The present paper investigates the risks that arise from exposure to noise from powerpoles and powerlines
in Serzedelo, in the municipality of Guimarães, in Portugal. This research focused on four guiding questions:
Can powerlines cause noise? Do powerlines cause discomfort? Do powerlines cause discomfort due to noise?
And can powerlines effect human health? Two groups were the basis of the study: people that were exposed
to electromagnetic waves and people that were not. The research pointed to the harmful influence of the
presence of powerlines and high-voltage masts in residential areas and the damage to the cells in the human
body. This type of environmental noise, which has the spectral content of a low frequency, typically tonal
noise and a very high speed of propagation, is a complex source to explain in terms of the health profiles of
the human population living in Serzedelo, located in an area that is densely occupied by high voltage
powerlines and powerpoles.