Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field (ELF EMF) Survey

of Residential Areas Around Transmission Lines

R. Tukimin1, W.N.L Mahadi2, M.Y.M Ali1, M.N.M Thari1
1
Radiation Health and Safety Division,Malaysian Nuclear Agency, Bangi,
43000 Kajang, Selangor
2
Department of Electrical Engineering, University Malaya,
50603 Kuala Lumpur
roha@nuclearmalaysia.gov.my

Abstract

Extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic
fields (EMF) are categorized as non-ionising
radiation (NIR). They are generally generated by
overhead transmission power lines. A study of
ELF EMF was conducted at residential areas
around the transmission line located at Kelang
Valley. The objectives of the study were to
determine the strength of the ELF EMF present
besides to assess the potential exposure received
by future residents. The surveys were carried out
using PMM model EHP50A and EMDEX
instruments based on standard measurement
procedures and protocol recommended by IEEE.
The results obtained were compared against the
permissible exposure limits recommended by
International Commission of Non-Ionising
Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) for members of
public to ensure that they are acceptable in term
Introduction
Electricity has become an essential part of our
lives and can be seen as integral element in
modern living. Electricity can be associated with
electric power supply system which includes
generation, transmission and distribution of the
electricity. The electricity system produces
extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields
(ELF EMF) radiation which is fall under
category of non-ionising radiation (NIR) which
has been reported to cause health effects.
Electromagnetic emission generated by
electricity supply traveling along the overhead
cables at 50 cycles per second (50 Hertz). In this
research, the ELF EMF’s generated by high
tension overhead cables were measured and
evaluated.
of safety. This paper highlights some of the
findings at the
Study site. The results obtained indicates that
the ELF EMF radiation level within the study
area (outside ROW) generated by the power lines
but their field strengths were within the
permissible exposure limits by ICNIRP which
were 0.03% and 5.26% for magnetic and electric
field respectively. Both field strengths were
found to drop very significantly against distance
from the power lines where closer distances
always showed higher field strengths.
Keyword: ELF EMF, permissible limits, Non-
ionising radiation (NIR)
The study also was conducted to determine the
potential of ELF EMF exposure
for future residents. This paper highlights some
of the findings of the study area located at
Kelang Valley.
Hazard and recommended permissible
limits
The ELF EMF of concern in the study are
electromagnetic emission generated by the
transmission line. Electromagnetic field is a form
of energy that travels in space as electromagnetic
waves namely the electric field and the magnetic
fields. In this study, both of them were
evaluated.
In spite of the fact that ELF EMF are very weak
energy of electromagnetic emission with limited
ability to cause side effects as described above, it

1-4244-1435-0/07/$25.00©2007 IEEE
is widely reported that the emission is hazardous
to human health. Besides having low energy and,
ELF EMF known to have capability to induce
current in human body when exposed directly to
them. However, it has been discovered that such
induced current formed is very small, several
orders of magnitude weaker than those natural
currents induced by biological electric activity of
the body (Tenforde T.S. 1996). Direct biological
effects leading to cell death, gene mutation or
transformation are, therefore, highly unlikely
with these fields and, in fact, have never been
observed before (Mc Cann J et al 1993). Its
hazard is usually associated with generation of
induced current in the body, thermal effects on
the nervous system including cancer in long-
term. The effects are more pronounced if the
exposure received is acute and excessive.
However, the effects resulted from exposure to
the fields at low-levels, like the one experienced
in most work places, is still uncertain due to the
fact that all scientific evidences gathered so far
are not conclusive enough to link it with any
effects (WHO/193 1998, ICNIRP 1998).
The real agent of causing the problem is
suspected to be the magnetic fields since electric
fields can easily be absorbed by any object, such
as walls and floors of buildings, trees, etc. Even
with the magnetic fields, most studies carried out
previously indicate that the strength of ELF EMF
routinely present in public settings or work areas
is far too low to directly affect the body.
Many countries and international
organizations have adopted the International
Commission of Non-Ionising Radiation
Protection (ICNIRP) limits into their respective
national and international safety standards and
legislation and an example of these countries and
international organizations, which include World
Health Organization (WHO/182 1998),
International Labour Organization (ILO) and the
European Committee on Electrotechnical
Standardization (CENELEC 1995). Based on
these guidelines, the occupational and public
exposure limit for electric and magnetic fields of
ELF EMF are 10,000 V/m and 5,000 V/m, and
5000 mGauss and 1000 mGauss respectively
Measurement method and standards
Measurement of ELF EMF was
conducted using PMM Model 8053 and EMDEX
II instrument. The PMM instrument was attached
to ELF probe Model EHP-50A (5Hz – 100kHz)
with the lowest detection limit of 0.1 mGauss
for the magnetic fields and 0.1 V/m for the
electric fields. Both electric and magnetic fields
were measured simultaneously. EMDEX
instrument with data logger and reader was used
for 24 hours measurement with the lowest
detection limit of 0.1mGauss for magnetic field
and 10.0 V/m for electric field. Besides that
Linear Data Acquisition System (LINDA),
which includes a measurement wheel were
attached to EMDEX II to measure the spatial
distribution of the magnetic fields underneath the
cables (worst situation). The data were
presented in the form of 3D field contour plots
(isoplots). Readings were taken in miliGauss
(mGauss) for the magnetic fields and volt per
meter (V/m) for the electric fields. Instruments
setup and measurements protocols were adopted
from standard measurement method and
procedures of US IEEE/ANSI Standard C644 –
1987 and ICNIRP / IRPA Guidelines 1997.
The instrument were mounted on the
wooden tripods and set one meter above the
ground/floor to minimize interference. The
measurement were conducted in two method
namely spot measurement and 24 hours
measurement. Parameter involved in this study
was distance and level of the houses. At each
location, measurement were taken for a period of
20 minutes to minimize error due to fluctuation
of the ELF EMF. Measurement of 24 hours was
performed due to worst case situation in order to
know the variation of the electricity supply
carried by the overhead cables.
The study site was 4 storey semi-
detached houses which located about 35 meters
from the transmission line. Measurement
locations were selected to cover ROW, outside
and inside the house. Each selected measurement
location was given an identification number
indicated as LE01 to LE40 (see Figure 2).
Measurement were made at distance of every 10
meters. Measurement inside the house were
carried out at house identified as AA,96 and
104. In addition to stationary measurements of
the field strengths at the selected locations,
LINDA was used to measure spatial distribution
of the magnetic field at location LE01, LE04,
LE40, LE37.
The high tension cables were carried
high voltage (275kV) supply to Kuala Lumpur
areas. The cables are supported at certain height
above the ground and fixed in position by steel
pylons erected within the reserved land (right-of-
way (ROW) allocated by the government. This
transmission system was fully operational during
the period of the survey.
Figure 1 : Photograph of the study site taken from
access road, which indicates position of the houses
with respect to overhead high tension cables
Results and discussion
The results obtained shows that the electric and
magnetic field levels were found to vary against
measurement locations, which were strongly
influenced by vertical and horizontal distance
from cables (Figure 3 and 4). At all of the
locations selected in the study, the average
magnetic field strengths were found to vary
between the lowest of 0.30 m Gauss to the
highest of 19.20 mGauss. The highest level,
which was measured on the highland underneath
the cables, was 1.92% of the exposure limit
(1000mGauss). For areas within the property
(outside the ROW of the cables), the highest
average magnetic field strength recorded was
3.29 mGauss, which was 0.03% of the exposure
limit (30 meters from cable). The field strengths
at the housing area found to be lower than those
present directly under the cables because of
greater distance involved. The fields were found
to have dropped very significantly as one moves
away from the cables (Figure 3). The magnetic
fields usually increase a little bit in the middle of
the between the two pylons supporting the cables
because of cable sagging, which causes the
cables to become nearer to the ground. However,
for this particular study area, such effect was not
obviously seen because of unleveled ground
surface as one moves along the length of the
cables.
The electric fields were found slightly different
manner than the magnetic fields in that they were
not only affected by vertical and horizontal
distance from the cables, but also by the presence
of other objects nearby. This is because the
electric fields can easily be absorbed by any
conducting object like trees and buildings. The
averaged electric field strengths were found to
vary from the lowest of 3.15 V/m to the highest
of 3218.57 V/m of which the highest was 64.4%
of the exposure limit (5000 V/m). Like magnetic
fields, for areas within the property (outside the
ROW) the highest electric field measured was
only 262.95 V/m (5.26% of the exposure limit),
which was measured at LE14 (30 meters from
the cable). The effect of distance in reducing the
electric field strengths could clearly be seen from
Figure 4.
Measurements results carried out inside the
three selected houses (AA, 96 and 104) indicated
much lower field strengths when compared with
those measured in open space outside because of
ability of the buildings to absorbed the fields in
addition to reduction by distances from the
cables. The averaged magnetic field strengths
were found to be around 0.20 mGauss while for
the electric fields they were found to be below
2.04 V/m i.e. 0.02% and 0.04% of the exposure
limit respectively. These averaged fields were
observed fluctuating within the normal fields
present elsewhere, which typically varies
between 0.1 mGauss to 3 mGauss for the
magnetic fields and below 5 V/m for the electric
fields.
Prolonged measurements over 24 hours were
made in open space within the compound of the
three selected houses (AA, 96 and 104).The
distance from the transmission line was about 35
meters. The fields were expected to be
influenced by the amount of electricity carried by
the cables, which, in turn, depends on usage of
electricity during the period of the survey.
Higher voltage and current would produce higher
electric and magnetic fields around the cables.
However, such influence was unable to be
observed from the actual spectrum of ELF
electric and magnetic fields measured over 24
hours in the houses because the field strengths
had dropped very significantly to a level well
below the capability of the measuring instrument
to measure. The results obtained that the field
strengths present in and around the houses were
not significantly affected by the amount of
electricity carried by the cables. Measurement
also was made at every level of the selected
house AA,96 and 104). The results for magnetic
indicated that the highest field strengths was
only 0.02% of the exposure limit. (see Table 1). within the areas around the houses had dropped
The electric field is not a critical matter as it can very significantly because of the distance
be absorbed easily by the wall. Table 1: Results of involved and they would remain low with small
measurement at each level of the selected house. fluctuation between 0.2 to 0.5 mGauss.
Magnetic field (mGauss) Conclusion
Location AA 96 104
The study and evaluation of electric and
Basement 0.20 0.20 0.20 magnetic field has identified the extremely low
Ground Floor 0.23 0.20 0.20
frequency EMF radiation at the study site.
1st Floor 0.22 0.17 0.18
Results obtained shows some variation of
2nd Floor 0.22 0.17 0.19
electromagnetic level with the distance from the
ROW of the transmission line. Finding of the
Spatial distribution of the magnetic fields study shows that the EMF level were very much
measured around the property including lower than recommended exposure limit by
underneath the cables did indicate some changes ICNIRP, but study and evaluation are still
of the field strengths over the entire areas important in determining of the long term effect
surveyed. It can be seen from the three- of ELF EMF. The field strengths observed in
dimension plot (Figure 5) that the magnetic field this study would remain unchanged so long there
strengths increased dramatically as we entered are no new cables introduced to the site and the
the areas underneath the cables and they dropped electricity load carried by the cables remains
again once we left the ROW of the cables unchanged.
moving toward the houses. The field strengths

References
[1]IEEE; IEEE Standard Procedures for
Measurement of Power Frequency Electric and
Magnetic Fields from AC Power Lines, 1987.
[2]WHO/182 1998; Electromagnetic Fields and
Public Health, WHO fact sheet No.182, May
1998.
[3]International Committee on Non-Ionising
Radiation Prot Guidelines for limiting exposure
to time-varying electric, magnetic and
electromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz); ICNIRP
Guidelines, Health Physic No.4, vol.74, April
1998.
[4]Mohd Yusof Mohd Ali, unpublished
reports.
[5]Tech 2000; Guide to Solving AC Power
EMF problems in Commercial Buildings,
Vita Tec Engineering, January 2000.
[6]Australian National Health and medical
Research Council (ANHMRC); Interim
Guidelines limits of Exposure to 50/60 Hz
Electric and Magnetic Fields, Radiation
Health series No.30, 1989.
[7]CENELEC 1995; Human Exposure to
electromagnetic Fields (Low Frequencies),
ENV50166-1, 1995.

Figure 2: Plan view of the study site with indication of measurement locations and position of overhead high tension
Cable
 Magnetic field vs Location

1000,00

Magnetic field (mGauss)

100,00

LE01
LE05 LE09 LE13
10,00 LE17
LE21 LE29 LE33
LE25 LE37
LE10 LE14 LE26 LE30
LE22 LE38
LE02 LE06 LE18
LE34 LE39
1,00 LE07 LE11 LE15 LE19 LE23 LE31
LE27 LE35
LE03
LE24 LE32
LE04 LE08 LE12 LE16 LE20 LE28 LE36 LE40

0,10
LE01 / LE02 /

LE05 / LE06 /

LE09 / LE10 /

LE13 / LE14 /

LE17 / LE18 /

LE21 / LE22 /

LE25 / LE26 /

LE29 / LE30 /

LE33 / LE34 /

LE37 / LE38 /
LE03 / LE04

LE07 / LE08

LE11 / LE12

LE15 / LE16

LE19 / LE20

LE23 / LE24

LE27 / LE28

LE31 / LE32

LE35 / LE36

LE39 / LE40
Location

Below 10m 20m 30m exposure limit

Figure 3: Plot of magnetic field strength vs location in open space along and across the cables

Electric field vs Location

10000,00
LE01 LE09
LE05 LE13
LE17 LE29 LE33
1000,00 LE21 LE37
Electric field (V/m)

LE25

LE10 LE14 LE26 LE30

100,00 LE22
LE38
LE18
LE02 LE07 LE34
LE03 LE11 LE23 LE27
LE06
LE08 LE12 LE19 LE31
LE16
LE15 LE20
10,00 LE32 LE35
LE24 LE28 LE36 LE40
LE04
LE39

1,00
LE01 / LE02 /

LE05 / LE06 /

LE09 / LE10 /

LE13 / LE14 /

LE17 / LE18 /

LE21 / LE22 /

LE25 / LE26 /

LE29 / LE30 /

LE33 / LE34 /

LE37 / LE38 /
LE03 / LE04

LE07 / LE08

LE11 / LE12

LE15 / LE16

LE19 / LE20

LE23 / LE24

LE27 / LE28

LE31 / LE32

LE35 / LE36

LE39 / LE40
Location

Below 10m 20m 30m exposure limit

Figure 4: Plot of electric field strength vs location in open space along and across the cables

5 .0 .. 10.0
2 .0 .. 5 .0
1 .0 .. 2 .0
0 .5 .. 1 .0
0 .2 .. 0 .5

L E 04 LE 37

L E 40

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line .m bk

Figure 5: 3D plot of spatial variation of the magnetic fields around the area bounded by LE01, LE04, LE40, LE37 and
LE01