Three myths to be dispelled on electromagnetic fields

There is a lot of confusion surrounding electromagnetic fields. What are they? How do they work? Are they bad for us? Let’s get a few things straight. First of all, electromagnetic fields are physical phenomena that involve the simultaneous existence of an electrical field (from the voltage) and a magnetic one (from the electrical current). They can be of natural or artificial origin, but are always present in the environment. For example, the electrical fields produced by thunderstorms are natural, as is the magnetic field that determines the direction of a compass needle. Whereas all those that are generated by man-made devices are artificial.

Are they dangerous? As dangerous as pickles. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) - the World Health Organisation (WHO) agency that studies tumours, their causes and the agents that can cause them - classifies potentially carcinogenic substances into three groups, which go from the most to the least dangerous. For instance, group 1 (agents that are carcinogenic in humans) includes tobacco smoke, benzene and oestrogens.

Whereas group 2A includes agents that are “probable carcinogenics in humans” and 2B those whose carcinogenicity in humans is "suspected", "in the absence of sufficient evidence for animals". Finally, groups 3 includes agents whose carcinogenicity in humans cannot be classified. How are electromagnetic fields classified? Low frequency electrical fields are in group 3; magnetic fields (again at low frequencies) are in 2B, together with pickled vegetables.

Supporters of this theory include the well-known oncologist Umberto Veronesi, according to whom "there is an abuse of the word and above all of the concept of cancer. […] The really carcinogenic substances and activities, those we have evidence of, are well-known and classified in various categories, according to their level of harmfulness. At the top of the list are cigarette smoke, asbestos, gamma rays, oestrogens, alcohol, work in the wood industry, ultraviolet rays. Then come suspected substances, and finally substances whose carcinogenic nature cannot be excluded, but for which there is little proof, for example most plastics".

Do electromagnetic fields emit X rays? Ask the birds. When discussing low-frequency electromagnetic fields, it is easy to mistakenly associate the dreaded X-ray with this type of phenomena. However, to refute this false myth we must try to understand how electromagnetic fields work. One of their key characteristics is their frequency, which determines a different interaction with the human body. Only extremely high frequency fields (classed as ionizing radiation) generate electromagnetic waves capable of breaking the molecular bonds of DNA. The electromagnetic fields generated by power lines, electrical appliances and Wi-Fi systems have a very low frequency and are classed as non-ionizing radiation, and therefore unable to cause damage.

Concrete evidence of this argument can be found in the birds that populate high-voltage pylons. For years, Terna has been a leader in the "Nests on pylons" project, which supports the re-population of a number of bird species thanks to the installation of artificial boxes on pylons in Lazio, Tuscany, Umbria and Emilia-Romagna. Every year, thanks to the monitoring of the birds and their nests, the scientific community has access to important information. Result? The ecotoxicology studies have not found any effect whatsoever attributable to electromagnetic fields on birds that settle on Terna’s pylons.

Is Italy tolerant at the legislative level? Not at all. Unlike what you may think, the Italian legislation on this type of phenomenon is amongst the most severe and sets the lowest limits. Europe has in fact chosen 100 µT (microteslas) as maximum limit for magnetic fields, in line with the indications of the ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection) in 1999, modified in less restrictive way in 2010, which however had already set the figure at 50 times lower than the threshold within which no effects on human beings have been found. For the magnetic field generated by power lines operating at grid frequency (50 Hz), Italy has decided to adopt even more restrictive limits than those established at European level, making it one of the countries with the strictest standards governing electromagnetic fields.

Why power lines are not a risk for the population. The legislation to protect the population from electric and magnetic fields generated by power lines operating at grid frequency (50 Hz) provides for three fundamental parameters in particular: the exposure limits, which are electric and magnetic field values to be observed for protecting health against acute effects; the warning values, defined for the magnetic field as a precaution for protection against possible long-term effects; the quality target as an urban planning criterion, even before magnetic field values used to minimise exposure. In the planning of new power lines, this target is set at 3 micro-teslas, as an average over a period of 24 hours in normal operating conditions. Terna’s power lines are planned in full accordance with these rules, with the houses nearest to lines at a distance such as to make the figure for magnetic induction, which declines progressively getting further from the source, close to zero.

In more general terms, the extensive process of planning, construction and operation of an infrastructural work cannot and could never, by law, be shortened, and this is a guarantee for the population and the environment. All Terna’s works are discussed with the local communities, authorities and administrations, as well as with various government bodies, from the first stage of planning and construction to the last. Over the development of the works, the requirements and recommendations that emerge during the various public meetings are often implemented, in a process of proper "participatory planning".