ᐅ Electromagnetic Pollution – What Is the Minimum Safe Distance from a 220 kV High-Voltage Power Line?

Hello everyone,

I am planning to buy a house and recently viewed a property that would actually meet all my requirements—except for the high-voltage power line. It passes only about 20 meters (65 feet) from the house, and that makes me uneasy. Are there any reliable studies on electromagnetic pollution caused by high-voltage power lines? What is the recommended minimum distance between residential buildings and such a power line? Some might consider this "nonsense," but I have two children, and I do not want to expose them to any avoidable risk.

I doubt you will find any reliable and conclusive studies on this topic. For some, electromagnetic pollution is pure nonsense, while others see it as a serious health risk. The truth is probably somewhere in between. If I were you, I wouldn’t buy the house—if problems arise later, you will always suspect they are due to the high-voltage power line, and then you won’t feel safe in your own home.

The Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (BAFU) provides information on this topic, have a look here:
BAFU - Electrosmog - Electrosmog: High-voltage power lines (overhead lines)

This is an important topic and should not be taken lightly. So, a high-voltage power line 20 meters (65 feet) away from the house? No thanks. I would not buy a house like that. The distance should be at least 150 to 200 meters (490 to 660 feet).

I also believe there are no reliable sources or studies on this. This power line is too close to the house for my comfort. It can also be dangerous during thunderstorms, as a lightning strike could occur here.

This is a highly debated issue. I believe these high-voltage power lines do not pose a danger. However, they do not quite fit into the landscape.