Extremely Low Frequency Electric and Magnetic Field Measurement Methods

Abstract

During the early 1970’s, reports originating in the Soviet Union described a variety of ill effects experienced by personnel working in 500 kV and 750 kV switchyards [1, 2]. the effects were attributed to the presence of the ac electric fields as well as to the occurrence of spark discharges between the workers and ground. at about the same time questions were raised regarding the possible environmental impact of high voltage transmission lines in the U.S. by the American author L.B.Young [3]. in response to the concerns generated by these and similar reports, numerous bioeffect studies with extremely low frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields were initiated in the U.S. by the Department of Energy [4], the Electric Power Research Institute, and during the early 1980’s, the New York State Department of Health. the results of these and many newer studies which have focussed on magnetic field effects are now readily found in the technical literature. However, after more than 20 years of research, questions related to possible health effects from exposure to power frequency and other ELF fields remained unresolved. Evidence for the unresolved situation was given by Congress when it initiated an expanded 5-year research program which began in the early 1990’s [5].