Electric current perception of children: The role of age and gender

Abstract

Although it is widely accepted that children merit increased protection, little is known about the quantitative consequences of electric currents when setting safety limits. Measurements were performed on 240 children (117 girls and 123 boys) older than 9 years. It was found that the electrosensitivity of children was higher than that of adults, but did not exceed the overall span of adult electrosensitivity. Girls' results depend only weakly on age. Therefore, no major change should be expected below the age of 9. The electrosensitivity of boys increases with decreasing age; however, it finally approaches and merges with that of girls. The results imply that the factor by which the allowed touch current should be reduced for children depends on the perception probability level considered. The reduction factor of 2, as chosen in the past, would need revision either in regard to its value or to the related perception probability level. If related to the still existing rationale for safety limits the factor would need to be far higher.