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It is a fact of life that we all are exposed to electric and magnetic fields (EMF). EMF is invisible fields of energy that exist around any device that carries or uses electricity. Power lines, everyday appliances and electric equipment, lighting and wiring all create fields. Electric fields are related to the presence of voltage, even when no current is flowing. Magnetic fields are only present when a current is carrying an electric charge through a wire or conductor.
Electric and magnetic fields increase in strength as the voltage and current increases, respectively. The strength of both fields quickly decrease as you move away from the source, but magnetic fields-unlike electric fields-pass through most materials and are difficult to shield.
Research
In the early 1970s, electric fields attracted attention because of the tingling that can sometimes be felt near high-voltage transmission lines. Studies conducted by government and industry failed to show that electric fields are harmful to human health. Magnetic fields, which can't be felt and pass directly through the body, were ignored until the 1980s when scientists began to study magnetic fields more closely when a few epidemiological studies-research that relies on statistics to show associations between the occurrence of disease and potential causes-suggested some possible association between magnetic field exposure and certain types of cancer, primarily leukemia and brain cancer. Scientists generally agree today that these studies taken as a whole show no consistent association between magnetic field exposure and an increased risk of cancer. In October 1996, a National Research Council report concluded that current evidence does not link exposures to residential EMF with cancer, adverse neurobehavioral effects, or reproductive and developmental impacts. In June 1999, a National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences report also concluded that evidence is "weak" that exposure to magnetic fields raises the risk of cancer and other human disease. Despite such findings, limited numbers of EMF studies continue and the issue remains a topic of debate in scientific and other public forums.
ATCs Position
We recognize that individuals who live or work near our transmission lines and substations, may be concerned about EMF. The health and safety of the public and our employees is a priority, and we are committed to providing safe, reliable electric transmission service. We will continue to use research finding to establish responsible siting practices for new electric transmission facilities and to follow construction and siting policies related to EMF issued by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, and we're prepared to adapt our EMF policies and safety standards based on the state of the science. In the absence of EMF exposure standards in our service area, we are prepared to advise concerned customers on how they may reduce their EMF exposure, to assess the issue during real estate deliberations, or to place EMFs into perspective with other everyday risks. However, given the state of the science, we do not move, remove, or otherwise make costly investments in response to fears about EMF.
We continue to work with local distributions companies to actively communicate with the public about EMF. Most utilities offer free, on-site magnetic field measurements. Contact your local electric service provider for more information about measurements and materials they may have available.
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