Bengaluru: The establishment of a mega power transformer Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) near National Games Village(NGV) gate in Koramangala sixth block is posing a hazard to children as it is located close to a skating rink.
City-based Esther Roller Skating Club is conducting skating classes for children in a 40-metre skating rink, which is developed and managed by Karnataka Housing Board (KHB). The club took this skating rink on a monthly rental basis of Rs 10,000.
As many as 20 children have been practicing weekly thrice for two hours here. Apart from them, parents, grandparents and other caretakers accompany them. Hundred of visitors are also visiting this site, where classes on boxing, karate and other physical fitness exercises are also being conducted on a regular basis by various fitness clubs.
City Central Library Building, Rangamandira buildings are also located in the same premises. But majority of the visitors of this site including parents of the skating children are ignorant about health effects of exposure to residential electric and magnetic fields (EMF) caused by the 2,20,000 volts capacity transformer.
They have also unaware of the damages if this transformer explodes.
Experts have identified three kinds of health effects associated with EMF such as cancer, primarily childhood leukemia, reproduction and development disorders, neuro-biological, effects on melatonin, effects on bone healing and stimulated cell growth.
Electromagnetic fields are present wherever an electric current passes through a wire. Several scientific studies have suggested that increased cases of childhood cancer may occur in locations with elevated magnetic fields. Some studies have found no connection and hence the issue is still a subject of scientific debate in many circles.
Transformer explosions can happen for a variety of reasons. One of the most common one is a lightning strike from a storm forcing an overload of the transformer. Damage to wires or equipment elsewhere in the electrical grid can also cause too much electricity to flow into the transformer, causing it to explode.
Transformers contain protective circuits designed to shut off the system if the voltage spikes, but these safety devices can take up to 60 milliseconds to trigger, and may not be fast enough to prevent an explosion.
Transformers are devices that step up or step down the voltage of electricity. In order to minimize transmission losses, utility companies transmit electricity at high voltages across overhead or buried wires, and a transformer steps down this voltage to make it suitable for household use. However, when a transformer fails it can cause fire or explosion.
A former National Skating Champion, who is running Esther club, told Deccan Chronicle that she was not aware about the possible EMF health risks.
She claimed that she had entered agreement with KHB to run these classes twelve years ago and renewing the agreement every year after paying agreed monthly rent. She also said that she had sought KHB to extend the skating rink to 100 metres.
When asked about any health threats to their children from the power transformer plant, majority of the parents expressed ignorance. The KPTCL has constructed huge compound wall in their property and put up warning boards of the plant being a ‘restricted area’.
Mona, Sunil and other parents said that they bring their children only to make them physically fit besides to take part in district, State and inter-school level skating competitions.
Coaching Club trainer Raval Kumar said that he has been training children in this club since 12 years, but he too said that he never received any complaints about possible health threats to children.
“There was no power transformer when we started the skating coaching classes here. KPTCL has set up this plant recently. This site was also a familiar hangout for drunkards, but after we complained to local police, such activities have stopped,” he said.
