Assessment of Electromagnetic Exposure Levels for Humans from Electric Vehicle DC Charging Stations

Overview

This study investigates the potential health risks of electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted by DC charging piles used for electric vehicles, by quantifying internal exposure in humans. Realistic adult and child human models were exposed to electromagnetic fields generated by the transformer in the DC/DC circuit of a charging pile. The assessment employed a simulation model, developed in COMSOL Multiphysics 6.2, which included vehicle body, charging pile, and transformer to calculate the magnetic induction intensity (B-field) and electric field intensity (E-field) in various human organs at distances of 0.1 m, 0.3 m, and 0.6 m from the source.

• Peak B-field and E-field at 0.1 m from the pile for adults: 1.91 μT and 447 mV/m (1.91% & 2.07% of ICNIRP occupational limits; 7.07% & 4.14% of public limits).
• For a child: 2.31 μT and 259 mV/m (8.56% & 2.40% of public limits).
• In-vehicle occupant exposure (adult driver/child passenger) during charging: below 0.024 μT and under 6 mV/m, well beneath public ICNIRP limits.
• Frequency analysis (85 kHz, 90 kHz, 95 kHz) shows B-field decreases with frequency, while E-field remains relatively unchanged due to shielding effects.

Findings

All measured electromagnetic exposure levels for both occupational and public scenarios were found to be within established ICNIRP safety standards. There was a strong negative relationship between distance from the charging pile and internal exposure level in the body. Analyses across different frequencies reinforce the finding that EMF exposure levels remain below regulated exposure limits.

Conclusion

• Standing close to a DC charging pile exposes humans to EMF values significantly below international safety thresholds.
• Occupants inside vehicles during charging experience minimal exposure, far under any health limit criteria.
• This research provides a crucial scientific basis to guide public standards for EMF exposure from DC charging stations, aiding in public health protection strategies.
• Further work is warranted for sensitive populations (e.g., pregnant women, adolescents), multi-source environments, and real-world measurement validation.

It is important for all stakeholders to understand the relationship between electromagnetic field exposure and health risk to ensure ongoing safety evaluation as new EMF sources and population sensitivities are recognized.