Danger Living Near Power Lines

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I don't think anyone knows for sure what the answer is. This is little credible evidence that it is harmful, but much speculation that it might be.

I agree with the other posters on this - if you are worried about it, you should pass on this house. Life is too short to spend it worrying, even if there is no good cause to worry.
 
Most of the concern about power lines and cancer stems from studies of people living near power lines (Q12) and people working in "electrical" occupations (Q15). Some of these studies appear to show a weak association between exposure to power-frequency magnetic fields and the incidence of cancer.

However, epidemiological studies done in recent years show little evidence that power lines are associated with an increase in cancer (Q19A and Q19B, Q19H thru Q19K), laboratory studies have shown little evidence of a link between power-frequency fields and cancer (Q16), and a connection between power line fields and cancer remains biophysically implausible (Q18).

A 1996 review by a prominent group of scientists at the U.S. National Academy of Science concluded that:

"No conclusive and consistent evidence shows that exposures to residential electric and magnetic fields produce cancer, adverse neurobehavioral effects, or reproductive and developmental effects."(Q27E).
A 1999 review by the U.S. National Institutes of Health concluded that:

"The scientific evidence suggesting that [power-frequency electromagnetic field] exposures pose any health risk is weak."(Q27G).
A 2001 review by the U.K. National Radiation Protection Board (NRPB) concluded that:

"Laboratory experiments have provided no good evidence that extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields are capable of producing cancer, nor do human epidemiological studies suggest that they cause cancer in general." (Q27H)
A review of the epidemiological literature by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection [B22] concludes that:

"In the absence of evidence from cellular or animal studies, and given the methodological uncertainties and in may cases inconsistencies of the existing epidemiologic literature, there is no chronic disease for which an etiological [causal] relation to [power-frequency fields] can be regarded as established".
The largest studies of childhood leukemia and power lines ever done reported in 1997-2000 that they could find no significant evidence for an association of power lines with childhood leukemia (Q19H through 19K). In contrast, a pair of studies published in 2000 [C54, C57] reported that if all the studies in which magnetic fields could be measured or estimated were pooled, a statistically significant association could be found for childhood leukemia in the children with the highest average fields.

On the other hand, a series of studies have shown what life-time exposure of animals to power-frequency magnetic fields does not cause cancer (Q16B).

Overall, most scientists consider the evidence that power line fields cause or contribute to cancer to be weak.
 
What effect do power lines have on property values?
There is very little hard data on this issue. There have been "comparable property" studies, but any studies done prior to about 1991 (when London et al [C12] was published) might be irrelevant. One comparable value study has been published since 1991 [L5], and another has been presented at a meeting [L8]. Neither study shows evidence for an impact of power lines on property values. However, both studies indicate that many owners think that there will be an impact, particularly if concerns about health effects become widespread.

It appears that the presence of obvious transmission lines or substations can adversely affect property values if there has been recent local publicity about health or property value concerns. It appears less likely that the presence of "high current configuration" distribution lines of the type correlated with childhood cancer in the US studies (see Q14) would affect property values, since few people would recognize their existence. If buyers start requesting magnetic field measurements, no telling what will happen, since while measurements are relatively easy to do (Q29), they are essentially impossible to interpret (see Q14).
 
i wouldn't want the house under the power lines....especially since you have children. would anyone want a swimming pool in the back yard? not me.
 
Very interesting--- 2 different sources with 2 different viewspoints or interpretations


zog said:
However, epidemiological studies done in recent years show little evidence that power lines are associated with an increase in cancer (Q19A and Q19B, Q19H thru Q19K), laboratory studies have shown little evidence of a link between power-frequency fields and cancer (Q16), and a connection between power line fields and cancer remains biophysically implausible (Q18).
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EC&M said:
When the results of many epidemiologic studies (studies that explore the patterns of disease and health in human populations) were evaluated and blended into a single analysis, a moderate association between magnetic fields above 3 to 4 milligauss (mG) and the occurrence of childhood leukemia ? up to a doubling of risk ? was evident. Because positive associations originated from studies of different designs from different countries, each with its own unique electrical transport system, random chance as a basis for this association was believed to be extremely unlikely.
Click to expand...

I should also add the following paragraph to be fair, also from EC&M

EC&M said:
From a scientific perspective, however, the presence of an epidemiologic association does not, by itself, constitute or substantiate a cause-and-effect relationship, which generally requires supporting results from the laboratory and a plausible mechanism of interaction. Indeed, laboratory studies using animals and cells have not supported a link between magnetic field exposures and childhood leukemia, and scientists have not identified a biophysical mechanism by which the low-level fields measured in homes could plausibly interact with biological tissue. Though random chance has been virtually ruled out, the possibility remains that the study results are somehow skewed or that another, unidentified exposure is involved.
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This document talks about induced AV votlages of up to 300 volts on a underground gasline run in the same right away corridor as a 345 kV transmission line. I know that a house would not be that close, but I thing it would be possible to have enough induced votlage to cause some problems. Note the documet was filled with the Illinois commerce commission as part of a 138 kV transmission line hearing by a group objecting to the proposed routing of the new 138 kV line. There are a number of intersting documents that have been filed and they can be viewed here.
Don
 
Sorry I didn't check the posts earlier. I have been doing a lot of traveling this summer.

To answer the original question (if the questioner is still around), 300 feet is well beyond the range of any significant (1 mG or above) magnetic field from any power lines I have ever measured. No health concerns. However, if the lines are impressive, it may reduce the value of the lot for future re-sale, as has been discussed.

There were some posts here with some real information. One thing to consider is that groups of "reputable scientists" are not a good source of judgement, since they each have their area of specialization, and when they give opinions on another area they are just as (or more) opinionated and prejudiced as any layman. Science is a field occupied by a number of truth seekers and a lot of huge egos guarding their domains. The grant money available is very limited!

It is better to listen to the scientists who actually conducted the studies, and their peers in that area.

Karl
 
on the right track

on the right track

It has been a pleasure to read Ghost busters link on Magnetic fields. For once someone has demonstrated that electricity is made up of two separate forces acting together Magnetism and current and evaluated the effects as a whole
I have never seen the term , (contact current) used to describe the movement of electrons, or mass with in a magnetic field ,the hypothesis so perfectly agrees with actual theory. that it demonstrates the potential effect of energized particles on the human body. broadly being defined as separate from a magnetic field ,proving its innocence.

That a boy Ghost buster !
 
Dennis, you are aware that our electric power is created by alternating magnetic fields, are you not? That a fluctuating magnetic field causes an electric current to flow?

Karl
 
I just received an email reference to an EMF report that reviews the main health effects by a group of scientists who have done research in the field. It is not biased by the usual governmental or industry pressures, so if anyone really wants some good info on the subject go to www.bioinitiative.org and read or download the Report.

Karl
 
karl riley said:
It is not biased by the usual governmental or industry pressures...
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It would be unfair to call the report 'not biased'; it merely reflects the views of the participants. Nothing wrong with that, but don't expect balance; the report represents a position.

An unbiased report would represent all sides of a debate and attempt to draw a reasoned set of conclusions. I've yet to see a research review that reflects all sides of the debate to actually have an agreed consensus, as the 'sides' are too far apart; they both hold entrenched opinions, each backed by solid scientific data, and any of them will get all rabid if their position is questioned.

Now as it happens, I'm a bit of a believer in the precautionary principle, and believe that theres no harm in not minimizing exposures to EMF, just in-case it turns out there is significant danger.
 
karl riley said:
I just received an email reference to an EMF report that reviews the main health effects by a group of scientists who have done research in the field. It is not biased by the usual governmental or industry pressures, so if anyone really wants some good info on the subject go to www.bioinitiative.org and read or download the Report.

Karl
Click to expand...

Great report Karl

Thanks for the link.:smile:
 
.. chiming in

.. chiming in

I have to chime in on this one...
Great points presented, particularly the resale topic.
But what hasn't been mentioned in the discussion is the distance.
IMO 300 feet is a long way. Directly under the power lines might be one thing, but I'd venture to guess that at 300 feet.. there wouldn't be a chance of any electromagnetic radiation effects.

JM
 
JM, distance is a gross way of setting limits. As I said in a post, from my many measurements 300' is usually enough to put you under 1 mG. You can't tell from looking at a power line what the load is, and how much of that is net current. So the only way to know is to measure with a gaussmeter.

Karl
 
I have read some research on this topic as well and would agree that the facts presented do offer some reasonable doubt. The fact that you have questions shows doubt and with that doubt you will have this lingering issue and would you really never be happy. I would not subject myself to that type of mental anguish voluntarily, even if it is a great deal. So enjoy the reads and learning. I personally would not live under the power lines, near a sub station, or a generation station. Because I do believe the effects are real; and young children, the elderly and people with poor immune systems would be the people who fit the example given in the research. I am growing older and the site of all three do nothing for me, nor do half a million dollar row house on a 200 acre lake. I like my privacy so I live in the country on a farm away from all of those things.. Now you have my opinion for what its worth. :grin:
 
CS: I like your philosophy. I too have chosen a rural lot with lots of trees and stray cats.

But as for mental anguish, I carry a gaussmeter. No big field, no anguish. For instance, substations are not big field producers outside their fences because of the fast weakening rate of coils (Tfrmrs). The lines coming out may have high fields. Anyhow, a quick check with a gaussmeter lets you know.

Karl
 
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