https://doi.org/10.1140/epjs/s11734-025-01473-7
Regular Article
Simulation of magnetic field exposure from built-in transformers: possible methods for reducing exposure
1
National Center of Public Health and Analyses, Sofia, Bulgaria
2
Burgas Free University, Burgas, Bulgaria
a
hr.petkova@ncpha.government.bg
Received:
30
June
2024
Accepted:
20
January
2025
Published online:
4
February
2025
The presence of built-in transformers (BTs) in residential buildings raises concerns among people about the possible effects related to exposure to electric and magnetic fields. Furthermore, the International Agency for Research of Cancer (IARC) [IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Non-ionizing radiation, part 1: static and extremely low-frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields. International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, 2002] classifies extremely low-frequency magnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). This classification was based on limited evidence of an association between the power frequency magnetic field and childhood leukemia. Several epidemiological studies consider exposure to a 0.4 µT magnetic field as a cut-off point for childhood leukemia. These values are much lower than the reference levels of Council Recommendation 1999/519/EC (Off J L 199:59–70, 1999) and the ICNIRP Guidelines (Health Phys 74(4):494–522, 1998). In Bulgaria, there is no national legislation that sets exposure limits for extremely low frequencies for the general public. The results from our previous studies in apartments situated next to and above built-in transformers show values up to 1.5 µT. The aim of this paper is to simulate the magnetic field levels emitted by a built-in transformer under different loads and compare them to the data from on-site measurements. We investigate how different configurations of a built-in transformer will affect the magnetic field levels in exposed premises and determine methods for reducing the magnetic field. Various shielding options were considered by simulation, and the possibility of decreasing the levels below the threshold of 0.4 µT was investigated.
Copyright comment Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to EDP Sciences, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
