Powerwatch UK – Powerlines
‘Our electricity supply comes to us from a generating station, by means of power lines. The majority of these are overhead cables, supported by large transmission towers or pylons. The cables emit magnetic and electric fields. Power lines carrying smaller loads to meet local power needs are supported on smaller metal towers or wooden poles. The electric field is proportional to the line voltage, while the magnetic field depends on the load current. Typically, high voltage transmission lines carry high current and therefore give off both high electric and high magnetic fields.’
https://www.powerwatch.org.uk/elf/powerlines.asp
Children with Cancer UK
Electricity, power lines, magnetic fields and childhood leukaemia
‘Since 2004, Children with Cancer UK have been involved in a campaign to raise awareness of the potential role of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure in the causation of childhood leukaemia.’
Electricity, power lines, magnetic fields and childhood leukaemia
A 2005 study by Dr Gerald Draper showed that children living within 600 metres of high voltage overhead power lines were at an increased risk of developing leukaemia
By
30 APR 2007
‘A KEY report warning that houses should not be built near electricity pylons is too little, too late, says a father whose son died from leukaemia while living close to power lines. Ray Studholme, whose son Simon died in 1992 after developing leukaemia at 13, has fought a long battle to raise concerns about electromagnetic fields from pylons and other sources.
A KEY report warning that houses should not be built near electricity pylons is too little, too late, says a father whose son died from leukaemia while living close to power lines.
Ray Studholme, whose son Simon died in 1992 after developing leukaemia at 13, has fought a long battle to raise concerns about electromagnetic fields from pylons and other sources.
Now a study by a government advisory group says a ban on building new homes and schools within 60 metres of power lines is the `best available option’ for reducing childhood leukaemia deaths.’
Continue reading: Pylons warning too late
Press release:Friday 7th February 2014
‘Children with Cancer UK notes the publication of the Bunch et al paper in the British Journal of Cancer today [i] and its further exploration of the association between residential proximity to high voltage overhead power lines and childhood leukaemia risk.’
‘Households living near electricity pylons could receive up to £1,000 a year off their energy bills under new proposals.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is expected to unveil the plans during the Autumn Statement on Wednesday.
- 14:29, 26 SEP 2024
- The current plans could see pylons stretch from Norwich through to Tilbury in EssexPrime Minister Keir Starmer has warned of trade-offs, including electricity pylons near homes, amid proposals by National Grid to use the structures to carry electricity through the county. National Grid plans to build 183 kilometres of pylons between Norwich and Tilbury.’
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- Electromagnetic radiation from power lines linked to increased leukemia risk in miceBy Katherine McMahon & Theodora ScaratoJan 21, 2025
‘Non-ionizing radiation emitted by high voltage power lines, power cords and electric blankets known as extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) could increase leukemia risk in mice, according to a new review published in Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology.
In short:
- While exposure to ELF-MF did not not impact rodents’ odds of developing lymphoma, brain cancer or breast cancer, it did increase leukemia risk in mice.
- These findings also suggest that ELF-MF exposure could damage the DNA of certain cell types, including brain cells, in rodents.
- Studies on children, including research conducted by the authors of this review, have repeatedly linked ELF-MF exposure to an increased risk for childhood leukemia, an association which led the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer to classify ELF-MF as a “possible” carcinogen in 2001.
Key quote:
“All residential areas are affected by ELF-MF at least to some degree, which means that virtually all humans are exposed to these electromagnetic waves.”
Why this matters:
Exposure to ELF-MF is ubiquitous and increasing in our modern environment. Numerous countries have policies to reduce ELF-MF in homes and schools so exposure levels are below those associated with childhood cancer. However, the US has no safety limits for this type of electromagnetic radiation because the EPA was defunded from this research in the early 90s. Meanwhile, experts have raised concerns about industry’s significant influence through funding research in this area, and emphasize the need for regulations that are based on comprehensive, unbiased science in order to ensure public safety.
Related EHN coverage:
Full article here: Effects of extremely low frequency magnetic fields on animal cancer and DNA damage: A systematic review and meta-analysis
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