Power Lines (Hansard, 6 November 2001)

§ Miss McIntosh
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made since April of international research on the health effect of living close to overhead transmission lines; and what review he plans of the health effects of pylons on human beings. [9650]

§ Ms Blears
The Department obtains advice on the possible health implications of exposure to electromagnetic fields, including the extremely low frequency fields (ELF) associated with power lines, from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB).
In June, on behalf of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a working group of scientific experts from 10 countries published its review on the health effects of static and extremely low frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields. The IAR.0 working group concluded that ELF magnetic fields are possibly carcinogenic to humans based on a statistical association between higher level magnetic field exposure and the risk of childhood leukaemia.
This conclusion of the IARC working group is consistent with that of the NRPB Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation (AGNIR), which issued a report in March 2001. AGNIR stressed, however, that there was insufficient evidence to justify a firm conclusion that magnetic fields cause leukaemia in children. In responding to the advisory group report the board of NRPB considered there was a need to understand better the factors that might result in higher residential exposures to magnetic fields, noting also the recent evidence from the United Kingdom childhood cancer study that suggested the higher levels of magnetic fields are not attributable solely to proximity to power lines. The Government and NRPB are currently planning a study 208W into the factors that result in certain households having higher levels of exposure to power frequency magnetic fields.
The AGNIR is also further considering the possible effects on health of corona ions generated by power lines. A first meeting to consider this issue has taken place and researchers on this topic have been invited to make presentations at future meetings. Information about the work of the advisory group is to be posted on the NRPB website www.nrpb.org.uk. A final report will be published by NRPB.
In July, the California Health Department released a draft report for public comment and this will also be considered by AGNIR.

§ Miss McIntosh
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission a Government inquiry into the health effects of power frequency electric and magnetic fields.[11366]

§ Jacqui Smith
The Department obtains advice on the possible health implications of exposure to electromagnetic fields, including the extremely low frequency (ELF) fields associated with power lines, from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB). The Board of NRPB has set up an independent Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation (AGNIR) chaired by the eminent epidemiologist Sir Richard Doll. Members are some of the United Kingdom's leading experimental scientists and epidemiologists. The AGNIR has prepared a number of reports on the possible health effects of exposure to power frequency electric and magnetic fields. Its most recent report was published in March 2001 and provided a comprehensive summary of sources of exposure to ELF electromagnetic fields and methods of measurement as well as reviews of experimental and epidemiological (human health) studies.
AGNIR continues to monitor research on this topic.
In June, the International Agency for Research in Cancer (IARC) based in Lyon, France, brought together an international team of experts to review the evidence for the possible carcinogenic effects of exposure to static and ELF electric and magnetic fields. It concluded that magnetic fields are "possibly carcinogenic" to humans based on a statistical association between higher level magnetic field exposure and the risk of childhood leukaemia. This conclusion is consistent with the views expressed by AGNIR.
These two reviews by teams of eminent scientists are consistent in their findings and provide the most up to date published reviews of this subject.

§ Miss McIntosh
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the health risks of a(a) cancer and (b) non-cancer nature and other health consequences of electro-magnetic fields situated near to overhead power lines.[11416]

§ Jacqui Smith
The Department obtains advice on the possible health implications of exposure to electromagnetic fields, including those associated with power lines, from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB). The Board of NRPB has set up an independent Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation (AGNIR) "to review work on the biological effects of non-ionising radiation relevant to human health and to advise on research priorities".
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Most of the research carried out on possible health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields and radiation has concentrated on cancer risk. In March this year, the AGNIR published a report on the potential risks of cancer from exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields that includes those from power lines. The report provides a comprehensive review of experimental and epidemiological studies relevant to an assessment of the possible risk of cancer as well as information on sources of exposure and their measurement.
An assessment has been carried out by AGNIR of the potential neurodegenerative effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields. A report has been prepared and publication is imminent.
The AGNIR is also further considering the possible effects on health of corona ions generated by power lines. A first meeting to consider this issue has taken place and researchers on this topic have been invited to make presentations at future meetings. A final report will be published by NRPB.

§ Miss McIntosh
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make an assessment of the possible links between childhood leukaemia and magnetic field exposures above 0.4 mircotesla.[11187]

§ Jacqui Smith
The Department obtains advice on the possible health implications of exposure to electromagnetic fields, including those associated with power lines, from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB).
In March this year NRPB' s Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation (AGNIR) published a review of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and the risk of cancer, which included an assessment of the possible link between childhood leukaemia and average magnetic field exposures of 0.4 microtesla or more.
AGNIR concluded that recent large and well-conducted epidemiological studies, both in this country and overseas, have provided better evidence than was available in the past on the relationship between power frequency magnetic field exposure and the risk of cancer. Taken in conjunction, they suggest that relatively heavy average exposures of magnetic fields at 0.4 microtesla or more are associated with a doubling of the risk of leukaemia in children under 15 years of age. However, the evidence is not conclusive because of the small number of children exposed, and other features related to the design of the studies.
NRPB have noted that, if the association between magnetic fields and the risk of cancer was causal, of the 500 cases of childhood leukaemia occurring in the United Kingdom each year an additional 2 cases might result from exposure to magnetic fields at exposures above 0.4 microtesla.
AGNIR have pointed out that, in the UK, very few children (perhaps 4 in 1000) are exposed to 0.4 microtesla or more. The UK study (United Kingdom Childhood Cancer Study), with much the largest number of direct measurements of exposure, found no evidence of risk at lower levels.