Next Research
Volume 8, June 2026, 101577
Julie E. McCredden a, Lyn McLean b, Anne Steinemann cd,
aOceania Radiofrequency Scientific Advisory Association Inc. (ORSAA) Australia
bEMR Australia PL, Sydney, Australia
c Department of Infrastructure Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
dCollege of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4814, Australia
Received 26 February 2026, Revised 5 March 2026, Accepted 6 March 2026, Available online 7 March 2026, Version of Record 12 March 2026.
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.
