DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO.: 1237
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 15 April 2011
1237. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:
(1) Whether, with reference to his reply to question 317 on 9 March 2011,
any sign boards have been erected on site notifying the residents of the
installation of the substation; if not, why not; if so, on what date were
the sign boards erected;
(2) Whether any study has been conducted with regard to the potential noise
pollution generated by the generators; if not, why not; if so, what are the
findings of the study;
(3) Whether he intends conducting a study into the potential detrimental
health effects of the magnetic fields; if not, what assurances will he give
to the residents that there will be no detrimental health effects; if so,
(a) when will the study be conducted and (b) who will conduct the study;
(4) Whether he has been informed of any research indicating that magnetic
fields can cause cancer; if so,
(5) Whether there are any groups of persons, such as children and pregnant
women, that are more vulnerable than others; if so, which groups? NW1379E
REPLY
(1) The appointed consultants informed Eskom that they fully complied with
Regulation 56 on Public Participation of the Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA), which includes the erection of notices on site for the
duration of the Public Participation process. The Department of
Environmental Affairs and Tourism further issued an Environmental
Authorisation stating that sufficient public participation had been
conducted. The erection of notices forms an essential aspect of any
approval for the participation process.
(2) There is a small generator on site (5,000 Watt) which is used only when
needed. The Maximum noise level is 75db at full load. A study has been
done which concluded that the measured A-weighted noise levels at present
meet the required noise levels as specified by the Gauteng Noise
Regulations and SANS 10103 standard.
(3)(a)(b)The substation will be operated at 132/44/6.6 kilovolts, which is
much lower than the highest voltage transmission lines. This level is lower
than the maximum limit of 5 kilovolts per metre (kV/m) suggested for
continuous general public exposure by the International Commission on Non-
ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), which forms part of the World
Health Organisation. Under such circumstances there is no need to conduct
any studies into the potential detrimental effects of magnetic fields.
Eskom has however conducted an Electric and magnetic Fields (EMF) base-line
study for further assurance.
From the measurements conducted, it can be concluded that the measured
electric and magnetic fields measured comply with the reference levels for
the general public of the ICNIRP guideline, which is also endorsed by the
Department of Health (of South Africa). Once the transformers are in
operation, another measurement will be conducted to test and compare the
levels of the base-line study to when the station was in operation. The
substation is expected to be in operation mid June 2011, and once the
findings are confirmed, Eskom will provide feedback to the community.
(4) There is no research to date that indicates a causal link between
magnetic fields and cancer. Research has indicated that 50Hz electric and
magnetic fields do not cause any damage to the genetic material of cells
and show no evidence that EMF poses any health risks. While statistical
studies in children with leukaemia have suggested that there is an
association between the proximity of distribution lines to the houses where
children live, but an attempt to correlate this directly with the magnetic
field from lines have not been successful.
Notwithstanding lack of scientific evidence, Eskom takes all possible steps
to reduce exposure where this can be achieved. A review published by the
World Health Organization in June 2007 recommended using exposure
guidelines published by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing
Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Eskom and the Department of Health (of South
Africa) support these recommendations.
(5) Vulnerable groups are indicated in part (4) of the response.