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Corona ions (air ionisation)

Corona ions (air ionisation)

The intense electric field on the surface of powerline cables is sufficient to ionise the air, producing corona ions. This process is the cause of the characteristic buzzing or crackling of powerlines. Corona ions are routinely emitted from high voltage powerlines, especially in wet conditions. Corona ion effects have been measured up to 7 kilometres from powerlines both in the UK and in Germany. Corona ions are small electrically-charged particles which, when emitted from powerlines attach themselves to particles of air pollution, making these particles more likely to be trapped in the lung when inhaled. This phenomenon is sufficiently well recognised that pharmaceutical companies making inhalers are developing methods of charging up those aerosols to improve their effectiveness.

In this way people living near powerlines may be exposed to increased levels of air pollution. Crucially, corona ions can be carried several hundred metres from powerlines by the wind, so effects may be felt much further away than for magnetic fields. Fews and Henshaw, and colleagues at Bristol University (see refs) have estimated that corona ion effects, significant to adversely affect human health, extend to at least 400 metres from powerlines.

Bristol University found similar levels of corona ion pollution from 132kV lines as well as the much higher voltage lines studied in the Draper report (see refs). 132kV lines are much more common and straddle many houses and housing estates around the UK. Because of the quantity of research pointing towards serious health problems as a result of exposure to EMFs from power lines, etc., Powerwatch believes the Government should issue clear guidance to

  • prevent any new building, especially homes, schools, nurseries, etc. within 250 metres of high-voltage powerlines
  • enable the industry to start remedial work, such as undergrounding powerlines.

The regulator, OFGEM, should allow the industry to increase electricity prices slightly to fund this necessary work.

Although research has shown there is an increased risk of illness in high fields, most people, including most children, will not be seriously affected by them. It is important not to panic, but to take reasonable precautions.

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