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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Experts clash on powerline safety | Experts clash on powerline safety |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Experts have clashed over whether or not it is safe to build houses and schools near powerlines. | Experts have clashed over whether or not it is safe to build houses and schools near powerlines. |
| The government had asked them to look at cutting exposure to emissions from the lines - but they could not agree if there should be a ban on new builds. | The government had asked them to look at cutting exposure to emissions from the lines - but they could not agree if there should be a ban on new builds. |
| The panel of 40 included scientists, representatives from the electricity industry and health campaigners. | The panel of 40 included scientists, representatives from the electricity industry and health campaigners. |
| Opinion is divided over whether electromagnetic fields from powerlines pose a health risk. | |
| Health hazard? | Health hazard? |
| Around 1% of homes in the UK are estimated to be within 200m of high voltage National Grid power lines. Around 25,000 are within 60m. | Around 1% of homes in the UK are estimated to be within 200m of high voltage National Grid power lines. Around 25,000 are within 60m. |
| In 2005, the Department of Health funded Draper Report found that children who lived within 200 metres of high voltage lines had a 70% higher risk of developing leukaemia than those who lived more than 600 metres away. | In 2005, the Department of Health funded Draper Report found that children who lived within 200 metres of high voltage lines had a 70% higher risk of developing leukaemia than those who lived more than 600 metres away. |
| Experts claim this could account for five extra cases, or 1% of the 400 cases of childhood leukaemia that occur in a year. | Experts claim this could account for five extra cases, or 1% of the 400 cases of childhood leukaemia that occur in a year. |
| Some scientists have suggested that other illnesses, including brain tumours and motor neurone disease could also be linked to EMF exposure. | Some scientists have suggested that other illnesses, including brain tumours and motor neurone disease could also be linked to EMF exposure. |
| But others say powerlines pose no health threat. | But others say powerlines pose no health threat. |
| Exposure | Exposure |
| The panel's report discusses a number of options the government might consider to reduce public exposure to electromagnetic fields. | |
| It says a 60-metre "avoidance corridor" around powerlines, within which new buildings should not be erected, would have the most dramatic effect. | It says a 60-metre "avoidance corridor" around powerlines, within which new buildings should not be erected, would have the most dramatic effect. |
| Other options include burying powerlines underground, but there were concerns about how feasible this would be. | Other options include burying powerlines underground, but there were concerns about how feasible this would be. |
| The report says individuals can also employ measures to reduce exposures in the home - for example, by keeping beds away from meter cupboards, fuse boxes and transformers. | The report says individuals can also employ measures to reduce exposures in the home - for example, by keeping beds away from meter cupboards, fuse boxes and transformers. |
| Edward Copisarow of Children with Leukaemia called for an outright ban on building near powerlines. | Edward Copisarow of Children with Leukaemia called for an outright ban on building near powerlines. |
| Building ban | Building ban |
| He said: "Power lines near homes and schools are a problem - we have to stop the problem getting any worse. | He said: "Power lines near homes and schools are a problem - we have to stop the problem getting any worse. |
| "We urge government to issue a planning circular that will prevent power lines and houses and schools being built in close proximity." | "We urge government to issue a planning circular that will prevent power lines and houses and schools being built in close proximity." |
| But the Energy Networks Association, which represents UK gas and electricity transmission and distribution companies, said: "It is not the right response to bury all power lines or ban building developments near them." | But the Energy Networks Association, which represents UK gas and electricity transmission and distribution companies, said: "It is not the right response to bury all power lines or ban building developments near them." |
| A spokesman said the balance of scientific evidence suggested that electromagnetic fields were not a health risk, but added "as a responsible industry we have always taken account of current medical and scientific thinking." |