The public health implications of HVDC transmission lines: an assessment of the available evidence

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · IEEE Trans. Power Appar. Syst.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/TPAS.1983.317668· OSTI ID:5389004

Banks, R S; Williams, A N

There are presently four high-voltage direct-current (HVdc) transmission systems operational in North America. A 1980 health perceptions survey concerning the Minnesota segment of one of these lines has indicated that a substantial minority of respondents (35 percent) felt their health had been adversely affected by the line's operation. Four later studies have attempted to corroborate these findings. This paper critically reviews the five studies (all unpublished), reaching the conclusion that while each study has serious limitations, there is nonetheless sufficient evidence among them to state that there is no evident pattern of perceivable adverse health effects in proximity to any of the four HVdc systems, and that the Minnesota complaints are not likely to be associated with exposure to the HVdc electrical environment.

• Research Organization: Minneapolis, Minnesota
• OSTI ID: 5389004
• Journal Information: IEEE Trans. Power Appar. Syst.; (United States), Journal Name: IEEE Trans. Power Appar. Syst.; (United States) Vol. 102:8; ISSN IEPSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

200301* -- Power Transmission & Distribution-- AC Systems
EHV & UHV-- (-1989)
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION
560400 -- Other Environmental Pollutant Effects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
DC SYSTEMS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FEDERAL REGION V
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HVDC SYSTEMS
MINNESOTA
NORTH AMERICA
POWER SYSTEMS
POWER TRANSMISSION LINES
PUBLIC HEALTH
PUBLIC OPINION
SURVEYS
USA