Electric and magnetic fields

Electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) are found everywhere electricity or electrical equipment is being used – including in the home, office, work sites and around transmission lines. In other words, people are exposed to them each and every day.

Powerlink, we understand some members of the community have an interest in EMF. Like other transmission authorities in Australia, we take our advice about EMF from recognised national and international health authorities.

In Australia, the Federal Government agency responsible for EMF regulation is the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). ARPANSA has concluded that: Scientific evidence does not firmly establish that exposure to 50Hz EMFs found around the home, the office or near power lines is a hazard to human health. (Source: ARPANSA fact sheet Electricity and Health.)

Even though there’s no scientifically proven causal link between EMF at levels found around the home, the office or near power lines, and adverse affects on human health, we nevertheless follow a ‘prudent avoidance’ approach in the design and siting of our network assets. This includes trying to locate new transmission line easements away from homes, schools and community facilities where it’s practical to do so, and the added cost is modest.

Powerlink is also a member of the Energy Network Associations (ENA) Committee that monitors and compiles up-to-date information about EMF on behalf of all electricity network businesses in Australia. This includes subscribing to an international monitoring service that keeps the industry informed about any new developments regarding EMF such as new research studies, literature and research reviews, publications, and conferences.

ARPANSA is currently developing a new standard regarding human exposure to EMF, to replace the existing National Health and Medical Research Council interim guidelines. A draft of the new ARPANSA standard was released for public review in December 2006, and updated in May 2009. It’s expected ARPANSA will release its final standard in early 2012..

Anyone with an interest in finding out more about EMF can visit ARPANSA or the ENA websites, or call Powerlink on 1800 635 369 (business hours).