Public concern  EMF – the basics  Known health effects  Guidelines  Childhood leukaemia risk  Policy response  Reducing EMF  Key learnings

1. The Webinar video is available here:
https://register.gotowebinar.com/recording/7894415824801552648

2. Responsible management of the EMF issue
Presented by James Hart – Convenor of WG C3.19
6 November 2019

3.  Public concern
 EMF – the basics
 Known health effects
 Guidelines
 Childhood leukaemia risk
 Policy response
 Reducing EMF
 Key learnings
Table of contents

4. Public concern
Responsible management of the EMF issue
6 November 2019

9. Opposition arguments
 EMF associated with childhood cancer
 Children are more susceptible
 EMF causes biological effects
 IARC – “Possible carcinogen”
 CDH – “More probable than not”
 WHO – “Precaution warranted”
WHO – World Health Organisation
IARC – International Agency for Research on Cancer
CDH – California Department of Health

10. Opposition arguments
 140 – 180 studies being published in scientific journals each
year
 EMF International Appeal to UN & WHO
 BioInitiative Report
 A number of countries have adopted limits below the guidelines

12. Perception of risk
 RISK = Hazard + Outrage
(https://www.psandman.com/)

13. Perception of risk
 Terrible disease
 Affects the vulnerable
 Exposure is involuntary
 Exposure can be unfair
 Technically complex
 Managed by industry
 Involves words like radiation
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14. EMF basics
Responsible management of the EMF issue
6 November 2019

15. EMFs

16. EMFs
Properties
Electric fields Magnetic fields
Decrease with distance  
Related to Voltage Current
Constant (powerlines)  
Shielded by most objects  
Units V/m uT, mG
1mG = 0.1uT

17. EMFs
Rate of decrease

18. EMFs
Magnetic fields from powerlines
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
-20 -10 0 10 20
Magneticfield,uT
Distance from centreline, m
H-frame construction, 132kV
A (-4.8,10), B (0,10), C (4.8,10), 100A
Steel tower, 132kV
A (2.9,14.8), B (-3,12.4), C (3.5,10), 100A
Delta, single pole construction, 132kV
A (1.67,10), B (-1.68,11.1), C (1.68,12.2), 100A
Vertical, single pole construction, 132kV
A (1.7,10), B (1.7,12.2), C (1.7,14.4), 100A
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A B C

19. EMFs
Loading
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
0:30
1:00
1:30
2:00
2:30
3:00
3:30
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4:30
5:00
5:30
6:00
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0:00
AvgkWinhalfhour
Ave July weekday Ave February weekday Avg weekday Avg weekend Ave Annual average
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Current,Amps Time, %
Annual load duration curve
Average annual load
95th percentile
96th percentile
-30
20
70
120
170
220
Current,Amps
Maximum Demand Day
Annual average load
Design rating
Short term emergency rating
0
5
10
15
20
-20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20
Magneticfield,mG
Distance from centreline, m
Short term emergency
Infrequent high load
Typical daily maximum
Time Weighted Average (TWA)
Typical daily minimum

20. EMFs
Sources within the home
Electric appliance 3 cm distance (µT) 30 cm distance (µT) 1 m distance (µT)
Electric range 1 - 50 0.15 - 8 0.01 - 0.04
Refrigerator 0.5 - 2 0.01 - 0.3 0.01 - 0.04
Coffee machine 1 - 10 0.1 - 0.2 0.01 - 0.02
Hand blender 60 - 700 0.6 - 10 0.02 - 0.25
Toaster 7 - 20 0.06 - 1 0.01 - 0.2
Hairdryer 6 - 2,000 0,1 - 7 0,01 - 0,3
Electric shaver 15 - 1,500 0.08 - 9 0.01 - 0.3
Drill 400 - 800 2 - 3.5 0.08 - 0.2
Electric saw 250 - 1000 1 - 25 0.01 - 1
Vacuum cleaner 200 - 800 2 - 20 0.1 - 2
Washing machine 0.08 - 50 0.15 - 3 0.01 - 0.15
Dryer 0.3 - 8 0.1 - 2 0.02 - 0.1
Iron 8 - 30 0.1 - 0.3 0.01 - 0.03
Clock Radio 3 - 60 0.1 - 1 0.01 - 0.02
Electric blanket Up to 30
TV 2.5 - 50 0.04 - 2 0.01 - 0.25
Floor heating 0.1 - 8
Electric stove 10 - 180 0.15 - 5 0.01 - 0.25

21. EMFs
Sources within the home
Water pipes
Substation
Meter box
Earth stake
MEN connection
* Earth currents are typically a very small fraction of the active and neutral currents
Neutral
Earth
Active

22. EMFs
Exposure
1.0
10
100
1000
10000
0.1

23. Known health effects
Responsible management of the EMF issue
6 November 2019

24. Known health effects
 ~300,000 uT Cardiac excitation
 ~180,000 uT Nerve cell stimulation
 ~15,000 uT Magnetophosphenes
 200 uT International guidelines
 ~0.4 uT (TWA) Childhood leukemia associations
 ~0.1-0.2 uT Typical background
Magnetic field levels
https://iutic.com/

25. Guidelines
Responsible management of the EMF issue
6 November 2019

26. International guidelines
 Established health effects
 Magnetic field - Magnetophosphenes
 Electric field - Microshocks
 Possible health effects
 Magnetic field - Childhood leukemia
50/60Hz
•ICNIRP, 1998, Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time-Varying Electric, Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetic Fields (up to 300 GHZ)
•ICNIRP, 2010, Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time-Varying Electric and Magnetic Fields (1 Hz – 100 kHz)
•IEEE, 2002. IEEE Std. C95.6. IEEE Standard for Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields, 0 – 3 kHz. 0.
• ICNIRP 1998
• ICNIRP 2010
• IEEE 2002
• Basic restrictions
• Reference levels
• Data insufficient to set
exposure guidelines

27. International guidelines

29. Magnetic field from a single phase conductor
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
1100
1200
1300
1400
1500
1600
1700
1800
1900
2000
0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.20 0.22 0.24 0.26 0.28 0.30
Magneticfield,uT
Distance from source, m
400A
1000A
Public Limit
Single Phase Cable
Occupational Limit

30. International guidelines

31. Minimum compliance distances
Single phase cable
Assumptions
Cable radius 4cm
Distance between skin/brain 1cm
Helmet 3cm
5cm8cm 5cm

33. Medical implants
 Many different types
 Generally made to be immune to public exposure limits
 Should be discussed with physician and manufacturer

34. Childhood leukaemia
risk
Responsible management of the EMF issue
6 November 2019

35. Peer reviewed
Study
Population studies
Replicated
Published
Animal studies
Cell studies

36. Cells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells study
Review Panels
Health Guidance
Study - People
Study - Animals
Study - PeopleStudy - PeoplePopulation studies
Study - AnimalsStudy - AnimalsStudy - AnimalsStudy - AnimalsAnimal studies
Cells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCells studyCell studies

37. Key reviews
 Strength?
 Consistent?
 Exposure relationship?
 Laboratory evidence?
 Plausible?

38. Key reviews
 There is limited human evidence based on pooled
epidemiological studies indicating a weak
association between childhood leukaemia and long
term exposure to greater than 3-4mG.
 This association is not supported by the laboratory
evidence and there is no known biological
explanation for such an association.

39. Health Authorities
 “Based on a recent in-depth review of the scientific
literature, the WHO concluded that current
evidence does not confirm the existence of any
health consequences from exposure to low level
electromagnetic fields.” – WHO
 “The scientific evidence does not establish that
exposure to ELF EMF found around the home, the
office or near powerlines and other electrical
sources is a hazard to human health.” - ARPANSA

40. Causes of death in Australia 2017
 Cancer 46,399
 Heart disease 43,477
 Diabetes 4,839
 Alzheimer 4,279
 Falls 2,782
 Transport accidents 1,371
 Pedestrian - vehicle 187
 Assault 180
 Drowning 160
 Electrocution 9
 EMF (if causal) 1-2

41. Policy response
Responsible management of the EMF issue
6 November 2019

42. Precaution
 “…..the use of precautionary approaches is
warranted. However, it is not recommended that
the limit values in exposure guidelines be reduced
to some arbitrary level in the name of precaution.”
- WHO Working Group

43. Precaution
 No cost and very low cost
 No basis for arbitrary setbacks/limits
 Limited potential for reductions beyond background
 TWA most relevant exposure
 Cannot be said it will result in any health benefit
 One of many considerations

45. Reducing magnetic
fields
Responsible management of the EMF issue
6 November 2019

46. Ways to reduce magnetic fields
 Distance
 Configuration/orientation of source(s)
 Load
 Shielding

48. 0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
-20 -10 0 10 20
Magneticfield,uT
Distance from centreline, m
H-frame construction, 132kV
A (-4.8,10), B (0,10), C (4.8,10), 100A
Steel tower, 132kV
A (2.9,14.8), B (-3,12.4), C (3.5,10), 100A
Delta, single pole construction, 132kV
A (1.67,10), B (-1.68,11.1), C (1.68,12.2), 100A
Vertical, single pole construction, 132kV
A (1.7,10), B (1.7,12.2), C (1.7,14.4), 100A
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C
A B C

49. 0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
-20 -10 0 10 20
Magneticfield,uT
Distance from centreline, m
Double circuit, single pole construction, same phasing,
100A
1: A (-1.7,14.4), B (-1.7,12.2), C (-1.7,10), 100A
2: A (1.7,14.4), B (1.7,12.2), C (1.7,10), 100A
Double circuit, single pole construction, reverse phasing,
100A
1: A (-1.7,14.4), B (-1.7,12.2), C (-1.7,10), 100A
2: A (1.7,10), B (1.7,12.2), C (1.7,14.4), 100A
A
B
C
A
B
C
A
B
C A
B
C

55. + reconfigured
downstream
network

56. + reconfigured
downstream
network

57. Key learnings
Responsible management of the EMF issue
6 November 2019

58. Stakeholder engagement
 Start consultation early
 No predetermined routes
 Be open and acknowledge concerns
 Be prepared
 Be factual, current and consistent
 Provide access to information
 Have documented procedures and follow them
 Honour commitments

59. EMF
 Respond promptly and thoughtfully
 Have available EMF materials such as a policy position and
factsheets
 Keep material accurate, current and consistent
 Align messages with local regulators & WHO
 Ensure that all staff that interface with the public understand
the nature of public concern and are familiar with material
 Keep abreast of the science and the policy positions of
regulators

60. Technical brochure
C3.19
Responsible management of the EMF issue
6 November 2019
Responsible management of EMF

61. TB C3.19 Responsible management of EMF
 EMF basic information
 The science
 Exposure guidelines
 Assessing compliance
 Medical implants
 Dealing with uncertainty
 Methods to reduce magnetic fields
 EMF communication
Scope

62. Copyright © 2018
This tutorial has been prepared based upon
the work of CIGRE and its Working Groups.
If it is used in total or in part, proper
reference and credit should be given to
CIGRE.
Disclaimer notice
“CIGRE gives no warranty or assurance
about the contents of this publication, nor
does it accept any responsibility, as to the
accuracy or exhaustiveness of the
information. All implied warranties and
conditions are excluded to the maximum
extent permitted by law”.
Copyright &
Disclaimer notice