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Shielding your home from a power transformer

Q. Does anyone know of any type of exterior paint or roofing material that could be used to reduce electromagnetic penetration of the sort caused by a power transformer? If you have any suggestions on how to reduce any possible health risks caused by living 8' from a power transformer or any information on how to get the darn thing removed please let me know.

Jesse K [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Tacoma, Washington
1999

A. I believe that the present position of the U.S. Government is that this won't hurt you. I would start by reading the evidence on both sides and I think you will find that in the course of doing so you will figure out what kind of radiation (electric, magnetic, high frequency, low frequency) it is that scares you and how to combat it. The measures required for shielding depend on the frequency and whether you are trying to block electric fields or magnetic fields. Good luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
1999

A. A agree with Ted and he has good suggestions. I assume you are near a utility power transformer (220V, 60 Hz) or similar. If you are just uncomfortable about being near this thing, just use a copper or aluminum siding or sheet metal on that side of the house to absorb electromagnetic radiation (if any). And remember, you may be getting more radiation from your appliances inside than from the transformer outside.

Mandar Sunthankar
- Fort Collins, Colorado
1999

A. I think you have a valid reason for avoiding the electrical fields associated with power transmission. In Europe they have decided to place warnings on cell phones to warn of possible dangers. I first became aware of the potential hazards that exist from electrical radiation after I found that any electric current produces a magnetic field. This includes the cords on your fan and other appliances. Now I say this, we are electrical beings right down to our smallest cell. Any disruption that occurs to alter our natural electrical charge is possibly potentially harmful to our well being. So scoot back from this monitor and stop sleeping under that electric blanket. Take any precaution necessary to limit your exposure to radiation.

D. Hoover
- St Louis, Missouri
2001

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Q. There's a transformer just outside bedroom window at apt I live at. For about 5 years, I've called electric company. Several times they said they would send someone out so I waited all night, called next day and told them that no one showed up, and she said oh yes and someone was at transformer at 2 am saying they was me. When I told her I never seen anyone she said that they have to launch an investigation -- that was a week ago no one has called or anything, and I mean especially the hours of about 6pm to 8 am it's really bad. Ting-a-ling in arms, ringing in just my right ear, and blurred vision. I moved mattress from that end of house and actually slept almost normal, this damn transformer is between my bedroom and the playground for entire complex

Joe Betty Williams Thompsons
- Tulsa Arkansas
March 16, 2019