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• electric and magnetic fields • siting and natural resources • vegetation management • wildlife and endangered species

• electric and magnetic fields resources electric company members only • EEI committees and other resources

Electric and Magnetic Fields

Electric and magnetic fields, or EMF, are produced by all devices that use, carry, or produce electricity.  This includes computers, household appliances, and office equipment, as well as the infrastructure that transmits and delivers electricity, such as power lines and wiring within buildings and homes.  EMF has been a cause for public concern because of possible health effects caused by exposure to EMF.  Scientists continue to study EMF to find answers to many questions about these health effects.

EMF Research

Research to understand EMF and possible health effects has been conducted since the 1960s and is continuing today. To date, there has been no final conclusion about the health effects of EMF. Although several studies conducted in the past suggest a link between proximity to power lines and some forms of childhood cancer, only a few show a statistically significant link, and many show no link at all.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer released an EMF/cancer evaluation in June 2001. The California Department of Health Services also has conducted a risk assessment for EMF. This risk assessment is now undergoing review, and is scheduled to be released later this year.

EMF is an issue that continues to be addressed by the electric power industry. When electric companies site new power lines, they continue to address EMF concerns on the local and state levels where the power lines are built. The electric power industry also provides funds for independent scientists to conduct EMF research through the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). EPRI research has addressed possible health effects of EMF, EMF exposure assessment, and field management. This research is subject to independent scientific peer review, and is published in respected scientific journals under specific review guidelines.

The EMF RAPID Program

The National EMF Research and Public Information Dissemination (RAPID) Program was established by Congress as part of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to address the question of whether EMF produced by the generation, transmission, and use of electricity poses a risk to human health. Shareholder-owned electric companies provided over $16 million to match federal funds appropriated to the RAPID program. The electric power industry also has assisted various other federal and state EMF research programs.

The RAPID Program directed the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to submit a report to Congress on the Program's findings and conclusions about health concerns related to EMF. The NIEHS released its report to Congress in June of 1999. The report concluded that the "NIEHS believes that the probability that ELF-EMF exposure is truly a health hazard is currently small." The report also suggested that the electric industry continue its current practices, such as educating the public about EMF, and siting and designing power lines to reduce magnetic fields.

The NAS Working Group Report

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) also was involved in the RAPID Program. In May 1999, the NAS/National Research Council committee released an evaluation of the research conducted under the RAPID Program and the 1998 NIEHS Working Group Report. Conclusions of the NAS committee include:

• "The results of the EMF-RAPID Program do not support the contention that the use of electricity poses a major unrecognized public health danger."
• "Labeling power-frequency magnetic fields as a class 2B human carcinogen (possible human carcinogen) conveys to the public a conclusion that our committee believes is not supported by the underlying research."
• There is no need that "further special research program focused on possible health effects of power-frequency magnetic fields be funded."

EEI Supports Efforts to Understand EMF

Due to the importance of safe and reliable electricity to our economy and way of life, it is important to resolve any issues regarding possible health effects of EMF. The health and safety of the general public, our customers, and our employees are of prime importance to the member companies of the Edison Electric Institute. EEI remains committed to working to understand more about EMF.

Additional Resources

• NIEHS Director's report
  Read the detailed analysis of the NIEHS Director's report to Congress.
• EMF RAPID Program
  Access more information from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
• International Agency for Research on Cancer
  Read more about what the International Agency for Research on Cancer says about EMF and cancer.

EEI Staff Contact

For more information, please contact Rick Loughery at 202-508-5647, or rloughery@eei.org.

© 2008 Edison Electric Institute