EHS Study Being Conducted

Dr. Beatrice Golomb, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine at the University of San Diego is conducting a survey on electro-hypersensitivity (EHS). She is also doing a genetic biomarker study that may help determine why some people become EHS and/or MCS, and others do not.

This study could go a long way toward gaining acceptance of EHS within the scientific and medical communities, and even toward getting accommodation under the ADA.

You can help move this study forward by taking part in the survey below. Once the survey is complete, a genetic biomarker test of your detoxification genes can be performed. You would be assigned a code to protect your name and personally identifiable information in the Genova Diagnostics database and in Dr. Golomb’s database.  A test kit can be mailed to you (even in Europe).  You simply swab the inside of your cheek with the sterile q-tip supplied and mail it to Genova Diagnostics in the envelope included with the kit. This test currently costs participants $350. However, once an additional $30,000 is secured for this study, the genetic testing will again be free of charge to participants. Note that there is currently funding for 12 control participants – the genetic testing will be done free of charge.

If you have the resources to pay for the $350 genetic test, this is one way to help the project. Here are the genetic biomarker lab results for a male who is both MCS and EHS. As you can see, the report is very illuminating. His genetic biomarkers fully predict difficulty detoxing.

The hypothesis of this study is that people who have environmental illnesses such as MCS and EHS have different genetic biomarkers than unaffected populations. This understanding could show that there are are natural variations in biological reactions to environmental toxins and will help us within the medical and legal communities.

You can contact Dr. Golomb’s assistant, Andrea Almaguer, at 858.558.4950 or emfstudy@ucsd.edu for more information and to order the genetic test. The test is a DetoxiGenomic Profile by Genova Diagnotics. It is important to complete the survey below before doing the genetic test so that you can be included within the study results.

You can also learn more about the study and donate here:  http://www.golombresearchgroup.org/donate/

Survey Cover Letter:

We are initiating a survey to learn more about electo-hypersensitivity – risk factors, triggers, manifestations, etc. We are also interested in finding unaffected individuals that do not have electro-hypersensitivity (and do not have chemical sensitivity) to serve as controls *.

Ultimately, we hope to learn from the survey, and also to identify affected individuals and matched unaffected controls, who may be willing to participate in a study, to test biological markers that we believe will elucidate mechanisms of electro-hypersensitivity (EHS).

If you could share the option to participate with affected (and unaffected!) individuals with whom you are in contact, we would be very grateful. (If you know of any other individuals or organizations with whom we should communicate to help reach affected individuals, please let us know.)

Warm regards,

Beatrice A. Golomb, MD, PhD

858-558-4950 x201

Professor of Medicine

UC San Diego School of Medicine

* The survey for people who are not affected is much shorter.

The link to the survey is:

https://golombgroup.az1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_bBkSl2GWMqT5w7b

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions:

I.   Yes, there is a paper version available for those who are unable to use a computer.

     You can email at emfstudy@ucsd.edu or call at  858 558-4950 x201 to request a copy.

II.  Yes, you can stop the survey and resume.

     You must do this from the same computer and browser. “Cookies” may need to be enabled.
III.  If a question does not apply or you are not sure how to respond:
     a)   The question can be skipped.

            You may be asked if you meant to skip it, but the survey will let you continue.

     b)   Use the comment boxes to clarify, specify, amend.

IV. If you were formerly EHS but not now, answer as you would have when electrosensitive.

     The survey says this, but for at least one question we should clarify how to interpret this:  Translate “How long have you been electrosensitive?” to “For how long were you electrosensitive?”.