Living near high-voltage power lines: GIS-based modeling of the risk in Nigeria’s Benin region Nkeki, Felix Ndidi 10.4225/03/57E1CC2EDC6E0 https://bridges.monash.edu/articles/journal_contribution/Living_near_high-voltage_power_lines_GIS-based_modeling_of_the_risk_in_Nigeria_s_Benin_region/3842862 This paper demonstrates the capabilities of Geographic Information System (GIS) methods for identifying populations which are both exposed to Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) and at risk of electrocution because they live within the zone of potential risk around power lines in the Benin region GIS buffering, overlay and address geo-coding were used to generate a database consisting of both spatial and non-spatial information from which it was possible to holistically visualize the areal extent of population at risk. Potential risk areas were classified into zones of double risk and single risk, and of the approximately 20 per cent of the built-up area that was shown to be exposed to electromagnetic radiation, double-risk zones accounted for 51 per cent of this and single-risk zones 49 per cent. Also, the majority of exposed zones were found to be in high-density, residential areas located in the periphery of the region. It is evident that our GIS-assisted database will enhance future epidemiologic research and serve as a framework for effective decision making. 2016-09-20 23:54:19 monash:110834 1959.1/798014 Geographic Information System GIS Electromagnetic fields Buffer Overlay Geocoding Epidemiology 2013 collection(s) Applied GIS Type journal article 1832-5505