Voltage Transients and Health Mikko Ahonen PhD, Researcher University of Tampere, Finland

From sine wave to transients - definitions

50 Hz sine wave & magnetic field Generally, electricity in its purest form does not seem to cause health problems (Mandeville et al ., 1997 & McCann et al ., 1993) Only magnetic fields starting from 0.3 uT (mikroTesla) have been linked to childhood leukemia ( Greenland et al. 2000; Ahlbom et al. , 2000) . BUT results are inconclusive.

From a review article – Voltage transients: “ Environmental exposure to High-Frequency Voltage Transients is an interesting EMF exposure metric, which might explain the spurious results from epidemiological studies using 'standard' ELF and RF exposure metrics . However, at present, methodological problems in published studies prohibit the valid assessment of its biological activity.” Source: De Vocht (2010)

What causes voltage transients?

Laptops – occasionally extremely high voltage transients Typical frequency values for highest micro surges caused by laptops: D laptop computer = 25 kHz D tower computer = 16.6 kHz A computers = 12.5 kHz Reason for high transient reading? Poor quality switching power supplies Source: D. Stetzer

Low-frequency transient electric and magnetic fields coupling to child body / in the frequency range from 50 Hz up to 100 kHz - Ozen (2008) “ The results show that the transient electric and magnetic fields would induce higher current density in the child body than power frequency fields with similar field strength”. 118004 -times higher!

Which frequency ranges match with highest amplitude of electrical fields? Source: Lundmark et al. 2005 A related finding, shown on the video . Demonstrated with a frequency generator.

Which devices cause the biggest amplitude changes? Source: Lundmark et al. 2005 See also: Oliveira et al. (2006) (VDU = Video Display Unit, HF-fitting=fluorescent tubes equipped with high-frequency electronic ballasts)

There are differences in lamps and light bulbs Source: Havas (2008) Accurate measurements of compact fluorescent lights: Maes (2009) Video 2 Video 1

How to measure transients? (2/2) + Oscilloscope or Spectrum analyser Adapter for Harmonic Analysers / Auskoppeladapter For measurement of conducted electromagnetic interference in the frequency range from 10kHz to 30MHz based on CISPR 16 for measurements in accordance to EN 55011…22 Output: L / PE / N

Transients in red – Minimal Measured with a Fluke Scopemeter

Transients in red - Increased Measured with a Fluke Scopemeter

Regularly clusters where low level magnetic field or power density readings can not explain the whole “picture” - examples http:// www.news.com.au/national/another-abc-staffer-has-breast-cancer/story-e6frfkvr-1225833135423 Please, note: Other environmental factors like heavy chemical exposure should be understood. http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/health/Cancer-Cluster-at-UCSD-Building.html http://blink.ucsd.edu/safety/resources/public-health/lit-building/ ELF-EMF may act at the cellular level to enhance breast cancer proliferation by blocking melatonin’s natural oncostatic action in MCF-7 cells ( Liburdy , 1993 ; Luben et al. , 1996; Morris et al. , 1998; Blackman et al. , 2001 ; Ishido et al. , 2001 , Girgert et al ., 2010 ) . Is low level magnetic field value here more important than transient intensity? Lots of discussion about melatonin and electro-magnetic fields:

About mechanisms of effect

About mechanisms: Gap junctions = protein bridges between cells  Transients may interfere gap opening Gap junction opening is regulated by calcium ions and pH , Alberts et al. (1994). (Experiments in Canada: pH-levels acid when high transients, alcaline when minimal transients ). Gap junction flow is significantly altered as a function of 50 Hz magnetic field strength, Li et al . (1999) .

About mechanism: There is much we don’t know, no single mechanism is fully established!

Impact on wellbeing technology and its development

Mobile phone components – producing transients continuosly in stand-by mode Question: How risky is it to keep to a mobile phone attached to the body continuously? Is it really a personal health monitoring device?

What happens when RF-frequencies are “run” in a powerline that is originally optimised for 50 Hz sine wave? The gain of the powerline as a radiator increases rapidly with frequency ( Hare, 2003 ).  Powerline starts to act as an antenna and extends wider. The gain of the powerline as a radiator increases rapidly with frequency ( Hare, 2003 ).  Powerline starts to act as an antenna and extends wider.