Transformers, Meters and EMF
Emel
| Posted in General Questions on
Does anyone have thoughts about whether transformers and electrical meters should be kept a certain distance from a home to prevent high levels of EMF exposure to occupants? In our area, the junction box is placed at the end of the road, and the transformer and meter approximately 20 feet from the finished home.
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Replies
The actual effects of EMF exposure are hotly debated and generally considered nonsense in the building science world. I am somewhat open to the idea that some people could sense them, but it would have to be very close exposure, and probably from more than one wire. I try to keep electrical meters and high-voltage cables at least a few feet away from beds, for example. I would not worry about transformers at all, and otherwise would not worry about meters or wiring.
The people that work in the power houses of our generator stations are exposed the magnet fields millions of not billions of times stronger than from the tiny transformer 20 feet from you, without much in the way of ill effects.
Walta
I believe what you are concerned about is not EMF -- electromotive force -- but electromagnetic fields, which is abbreviated as EM fields.
The general consensus is that there is inadequate evidence of any risk to human health from the levels of EM fields found around a residence.
EMF also refers to electromagnetic fields: https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/emf. There is also not consensus that it's harmless, as that and other articles show. Here's another page: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/radiation/electromagnetic-fields-fact-sheet.
The fact that we run on electricity and that we are surrounded by electricity suggests that some sensitive individuals could sense some fields. I know there are also many studies that show otherwise, but if there is continuing research, I would put money on eventually finding a relationship.
Michael,
I don't discount the possibility that we may find some people are sensitive to them in much the same way we have with some chemicals. The problem I face it what to do about it? Beyond broad-stroke things like avoiding building under high voltage distributions wires, or keeping areas where people spend a lot of time away from the panel (which admittedly I don't really have any good justification for but would agree with), I have never seen any advice based on good scientific information that would allow me to make informed design changes I knew would be effective.
The last few times this has come up on GBA it has quickly devolved into recriminations against anyone skeptical of the dangers of EMF by people who believe they are suffering health effects from them, and the ensuing discussion has been completely fruitless.