Assessment of the Results of Tightening the Regulations in the Scope of Protecting the Environment against the Effects of Electromagnetic Fields with a Frequency of 50 Hz

摘要

Scientific research shows a number of biological effects on living organisms exposed to electromagnetic fields with levels similar to those produced by high voltage overhead power lines. As a consequence, a number of countries introduced standards, regulations or recommendations restricting levels of both electric and magnetic fields from overhead power lines. Most of the countries established an acceptable level of the magnetic component of the electromagnetic field at the level close to the 80 A/m but number of countries introduced special restrictions in residential areas in proximity to newly constructed power lines. Lowering the acceptable level of the intensity of the magnetic field will have great economic and financial impact. The effects of more strict regulations regarding protection from the effects of the magnetic 50 Hz field by lowering of the magnetic field levels may be grouped into three categories: technical effects, space and landscape implications and financial impact. The lowering of the maximum acceptable level of the magnetic field will require changes to the structure of new power lines and modifications to the existing power lines, especially those effecting highly dense residential areas. In most cases it will be necessary to replace overhead power lines with underground cables. With existing overhead lines, lowering of the acceptable levels to 0,1-0,2 A/m, will extend the width of the zone along the power line with restrictions to constructing residential housing including hospitals, kindergartens, schools etc. Financial effects of those changes are difficult to evaluate at present. Considering the 50,000 km of overhead power lines currently in use in Poland with voltage 110 kV and higher, it could be expected that those costs will be substantial.