Electrosensitive people find refuge in town without cell service

A small group of people who identify as electrosensitive have found sanctuary in Green Bank, West Virginia, where electromagnetic radiation is limited due to restrictions aimed at protecting a nearby radio telescope.

Travis M. Andrews reports for The Washington Post.


In short:

  • Green Bank, located in a designated “Quiet Zone,” prohibits cell towers and WiFi to protect a massive telescope, attracting people with electromagnetic hypersensitivity.
  • Those who move here report symptoms like headaches, brain fog and burning skin, which they believe are caused by electromagnetic radiation in modern society.
  • Residents, though isolated, form a supportive community while facing challenges like limited access to modern conveniences and skepticism from outsiders.

Key quote:

“This is a human rights issue. We have a right for our body to not be penetrated by this.”

— Sue Howard, Green Bank resident.

Why this matters:

As wireless technology expands, questions about electromagnetic sensitivity grow. For those affected, places like Green Bank offer relief, but with more people installing WiFi, their future there is uncertain.

Related:

About the author(s):

EHN Curators
EHN Curators
Articles curated and summarized by the Environmental Health News' curation team. Some AI-based tools helped produce this text, with human oversight, fact checking and editing.

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