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 * Extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields

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EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS

EXTREMELY LOW FREQUENCY (ELF) ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS EXIST WHEREVER
ELECTRICITY IS GENERATED, TRANSMITTED OR DISTRIBUTED IN POWERLINES OR CABLES, OR
USED IN ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES.


ON THIS PAGE

 * What are ELF electric and magnetic fields?
 * How are ELF electric and magnetic fields measured?
 * How are people exposed to ELF electric and magnetic fields?
 * What are the effects of exposure to ELF electric and magnetic fields?
 * Controlling exposure to ELF electric and magnetic fields
 * Links

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WHAT ARE ELF ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS?

Extremely low frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields (EMF) occupy the
lower part of the electromagnetic spectrum in the frequency range 0-3000 Hz. ELF
EMF result from electrically charged particles. Artificial sources are the
dominant sources of ELF EMF and are usually associated with the generation,
distribution and use of electricity at the frequency of 50 Hz in Australia or 60
Hz in some other countries. The electric field is produced by the voltage
whereas the magnetic field is produced by the current. The properties of ELF
electric and magnetic fields are described in detail in the World Health
Organization's Environmental Health Criteria 238 Extremely Low Frequency Fields.

Electromagnetic spectrum

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HOW ARE ELF ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS MEASURED?

Measurements of ELF EMF are performed in order to characterise emissions from
sources and exposure of persons or experimental subjects. The strength of the
electric field is measured in units of volts per metre (V/m). The strength of
the magnetic field is measured in units of amperes per metre (A/m) but is
usually expressed in terms of the magnetic flux density measured in units of
tesla (T) or microtesla (μT). Another unit which is commonly used to measure the
magnetic field is the gauss (G) or milligauss (mG), where 1 G is equivalent to
10⁻⁴ T (or 1 mG = 0.1 μT).

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HOW ARE PEOPLE EXPOSED TO ELF ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS?

ELF EMF is produced by both natural and artificial sources. Naturally occurring
ELF EMF is associated with atmospheric processes such as ionospheric currents,
thunderstorms and lightning. Artificial sources are the dominant sources of ELF
EMF and are usually associated with the generation, distribution and use of
electricity at the frequency of 50 or 60 Hz. Powerlines, electrical wiring and
common appliances (electric blankets, televisions, hair-dryers, computers, etc.)
all produce ELF EMF.

The widespread use of electricity means that people are exposed to ELF electric
and magnetic fields in the home, in the environment and in the workplace.
Residential exposure to ELF fields depends on many factors, including the
distance from local powerlines, the number and type of electrical appliances in
use in the home, and the configuration and position of household electrical
wiring. Background magnetic fields in the home are usually around 0.1 µT.
Background electric fields in the home can be up to 20 V/m. In the vicinity of
some appliances, the instantaneous magnetic field values can be as much as a few
hundred microtesla and the electric field several hundred volts per metre. At
ground level, directly below powerlines, magnetic fields reach as much as 20 µT
and electric fields can be between several hundred and several thousand of volts
per metre (~100 V/m - ~10 kV/m).

Exposure in the workplace can vary. In the electrical supply industry, workers
may be exposed to magnetic fields which can exceed 2,000 µT and electric fields
up to 30 kV/m. Office workers are usually exposed to much lower level fields
when using equipment such as computers and photocopying machines. There is
evidence however that workers in some non-electrical occupations can also be
exposed to elevated EMF, for example workers in the garment industry have been
shown to be exposed to levels greater than 10 µT.

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WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO ELF ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS?

It is known that acute exposure to ELF EMF at high levels can affect the
function of the nervous system. However, exposure to high levels of ELF EMF is
extremely rare apart from medical exposures to patients and some specialised
occupational exposures. They will not occur in people during their day-to-day
living and should not occur at work.

There is no established evidence that ELF EMF is associated with long term
health effects. There is some epidemiological research indicating an association
between prolonged exposure to higher than normal ELF magnetic fields (which can
be associated with residential proximity to transmission lines or other
electrical supply infrastructure, or by unusual domestic electrical wiring), and
increased rates of childhood leukaemia. However, the epidemiological evidence is
weakened by various methodological problems such as potential selection bias and
confounding. Furthermore this association is not supported by laboratory or
animal studies and no credible theoretical mechanism has been proposed. 

Health effects related to ELF fields are described further in the ARPANSA fact
sheet Electricity and Health.

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CONTROLLING EXPOSURE TO ELF ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS

The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) has
issued Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time-Varying Electric and Magnetic
Fields (1 Hz -100 kHz) (PDF 641 kb) which are aimed at preventing the
established health effects resulting from exposure to ELF EMF. The ICNIRP ELF
guidelines are consistent with ARPANSA’s understanding of the scientific basis
for the protection of the general public (including the foetus) and workers from
exposure to ELF EMF. Details about ICNIRP and a link to the ICNIRP ELF
guidelines are available at International Best Practice.

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LINKS

 * The World Health Organization’s fact sheet Exposure to Extremely Low
   Frequency Fields
 * The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection
 * Public Health England in the UK

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