Posted on Aug 24, 2021 Aug 24, 2021

The journal Environmental Health has published an article by femu and co-authors entitled: “Human detection thresholds of DC, AC, and hybrid electric fields: a double-blind study”. The study was motivated by the newly introduced construction of both high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) and high-voltage direct current (HVDC) overhead power lines mounted on the same mast. The study is based on the previous publication of the femu (Jankowiak et al. 2021).
The aim of the study was to determine the human detection thresholds for static (DC), alternating (AC), and hybrid electric fields (co-exposure to AC and DC EF; various DC EF strengths, constant AC EF strength). A total of 203 participants were exposed to DC, AC, and hybrid EFs in a highly specialized whole-body exposure laboratory using a double-blind experimental setting. The results indicated that detection thresholds of hybrid EF were lower compared to those of single EF exposure to DC or AC. Additional ion current exposure enhanced EF perception. High relative humidity facilitated DC EF perception, whereas low relative humidity reinforced the perception of AC EFs. With this systematic investigation of human perception of DC, AC, and hybrid EFs, detection thresholds were provided, which can help to improve the construction processes of energy transmission systems and the prevention of unwanted sensory perception.

The article can be found in the EMF-Portal, in Pubmed and on the Environmental Health homepage.