Characteristics and potential human health hazards of charged aerosols generated by high-voltage power lines

Abstract

We investigated the characteristics of charged aerosols produced by high-voltage power lines (HVPLs) to explore the effects on respiratory disease incidence among those who handle HVPLs. Charged aerosol currents and charged aerosol concentrations were measured over 24 h at 12 sites. Aerosol current effective levels were 2.7 times higher compared to exposed and control sites. This pattern of relative enhancement at exposed sites was seen consistently in all measurements and the difference was 1.7 higher at exposed sites. Correlation analysis among all important variables revealed strong positive correlations between currents and concentration, currents and magnetic field, humidity and concentration, and humidity and particles of 10 µm or less (PM₁₀), while negative correlations were observed between charged aerosol concentrations and wind velocity and between wind velocity and humidity. Estimated production of charged aerosols from HVPLs found that people who work with HVPLs are highly likely to be exposed to charged aerosols.

Keywords:

• charged aerosol
• corona discharge
• high voltage power line
• ambient particle

ORCID

Mailan Arachchige Don Rajitha Kawshalya http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0704-5028

Seung Cheol Hong http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9523-6344

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea, Korea Environment & Resources Corporation [ECO-21 Project].