Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.
Depressive symptomatology in women and residential proximity to high-voltage transmission lines
No Effects Found
Authors not listed · 1994
Women living near high-voltage power lines showed no increased depression despite seven-fold higher magnetic field exposure.
Plain English Summary
Summary written for general audiences
Researchers studied 152 women in Orange County, California, measuring depression symptoms in those living next to high-voltage transmission lines versus those living one block away. Despite homes near power lines having seven times higher magnetic field levels (4.86 mG vs 0.68 mG), no significant difference in depression scores was found between the groups.
Cite This Study
Unknown (1994). Depressive symptomatology in women and residential proximity to high-voltage transmission lines.
Show BibTeX
@article{depressive_symptomatology_in_women_and_residential_proximity_to_high_voltage_transmission_lines_ce1606,
author = {Unknown},
title = {Depressive symptomatology in women and residential proximity to high-voltage transmission lines},
year = {1994},
doi = {10.1093/OXFORDJOURNALS.AJE.A116935},
}Quick Questions About This Study
Homes adjacent to high-voltage transmission lines averaged 4.86 milligauss (mG) at the front door, while homes one block away measured 0.68 mG - a seven-fold difference in magnetic field exposure levels.
No significant difference in depression scores was found between women living adjacent to transmission lines and those living one block away, despite the substantial difference in magnetic field exposure levels.
The study used the standardized Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale (CES-D), administered to 152 women in Orange County, California, overcoming criticism of earlier studies that used non-standardized depression measures.
The researchers noted that the homogeneity of their Orange County study population may limit how well these findings apply to more diverse groups with different demographics, lifestyles, and health backgrounds.
The 4.86 mG level found near transmission lines is nearly five times the 1 mG threshold some scientists consider concerning, and comparable to levels many homes experience from internal wiring and appliances.