Exposure to 50 Hz Magnetic Fields in Homes and Areas Surrounding Urban Transformer Stations in Silla (Spain): Environmental Impact Assessment

2018 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 2056

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2018

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Exposure to 50 Hz Magnetic Fields in Homes and Areas Surrounding Urban Transformer Stations in Silla (Spain): Environmental Impact Assessment Enrique A. Navarro-Camba EA , Segura-García J, Gomez-Perretta C. Exposure to 50 Hz Magnetic Fields in Homes and Areas Surrounding Urban Transformer Stations in Silla (Spain): Environmental Impact Assessment. Sustainability 2018, 10(8), 2641; 27 July 2018. (This article belongs to the Special Issue Electromagnetic Waves Pollution) Abstract Exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELFs) is almost inevitable almost anywhere in the world. An ELF magnetic field (ELF-MF) of around 1 mG = 0.1 μT is typically measured in any home of the world with a certain degree of development and well-being. There is fear and concern about exposure to electromagnetic fields from high- and medium-voltage wiring and transformer stations, especially internal transformer stations (TSs), which in Spain are commonly located inside residential buildings on the ground floor. It is common for neighbors living near these stations to ask for stations to be moved away from their homes, and to ask for information about exposure levels and their effects. Municipality is the closest administration to the citizens that must solve this situation, mediating between the citizens, the utility companies and the national administration. In this case, the municipality of Silla (València, Spain) wanted to know the levels of exposure in the dwellings annexed to the TSs, to compare them with Spanish legislation and the recommendations coming from epidemiological studies. This article presents the first systematic campaign of ELF-MF measurements from TSs carried out in a Spanish city. Many measurements were carried out in the rooms of the apartments doing spatial averages of spatial grid measurements. Measurements are made in the bed and bedrooms and a weighted average and an environmental impact indicator were obtained for each location. We found that old TSs usually provide the highest peak exposure levels. A notable result of this work is that approximately one quarter of the population living above or next to a TS would be exposed to a weighted MF level greater than 0.3 μT, and that about a 10% of this population would not be able to relocate their bedroom or living room to minimize the level of exposure. Open access paper: mdpi.com

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeexposure_assessment

Effect directionunclear

PopulationResidents living above or next to urban transformer stations in Silla (València, Spain)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 0.05 MHz

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

This paper reports a systematic campaign of 50 Hz ELF magnetic-field measurements in apartments annexed to transformer stations in Silla (Spain), using spatial grid measurements and weighted averages. Old transformer stations were reported to provide the highest peak exposure levels. Approximately one quarter of the population living above or next to a transformer station was estimated to be exposed to a weighted magnetic-field level greater than 0.3 μT, and about 10% would not be able to relocate their bedroom or living room to minimize exposure.

Outcomes measured

Indoor 50 Hz magnetic field levels in dwellings near/above transformer stations (spatial averages, weighted averages)
Peak exposure levels
Proportion of residents exposed above 0.3 μT
Environmental impact indicator (as described)

Limitations

Sample size not stated in the provided abstract
Health outcomes were not measured; the work focuses on exposure levels and comparison to legislation/recommendations
Measurement protocol details (instrumentation, timing, number of homes/TSs) not provided in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "urban transformer station (internal TSs in residential buildings)",
    "frequency_mhz": 0.05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Residents living above or next to urban transformer stations in Silla (València, Spain)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Indoor 50 Hz magnetic field levels in dwellings near/above transformer stations (spatial averages, weighted averages)",
    "Peak exposure levels",
    "Proportion of residents exposed above 0.3 μT",
    "Environmental impact indicator (as described)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "This paper reports a systematic campaign of 50 Hz ELF magnetic-field measurements in apartments annexed to transformer stations in Silla (Spain), using spatial grid measurements and weighted averages. Old transformer stations were reported to provide the highest peak exposure levels. Approximately one quarter of the population living above or next to a transformer station was estimated to be exposed to a weighted magnetic-field level greater than 0.3 μT, and about 10% would not be able to relocate their bedroom or living room to minimize exposure.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Sample size not stated in the provided abstract",
    "Health outcomes were not measured; the work focuses on exposure levels and comparison to legislation/recommendations",
    "Measurement protocol details (instrumentation, timing, number of homes/TSs) not provided in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "50 Hz",
    "extremely low frequency",
    "ELF-MF",
    "magnetic fields",
    "transformer stations",
    "residential exposure",
    "indoor measurements",
    "Spain",
    "environmental impact assessment"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0,
      "reason": null
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: Not supplied
PubMed: Not supplied

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