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| Children living close to extremely low-frequency powerlines are more likely to develop leukemia, according to the independent EU scientific committee on health risks. |
by Ann Cahill, European Correspondent, irishexaminer.com,
12 March 2015
While they say they do not know why, and the link has not been comprehensively proven, the Irish-based Grid Link Action Group has warned Environment Minister Alan Kelly to take note.
A report produced by the committee states that research prior to 2000 showed a two-fold increase in the risk of developing childhood leukaemia when living, long term, close to certain pylons.
“The results of current scientific research show that there are no evident adverse health effects if exposure remains below the levels recommended by the EU legislation,” the report states.
It called for studies using recently developed mouse models of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and recommended they be carried out “as a high priority”.
The group said they should be carried out during gestation — when mice are pregnant — as it is during this period when the basis for the young developing leukaemia later on could happen.
The committee reviewed all scientific literature into the effects of electromagnetic fields on health. It found there was no link to an increased rate of Alzheimer’s or certain cancers.
However, Grid Link Action Group spokesman Kieran Connors said the findings did not mean pylons and electromagnetic fields were harmless.
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While they say they do not know why, and the link has not been comprehensively proven, the Irish-based Grid Link Action Group has warned Environment Minister Alan Kelly to take note.
A report produced by the committee states that research prior to 2000 showed a two-fold increase in the risk of developing childhood leukaemia when living, long term, close to certain pylons.
“The results of current scientific research show that there are no evident adverse health effects if exposure remains below the levels recommended by the EU legislation,” the report states.
It called for studies using recently developed mouse models of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and recommended they be carried out “as a high priority”.
The group said they should be carried out during gestation — when mice are pregnant — as it is during this period when the basis for the young developing leukaemia later on could happen.
The committee reviewed all scientific literature into the effects of electromagnetic fields on health. It found there was no link to an increased rate of Alzheimer’s or certain cancers.
However, Grid Link Action Group spokesman Kieran Connors said the findings did not mean pylons and electromagnetic fields were harmless.