ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the listed environmental effects of transmission lines. It presents a calculation method to determine a transmission line–generated magnetic field and summarize the major results of biological research. The biological research studied the magnetic field effect on cells and performed statistical studies to determine the correlation between field exposure and cancer occurrence. The first transmission towers were small wooden poles that were tempting for children to climb but had no environmental impact. The increasing demand of electricity and the public objection to build new transmission lines resulted in the development of transmission line corridors. The electric current in a cylindrical transmission line conductor generates magnetic field surrounding the conductor. The health effects of magnetic fields are a controversial subject, which generated an emotional discussion. The studies can be divided into three major categories: epidemiological studies, laboratory studies and exposure assessment studies.
