Evaluation of Electromagnetic Fields from Power Lines in Irrua, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

There have been a lot of scientific discords on the effects of electromagnetic fields along electric power lines for close to four decades now. These fields are concentrated close to the power lines and fall with distance. The magnetic fields vary as the load on the power lines changes while the electric fields remain approximately constant. Electric power lines produce large amount of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields. This research gives an analysis of electromagnetic fields emitted by 330 kV electric power lines in Idumebo Community, Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria. The measurements results obtained (using ED78S Electrosmog meter) were compared with the international standard threshold values. The results show that the magnetic field only exceeded the threshold value at the public areas while the electric field at all points is still below the limit as recommended by International Commission of Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and other standard regulatory bodies. We also recommend some practical precautionary measures to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields.