Are high voltage power lines a hazard to your health?

Question

Could it be bad for your health to live near high voltage power lines? I've heard they can cause cancer and other problems. Is that true?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Yes power transmission lines can be harmful. I would definitely do not touch them. Causing cancer? Well a few more studies need to be made to prove or to disprove that.

Source(s):

1. http://www.mcw.edu/gcrc/cop/powerlines-c…
And also
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagn…
3. http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_T…

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Thanks for the links.
Thanks to everybody else who answered.

Answer 2

You will experience no ill from those unsightly high tension wires. Virtually all of the claims vilifying life near power lines are junk. You are exposed to electromagnetic radiation all day long, and at various power levels. As stated previously, the level of radiation you receive, and the type, is pretty much harmless. You are exposed to much higher levels of dangerous radiation from the sun. Heck, sleeping next to a large organic mass (like a fat slob lazy husband) exposes you to higher levels of harmful radiation due to the K40 and C14, get some lead sheets...

Answer 3

as long as it is not touching you, no.

Answer 4

High voltage power lines have a larger and stronger electromagnetic field surrounding them which can cause health problems such as genetic mutations and cancer as a result of long term exposure to them.

Answer 5

You bet! Grab hold of one of those critters and it will definitely change your life! Now as far as living under one of them? Well, personally, I don't think that the electromagnetic radiation that occurs would be nearly as much than that recieved while ussing a heating pad or sleeping on a heated waterbed.

It can be measured, but the studies out there, show both sides of the issue, depending on whos study you believe. The predominant belief in mainstream science is that it is NOT much of a problem!

Answer 6

The only real hazard to high voltage power lines is if you touch them. It is true that power lines give off magnetic fields, but are contained within the wires themselves. There are no more hazards from these magnetic fields in high voltage power lines than in normal voltage power lines.

Source(s):

I'm a electrical engineering student

Answer 7

No. It's not true. I took a graduate level university course called 'advanced research design and data analysis' where we spent about half the semester studying this issue. There is no evidence that Power Lines cause cancer. This idea was started by some sloppy and sensationalized research.

However, power lines can cause a condition much worse than cancer if you touch them.

Answer 8

may be due to the electromagnetic waves it can cause cancer type disease.more power full voltage they have more energy -carrying radiations may be produced.

Answer 9

some say it is but its no more harm to you then a cell phone unless you grab a live wire lol

Answer 10

The alternating currents carried by the lines do generate alternating magnetic fields - 60Hz radio waves. Fields from adjacent lines can't cancel exactly. Brush discharge emanating from irregularities on the the conductors cause some higher frequency radio emissions.

However the electric fields induced by these emissions, especially at a distance of 100ft or more must be less than those we experience every day due to proximity to electric motors, and every wireless gadget we use.