Evaluation of Electric Field Pollution from 132 kVA Power Transmission Lines to Proximity of Infrastructures in Ibadan, Nigeria

E lectrical Power Transmission Lines (PTL) generate electromagnetic field while carrying electrical energy from power generating stations to the electrical power distribution systems. Due to increase in population, infrastructures are being built close to or under the power lines; thus, violating the range of the tower setback. This exposes nearby residence to electric field pollution. In this paper, we present an evaluation of the electric field pollution from the 330/132kVA power transmission lines in Ibadan (Ido local government), Oyo state Nigeria. we measured the electric field of the power transmission line of the closest proximity to the nearest infrastructure using electromagnetic tester (model 3120-EN-00). Evaluation of spatial distance between the nearest infrastructure and the transmission lines was done by obtaining the spatial position of the transmission tower and the infrastructure using Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver (model GPSMAP 78 Series) satellite system. The sets of data obtained were processed in ARCGIS environment and the distance from the transmission tower to the nearest infrastructure was obtained. Also, the range between the tower with reference to a particular tower was obtained using analytical techniques. The ICNIRP standards were used to evaluate the result. The results showed that the electric field strength is below the standard limit. Regulatory bodies like the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Occupational Health and Safety Code (OHSC) and Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning (LSURP) regulations legislated a minimum setback of every infrastructures proximity to power lines. These regulations were used to evaluate infrastructures violating the rules. 12.5% of the infrastructures assecible complied with the PHCN regulation, 56.85% complied with the LSURP regulation and 78.12% compiled with the OHSC regulation .