Projects: Projects for Investigator UKERC Home UKERC Energy Data Centre Projects Choose Investigator All Projects involving NIA_NGET0130
Reference Number	NIA_NGET0130
Title	Determining a threshold for magnetophosphenes perception at 50Hz
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution) 100%;
Research Types	Applied Research and Development 100%
Science and Technology Fields	ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 100%
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given National Grid Electricity Transmission
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 March 2014
End Date	01 March 2017
Duration	36 months
Total Grant Value	£605,000
Industrial Sectors	Power
Region	London
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , National Grid Electricity Transmission (100.000%)
Web Site	http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_NGET0130
Objectives	The objectives for the project are to: Establish the magnetic field exposure threshold at 50 Hz at which magnetophosphenes are perceived. Provide preliminary data of a frequency response curve for magnetophosphene perception. The success criteria will be a publically accessible scientific research paper published in the peer-reviewed literature detailing the experimental results.
Abstract	National Grid recognises that the scientific evidence on which current Electric and Magnetic Field (EMF) exposure guidelines are somewhat limited and therefore supports high-quality studies into EMFs to improve knowledge. Research is needed to address this issue which will bring benefit to National Grid, Network Licensees, stakeholders and customers. Exposure to external EMFs, such as those produced by power lines, can cause induced currents to flow within the body. The exposure guidelines in the UK are based on limiting these induced currents which can cause acute biological effects. The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) who formulate the guidelines which have been adopted by UK Government, recognise that for effects on the retina specifically, magnetophosphenes are the best indicator of a biological response threshold. Phosphene perception (little flickering dots in the visual field) during magnetic field exposure (originating the name "magnetophosphenes") is explicitly mentioned as being this biological "threshold" effect in the low frequencies, which support the ICNIRP guidelines. The data available on this phenomenon is limited and the guidelines to date are based on this limited pool of research. This is especially true at 50 Hz where the best estimate of acute biological effects is based on extrapolations of data from other frequencies. This research will provide greater clarity on the biological response threshold of EMF at 50 Hz. Research National Grid is committed to following independent exposure guidelines in all of its operations. It is important for our customers and National Grid that these guidelines are based on the most robust scientific research possible. This project will clearly establish a robust threshold of acute biological effects (magnetophosphenes) which will feed into the scientific literature on which EMF exposure guidelines are based.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	09/08/18