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News Release from: Institution of Engineering and Technology
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 06 June 2005
Study questions childhood cancer claims
The IEE has welcomed a study published last week in the British Medical Journal, which looks at childhood cancer and high-voltage power lines.
The IEE has welcomed a study published last week in the British Medical Journal, which looks at childhood cancer and high-voltage power lines The study finds slightly elevated rates of childhood leukaemia (between 15 and 79% increase) in children born close to the lines
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 17 Oct 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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Power lines produce magnetic fields, and some previous studies have suggested that high levels of magnetic fields in homes may be associated with an increased risk of childhood leukaemia.
However, this study finds elevated rates of childhood leukaemia at distances out to 600m from the lines.
At these distances, the magnetic fields in homes due to power lines are negligible compared with existing background levels.
The IEE is of the view that the new data make it highly unlikely that the elevated rates are due to magnetic fields from the lines.
It is more likely to be caused by some characteristic of the areas through which the power lines pass, or of the people who live near them (something the authors of the paper themselves suggest).
This would be consistent with the growing evidence from other studies that childhood leukaemia is linked to factors such as lifestyle, affluence or exposure to infections.
The IEE strongly supports high-quality research into possible health or environmental consequences of the use of electricity.
It welcomes this study for the new insights it brings.
The IEE considers that the study points away from magnetic fields from power lines as a cause of childhood leukaemia, and hence attention should focus on investigating other possible causes of this disease. Request free introductory details about products from Institution of Engineering and Technology ...
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