DOE RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

DOE, the Electric Power Research Institute, and others have research programs underway to examine biological effects, if any, of transmission line electromagnetic fields. DOE programs include:

• Basic biological studies
  • Possible mutagenic effects of dc and 60-z fields. Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories is studying Drosophila (the fruit fly) and microorganisms exposed to extremely high field strengths much higher than those under transmission lines). If effects are found, Battelle will attempt to measure a relationship between field strength and effect, and to delineate the mechanism that relates observed effects to field strength.
  • Possible genetic changes or perturbations in cell replication rate or survival rate in mammalian cells exposed to 60-Hz electric fields in vitro in a conducting medium). Sandia Laboratories in Albuquerque and the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory are undertaking these studies, and will also investigate effects on chromosome structure.
  • Possible effects of 60-Hz electromagnetic fields on the central nervous system. The Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans Hospital, Loma Linda, California, is attempting to determine the mechanisms underlying the interaction of electromagnetic fields with living tissue.
• Applied studies
  • Possible animal responses to 60-Hz electromagnetic fields. Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories is examining the response of rats and mice to electromagnetic fields. A broad range of biological factors is being observed, including growth, reproduction, and development of offspring, as well as body weights, weights of endocrine organs, levels of various plasma components, cardiovascular function, and effects on the central nervous system.
  • Feasibility of using nonhuman primates to study the effects of 60-Hz electromagnetic fields. Southwest Research Institute is establishing experimental protocols for determining the effects of high-intensity fields on biological factors and behavior. Once established, these protocols will be used in conducting a long-term study on primates and with the objective of relating those results to humans.
  • Possible effects of 60-Hz electromagnetic fields on circadian rhythms. Argonne National Laboratory is measuring circadian regulatory mechanisms in mammals under controlled exposures to uniform fields.
  • Feasibility of using a battery of assay tests (which have been used to test central nervous system functions at microwave frequencies) to determine whether 60-Hz electric fields affect the central nervous system. Randomline, Inc., of Philadelphia, is undertaking this work.
  • Perception of and aversion to 60-Hz electric fields. The University of Rochester is determining thresholds for perception of, and aversion to, 60-Hz electric fields in rats.
• Ecosystem studies
  • Possible effects of 1200-kV transmission line operation on natural vegetation, crops, wildlife, cattle, and honey bees. These studies started immediately after the Bonneville Power Administration test line at Lyons, Oregon, began operation.
  • Observation of bird nests on transmission lines. Bonneville Power Administration is undertaking these obsenations to determine the number and types of birds nesting on EHV transmission lines. Nesting platforms have been constructed on towers to facilitate observation.

Note that these experiments cannot fully resolve the question of whether or not transmission lines are hazardous. Certainly, they will help elucidate the problem and possibly allay some concern about possible hazards. Current uncertainties associated with defining the biological effects of transmission line fields (as well as fields of different strengths and frequencies) make it difficult to formulate research programs aimed at hazard assessment. Furthermore, the results of research already under way may determine that the fields are not hazardous. Studies of threshold intensities, dependence of effect on intensity, and variability of response in humans will be valuable in attempting to assess hazard.

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