Current efforts in the management of power frequency electric and magnetic fields in Malaysia

Electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) exist whenever electricity is generated, transmitted, distributed and used. Recent worldwide studies have raised questions about the possible health effects from power frequency EMFs. Information of such studies and websites of concerned groups are readily available from the Internet. These have contributed to the growth of public concerns on their possible health effects. To date, there are still many questions that heed to be answered to determine their hazards to human and the setting of limits to EMF exposures from long term, low dose power frequency electric and magnetic fields. There is, however a general agreement that better information and sincere applied research are needed in order to resolve these issues. This paper describes the activities of the EMF Research Group, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, the university owned by Tenaga Nasional Berhad, the major power utility company in Malaysia. EMF Research Group conducts systematic measurements of transmission and distribution facilities owned by Tenaga Nasional Berhad using three-axis EMDEX H meters. The results of the measurements were presented in linear magnitude versus distance graph, 3-dimensional graphs and contour plots for easy reference. Models of the facilities measured are constructed using related software packages and magnetic fields at various operating conditions are predicted. The EMF Research Group also assists Tenaga Nasional Berhad and its subsidiaries in addressing public concerns voiced through the mass media or letters sent directly to the company. Besides addressing health issues, this paper also discusses complains from other industrial and commercial facilities whose operations were affected due to high EMFs. The paper describes the measurements conducted and remedial actions recommended.