Is it Safe to Live Near Power Lines?

Power lines are safe unless a person touches one.

Intense electromagnetic fields are known to damage living beings, such as humans. Because power lines are so pervasive and emit an electromagnetic field, many worry about negative health effects, but these fears are likely unfounded.

History

People often wonder about the safety of power lines because of reports during the late 1970s of them contributing to increased rates of leukemia in children, according to the Health Physics Society.

The Facts

As of 2009, no scientific study has corroborated the belief that power lines are a significant health concern, states the Health Physics Society.

Effects

The only acknowledged danger of power lines comes from potentially lethal electric shocks. Since power lines are usually more than 15 feet off the ground, electrocutions happen infrequently.

Interesting Fact

The accepted limit of human exposure to electromagnetic fields is 2 milligauss units. The average person is exposed to only about 0.5 to 0.75 milligauss units at any given time.

Considerations

More than 100 studies were performed during the 1990s on the link between power lines and cancer, according to Dr. John W. Farley of QuackWatch.com. No study found any danger from power lines. Furthermore, most power line electromagnetic fields are too weak to cause any significant damage.

References

• Health Physics Society: Radiofrequency (RF) Radiation
• Bonneville Power Administration: Living and Work Safely Around High-Voltage Power Lines
• PowerLineFacts.com: FAQ for Health Effects of Transmission Power Line Magnetic and Electric Fields

Resources

• Power Lines and Cancer: Nothing to Fear