Symptom reporting after the introduction of a new high-voltage power line: A prospective field study
Authors not listed · 2015
Residents within 300 meters of a new high-voltage power line reported a significantly larger increase in symptoms and causal beliefs compared to those living farther away.
Plain English Summary
Researchers used a quasi-experimental design with two pretests before and two posttests after a new high-voltage power line began operation. Residents living within 300 meters, 300-500 meters, and 500-2000 meters of the line participated. Symptom reports and causal beliefs increased significantly more in the closest group compared to those farther away. At baseline, symptom reports were similar across groups, but belief that power lines cause symptoms was already stronger among nearby residents.
Why This Matters
The study was the first to prospectively examine whether health complaints and causal beliefs rise after a new power line is built. Linear mixed models tested whether symptom reports and beliefs about power lines causing complaints increased more in nearby residents. The authors concluded that the new power line had a negative impact on health perceptions of nearby residents even before it became operational.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Show BibTeX
@article{symptom_reporting_after_the_introduction_of_a_new_high_voltage_power_line_a_prospective_field_study_ce1309,
author = {Unknown},
title = {Symptom reporting after the introduction of a new high-voltage power line: A prospective field study},
year = {2015},
doi = {10.1016/j.envres.2015.02.009},
}