Dangers With Living in Close Proximity to Power Lines

Dangers With Living in Close Proximity to mightiness LinesResearch TaskASSESSMENT OF DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH LIVING IN penny-pinching PROXIMITY TO POWER LINESGALLE ROBERTSONIntroductionThere puzzle been several deliberations about the biological set up of exposure to electric and magnetic field ( voltage) and their potential detrimental effects on the wellness of humans and animals over the years. Illnesses attri only whened to strength lines include abnormal heart pulses, leukaemia, crab louses, miscarriages, birth defects, and other conditions that might lead to immature death. Regardless of the conclusions of many studies that find no evident encounters, many masses remain uncertain about the safety of military group lines. The aim of this investigation is to chance and discuss the ethical issues behind power lines in residential atomic number 18as and whether there are dangers that should be seriously considered.Research QuestionAre electromagnetic palm around powe r lines harmful to people living in close proximity to them?HypothesisThose exposed to power lines in close proximity for hanker periods of time may obtain health problems however the power lines are non the main cause of the health issue but rather a factor. The reason for this is that there is not sufficient research conducted to prove that power lines are dangerous and that no health programmes control advised people to cease from living closemouthed power lines or protected them from them every. There are many possible risks associated with electromagnetic radiation as it is not only addressable from power lines but in any case from apparatus such as microwave ovens, computers, wireless networks and cell phones. However these are more powerful forms of electromagnetic fields that are es displaceially more detrimental to human health than power lines.Data ResearchAll electrical energy is generated, transmitted, or used and electric and magnetic fields are created due to t he existence and motion of electric charges. (Gledhill, 2014) An electromagnetic field (EMF) has two components an electric field and a magnetic field. When two objects have a potential difference difference surrounded by them, an electric field is created. There is an electric field between a power line and the ground downstairs because the power line is at a large voltage relative to the ground. (Nedlands, 2006)The electric field is measured in volts per bar (V/m) or in kilovolts per meter (kV/m). (See get in 1 be abject) A magnetic field exists when electric actual flows through a wire. Thus magnetic fields surround the power lines conducting current from the power station to residential areas. (Geoff Cackett, 1979)Transformers decrease these high voltages for local distribution to homes and businesses.Figure 1 Graph indicating the relationship between the Magnetic Field and outer space from the High-Voltage Power Line (Runge, 2011)The magnetic field from a power line can vary extensively because the current in the wires depends on the measurement of power expended. In contrast, the electric field from a power line varies very little because the voltage fundamentally remains constant. In general, these fields are time-varying vector quantities categorised by a number of constraints which include their relative frequency, phase, direction, and magnitude. (Portier, 1998)Electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) are areas of energy that are invisible and connected with the fashion of electrical power(Birnbaum, 2014)EMFs are characterized by wavelength or frequency into one of two radioactive categories non-ionizing and ionizing.( See Figure 2 below) High-voltage power lines that transmit electricity expose anything nearby to electromagnetic radiation as they create electromagnetic fields around them. (Goldberg, 2014) electromagnetic radiation is any form of energy that is sent as waves or rays between two places. Electricity and magnetism are both jointly responsible for many kinds of radiation. (Knapp, 2002)Figure 2 Table indicating differences between ionizing and non-ionizing radiation types (Gledhill, 2014)The strongest EMFs are found around those major transmissioned lines that carry the highest voltages and currents. EMFs are also present around suburban distribution systems that carry large currents but at much lower voltages,. (Nedlands, 2006)Electric and magnetic fields are also different in the way they interact with our bodies. Electric fields have very little penetration, while magnetic fields can penetrate to our inner organs. (Toufexis, 1989)A biological effect is any change that could occur either short term or retentive term in the physical state of the human body. (Runge, 2011) EMFs are able to induce the semiconducting matter of the human body and may result in observed changes in the human health. The epidemiological studies have inspired laboratory research into how EMFs could be associated with cancer. It is generally recognised by researchers that EMFs cannot initiate a cancer. They suggest instead that EMFs may play a part in promoting the growth of an existing cancer.Researchers from the University of Tasmania and Britains Bristol University(See Figure 3 below) found that in a study of 850 lymphoma, leukaemia and cancer related conditions that living for an elongated period near high-voltage power lines increased the risk for these conditions much later in life (Zeman, 2011). However, the British Medical Journal published a paper on the investigation of the effect of 50 Hz magnetic fields on the existence of several types of cancer and concluded by stating that the extremely low frequency magnetic fields of high voltage power lines at typical residential levels do not appear to be associated with an increase in cancer among unhomogeneous adults this also pertains for the haematological malignancies and for tumours of the restless system as well as for the male and female hormone re lated cancers in genitals. (Verkasalo., 1996) As for specific cancer types, the presence of extremely low frequency magnetic fields remains indefinite. Numerous studies appear to display a weak association between incidence of some cancers and the exposure to power-frequency magnetic fields. The reason for this is that the electromagnetic energy from power lines are of extremely low frequency and therefore low energy. They are evidently different in frequency from ionizing radiation such as X-rays and gamma rays and are non-ionizing. Biological material absorbs the energy from higher-frequency more readily. In contrast, extremely low frequency EMF does not have enough energy to heat body tissues or cause ionization. Generally, the evidence that power line fields cause or donate to cancer is weak to non-existent according to most scientists.Figure 3 The study conducted by the University of Tasmania and Britains Bristol University produced these results. (Zeman, 2011)According to ESK OM and several other studies, electric fields of the intensity encountered close to power lines, cannot damage crops. (See Figure 4 below) Laboratory studies that expose animals to electromagnetic fields, aspecting for variations in body function, chemistry, behaviour or general health and have also concluded that they have no effect on the fertility, behaviour, carcass quality, reproduction, meat, milk and egg production or the development of their offspring. (Rayleigh, 2006)Figure 4 Table indicating results of various investigations conducted on the effects of power lines on crops (Rayleigh, 2006)Disadvantages of power lines in residential areasRecent studies approve a reported association between eminent long term health risks (e.g. cancer) and proximity to residential power lines, but it is not certain if the observation is coincidental or not. Physical impossibility of any health effect has been argued by scientists due to weak levels of EMFs, while others uphold that the pot ential health risks should not be terminated. (Zeman, 2011)The World Health Organization (WHO) publications state that EMF such as those from power lines, can also cause short term symptoms such as headaches, fatigue,anxiety, insomnia, prickling and/or burning skin, rashesand muscle pain. (Verkasalo., 1996)Power lines are not visually appealing in residential areas and are more prone to external damage as they are exposed to people living around them.Advantages of power lines in residential areasHouse prices are less expensive closer to power lines as people usually look for homes without obstructions.Any technical or maintenance problems are fixed as soon as possible as many people depend on the residential power lines.There is no compelling evidence of health hazards from power lines as many forms or research indicate that some health risks are associated with power lines in close proximity but it does not prove that they are the direct cause of any biological dangers. (Goldberg, 2014)CONCLUSION then there are known health risks that appear to relate to power lines and their electromagnetic fields emitted but no evidence completely proves that biological effects have been conclusively demonstrated to be caused by living near high-voltage power lines. Many scientists believe that exposure to the low-level EMFs near power lines is safe, but some scientists continue research to look for possible health risks associated with these fields. The risks are clearly small if there are any risks associated with living near power lines.ReferencesBirnbaum, L. S., 2014. Department of Health and Human Services. Online easy at http//www.niehs.nih.gov/about/od/index.cfm Accessed 2 rarefied 2014.Geoff Cackett, R. K. A. S., 1979. Core physics. In C. Ratray, ed. Oxford Oxford University Press, p. 211.Gledhill, M., 2014. Electromagnetic fields (EMF). Online Available at http//www.who.int/peh-emf/about/WhatisEMF/en/ Accessed 2 August 2014.Goldberg, R. B., 2014. Environment, Hea lth and Safety. Online Available at http//www.ehso.com/ehshome/emf.htm Accessed 2 August 2014.Knapp, B., 2002. Visual Science Encyclopedia. In M. Sanders, ed. Heat and Energy. Danbury Grolier Educational, pp. 13-14.Nedlands, 2006. Powerlines, Electromagnetic Fields and Health. Online Available at http//www.public.health.wa.gov.au/cproot/1372/2/Powerlines_Electromagnetic_Fields_and_Health.pdf Accessed 2 August 2014.Portier, C. J., 1998. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Online Available at http//www.niehs.nih.gov/health/assets/docs_a_e/emf1.pdf Accessed 2 August 2014.Rayleigh, R., 2006. EFFECT OF ELECTRICAL FIELDS, IONS AND NOISE. Online Available at http//oregonstate.edu/dept/coarc/sites/default/files/publication/88 DC lines cattle crops (88).pdf Accessed 2 August 2014.Runge, K., 2011. Eskom Fact Sheet. Online Available at http//www.niehs.nih.gov/emfrapid. Accessed 3 August 2014.Toufexis, A., 1989. Health Panic Over Power Lines. Times Magazine, 127 July , pp. 40-4 2.Verkasalo., D., 1996. British Medical Journal. Online Available at http//www.bmj.com/content/313/7064/1047.abstract Accessed 3 August 2014.Zeman, G., 2011. Health Physics Society. Online Available at http//hps.org/hpspublications/articles/powerlines.html Accessed 3 August 2014.GlossaryPlagiarism Checker1 Page