Advice on whether powerlines are associated with health effects
Powerlines and other electricity supply infrastructure such as transformers and substations as well as other electrical sources such as electrical wiring and common appliances (electric blankets, televisions, hair dryers, computers, etc) all produce extremely low frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields (EMF).
There is no established scientific evidence that exposure to electric and magnetic fields found around the home, the office or near powerlines causes health effects.
Fact sheets
The following fact sheets provide information on issues relating to powerlines and health:
Links to key reports and assessments
- ARPANSA Technical Report No. 170
Measurement of Extremely Low Frequency Fields Associated with Electricity Supply and Distribution Infrastructure (August 2014) - International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection
ICNIRP Guidelines for Limiting Exposure to Time-Varying Electric and Magnetic Fields (1hZ - 100 kHz) (2010) - World Health Organization
Extremely Low Frequency Fields, Environmental Health Criteria Monograph No.238 (2007) - International Agency for Research on Cancer
Non-Ionizing Radiation, Part 1: Static and Extremely Low-Frequency (ELF) Electric and Magnetic Fields, IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans Vol. 80 (2002)
