What you should know about EMF
Several scientific studies have raised public concerns about possible health effects from the electric and magnetic “fields” that surround appliances and power lines.
PGE recognizes and takes seriously our responsibility to help address these concerns. We are continually taking steps to learn more about the possible health effects of electric and magnetic fields — EMF, as they are commonly referred to — and provide up-to-date information on the issue.
Understanding EMF
Just what is a “field?” You know that magnets attract certain metals. While we can't see the force that is at work, we know it’s there. This is a magnetic field. Likewise, invisible force fields surround anything that conducts or consumes electricity. Sources of these fields include, among others, house wiring, refrigerators, electric clocks, lamps, electric blankets and power lines. We actually live in a naturally occurring, giant force field — the earth, a magnetic ball 25,000 miles in circumference.
EMF exists wherever there is electricity: in homes, in workplaces and near power lines. Electric fields are present whenever equipment is plugged in, but magnetic fields exist only when equipment is turned on.
The strength of both electric and magnetic fields diminishes quickly as you move away from an electrical object, just like the heat from a fire, which weakens with distance. In addition to distance, objects in contact with the ground such as trees or buildings can shield us from electric fields, but have little effect on magnetic fields.
The electric and magnetic spectrum
The electric and magnetic field associated with most electrical appliances and power lines are at the extremely low frequency end of the electric and magnetic spectrum. They have a frequency of 60 cycles per second, or 60 hertz (60 Hz), because the alternating electrical current that creates them changes direction 60 times per second. Radio and television broadcast waves are farther up the electric and magnetic spectrum. Visible light, which is at an even higher frequency yet, is the most familiar form of electric and magnetic energy.
What about the health effects?
The potential effects of exposure to electric and magnetic fields have been studied since the 1960s. But these studies have been inconclusive. With the little that is known and the great deal that is not known, what can one conclude about EMF? The Congressional Office of Technology Assessment has stated that “The emerging evidence no longer allows one to categorically assert that there is no health risk, but it does not provide a basis for asserting that there is a health risk.”
What we're doing to address EMF issues
We understand you may have concerns about EMF at home, at work and around power lines. We are committed first and foremost to providing safe, reliable, environmentally sound electric service.
Since 1981, PGE has committed several million dollars to researching the possible health concerns about EMF. We also keep informed of research from universities and federal and state health agencies.
We always consider EMF when building power lines, substations and other facilities. For example, we have instituted design standards for the construction of new transmission lines that consider EMF effects on our distribution systems.
Consistent with our pledge to our customers and employees, we have developed the following EMF policy:
- Share accurate and balanced information with customers and employees and serve as a credible source of information.
- Address customer and employee concerns by providing magnetic field measurements upon request in homes and workplaces. These measurements can tell how much exposure you are getting from certain electrical objects at a particular point in time, but cannot be compared to any kind of benchmark level to determine a degree of safety because no “safe” or “unsafe” level has been established by scientists or the government.
- Use lower magnetic field designs for new facilities and facility upgrades without inhibiting the reliability of PGE’s electric system.
- Consider magnetic field levels in new facility siting and requests for the public use of PGE’s right of way.
- Serve as a source of information for elected officials, government agencies and electric utility regulators.
We're here to help
As more information on EMF exposure becomes available, we will continue to share the latest facts and findings. If you would like more information on EMF, please call PGE at 800-542-8818 or 503-228-6322.
Magnetic Fields Indoors* 1.2" away 12" away 39" away
Microwave Oven 50-2000 40-80 3-8
Clothes Washer 8-400 2-30 0.1-2
Fluorescent Lamp 400-4000 5-20 0.1-3
Television 25-500 0.4-20 0.1-2
Hair Dryer 60-20000 0.1-70 0.1-3
Electric Range 60-2000 4-40 0.1-1
Magnetic Fields Outdoors
Distribution Lines: 1-80 milligauss under the line
Transmission Lines: 5-300 milligauss edge of right of way
Magnetic fields fall off as you move away from the electrical equipment. *Measured in milligauss
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