In this chapter, we will bring several key studies about the possible health effect of ELF Radiation exposure.
Extreme low-frequency electromagnetic fields have been calcified by the WHO/IARC as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” in 2002. The classification came after several studies and pool analysis showing that people, and especially children, that lived or studied next or under to high voltage power line had a much higher risk of getting different types of cancer.
Some studies did not show a link because of a wrong working assumption that the exposure from the power line extends up to 200 meters from the power lines, while in reality, in most cases, the magnetic field from 400KV power lines reaches less than 50 meters from each side of the power line. A pooled analysis of the data was done using the 50 meters as the exposure limit and showed the risk and the link to cancer.
The level that is considered to be the risk threshold is 2-3 mG. The ICNIRP, very high – so call safety standard, defined 1000 mG as safe for short term exposure (in 2004 raised to 200mG). ICNIRP standard is still being considered by many governance and electrical companies as the only standard that should be used, regardless of the fact the ICNIRP’s standard takes into consideration only one short term health effect which is muscle tension.
Leading studies about the likes between ELF from power lines to cancer
- WHO/IARC – “IARC CLASSIFIES EXTREAM LOW-FREQUENCY MAGNETIC FIELDS AS POSSIBLY CARCINOGENIC TO HUMAN” (2002)- http://www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/pr/2001/pr136.html
- Electrical wiring configurations and childhood cancer – Wertheimer & Leeper in 1979
- Feychting & Ahlbom 1993 – Magnetic fields and cancer in children residing near Swedish high-voltage power lines
- Olsen 1993 – Residence near high voltage facilities and risk of cancer in children
- 2000, 2001 Ahlbom and Schuz & Ahlbom 2008
- Childhood cancer in relation to distance from high voltage power lines in England and Wales – 2005 Draper G, Vincent T, Kroll ME, Swanson J.
- Kabut 2006- Childhood leukemia and magnetic fields in Japan: a case-control study of childhood leukemia and residential power-frequency magnetic fields in Japan.
- Lowenthal 2007 – Residential exposure to electric power transmission lines and risk of lymphoproliferative and myeloproliferative disorders: a case-control study
- Maternal exposure to magnetic fields during pregnancy in relation to the risk of asthma in offspring – 2011
More studies and details about ELF magnetic health risk are available on www.powerwatch.org.uk
Power lines health risk – http://www.powerwatch.org.uk/science/studies.asp#elfemf
Mechanism – http://www.powerwatch.org.uk/science/studies.asp#elfmech