§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if, further to the statement made on his behalf,Official Report, 29 April, column 150, he will state the results of past work relating to connections between power lines and health and the nature, purpose, cost and timetable of further work now proceeding in that regard.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryResearch into whether electromagnetic fields at power frequencies create a hazard to health has been going on worldwide for more than 10 years. Although there have been some claims which link exposure to these fields to the incidence of cancer and other health effects, to date the findings of such research have been inconclusive.
The national or international bodies such as the World Health Organisation, the International Radiation Protection Association, the United States Office of Technology Assessment and the United Kingdom's National Radiological Protection Board have not concluded that these fields are a danger to human health, but recommend a continuation of research.
88WIn the United Kingdom much of the research is funded by the National Grid Company which is spending about £1 million per year for this purpose. Most of the research work is being done by independent laboratories in various universities and a teaching hospital. Current research work is expected to last for several years.