From "Electromagnetic Hazard & Therapy", Volume 15, No. 1, 2004

Website: http://www.em-hazard-therapy.com


Childhood leukemia risk doubles near powerlines in biggest-ever UK study

THE largest-ever, publicly funded UK study (1) into powerlines and 
child cancer has apparently found that children under the age of 15 
living within 100 metres of high-voltage powerlines have nearly twice 
the risk of developing leukaemia. Since children aged 0-5 are the 
most vulnerable their risk is likely to be even higher.
This result from the Oxford Childhood Cancer Research Group study, 
headed by Dr Gerald Draper, involves 33 years of data (1962-95) on 
35,000 children diagnosed with cancer which was analysed and compared 
with distance to the nearest high-voltage electricity transmission 
line (275/400kV). It has been leaked by the The Trentham 
Environmental Action Campaign (TEAC), an independent research and 
activist group concerned about adverse health effects from 
power-lines (see: www.revolt.co.uk/trentham).
Spokeswoman Maureen Asbury said: 'It is scandalous that three years 
after telling the Department of Health about them, these findings 
have still not been published. Someone seems determined to withhold 
Dr Draper's report for as long as possible.'
A 132kV powerline crosses many of Trentham's houses and a 2002 survey 
revealed 11 miscarriages and increased depression and insomnia in 113 
homes within 25 metres of it.
'It is likely to be a definitive finding on whether UK powerlines can 
cause childhood leukaemia,' says Alasdair Philips, of CHILDREN with 
LEUKAEMIA, a charity that is funding an International Conference on 
Childhood Leukaemia in London, Sept 6-10th (0207 3901561).
Philips continued: 'Preliminary results of this study, funded to run 
from 1997-2001, were shown confidentially to the Department of Health 
three years ago but are not yet in the public domain. Despite knowing 
the first results for some time, we have been patiently waiting for 
publication before going public. However, I put them on notice in 
January that if they were not published by this September's 
conference, to which they were invited to discuss them, we would make 
them public as the results are important and will be discussed at the 
conference.'
TEAC first wrote to Dr Draper in February, 2003, about his research 
but he did not reply until July, 2004. In it he acknowledged the 
importance of the results and said they had been submitted to a 
journal for rapid publication. A further letter to him in early 
August requesting details of the likely time of publication has so 
far gone unanswered.
TEAC also wrote to George Hooker at the DoH's Toxicology and 
Radiation Branch at the start of the year requesting similar 
information, including reasons for the delay but were dissatisfied 
with his reply. In early August he wrote repeating Dr Draper's 
comments.
The NRPB acknowledged as long ago as 2001, in a report headed by 
Professor Sir Richard Doll (2), that the incidence of childhood 
leukaemia is doubled at a magnetic field of 0.4 microtesla (uT), 
which is easily exceeded under most powerlines. Only this March did 
the NRPB finally reduce their magnetic field guidelines from 1,600 uT 
(!) to 100 uT. Their release said: 'In the light of these findings 
and the requirement for additional research, the need for further 
precautionary measures should be considered by government.' (3)
However, 100 uT is still 250 times higher than the 0.4uT level at 
which the risk of developing childhood leukaemia is doubled.
Powerline EMFs have also been linked to increased adult cancers, 
depression and suicide which, with miscarriages and insomnia, were 
also revealed as part of TEAC's survey. A number of these health 
problems were also confirmed in the important 2002 California Health 
Department report (4).
The Minister for Housing and Planning, Keith Hill, in a July letter 
concerning a proposed, 570-flat development in Wimbledon, said: 'We 
are aware that there is continuing debate about the effect of living 
under powerlines and whether this can have adverse long-term health 
effects. We are of the opinion that powerlines are unlikely to have 
significant effects on the environment.'
Maureen Asbury commented: 'His comment reveals no awareness of the 
DoH's research and shows a complete lack of joined-up Government.'
She continued: 'It is time the government and planners took the 
health issue seriously and started a policy of re-directing 
powerlines in the worst situations. New housing near them should be 
restricted and existing lines through residential areas phased out.'
Only 50 years ago developing childhood leukaemia was almost certainly 
fatal. Due to improved treatment, about 80% of children now treated 
for the most common form of childhood leukaemia (ALL, acute 
lymphoblastic leukaemia) live for more than 5 years. But childhood 
leukaemia remains the largest child killer disease and survivors 
often suffer ongoing adverse health complications. The number of 
children developing leukaemia has been steadily rising over the last 
50 years. In 2001, Dr Sam Milham reported a link between growth in 
both electricity supply and leukaemia incidence in the US. (5)

1. Draper G, Vincent T, Kroll M, Swanson J. Childhood cancer and 
electromagnetic field exposures from powerlines. DoH-funded 
1997-2001, RRX 46 (still unpublished)
2. ELF Electromagnetic Fields and the Risk of Cancer. Docs of the 
NRPB, 2001;12(1).
3. See: www.nrpb.org for details of statements and downloadable publications.
4. Neutra RR, Del Pizzo V, Lee GM. An Evaluation of the possible 
risks from electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) from power lines, 
internal wiring, electrical occupations and appliances, 2002, 
California Department of Health & Human Services, The Program, 
Oakland, California. See commentary on: www.electric-fields.bris.ac.uk
5. Milham S, Ossiander EM. Historical evidence that residential 
electrification caused the emergence of the childhood leukaemia peak, 
Medical Hypotheses, 2001;56(3):290-5.