4- High voltage lines: what health risks?
Populations are exposed to multiple sources of low-frequency electromagnetic fields, whether in the outdoor environment via power lines, transformers, means of transport, or in indoor environment by household appliances.
It’s at the interior of dwellings that we find the highest levels of magnetic field : they are produced by domestic appliances, but exposure to these appliances is generally very brief and localized. The highest electromagnetic field values in the outdoor environment are measured in particular under very high voltage power lines and in the immediate vicinity of the premises of transformers or electrical substations. Certain industrial activities can also generate much higher exposure to low-frequency magnetic fields.
ANSES has not demonstrated a causal link between exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields in the daily environment and health effects. However, questions remain open concerning a possible long-term effect of exposure to sources of low-frequency electromagnetic fields, such as very high-voltage electricity transmission lines, on the occurrence of childhood leukemia, or even on the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. However, no biological mechanism to explain the epidemiological observations has yet been demonstrated.
5- What is electrohypersensitivity?
The scientific literature has been reporting for several decades cases of people declaring to suffer from various symptoms that they attribute to their exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by household appliances, electrical installations or even mobile technologies. This is called electrohypersensitivity (EHS).
Current scientific knowledge does not show a causal link between the symptoms suffered by people declaring themselves EHS and their exposure to electromagnetic waves. However, the Agency highlighted during a dedicated expert appraisal that the pain and suffering (headaches, sleep disorders, attention and memory problems, social isolation, etc.) expressed by people declaring themselves EHS correspond to a lived reality, leading them to adapt their daily lives to deal with it. The Agency recommends continue researchin particular by setting up studies whose experimental conditions take into account the living conditions of people declaring themselves EHS.
6- Are there any risks for livestock?
The Agency’s expert report published in 2015 on the consequences of exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on the health of farmed animals emphasizes that it remains difficult to comment on this subject.
In 2021, the Agency also issued an opinion on disturbances in two cattle farms located near a wind farm, an installation connected to the electricity network and a source of electromagnetic fields. It concludes that the problems encountered – reduction in milk production and quality, behavioral problems, increased mortality – were not most likely not related to the presence of wind turbines.
7- What framework for electromagnetic waves?
In France, as in the majority of European countries, the regulatory limit values for the exposure of the general population to electromagnetic fields were set in accordance with the recommendations of the European Union in 1999 (Recommendation 1999/519/EC). These limit values aim to protect people and the environment once morest the harmful effects of electromagnetic fields.
Public exposure to radiofrequency waves emitted by equipment used in telecommunications networks or by radioelectric installations is thus specifically regulated (decree n°2002-775 of May 3, 2002). The exhibition is supervised by l’ANFRthe National Frequency Agency. The checks carried out each year show that environmental exposure to radio waves is well below the regulatory limit values. Of the 4,700 measurements that were carried out in 2020, nearly 80% of them attested to exposure of less than 1 volt per meter (V/m) while the regulatory limit values are between 28 and 87 V/ m according to the frequencies. All of these measures are made public.
The ANFR also carries out numerous checks on the SAR of mobile telephones and, in the event that the limit values are exceeded, is required to offer updates for the terminals concerned, or even withdrawal from the market.
With regard to exposure to low frequencies, following the Grenelle 1 and 2 laws, a system for monitoring and controlling electromagnetic fields emitted by public electricity transmission networks has been put in place. The data collected in this context is published on This site.
