Switzerland: Canton Vaud: Interpellation Sabine Glauser Krug - Electro-hypersensitive people, sacrificed in the name of progress - what solutions?

Interpellation Sabine Glauser Krug - Electro-hypersensitive people, sacrificed in the name of progress - what solutions?
Submitted to the State Council, Canton Vaud, September 3, 2024 - unofficial translation

Submitted text

Electrohypersensitivity (EHS) is a condition that is not recognized by health insurance funds, and manifests itself as pathological reactions to non-ionizing radiation (NIR). Symptoms are very diverse, ranging from tingling, trembling or fatigue to intense headaches and muscle aches, as well as difficulty concentrating. They are heightened by the duration of exposure and the intensity of the emissions. The complexity of this condition lies in the diversity of non-tolerated frequencies (some people are more sensitive to Wi-Fi, others to the power grid or to emissions from connected devices, etc.), the delayed onset of symptoms and the fluctuating degree of sensitivity. There is no officially recognized diagnostic protocol, and electrohypersensitive people have generally been able to identify the source of their discomfort by escaping NIR either experimentally or by staying in a place protected from such radiation. Symptoms reappear on return to normal life.

The reality of these people's daily lives, however, reflects the impossibility of satisfying their physiological need to recover from exposure. The most sensitive give up all social life, spend their time looking for accommodation compatible with their state of health, as public cell phone masts and public or private connected devices develop, and forgo all medical visits, even in the event of an accident. When they need to get somewhere, the journey is an ordeal in itself, and public transport is not an option. The accommodations they have to make are expensive, and their condition reduces their opportunities for gainful employment. Today, more and more EHS sufferers are forced to flee their homes, even those equipped with protective devices, and sleep in their cars or in the forest in order to rest.

While there is a great deal of controversy surrounding hypersensitivity, notably concerning the unreliability of certain studies, and further compounded by the complexity of this condition, sufferers have a proven handicap, preventing them from having a sustainable social and professional life. A group from the Association Doctors in favor of the Environment has been studying this phenomenon for several years, and has recognized the complexity of EHS. Since the beginning of the year, the Swiss government has set up the MedNIS network via the University of Fribourg, which offers medical advice to people who discover they are hypersensitive to NIR, while also contributing to research. At present, there is no such network in the canton of Vaud. While EHS sufferers willingly participate in research by answering questionnaires, they are obviously much more reluctant to take part in consultations in doctors' surgeries, as these are not set up to reduce exposure to NIR. This reinforces the popular idea that EHS is a condition invented by people who don't want to face up to scientific reality. To crown it all, this stigmatization discourages people who don't understand the origin of their symptoms from exploring the EHS pathway.

In the ideal world of EHS people, public places would once again be places with low levels of NIR. But today's societal reality, with the rise of the all-connected, pushes them to resignation. To meet their basic needs, they would need, at the very least, white zones for long-term accommodation and recovery zones in public places. If they can't go to the doctor, some of them will have to agree to turn off all radiating equipment, so that they can have home consultations, which is not possible because of the lack of official recognition of EHS. White zones are also essential for experimental research and medical diagnosis. Yet federal legislation severely restricts the possibility of carrying out these essential measures. 

In July, the International Commission on the Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields warned that EHS is a humanitarian crisis requiring an urgent response.

Deeply concerned not to leave a section of the population in such suffering, I have the honour of putting the following questions to the Conseil d'Etat:

• Is the Canton in the process of setting up a MedNIS network in Vaud? If so, is it taking steps to ensure that doctors' offices are protected from non-ionizing radiation?

• What measures has the Conseil d'État taken or does it intend to take to ensure that places compatible with research, housing for EHS sufferers and/or public places for recuperation are preserved or set up?

• What means would the Conseil d'État be inclined to use to encourage the federal authorities to authorize white zones?

I would like to thank the State Council in advance for its answers.

Conclusion

Would like to develop

Original text in French:
https://www.vd.ch/gc/depute-e-s/detail-objet/objet/24_INT_129/membre/270649