Many feel that because there is no scientific evidence that power lines cause an increase in some diseases; they don't believe in the dangers of living near powerlines. CenterPoint Energy shares this belief. Some scientists are saying that the dangers are unproven but advise caution until we know more. Below are some of my research findings. Similarly, the dangers of cigarette smoking became evident from retrospective studies. To my knowledge, the scientific community did not conduct studies to prove that it was dangerous, but now believes that smoking is dangerous; even being in the vicinity of a person smoking has ill health effects. Do your own research and decide for yourself.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed on this page represent the author only and do not represent the opinions of the residents of Grogan's Mill Subdivision
1. California EMF Project
http://www.powerlinefacts.com/EMF_California%20Project.htm
Findings: Magnetic fields likely cause childhood and adult leukemia, adult brain cancer, spontaneous abortions, andALS. They possibly cause childhood brain cancer, female and male breast cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, suicide, and heart problems. They are unlikely to universally impact all types of cancer or reproductive failures other than spontaneous abortions. There is insufficient information to determine if magnetic fields cause clinical depression.
2. Childhood cancer in relation to distance from high voltage power lines in England and Wales: a case-control study by Gerald Draper, Tim Vincent, Mary E Kroll, John Swanson
http://www.emfs.info/The+Science/Research/Draper/distance.htm
Results: Children who lived within 200 m of high-voltage power lines had a relative risk of leukaemia of 1.69 (95% confidence interval 1.13 to 2.53). Those born between 200 and 600 m had a relative risk of 1.23 (1.02 to 1.49). There was a significant (P<0.01) trend in risk in relation to the reciprocal of distance from the line.
3. Quotes from experts on the harmful effects of EMF from Power Lines: http://electromagnetichealth.org/quotes-fromexperts/
4. Particle Deposition in the Vicinity of Power Lines and Possible Effects on Health: Documents of the NRPB 15/1 (PDF, 577 KB) (2004)
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/High-voltage-lines-negative-ions-and-rats-1136476.php
After reviewing all the data, the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) concluded in 1999 that the evidence was weak, but that it was still sufficient to warrant limited concern. You can find this pdf. document online.
5. After reviewing all the data, the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) concluded in 1999 that the evidence was weak, but that it was still sufficient to warrant limited concern.
6. N E W S F R O N T: Midwest Today, April/May 1996 DO HIGH-VOLTAGE POWER LINES CAUSE CANCER Studies link Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) To Illness By NEAL LAWRENCE
A report leaked last October (1995) from the U.S. National Council on Radiation Protection said there is a powerful body of impressive evidence showing that even very low exposure to electromagnetic radiation has long-term effects on health.
7. http://www.rense.com/politics5/powerl.htm
Strongest Evidence Yet Of Cancer Risk Near Power Lines
By Jonathan Leake and Chris Dignan 11-28-99
Professor Denis Henshaw, of Bristol University's human radiation effects group, showed three years ago that there was a theoretical mechanism whereby power lines could increase human uptake of the radioactive gases produced naturally in the soil and also of traffic pollutants. His latest study quantifies this effect in the field and shows that power lines are indeed linked to childhood leukaemia and other cancers. Henshaw took 2,000 field measurements to support his research. A university insider described the findings as dynamite. "The study has serious implications for the electricity industry, which could face huge compensation claims and pressure to move its pylons."
8. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/10/07/1033538894491.html
US study links power lines to cancer
October 08 2002 By Andrew Alderson
Overhead power lines and household electrical appliances increase the risk of cancer, according to the findings of an eight-year study into the effects of electromagnetic fields.
9. http://www.powerlinefacts.com/EMF.htm
A Connecticut law requires the Connecticut Siting Council to include health and fair market value issues when deciding on the application to expand and build 345-kilovolt lines. Here is the rationale for the law. As a followup, the Council study shows that burying long lines is feasible. they believe property values will decrease if more overhead lines are added.
10. SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/159773_ratzone07.html Saturday, February 7, 2004 By TOM PAULSON, SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER
High-voltage lines, Negative Ions and Rats. Tests show how personal toxic cloud of ozone is created.
What they have shown is that the adverse health effects may result from this indirect and unexpected "self-produced" cloud of ozone created when a body is exposed to the field. Goheen and his co-workers said they think the ozone is produced from a reaction between oxygen and the electrons.
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For those on the fence about the dangers of EMF's I came across this on the internet on Oct. 12th:
"In a draft report issued in March 1990, the EPA recommended that EMFs be classified as a Class B carcinogen -- -a "probable human carcinogen and joined the ranks of formaldehyde, DDT, dioxins and PCBs". After the EPA draft report was released, utility, military and computer lobbyists came down hard on the EPA. The EPA's final revision did NOT classify EMFs as a Class B carcinogen Rather, the following explanation was added:"
At this time such a characterization regarding the link between cancer and exposure to EMFs is not appropriate because the basic nature of the interaction between EMFs and biological processes leading to cancer is not understood."
Curiously, this rather unusual logic appears on the same page as the following: "In conclusion, several studies showing leukemia, Iymphoma and cancer of the nervous system in children exposed to supported by similar findings in adults in several/ occupational studies also involving electrical power frequency exposures, show a consistent pattern of response that suggest a causal link. "
When questioned about the contradictory nature of these statements, the EPA responded that it was "not appropriate" to use the probable carcinogen label until it could demonstrate how EMFs caused cancer and exactly how much EMF is harmful.
This explanation does not satisfy many critics who claim that the EPAs upper management was influenced by political and economic considerations exerted by utility, computer and military lobbyists.
1. California EMF Project
http://www.powerlinefacts.com/EMF_California%20Project.htm
Findings: Magnetic fields likely cause childhood and adult leukemia, adult brain cancer, spontaneous abortions, andALS. They possibly cause childhood brain cancer, female and male breast cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, suicide, and heart problems. They are unlikely to universally impact all types of cancer or reproductive failures other than spontaneous abortions. There is insufficient information to determine if magnetic fields cause clinical depression.
2. Childhood cancer in relation to distance from high voltage power lines in England and Wales: a case-control study by Gerald Draper, Tim Vincent, Mary E Kroll, John Swanson
http://www.emfs.info/The+Science/Research/Draper/distance.htm
Results: Children who lived within 200 m of high-voltage power lines had a relative risk of leukaemia of 1.69 (95% confidence interval 1.13 to 2.53). Those born between 200 and 600 m had a relative risk of 1.23 (1.02 to 1.49). There was a significant (P<0.01) trend in risk in relation to the reciprocal of distance from the line.
3. Quotes from experts on the harmful effects of EMF from Power Lines: http://electromagnetichealth.org/quotes-fromexperts/
4. Particle Deposition in the Vicinity of Power Lines and Possible Effects on Health: Documents of the NRPB 15/1 (PDF, 577 KB) (2004)
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/High-voltage-lines-negative-ions-and-rats-1136476.php
After reviewing all the data, the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) concluded in 1999 that the evidence was weak, but that it was still sufficient to warrant limited concern. You can find this pdf. document online.
5. After reviewing all the data, the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) concluded in 1999 that the evidence was weak, but that it was still sufficient to warrant limited concern.
6. N E W S F R O N T: Midwest Today, April/May 1996 DO HIGH-VOLTAGE POWER LINES CAUSE CANCER Studies link Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) To Illness By NEAL LAWRENCE
A report leaked last October (1995) from the U.S. National Council on Radiation Protection said there is a powerful body of impressive evidence showing that even very low exposure to electromagnetic radiation has long-term effects on health.
7. http://www.rense.com/politics5/powerl.htm
Strongest Evidence Yet Of Cancer Risk Near Power Lines
By Jonathan Leake and Chris Dignan 11-28-99
Professor Denis Henshaw, of Bristol University's human radiation effects group, showed three years ago that there was a theoretical mechanism whereby power lines could increase human uptake of the radioactive gases produced naturally in the soil and also of traffic pollutants. His latest study quantifies this effect in the field and shows that power lines are indeed linked to childhood leukaemia and other cancers. Henshaw took 2,000 field measurements to support his research. A university insider described the findings as dynamite. "The study has serious implications for the electricity industry, which could face huge compensation claims and pressure to move its pylons."
8. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/10/07/1033538894491.html
US study links power lines to cancer
October 08 2002 By Andrew Alderson
Overhead power lines and household electrical appliances increase the risk of cancer, according to the findings of an eight-year study into the effects of electromagnetic fields.
9. http://www.powerlinefacts.com/EMF.htm
A Connecticut law requires the Connecticut Siting Council to include health and fair market value issues when deciding on the application to expand and build 345-kilovolt lines. Here is the rationale for the law. As a followup, the Council study shows that burying long lines is feasible. they believe property values will decrease if more overhead lines are added.
10. SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/159773_ratzone07.html Saturday, February 7, 2004 By TOM PAULSON, SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER
High-voltage lines, Negative Ions and Rats. Tests show how personal toxic cloud of ozone is created.
What they have shown is that the adverse health effects may result from this indirect and unexpected "self-produced" cloud of ozone created when a body is exposed to the field. Goheen and his co-workers said they think the ozone is produced from a reaction between oxygen and the electrons.
******************************************************************************
For those on the fence about the dangers of EMF's I came across this on the internet on Oct. 12th:
"In a draft report issued in March 1990, the EPA recommended that EMFs be classified as a Class B carcinogen -- -a "probable human carcinogen and joined the ranks of formaldehyde, DDT, dioxins and PCBs". After the EPA draft report was released, utility, military and computer lobbyists came down hard on the EPA. The EPA's final revision did NOT classify EMFs as a Class B carcinogen Rather, the following explanation was added:"
At this time such a characterization regarding the link between cancer and exposure to EMFs is not appropriate because the basic nature of the interaction between EMFs and biological processes leading to cancer is not understood."
Curiously, this rather unusual logic appears on the same page as the following: "In conclusion, several studies showing leukemia, Iymphoma and cancer of the nervous system in children exposed to supported by similar findings in adults in several/ occupational studies also involving electrical power frequency exposures, show a consistent pattern of response that suggest a causal link. "
When questioned about the contradictory nature of these statements, the EPA responded that it was "not appropriate" to use the probable carcinogen label until it could demonstrate how EMFs caused cancer and exactly how much EMF is harmful.
This explanation does not satisfy many critics who claim that the EPAs upper management was influenced by political and economic considerations exerted by utility, computer and military lobbyists.