Human detection thresholds of DC, AC, and hybrid electric fields: a double-blind study
Abstract Background In the course of the ongoing transition of electric energy systems, transmission corridors are often upgraded to higher voltages and other technologies leading to another quality of human exposure. The study aims to determine human detection thresholds for direct current (DC), al...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-08-01
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| Series: | Environmental Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-021-00781-4 |
| _version_ | 1819124927527124992 |
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| author | Michael Kursawe Dominik Stunder Thomas Krampert Andrea Kaifie Sarah Drießen Thomas Kraus Kathrin Jankowiak |
| author_facet | Michael Kursawe Dominik Stunder Thomas Krampert Andrea Kaifie Sarah Drießen Thomas Kraus Kathrin Jankowiak |
| author_sort | Michael Kursawe |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background In the course of the ongoing transition of electric energy systems, transmission corridors are often upgraded to higher voltages and other technologies leading to another quality of human exposure. The study aims to determine human detection thresholds for direct current (DC), alternating current (AC), and hybrid electric fields (various DC; constant AC). Methods A total of 203 participants were exposed to DC, AC, and hybrid electric fields (EFs) in a highly specialized whole-body exposure laboratory using a double-blind experimental setting. Additionally, the participants were exposed to ion currents in part of the DC and hybrid sessions. To investigate environmental influences, relative humidity was changed in two subgroups during EF perception. Methods derived from the signal detection theory and the adaptive staircase procedure based on the single interval adjustment matrix were used to assess individual sensitivity and detection thresholds, respectively. Results The results indicated that detection thresholds of hybrid EF were lower compared to single EF presentation of DC or AC. Ion current exposure enhanced EF perception. High relative humidity facilitated DC EF perception, whereas low relative humidity reinforced the perception of AC EFs. Conclusions With this systematic investigation of human perception of DC, AC, and hybrid EFs, detection thresholds were provided, which can help improve the construction processes of energy transmission systems and the prevention of unwanted sensory perception by contributing to the determination of limit values. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T07:32:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fd413e2facc84a0092743b2ab28e4458 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1476-069X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T07:32:01Z |
| publishDate | 2021-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Environmental Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-fd413e2facc84a0092743b2ab28e44582022-12-21T18:34:00ZengBMCEnvironmental Health1476-069X2021-08-0120111410.1186/s12940-021-00781-4Human detection thresholds of DC, AC, and hybrid electric fields: a double-blind studyMichael Kursawe0Dominik Stunder1Thomas Krampert2Andrea Kaifie3Sarah Drießen4Thomas Kraus5Kathrin Jankowiak6Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu), Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen UniversityResearch Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu), Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen UniversityInstitute for High Voltage Equipment and Grids, Digitalization and Power Economics, RWTH Aachen UniversityInstitute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen UniversityResearch Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu), Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen UniversityResearch Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu), Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen UniversityResearch Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu), Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen UniversityAbstract Background In the course of the ongoing transition of electric energy systems, transmission corridors are often upgraded to higher voltages and other technologies leading to another quality of human exposure. The study aims to determine human detection thresholds for direct current (DC), alternating current (AC), and hybrid electric fields (various DC; constant AC). Methods A total of 203 participants were exposed to DC, AC, and hybrid electric fields (EFs) in a highly specialized whole-body exposure laboratory using a double-blind experimental setting. Additionally, the participants were exposed to ion currents in part of the DC and hybrid sessions. To investigate environmental influences, relative humidity was changed in two subgroups during EF perception. Methods derived from the signal detection theory and the adaptive staircase procedure based on the single interval adjustment matrix were used to assess individual sensitivity and detection thresholds, respectively. Results The results indicated that detection thresholds of hybrid EF were lower compared to single EF presentation of DC or AC. Ion current exposure enhanced EF perception. High relative humidity facilitated DC EF perception, whereas low relative humidity reinforced the perception of AC EFs. Conclusions With this systematic investigation of human perception of DC, AC, and hybrid EFs, detection thresholds were provided, which can help improve the construction processes of energy transmission systems and the prevention of unwanted sensory perception by contributing to the determination of limit values.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-021-00781-4ExposureSignal detection theoryPerceptionPsychophysicsEnergy transitionEnergy transmission |
| spellingShingle | Michael Kursawe Dominik Stunder Thomas Krampert Andrea Kaifie Sarah Drießen Thomas Kraus Kathrin Jankowiak Human detection thresholds of DC, AC, and hybrid electric fields: a double-blind study Environmental Health Exposure Signal detection theory Perception Psychophysics Energy transition Energy transmission |
| title | Human detection thresholds of DC, AC, and hybrid electric fields: a double-blind study |
| title_full | Human detection thresholds of DC, AC, and hybrid electric fields: a double-blind study |
| title_fullStr | Human detection thresholds of DC, AC, and hybrid electric fields: a double-blind study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Human detection thresholds of DC, AC, and hybrid electric fields: a double-blind study |
| title_short | Human detection thresholds of DC, AC, and hybrid electric fields: a double-blind study |
| title_sort | human detection thresholds of dc ac and hybrid electric fields a double blind study |
| topic | Exposure Signal detection theory Perception Psychophysics Energy transition Energy transmission |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-021-00781-4 |
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