The urgency to design a society adapted to electro and chemical hypersensitivity
May 15, 2025
Global Accessibility Awareness Day
In our constantly evolving technological and chemical world, a silent and often ignored reality affects a growing number of citizens: electrohypersensitivity (EHS) and multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). These conditions, while controversial in some medical circles, are nonetheless disabling for those who experience them. They confine them to marginalized existences, depriving them of full participation in society. A fully inclusive society is one that leaves no one behind. It is high time to shed light on this “invisible prison” and work collectively towards genuine inclusion, both in our physical and digital environments.
Imagine a world where the simple act of turning on your phone, connecting to public Wi-Fi, or sitting in a freshly cleaned office becomes a source of intense suffering: throbbing headaches, overwhelming fatigue, respiratory difficulties, skin rashes… This is the daily life of people described as EHS and MCS. They are not voluntary outcasts; they are the collateral victims of progress that, paradoxically, excludes them.
The technologies victims. EHS manifests as an excessive reaction to exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by everyday devices. MCS, on the other hand, causes various symptoms in response to low doses of chemical substances present in our environment: detergents, household products, paints… These two conditions, although distinct, share a common point: they transform the modern environment into a veritable ordeal for those who suffer from them.
The digital world, a pillar of our modern society, is far from being an ally for these individuals. The omnipresence of electromagnetic waves, connected objects, autonomous vehicles, and wireless networks creates invisible but very real barriers. Similarly, our physical environment, saturated with chemical products in construction materials, cleaning products, perfumes, and even our clothing, constitutes a constant sensory minefield. Social isolation, professional difficulties, limited access to healthcare and public services… People with EHS and MCS are often forced to withdraw from the world, to live on the margins, far from the hustle and bustle of modern life. This exclusion is not only an individual tragedy; it is a loss for society as a whole. However, a truly progressive society must be inclusive in all its dimensions.
Making our environment and our digital world accessible to people with EHS and MCS is a necessity. A moral imperative that brings benefits to all. For those who are victims of electromagnetic waves and chemical products, the impact would be beneficial. Implementing solutions tailored to the needs of these individuals with EHS and MCS would allow them to regain lost autonomy, access education, work, healthcare, and social life, fundamental rights that are too often compromised.
Taking concrete measures to adapt our society to these realities begins with better recognition of these conditions. Healthcare practitioners must be supported to better understand the physiological mechanisms, diagnose them, and avoid medical wandering. But the solution is not limited to the medical field. It is our entire way of designing our environment and lifestyles that must evolve.
The benefits of such integration would extend far beyond. By rethinking our use of wireless technologies and favoring environments with low chemical impact, we could collectively aspire to cleaner air and healthier living spaces. Research into solutions for EHS and MCS could stimulate innovation in areas such as ecological construction materials, less toxic everyday products, and wired communication technologies with controlled radiation, benefiting the entire population. Accessible digital technology is also more ergonomic and respectful of everyone’s health. Wired connections, options to reduce electromagnetic waves, and a design focused on less exposure for the user would benefit everyone, reducing eye strain, headaches, and improving overall comfort.
It is time to move beyond skepticism and listen carefully to the testimonies of people with EHS and MCS. It is time for public authorities, businesses, and citizens to take their responsibilities and integrate these needs into the design of our cities, workplaces, means of transport, and digital tools. It is time to invest in our future.
Making a society and digital world fully accessible to the needs of people with EHS and MCS is not an insurmountable challenge, nor a luxury. It requires political will, technological innovation, and a change in mindset. But the reward is worth the effort: a more just, healthier, more environmentally friendly society, attentive to the needs of everyone and truly inclusive for all. It is a matter of justice, equality, and respect for human dignity.
Together, let’s build a world where everyone, regardless of their disability or vulerability, can live their lives to the fullest.