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Can unharnessed electricity/static affect the environment surrounding the source? If so, can it be managed?

regannh

Hello experts, I'm struggling with an issue that's been difficult and puzzling to address; I hope I've come to the right place for help.

 

I live about 20 yards from an AC/Diesel freight train line (2 tracks and a sizable station a 1/2 mile away.) A main arterial river is 100 yards away, and the immediate environment is a flood zone.

I experience strange things in my apartment, and over nearly a year of confusion and occasionally sheer horror, I believe the signs point to electricity and/or static- ionically charged particles(? not sure of the correct terminology here, forgive my ignorance). It has a visual aspect. If I were to describe it, I'd say it *looks like* current, flowing medium that doesn't fall on the visible light spectrum. But, the light that passes through it is refracted; there is clearly a medium involved.

It appears fluid and affects my textiles in a way that they exhibit a fluid-like movement. Also, many of my things, primarily textiles, appear to off-gas... all. the. time. I witnessed a whitish gas vaporize from a sweatshirt once.

When I try to record the activity with my phone, the video looks very grainy, but I can capture my bedding's legitimate movement, for example.

 

I don't own any measurement devices to verify my guess, and I can't think of anyone, or anywhere I could borrow from.

 

Oddly, I've very rarely been shocked, and it seems only to happen while I'm attempting to eliminate it. Hah!

I've sprayed my entire place - everything, with 50/50 water/fabric softener on 2 occasions, and it doesn't seem to alleviate the activity, although it doesn't worsen it either. I tried a humidifier, albeit before I concluded an ionic charge. The occurrences that followed were terrifying - without getting into detail, specifically, the things that got out of hand involved my several indoor plants.

 

As long as my dog (first) and me (2nd) won't be harmed in the short or long term, I suppose it's okay. It's annoying and kind of creepy, though; it weirds me out, and if possible, I'd prefer to accommodate a tactic to resolve this.

 

Knowledgeable friends out there, do you think my suspicions are likely accurate? Can I measure it, and with what tool/meter? What can I do to address and resolve the issue? Are we facing any risk while living in this environment?

 

Please, and thank you tremendously; any contribution is appreciated.

Regan

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  • It sounds like you have a number of things happening.

    As Douglas pointed out, the electric train can generate a large amount of potential along the rail line.

    Another factor is that you are in a flood plain area. That means you have a fluctuating ground water situation which can create a virtual ground plain around the area.

     

    The main effect of static electricity is based upon charge level differences. That is why a variable ground plain can introduce a wide variety of different effects.

    The changing subsoil moisture levels will affect your local relative humidity levels, which when combined with voltage differences can introduce many interesting responses as each material tries to equalize the charge.

     

    You are probably not in any danger, but it does sound like you are getting a good chance to study the effects of the charge, moisture levels and changing ground plain effects.

     

    Have you noticed anything when a thunderstorm approaches?  I would expect a rapid change in the ground charge that follows the storm, which should create some observable effects.

     

    Keep us posted, you are getting a unique view of physics in action.

     

    DAB

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  • It sounds like you have a number of things happening.

    As Douglas pointed out, the electric train can generate a large amount of potential along the rail line.

    Another factor is that you are in a flood plain area. That means you have a fluctuating ground water situation which can create a virtual ground plain around the area.

     

    The main effect of static electricity is based upon charge level differences. That is why a variable ground plain can introduce a wide variety of different effects.

    The changing subsoil moisture levels will affect your local relative humidity levels, which when combined with voltage differences can introduce many interesting responses as each material tries to equalize the charge.

     

    You are probably not in any danger, but it does sound like you are getting a good chance to study the effects of the charge, moisture levels and changing ground plain effects.

     

    Have you noticed anything when a thunderstorm approaches?  I would expect a rapid change in the ground charge that follows the storm, which should create some observable effects.

     

    Keep us posted, you are getting a unique view of physics in action.

     

    DAB

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