HEALTH EFFECTS OF ELECTRIC FIELDS AND INTERCONNECTORS
[Northern Ireland Assembly (Τοπική Βουλή της Β. Ιρλανδίας), Research and Library Service]
SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS• Electric fields arise from electric charges, are measured in Volts per meter (V/m). Magnetic fields arise from the motion of electric charges. Both types of field are strongest close to the source and decrease with distance
• World Health Organization (WHO)established the International Electromagnetic Fields Project to investigate the potential health risks associated with technologies emitting EMF
•The Task Group concluded that there are no substantive health issues related to ELF electric fields at levels generally encountered by members of the public.
• The WHO Task Group concluded that scientific evidence supporting an association between ELF magnetic field exposure and other health effects is weak.
• The United Kingdom Childhood Cancer Study (UKCCS) states in relation to their own study that there is “no evidence that exposure to magnetic fields associated with the electricity supply in the UK increases the risk for childhood leukaemia, cancers of the nervous system, or any other childhood cancer”
• International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) have produced the following levels as guidance in relation to public exposure;
(1) 100 Microteslas for magnetic fields
(2) 5000 Volts per meter for electric fields
• Northern Ireland Electricity and EirGrid announced a new North-South interconnector, which will further connect the electricity systems of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
• Overhead line and underground cable alternatives are proven solutions for the transmission of electricity.