Each individual with electrical sensitivity acquires unique sensitivities to a number of specific frequencies from one hertz to ten gigahertz, in either the magnetic or electrical field domain. This occurs due to prolonged exposure, usually during the time of the individual's most serious decline in health from a chemical exposure, or as a result of a demyelinating disease or another neurological disease.
Unless precautions are taken (i.e., avoidance), the individual will tend to have spreading electrical sensitivities. That is, the individual will have problems with the electromagnetic emissions from an increasingly larger variety of equipment and environments. Low-level 60 Hz (power line) magnetic fields greater than .2 milligauss during the sleeping period seem especially prone to accelerate the spreading of sensitivity. Removal of this exposure often will allow a slow, partial improvement over a period of several months.
Continued exposure over an individual's threshold of tolerance is likely to lead to overall deterioration in health and increased severity of sensitivity, to the point where simple tasks such as cooking may not be possible. Some individuals cannot have a refrigerator or heater, while others must spend most of their time outdoors to avoid exposure to electricity in the home.
Accommodation in the workplace of those with serious ES has proven to be impractical. There are many sources of conducted radiation, magnetic fields, and RF emissions that are nearly impossible to avoid. For example, these sources include: unshielded AC wiring, computer network and phone wiring, fluorescent lighting, computers and computer monitors, printers, fax machines, and transformers for modems and telephone answering machines. In addition, workplaces are often located close to electrical panels, transformers, and power lines. Wiring errors resulting in net current loops that create large fields are common. (It is a rare structure that doesn't have them.) Since these are not traditionally recognized as health hazards, even if a safe environment could be found, there would be no guarantee that they wouldn't be introduced into the work environment at any time.
In the half-dozen workplace accommodation cases I have done volunteer phone consulting for, the accommodation has been too little, too late. Within six to twelve months these individuals were much worse and had to leave their jobs. The only partially successful case I know of involved building a magnetic and RF shield room within the building at tremendous cost. This case occurred in Sweden. This type of accommodation is not considered ``reasonable accommodation'' in the United States.
Thus, a specially constructed office at home is the only real option for those with ES and especially for those
with MCS and ES. Individuals typically still must undergo periodic travel to the workplace and exposures there
while meeting with supervisors or clients. Obtaining employment and setting up a workable ongoing relationship
with supervisors and other staff is quite difficult in the best of cases, and will undoubtedly reduce job stability
and income potential. Nonetheless, there is virtually no other practical work option for those with severe ES at
this time.