Assessments of General Public and Occupational Exposure to Extremely Low Frequency Electric and Magnetic Fields from 115/22 kV Substations in Urban Areas of Thailand

Increasing electricity demand has led to the construction of distribution substations in dense urban areas, raising concerns about the health and well-being of the nearby public. These concerns relate to potential environmental and electrical safety impacts. This study assesses and compares electromagnetic fields (EMFs) exposure levels, including electric field (EF) and magnetic field (MF), from three 115/22 kV substations in urban areas: air-insulated switchgear, gas-insulated switchgear, and mixed-technology switchgear. The environmental impact assessment considers air quality, noise, and heat. EMF field measurements are compared with ICNIRP Guidelines to evaluate general public and occupational exposure levels. The correlation between the exposure levels from each substation and their daily load curves is examined. Results show that EMF exposure levels are within acceptable limits, ensuring the safety of the general public and substation personnel. Additionally, measurements for particulate matter less than 10 microns (PM10), 24-h-averaged-noise level (Leq24h), and wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) indicate that the environmental impact is within the relevant Thai standards.