375,
            "reason": "Smart meters are explicitly listed among wireless radiation sources discussed in the study."
        }
    ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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