Safety

Information on EMF

Electromagnetic fields (EMF) are a complex topic. There is no conclusive scientific evidence that transmission lines impact human health. The use of electricity is an integral part of everyday life. Whenever electricity flows, both electric and magnetic fields exist close to the lines that carry it. This includes household wiring and appliances, as well as overhead and underground transmission lines. We are all exposed to EMF while at home or in schools, shopping malls and workplaces. Since the late 1970s, much research has been done to determine whether exposure to these extremely low frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields produces adverse health consequences. To date, no consistent, conclusive research has linked power line EMF to human health hazards. Based on laboratory research, some scientific agencies have provided guidelines for acceptable, continuous exposure to power line magnetic field levels. ITC adheres to these guidelines in all of its projects.

The following scientific, government and international agencies have EMF-related information you may want to review:

• National Institute of Environmental Health Services
• The U.S. National Research Council
• World Health Organization EMF Project
• International Agency for Research on Cancer
• International Organization of Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection
• The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)
• National Cancer Institute

Several documents are available online from the following sources:

U.S. National Research Council (NRC) - Research on Power-Frequency Fields Completed Under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (1999)

World Health Organization (WHO) – Extremely Low Frequency Fields, Environmental Health Criteria Monograph No. 238 (2007)

World Health Organization (WHO) – What Are Electromagnetic Fields? (2007)

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) – Static and Extremely Low Frequency Electric and Magnetic Fields (2002)