Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF)
Northeast Utilities' (NU) mission is to reliably and safely deliver electric power to its customers at a reasonable price and in a responsible manner. The following information will help you better understand electric and magnetic fields (EMF) and NU's position on the issue.
The issue
EMF background
NU's commitment to safety & health
For more information
The issue
While everyone is aware of obvious safety issues related to electricity, such as electric shock, some scientists have raised questions about possible health effects from exposure to electric and magnetic fields, known as EMF, near power lines, electric appliances and other sources. We are committed to the safety of our customers and keeping you informed. Watch a fact-filled, easy-to-understand video (548 kbps, 8 mins.) about sources of EMF, recommendations of scientific organizations and ways in which electric utilities can design transmission lines to reduce magnetic field exposure at the edge of rights-of-way.
EMF background
The electric power system as well as all appliances and equipment drawing power from it are sources of EMF. Because the fields associated with electric power are at the very low end of the electromagnetic spectrum, they are called "extremely low frequency" or ELF fields.
Over the past 30 years, many scientific studies have been conducted to determine whether these fields affect biological systems and health. Media attention to this research has prompted some of our customers to bring their questions and concerns to us.
To help scientists address questions about EMF, our companies joined with many others during the 1990s to provide funds for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to run the EMF Research and Public Information Dissemination Program so that independent scientists could determine whether exposure to EMF involves a risk to human health.
At the conclusion of this research program in 1999, the Director of the NIEHS reported to Congress that:
"The probability that ELF-EMF exposure is truly a health hazard is currently small. The weak epidemiological associations and lack of any laboratory support for these associations provide only marginal, scientific support that exposure to this agent is causing any degree of harm."
Other national and international organizations that have convened groups of scientists to review this research have reached similar conclusions. The World Health Organization, for example, published an Environmental Health Criteria monograph in June 2007 on the possible health effects of exposure to extremely low frequency EMF which noted "limited evidence for a link between exposure to ELF magnetic fields and childhood leukaemia," and "no substantive health issues related to ELF electric fields at levels generally encountered by members of the public." This organization advised a general policy approach as follows:
"Given both the weakness of the evidence for a link between exposure to ELF magnetic fields and childhood leukaemia, and the limited impact on public health if there is a link, the benefits of exposure reduction on health are unclear. Thus the costs of precautionary measures should be very low."
The recommendations of the World Health Organization included:
"When constructing new facilities and designing new equipment, including appliances, low-cost ways of reducing exposures may be explored. Appropriate exposure reduction measures will vary from one country to another. However, policies based on the adoption of arbitrary low exposure limits are not warranted."
NU's commitment to safety & health
NU's efforts to address the issues raised by research and the concerns of some customers are focused on the following activities:
- Providing information - NU has assigned employees to monitor EMF developments, provide information, respond to customer and employee questions, and recommend actions to management. We rely on the consensus of scientific organizations such as the NIEHS, the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the World Health Organization, which have reviewed the large body of scientific research regarding EMF and health. At the request of electricians and homebuilders, we can also provide information on home electrical wiring and service grounding practices that can reduce magnetic field levels.
- Taking measurements - Company representatives take measurements of magnetic fields for customers upon request. We provide these measurements to help our customers understand the magnetic field levels associated with various sources in their environment. This information is helpful to customers who wish to be aware of, or possibly reduce, their exposures.
- Supporting research - In addition to supporting the national EMF Research and Public Information Dissemination Program, we have long supported independent research on EMF through the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). EPRI supports research at universities and other research organizations on the characterization, assessment, and management of EMF as well as research in other areas requiring specialized engineering or expertise.
- Designing new projects - NU's policy for new transmission line construction is to investigate and apply practical and low-cost engineering approaches for reducing magnetic field levels at and beyond the edges of rights of ways which may be adjacent to residential areas, schools, licensed day-care facilities, licensed youth camps, or public playgrounds. This policy is consistent with a recommendation by the World Health Organization and with the policy expectations of some siting authorities. For instance, the Connecticut Siting Council, the Connecticut agency charged with responsibility to act on new transmission line applications, has developed "EMF Best Management Practices," last updated in December 2007, specifying measures that must be taken to ensure that new electric facilities are designed to minimize magnetic fields. Measures must be consistent with other environmental, safety and engineering requirements and may include increased height above ground, different configurations or spacings of the line conductors, increased separation distances, and constructing new lines adjacent to existing lines in a manner which leads to field reductions.
Where to get more information
You may contact Northeast Utilities at (860) 665-2729.
Additional information about EMF is available from:
Your Safety & Health
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