A: There have been more than 40 years of scientific research into concerns about the possibility of health effects from exposure to the electric and magnetic fields (or EMF) associated with the use of electricity in our communities. This includes EMF from both indoor sources, such as the appliances and wiring in our homes and workplaces, as well as outdoors sources, including distribution and transmission lines. This research has been comprehensively reviewed by numerous international scientific and health agencies, including Health Canada, the World Health Organization, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Additionally, the European Commissions’ Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks and the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority have also reviewed EMF research as recently as 2015 and 2022, respectively. None of these agencies have concluded that EMF is a cause of any adverse health outcome, including cancer. Health Canada states:
Health Canada does not consider that any precautionary measures are needed regarding daily exposures to EMFs at ELF’s. There is no conclusive evidence of any harm caused by exposures at levels found in Canadian homes and schools, including those located just outside the boundaries of power line corridors.
Magnetic fields from power lines and other sources are not detectable, but under some weather conditions, electric fields may be perceived under high-voltage transmission lines by the vibration of hair on the body or by contact with grounded objects. Safety standards for the construction of transmission lines are designed to minimize the perception of nuisance or harmful shocks.
(Source: Health Canada, “It’s Your Health. Electric and Magnetic Fields from Power Lines and Electrical Appliances.” Government of Canada. 2012.)