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Health Risks

National Grid say there are none but a look at the evidence presented in well-respected Peer-reviewed journals indicates that there is considerable evidence to support a link between high-voltage electricity transmission and leukaemia (cancer of the blood).

The University of Bristol's Human Radiation Effects Group in its Department of Physics has researched this issue extensively and their website is an excellent resource for finding out more about the very strong evidence for a link between Electro-Magnetic Fields (such as those created by power-lines) and illnesses including Leukaemia. The group's website can be found at:

http://www.electric-fields.bris.ac.uk/

For more information on the health risks, see the information compiled by the campaign against a 19-acre electricity substation at the village of Abermule (http://www.abermulewales.co.uk/health.html) and at this BBC report (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4602315.stm)  and decide for yourself. 

Also read the speech in the House of Commons by Tessa Munt MP in which she refers to this issue as it concerns a parallel scheme to introduce pylons in Somerset.
 

Childhood Leukemia.  We have attached below two very interesting documents for you to download from the charity Childhood Leukaemia.  One is a briefing statement which outlines the risks.  The other is their submission to Parliament for the Localism Bill.
 

National Grid's Position
Here are some extracts from National Grid's corporate positioning statement from the governance section of their website.  Don't let anyone at the National Grid exhibitions tell you that there is NO risk. Challenge them.
 

National Grid recognises that there is some scientific evidence suggesting certain adverse health effects are linked to EMFs. There is also evidence linking an increased risk of certain diseases to proximity to powerlines, though the cause of this is not clear.

 

Research is on-going to improve our understanding of the effects of EMFs. The balance of evidence remains against both power-frequency and radio-frequency EMFs causing ill health. The World Health Organization has classified power-frequency EMFs as “possibly” carcinogenic.

 

We support the view of regulators and governments that the EMF issue warrants consideration for a precautionary approach and we look to them to decide on any measures that may be necessary, as they can evaluate the science and weigh up costs and benefits on behalf of society as a whole."

 

 

 

Attachments (2)

  • CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA Localism Bill submission FINAL.pdf - on 14 Apr 2011 01:06 by Steve Elliott (version 1) 
    71k View Download
  • Facts & Figs briefing sheet April 2011.pdf - on 14 Apr 2011 01:06 by Steve Elliott (version 1) 
    77k View Download
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