We are all exposed to electromagnetic fields from electrical appliances, electric power transmission lines, distribution lines and power substations. This study was focused on investigating the possible risks to human health due to exposure to extremely low frequency varying magnetic fields from 330 kV, 132 kV, 33 kV and 11kV power lines in southeastern Nigeria. To determine the risks, a magnetic field meter was used to take measurements of magnetic flux from these power lines. From which, the induced current density due to exposure to varying magnetic fields was obtained using a model of the human body known as the prolate spheroid model. The maximum mean magnetic field and current density induced as obtained from the study were 4.790 µT and 0.04214 mA/m², which were obtained from the 330 kV power line. The study results are well below the reference levels of the International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, which are used for comparison, indicating that there is very low exposure risk to people living near these electric power transmission lines.
Assessing the Health Risk Due to Exposure to Non-ionizing Radiation in the Form of Magnetic Field from Electrical Power Lines
