This process involves equipment that can generate noise and EMF, which are the primary concerns regarding public health. The noise generated by substations, mainly from transformers and cooling equipment, can be a nuisance for nearby residents, potentially leading to sleep. The audible noise you hear from high-voltage cables occurs because of the energy that is being discharged. This discharge happens when the conductor surface's electric field surpasses the breakdown strength of the surrounding air, resulting in a discharge. This discharge isn't just noisy—it can. The World Health Organization, an agency of the United Nations, classifies extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans based on limited evidence showing an association with childhood leukemia. Learn about the safety of power lines and electrical products. However, for the employees who work around these machines day in and day out, the consequences can be much more serious.
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