Corona Ions from Powerlines: Production and Effects on Human Health

Paul Akinwande Atepa¹ , Oluwagbenga John Ogunbiyi² , Oludayo Oluseyi Adekanye³

1. Dept. of Physics, Faculty of Science, Air Force Institute of Technology, P.M.B. 2104, Kaduna, Nigeria.
2. Biology Unit, Faculty of Science, Air Force Institute of Technology, P.M.B. 2104, Kaduna, Nigeria.
3. Dept. of Physics, Faculty of Science, Air Force Institute of Technology, P.M.B. 2104, Kaduna, Nigeria.

Section:Research Paper, Product Type: Journal-Paper
Vol.12 , Issue.4 , pp.17-24, Aug-2024

Online published on Aug 31, 2024

Copyright © Paul Akinwande Atepa, Oluwagbenga John Ogunbiyi, Oludayo Oluseyi Adekanye . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
 

View this paper at   Google Scholar | DPI Digital Library

XML View     PDF Download

How to Cite this Paper

72 Views    90 Downloads    20 Downloads

Abstract :
Overhead Power transmission lines are made of long cylindrical conductor(s), which run parallel to the ground and are mechanically suspended above ground level at regular intervals by towers. There is significant interest in suggestions for creating links between powerlines and some human adverse effects. Such health effects are alleged to be strongest amongst populations directly exposed to high-voltage powerlines. Powerlines are known to aid the production of air ions in a direction perpendicular to the powerlines. These air ions are called corona ions. In this study, our team of researchers meticulously measured the air ion concentrations with an Alphalab Air Ion Counter, a battery-operated instrument that samples atmospheric air. Negative and positive ions are detected separately by selecting a polarity switch. Microsoft Excel 2019 package was used to plot graphs of data collected. Graphs using the same origin were generated, and the curves were compared to finalize the analysis. Corona ion concentration was observed to reduce as we move further away from the centre of the powerline. High-voltage power lines at 11 kV and 132 kV emit significant corona ion discharges, resulting in elevated ion concentrations near the lines that gradually decrease with distance. The findings suggest potential localized air quality impacts influenced by environmental factors like wind and terrain. The observed asymmetry in ion distribution highlights the need to consider site-specific conditions when assessing the environmental and health effects of these discharges. This study suggested that corona ions may enter the body by inhalation and may be deposited in the respiratory system. This may lead to significant and potentially severe health effects on people living in close proximity to powerline areas, highlighting the urgent need for further research and potential mitigation measures. The potential severity of these health effects cannot be overstated, making the need for further research and mitigation measures all the more urgent.

Key-Words / Index Term :
Conductor, electric field, transmission, voltage, overhead

References :
[1] A.P. Fews, R.J. Wilding, P.A. Keitch, N.K. Holden, D.L. Henshaw, “Modification of atmospheric DC fields by space charge from high-voltage powerlines,” Atmospheric Research, Vol.63, Issues.3-4, pp.271-289, 2002.
[2] J.C. Matthews, D.L. Henshaw, “Diurnal variations of corona ion dispersion from high voltage powerlines,” H.H Wills Physics Laboratory, University of Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 ITL, UK. 2010.
[3] F.O. J-Fatokun, R.E. Jayaratne, L. Morawska, D. Birtwhistle, R. Rachman, L.K. Mengersen, “Corona Ions from Overhead Transmission Voltage Powerlines: Effect on Direct Current Electric Field and Ambient Particle Concentration Levels,” Environmental Science and Technology, Vol.44, Issue.1, pp.526-531, 2010.
[4] F.O. J-Fatokun, R.E. Jayaratne, L. Morawska, R. Rachman, D. Birtwhitsle, L.K. Mengersen, “Characterization of the atmospheric electrical environment near a corona ion-emitting source,” Atmospheric Environment, Vol.42, Issue.7, pp.1607- 1616, 2008.
[5] E.R Jayaratne, F.O. J-Fatokun, L. Morawska, “Air ion concentrations under overhead high-voltage transmission lines,” Atmospheric Environment, Vol.42, Issue.8, pp.1846-1856, 2008.
[6] E.E. Mombello, G. Ratta, H.D. Suarez, F.O. Torres, “Corona loss characteristics of contaminated conductors in fair weather,” Electric Power Systems Research, Vol.59, Issue.1, pp.21-29, 2001.
[7] A.G. Tahiru, I. Abdullahi, I.B. Muhammad, M. Abdulhameed, M.A. Maiwada, “Electric Field Modulation and Thermal Radiation in Mathematical Models of Blood Flow for Breast Cancer Therapy,” World Academics Journal of Engineering Sciences, Vol.11, Issue.1, pp.07-15, 2024.
[8] S.P. Pandey, “Current Research on Electromagnetic Fields and Avian Reproduction,” International Journal of Scientific Research in Multidisciplinary Studies, Vol.9, Issue.5, pp.51-55, 2023.
[9] A.P. Fews, D.L. Henshaw, R.J. Wilding, P.A. Keitch, “Corona ions from powerlines and increased exposure to pollutant aerosols,” International Journal of Radiation Biology, Vol.75, Issue.12, pp.1523-1531, 1999.
[10] J.C. Matthews, A.J. Buckley, P.A. Keitch, M.D. Wright, D.L. Henshaw, “Measurements of corona ion induced atmospheric electricity modification near to HV power lines,” Journal of Physics: Conference Series Vol.142, No.012044, 2008.
[11] M. Abdel-Salam, E.Z. Abdel-Aziz, “Charge Simulation based method for calculating corona ion loss on AC power transmission lines,” Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics, Vol.27 Issue.12, pp.2570- 2579, 1994.
[12] R.B. Bent, W.C.A. Hutchinson, “Electric space charge measurements and the electrode effect within the height of a 21 m mast,” Journal of Atmospheric and Terrestrial Physics, Vol.28 Issue.1, pp.53- 73. 1966.
[13] Z.J. Grabarczyk, J. Berlinski, “Charging of Atmosphere erosols by AC HV power lines,” Journal of Electrostatics, Vol.63 Issues.6-10, pp.755-759, 2005.
[14] A.J. Buckley, M.D. Wright, D.L. Henshaw, “A technique for rapid estimation of the charge distribution of submicron aerosols under atmospheric conditions,” Aerosol Science and Technology, Vol.42, Issue.12, pp.1042-1051, 2008.
[15] J.C. Matthews, A.J. Buckley, P.A. Keith, M.D. Wright, D.L. Henshaw, “Measurements of corona ion induced atmospheric electricity modifications near HV powerlines,” Electrostatics Journal of Physics: Conference Series, Vol.142, pp.1-4, 2007.
[16] D.L. Henshaw, “Does our electricity distribution pose a serious risk to public health?,” Medical Hypotheses, Vol.59, Issue.1, pp.39-51, 2002.
[17] A.P. Fews, D.L. Henshaw, P.A. Keitch, J.J. Close, R.J. Wilding, “Increased exposure to pollutant aerosols under high voltage powerlines,” International Journal of Radiation Biology, Vol.75, Issue.12, pp.1505-1521, 1999.
[18] E.R. Jayaratne, X. Ling, L. Morawska, “Corona ions from high-voltage power lines: Nature of emission and dispersion,” Journal of Electrostatics, Vol.69 Issue.3, pp.228-235, 2011.