Electromagnetic Pollution and Its Health Effects: A Public Awareness and Health Symptom Survey: Electromagnetic Pollution and Its Health Effects

Neha Raheel; Maham Shabbir; Areeba Razaqi

doi:10.54393/pbmj.v8i11.1307

Authors

Neha Raheel Department of Biotechnology, Kinnaird College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
Maham Shabbir Department of Biotechnology, Kinnaird College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan
Areeba Razaqi Department of Biotechnology, Kinnaird College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pbmj.v8i11.1307

Keywords:

Electromagnetic Pollution, Non-Ionizing Radiation, Public Health, Mobile Phone Use, Neurological Symptoms, Awareness, Environmental Risk

Abstract

In a contemporary world with a lot of electromagnetic fields (EMF) producing appliances, individuals are becoming increasingly worried about the impact that the appliances can have on their health. Objectives: To investigate the level of public awareness, behavior, and symptoms of health in relation to non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation of mobile phones, Wi-Fi, and 4G / 5G towers. Methods: The study was conducted using a cross-sectional descriptive survey (n=115) with a confirmed questionnaire that was administered online. The Chi-square test and descriptive statistics were used to test the relationships between EMF exposure and reported health symptoms. Results: The study revealed that mobile phone addiction is high, and over 60 percent of the respondents spent over six hours a day on the devices. Interestingly, 76 percent of them reported headaches, 66 percent complained of eye strain, and 61 percent complained of sleep problems, which indicates that the long-term exposure to EMF might be associated with neurological symptoms. The chi-square test was used to demonstrate that the association between high EMF exposure and health complaints is statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusions: The paper gives important points on how the community education needs much improvement, policies should be made according to the situation, and more longitudinal studies are needed to understand the health risks of prolonged EMF exposure and mitigate them.

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