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Power lines link to cancer in new alert
By Nicholas Cecil, Evening Standard Last updated at 10:51am on 20.04.07
Homes and schools could be banned from being built near power lines
A secret report has raised fresh fears of a link between power lines and cancer.
The confidential study, obtained by the Evening Standard, urges ministers to consider banning the building of homes and schools close to overhead high-voltage power cables because of possible health risks.
It says a ban is the best way to reduce significantly exposure to electromagnetic fields from the electricity grid system.
The report was drawn up by scientists, electricity company bosses, the National Grid, government officials and campaigners over two years after the Health Protection Agency accepted there was a weak statistical "association" between prolonged exposure to power fields and childhood leukaemia.
But the 40 members of the panel have clashed over the final details and conclusions.
It stops short of specifically recommending a ban on new homes and schools within 60 metres of power lines, or vice versa, which could wipe a total of £2 billion off property prices across Britain and limit land for housing developments.
But the report concludes that the Government should consider such a move, stating: "We urge government to make a clear decision on whether to implement this option or not."
The report, to be signed off by panel members next week, has sparked conflict at a series of hearings, according to a Whitehall source.
Two members of the panel, regulator Ofgem and Scottish & Southern Energy, are understood to have quit.
Some members of the panel took the view - adopted by the Government's health advisers and the World Health Organisat ion - that childhood leukaemia is the only adverse health effect where evidence is strong enough for precautionary measures to be considered.
According to this view, if there is a link, the building ban would cut just one case of childhood leukaemia every year or two and the costs would outweigh the benefits by a factor of at least 20.
The second group generally backed views highlighted by the California Department of Health Services which suggested electromagnetic fields are "possibly carcinogenic" in terms of childhood leukaemia and placed four other health effects in this risk category. They were adult leukaemia, adult brain tumours, miscarriages and a form of motor neurone disease, although some scientists believe there are links with more diseases.
"The advice to government from following this 'California' view would therefore be to tend to favour implementing the ' corridors for new build' option," SAGE added, stressing that in this scenario the costs and benefits would be at least comparable.
The panel is set to recommend that the Health Protection Agency should issue more information about how to reduce the impact of exposure to electromagnetic fields. It will also call for a change to the working of overhead lines to reduce the radius of intense electromagnetic fields.
Reader views (5)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
Had a discussion about this topic with a professor that holds a Ph.D in magnetism, NMR, and related topics... scientifically and mathematically EMFs do not and cannot have an effect on humans. Go to the local bookstore and pick up a book on physical chemistry, turn to the chapters concerning magnetic resonance and find someone that can explain the math to you. Having taken physical chemistry (I hold a bachelors in Biochemistry and Biophysics) and talked with the professor, I would go lick a powerline if there wasn't a risk of being shocked without concern...
- Student At Oregon State University, Corvallis, Or
Every house, school, public building, etc. should be checked for EMF's. It is inexpensive and easy to do. Sometimes the results are surprising.
- R Jackowski, Bennington, Vt, USA
Where's the science connecting any disease with electrical distribution grid?
- Phil, Pottsboro, Texas USA
I live in an area where power generation is a major industry. It seems like retired workers die relatively young and many are cancer victims. A study should be done to see if there is a link and what can be done to mitigate the harmful effects.
- Andrew Mcauley, North West River, Canada
This has really made me think twice about the power cables that are near both my home and my chidlrens school. If there is any chance that they are unsafe then no way should they be anywhere near people. Something needs to arranged as soon as possible to ensure people aren't in further danger.
- Flo, Twickenham
