§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of recent evidence linking radiation from power lines and cancer. [101690]
§ Yvette CooperThe results of the first part of the United Kingdom Childhood Cancer Study were published inThe Lancet in December. This is the largest UK study on childhood cancer to date. It started in 1992 and has examined a number of factors which might be implicated in childhood cancer. The present study provides no evidence that exposure to magnetic fields associated with the electricity supply in the UK increases risks for childhood leukaemia, cancers of the central nervous system, or any other childhood cancer. Also published in December were two studies in the International Journal of Radiation Biology. In these studies, scientists from Bristol University report observations of increased deposition of natural radionuclides near power lines. From these measurements it is inferred that other pollutants in the environment, such as car exhaust fumes, will behave similarly and this may be a cause of childhood leukaemia. The National Radiological Protection Board Advisory Group on Non Ionising Radiation have been reviewing the research in this area and will be reporting soon.
§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations the Government have received on Professor Henshaw's report on High Voltage Power Lines and Public Health; and if he will make a statement. [101622]
§ Yvette CooperProfessor Henshaw's two reports on "High Voltage Power Lines and Public Health" were published in The International Journal of Radiation Biology on 2 December 1999. The Department has received a number of telephone inquiries from members of the public about the report since its publication.
We are aware of concerns about possible health effects from electromagnetic fields and are supporting some of Professor Henshaw's research among a number of projects within the Department's Radiation Protection Research Programme.
The Department will consider the results of this study in the context of other work in this area and has asked for views from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), and its Advisory Group.
§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of(a) Professor Henshaw's report and (b) that of the Electricity Association about the health aspects of overhead line transmissions; and if he will make a statement. [102134]
§ Yvette CooperTwo reports from Professor Henshaw were published in December in the International Journal of Radiation Biology. These studies reported observations of increased deposition of natural radionuclides near582W power lines. From these measurements it is inferred that other pollutants in the environment, such as car exhaust fumes, will behave similarly and this may be a cause of childhood leukaemia. Also published in December were the results of the first part of the United Kingdom Childhood Cancer Study in The Lancet. The costs of this study were met by leukaemia charities, Government and the electricity supply industry. It is the largest UK study on childhood cancer to date. The study provides no evidence that exposure to magnetic fields associated with the electricity supply in the UK increases risks for childhood leukaemia, cancers of the central nervous system, or any other childhood cancer. The National Radiological Protection Board Advisory Group on Non Ionising Radiation have been reviewing the research in this area and will be reporting soon.