Measuring electromagnetic fields (EMF) around wind turbines in Canada: is there a human health concern?

Environmental health : a global access science source · 2014 · No effect · Moderate evidence

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No effectModerate evidencePaper 4705

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironmental health : a global access science source · 2014

Study typeexposure_assessment

Reported directionNo effect

Evidence ratingModerate

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The past five years has seen considerable expansion of wind power generation in Ontario, Canada. Most recently worries about exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) from wind turbines, and associated electrical transmission, has been raised at public meetings and legal proceedings. These fears have not been based on any actual measurements of EMF exposure surrounding existing projects but appear to follow from worries from internet sources and misunderstanding of the science. METHODS: The study was carried out at the Kingsbridge 1 Wind Farm located near Goderich, Ontario, Canada. Magnetic field measurements were collected in the proximity of 15 Vestas 1.8 MW wind turbines, two substations, various buried and overhead collector and transmission lines, and nearby homes. Data were collected during three operational scenarios to characterize potential EMF exposure: 'high wind' (generating power), 'low wind' (drawing power from the grid, but not generating power) and 'shut off' (neither drawing, nor generating power). RESULTS: Background levels of EMF (0.2 to 0.3 mG) were established by measuring magnetic fields around the wind turbines under the 'shut off' scenario. Magnetic field levels detected at the base of the turbines under both the 'high wind' and 'low wind' conditions were low (mean = 0.9 mG; n = 11) and rapidly diminished with distance, becoming indistinguishable from background within 2 m of the base. Magnetic fields measured 1 m above buried collector lines were also within background (≤ 0.3 mG). Beneath overhead 27.5 kV and 500 kV transmission lines, magnetic field levels of up to 16.5 and 46 mG, respectively, were recorded. These levels also diminished rapidly with distance. None of these sources appeared to influence magnetic field levels at nearby homes located as close as just over 500 m from turbines, where measurements immediately outside of the homes were ≤ 0.4 mG. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that there is nothing unique to wind farms with respect to EMF exposure; in fact, magnetic field levels in the vicinity of wind turbines were lower than those produced by many common household electrical devices and were well below any existing regulatory guidelines with respect to human health.

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 directionno_effect

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF

Evidence strengthModerateConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Background magnetic fields around turbines when shut off were 0.2–0.3 mG. At the turbine base during high- and low-wind conditions, mean magnetic field was 0.9 mG (n=11) and fell to background within 2 m; buried collector lines were within background (≤0.3 mG). Under overhead 27.5 kV and 500 kV transmission lines, maxima of 16.5 mG and 46 mG were recorded, diminishing with distance; measurements outside nearby homes (just over 500 m from turbines) were ≤0.4 mG.

Outcomes measured

Magnetic field levels (mG) around wind turbines, substations, buried collector lines, overhead transmission lines, and nearby homes

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "exposure_assessment",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "wind turbine / electrical transmission infrastructure",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Magnetic field levels (mG) around wind turbines, substations, buried collector lines, overhead transmission lines, and nearby homes"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Background magnetic fields around turbines when shut off were 0.2–0.3 mG. At the turbine base during high- and low-wind conditions, mean magnetic field was 0.9 mG (n=11) and fell to background within 2 m; buried collector lines were within background (≤0.3 mG). Under overhead 27.5 kV and 500 kV transmission lines, maxima of 16.5 mG and 46 mG were recorded, diminishing with distance; measurements outside nearby homes (just over 500 m from turbines) were ≤0.4 mG.",
  "effect_direction": "no_effect",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "moderate",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "wind turbines",
    "magnetic fields",
    "ELF EMF",
    "exposure measurement",
    "transmission lines",
    "substations",
    "Ontario",
    "Canada"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Includes measurements near electrical infrastructure (turbines, substations, transmission lines), though no worker population is described."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1186/1476-069x-13-9
PubMed: 24529028

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