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No problems with electric power lines also called transmission lines unless you contact the wires directly. But like all tall objects they might be struck by lightning. Or even more rarely like with unstable soil or earthquake or an explosion one might topple over and touch something.
However when we see them our minds subconsciously are leery despite facts to the contrary. So there is a visual impact. This may reduce the price slightly by affecting the buyer pool if there are lots of alternative houses available. But in a seller’s market if you can see through these “concerns” you can do okay. But when you go to sell, if it changes to a buyer’s market it might take longer for you to sell it except to others who can ignore the visual effect of all of those wires.
I'm considering buying a home with 3 utility poles on the sidewalks surrounding the property: one on the back fence, one on the top right corner, one about 10 feet away next to the driveway. All are about 10 ft from the house. It seems that the lines for all 4 streets originate on my property. Multiple lines (5+) overhang the home and backyard. Unfortunately I don't have the chance to use a meter to detect levels, as the offer is due today.
I don't mind the unsightliness of it but am primarily concerned about my health and secondarily the resale value.
I've done a lot of research and searched this forum but haven't seen a good example of clustering like this. I'd imagine the levels would just compound but I'd love your thoughts on the risk.
Thanks!
Seeing so many power lines - is ugly to me.
I would not even look at the property no matter the price value.
(I check Google’s Earth/street view before even considering of calling an agent)
There could be people like me.
There are no regulations in the US regarding health implications of the residential power lines.
Your best bet to find the answer to your question is to look what EU regulations are- as EU countries must care for the long-term effects and the health of their citizens- the government is on the hook for their healthcare costs- so it might have some/more stringent rules.
I see their governments research on health implications of emf, pesticides, food additives and colorants,etc. as a benefit of the universal healthcare system funded by all taxpayers. I would trade our overseas military bases for that
My husband used to work for the power company; part of his job was turning the power off and on to lines that needed work. If he turned it on too soon, linemen died.
Looks like that guy in the video is wearing rubber gloves, which provide some protection, unless there's a hole. Is he actually touching a live line?
Retired Power Company former employee.
The lineman ... He's wearing a conductive suit. Bare handing is not the same as 'gloving'. They do not wear rubber anything.
If your husband was a dispatcher... what does he say about EMF? Seems like he'd be the place to ask if what you say is true.
EMF poses no significant risk other than scare people.
I have always lived in older established neighborhoods. I have never NOT had power lines from the road to the house. I never thought much about it because they are everywhere in the Baltimore-Washington area. Of course, there are newer developments popping up everywhere with power and utility lines underground. My sister lives in a neighborhood built in the 80s and all lines are underground. My home was built in the 50s and the lines are above ground.
I'm considering buying a home with 3 utility poles on the sidewalks surrounding the property: one on the back fence, one on the top right corner, one about 10 feet away next to the driveway. All are about 10 ft from the house. It seems that the lines for all 4 streets originate on my property. Multiple lines (5+) overhang the home and backyard. Unfortunately I don't have the chance to use a meter to detect levels, as the offer is due today.
I don't mind the unsightliness of it but am primarily concerned about my health and secondarily the resale value.
I've done a lot of research and searched this forum but haven't seen a good example of clustering like this. I'd imagine the levels would just compound but I'd love your thoughts on the risk.
Thanks!
I did EMF testing, but now retired.
Most likely, you will have higher levels than most Americans. You will get higher levels of EMF the closer you are to the wires. Second story usually gets hit harder, since they are closer.
I wouldn't worry about cancer, but some people are sensitive to EMFs and they can feel the effects. Not life threatening, but minor symptoms which nag at them.
There is no EMF hazard from residential distribution lines. Lines at the top of the pole, going from pole to pole, are typically 4KV distribution lines and that is the lowest level distribution line. Lines going from a transformer to a home (known as a service drop) are even lower, each of the two "hot" legs equaling 120V for a total of 220V, and are completely harmless. We are all surrounded every single day of our lives by 110V and 220V electrical lines going through the walls of of our homes. People sleep under 110V electric blankets, electric lines pass through the walls inches from the head of your bed, we sit under lamps to work and read for hours at a time. If this level of EMF was dangerous, we would all be dying of it already.
I worked for 25 years for an electric utility and my co-workers worked directly with much higher voltages all day for their entire careers without harm. That's not saying that there is not some individual, somewhere, who is sensitive to EMF, but for the rest of us, it's fine.
I personally would never own a home with that many unattractive lines around it. Seriously ugly. Also, if they cross the property, you can't put a pool under them. You would have to pay to have them routed around the pool area.
There is very little 4KV anymore. Most distribution primary is 13KV or 23KV, but what you say is true.
Transmission voltages range from 69KV to 500KV in the US. Ultra high voltages do exist, but not in the US, yet.
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