Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Assessment of electromagnetic field levels from surrounding high-tension overhead power lines for proposed land use

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The surrounding outdoor environment for new development has a big effect on the indoor quality of life. The main aim of this work was to determine the suitability of the area for building new schools with reference to electromagnetic field (EMF) effects. The specific objective of this study was to detect the safe distance from the EMF posed by the high-tension overhead power lines in the vicinity of the specified area. The measurements were taken for both the electric and magnetic fields in different months in order to detect the highest EMF levels during the peak power load season. EMDEX II with E-probe and EMDEX II with Linda were used for the measurements. These instruments were all calibrated by ENERTECH Company in USA. The EMF associated with high tension transmission lines that surrounded the proposed site has to be below 0.2 μT (Italian EMF regulations are the most suitable regulations for the establishment of schools in Kuwait). The safety clearance distance from the existing 300-kV high-tension power line has been assigned as 200 m and from other existing 132-kV high-tension power line was 50 m. The proposed site with its predefined boundaries has a magnetic field below the Italian EMF regulations for the establishment of new schools.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Plate 1.
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Basbagill, J., Flager, F., Lepech, M., & Fischer, M. (2013). Application of life-cycle assessment to early stage building design for reduced embodied environmental impacts. Building and Environment, 60, 81–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bluyssen, P. M. (2010). Towards new methods and ways to create healthy and comfortable buildings. Building and Environment, 45(4), 808–818.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chorat, A., Amares, G., Munoz, L. (2004). “Study and management in outdoor environment of the ELF electromagnetic fields round the municipalities of the bay of Cadiz”. 11th international congress of the international radiation protection association, 23rd -28th may 2004, Madrid, Spain.

  • Djuric, N., Kljajic, D., Kasas-Lazetic, K., & Bajovic, V. (2015). The SEMONT continuous monitoring of daily EMF exposure in an open area environment. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 187(4), 1–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Draper, G., Vincent, T., Kroll, M. E., & Swanson, J. (2005). Childhood cancer in relation to distance from high voltage power lines in England and Wales: a case-control study. BMJ, 330(7503), 1290.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farag, A. S., Hashim, T. J., Hussain, H., Said, I., & Rahman, N. A. (2003). Exposure assessment of electromagnetic fields in Malaysian Public Schools Environment. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Non-Ionizing Radiation at UNITEN (ICNIR 2003): Electromagnetic Fields and Our Health, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (pp. 20–22).

  • Gaggelli, A., Puliatti, G., & Violi, A. G. (2002). A measurement and analysis technique for evaluating exposure to low frequency electromagnetic fields. Publication of: WIT Press. Edited by J. Allan, R.J. Hill, C. A. Brebbia, G. Scuiuto and S. Sone. WIT Press.

  • Gregory, R., & Von Winterfeldt, D. (1996). The effects of electromagnetic fields from transmission lines on public fears and property values. Journal of Environmental Management, 48(3), 201–214.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hashish, A. H., El-Missiry, M. A., Abdelkader, H. I., & Abou-Saleh, R. H. (2008). Assessment of biological changes of continuous whole body exposure to static magnetic field and extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields in mice. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 71(3), 895–902.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • IARC. (2001). IARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humnas. Non-ionizing radiation, Part1: static and extremely low-frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields, volume 80, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon.

  • ICNIRP (1998). Guidelines for limiting exposure to time varying electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz). International commission on non-ionizing radiation protection. Health Physics, 74(4), 494–522.

    Google Scholar 

  • IEEE 644–1994 (1994). IEEE standard procedure for the measurement of power frequency electric and magnetic fields from AC power lines. New York: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

    Google Scholar 

  • IET. (2008). The possible harmful biological effects of low level electromagnetic fields of frequencies up to 300 GHz. Institution of Engineering and Technology, Resource document available at www.theiet.org/factfiles, Accessed on 15 December 2014.

  • Kabuto, M., Nitta, H., Yamamoto, S., Yamaguchi, N., Akiba, S., Honda, Y., et al. (2006). Childhood leukemia and magnetic fields in Japan: a case-control study of childhood leukemia and residential power frequency magnetic fields in Japan. International Journal of Cancer, 119(3), 643–650.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kohler, N., & Moffatt, S. (2003). Life-cycle analysis of the built environment. Industry and Environment, 26(2–3), 17–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krüger, E. L., Minella, F. O., & Rasia, F. (2011). Impact of urban geometry on outdoor thermal comfort and air quality from field measurements in Curitiba, Brazil. Building and Environment, 46(3), 621–634.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lord, E. A., & Wilson, C. B. (1980). The general principles underlying the interaction between buildings and their environments. Building and Environment, 15(3), 151–165.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nie, K., & Henderson, A. (2003). MAP kinase activation in cells exposed to a 60 Hz electromagnetic field. Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, 90(6), 1197–1206.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • NIEHS (2002). EMF questions and answers: electric and magnetic fields associated with the use of electric power. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. North Carolina: National Institute of Health.

    Google Scholar 

  • NRL (2008). Electric and magnetic fields and your health. New Zealand: National Radiation Laboratory Available at http://www.who.int/entity/peh_emf/project/mapnatreps/nznrl_emfbooklet2008.pdf.

  • NRPB. (2004). Advice on limiting exposure to electromagnetic fields (0–300 Ghz). Documents of the National Radiological Protection Board. Volume 15 No.2.

  • Otto, M., & Ernst, K. (2007). Electromagnetic fields (EMF): do they play a role in children’s environmental health (CEH)? International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 270, 635–644.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qabazard, A. M., & Quinn, M. F. (2006). Measurement of the electric and magnetic fields from high tension overhead powerlines and home appliances at the power frequency level (EA020C). Kuwait: Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait .Report No. KISR8331

    Google Scholar 

  • Qin, Q. Z., Chen, Y., Fu, T. T., Ding, L., Han, L. L., & Li, J. C. (2012). The monitoring results of electromagnetic radiation of 110-kV high-voltage lines in one urban location in Chongqing PR China. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 184(3), 1533–1540.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richman, R., Munroe, A. J., & Siddiqui, Y. (2014). A pilot neighborhood study towards establishing a benchmark for reducing electromagnetic field levels within single family residential dwellings. Science of the Total Environment, 466, 625–634.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scheuer, C., Keoleian, G. A., & Reppe, P. (2003). Life cycle energy and environmental performance of a new university building: modeling challenges and design implications. Energy and Buildings, 35(10), 1049–1064.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schlueter, A., & Thesseling, F. (2009). Building information model based energy/exergy performance assessment in early design stages. Automation in Construction, 18(2), 153–163.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schüz, J., Grigat, J. P., Brinkmann, K., & Michaelis, J. (2001). Childhood acute leukaemia and residential 16.7 Hz magnetic fields in Germany. British journal of cancer, 84(5), 697.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WHO (2007). Extremely low frequency fields. Environmental Health Criteria, Vol. 238. Geneva: World Health Organization.

    Google Scholar 

  • WHO Report (2007), pp. 364–365, Table 86; Tr. V. 3, pp. 27–28, 82–84 (Carpenter); Ex. 221(Supp.Resp.to CapX IR 1), https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/EFiling/edockets/searchDocuments.do?method=showPoup&documentId=%7BF63F99F4-0218-4F6D-9D02-AA87D7E078DB%7D&documentTitle=20103-47786-02, Assessed on 16 February 2014.

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Ministry of Education of Kuwait for funding this project.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P. O. Box 24885, 13109, Safat, Kuwait

    E. Al-Bassam, A. Elumalai, A. Khan & L. Al-Awadi

Authors
  1. E. Al-Bassam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. Elumalai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. Khan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. L. Al-Awadi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to E. Al-Bassam.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Al-Bassam, E., Elumalai, A., Khan, A. et al. Assessment of electromagnetic field levels from surrounding high-tension overhead power lines for proposed land use. Environ Monit Assess 188, 316 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5318-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5318-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation