Changes in prevalence and demographic characteristics of individuals with idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields over a 12-year period

Introduction While the global prevalence of idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF) has been widely assessed, studies on long-term shifts in its affected demographics are lacking.Theory This study investigated IEI-EMF prevalence among Taiwanese adults, comparing current findings with past surveys to track prevalence and demographic changes over a 12-year period.Methods Following previous telephone surveys in Taiwan, we used two-stage geographically stratified sampling to obtain a representative sample in 2019. Data were weighted for comparability and analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.Results Among 1,355 participants, IEI-EMF prevalence was 3.9%, a decrease from prior surveys. While affected individuals aged ≥35 remained the majority, their proportion increased to 93.8%, alongside a rise in affected females (65.5%). Conversely, the proportion of those reporting good-to-excellent health dropped to 23.1%. Age ≥35 was significantly associated with higher risk, with adjusted odds ratios (AORs) ranging from 5.36 to 9.30 across age groups, while unemployment correlated with lower risk (AOR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.18–0.88).Conclusion Mirroring global trends, Taiwan’s IEI-EMF prevalence has declined continuously since 2007. A significant decrease in cases among individuals under 35 likely reflects youths’ greater adaptation to technology and lower EMF risk perception. Risk communication strategies should aim to alleviate older adults’ concerns regarding EMFs.