Independent MEP Marian Harkin has criticised what she has described as a deliberate spin, the news report which minimised the health issues associated with pylons and childhood leukaemia.
The European Committee set up to examine new and emerging health risks has issued a preliminary opinion on potential health effects of exposure to EMF which confirms earlier findings from 2007 and 2009, the new l studies are consistent with earlier findings of an increased risk of childhood leukaemia with long-term average exposure to magnetic fields above 0.3 to 0.4 micro tesla.
The European Committee set up to examine new and emerging health risks has issued a preliminary opinion on potential health effects of exposure to EMF which confirms earlier findings from 2007 and 2009, the new l studies are consistent with earlier findings of an increased risk of childhood leukaemia with long-term average exposure to magnetic fields above 0.3 to 0.4 micro tesla.
This report is now open for public consultation, however, the final report will not be available until mid-year. This finding should alert policy makers to the potential dangers from overhead power lines and inform any decision about the location of these power lines including the possibility of undergrounding.
It is worth noting that many European countries take precautions beyond the minimum recommendations issues by the EU - e.g. in Denmark for any developments, measures are taken to ensure that no homes or children’s institutions are built where the exposure is above 40% of the minimum recommended - the same is true in the Netherlands. In Poland a level less than 75% of the minimum recommended level applies to homes, hospitals and kindergartens. In Slovenia a limit of 10% applies near homes, playgrounds, parks, hospitals or recreational areas. In Sweden similar restrictions apply.
In any discussions regarding overhead power lines the 3 SCENIHR reports 2007, 2009 and 2014 must be taken into consideration and Ireland should follow the example of many of our European neighbours and introduce stricter limits.
Professor Denis Henshaw of Bristol University who is an international expert in this field will deal with this issue and new studies from Finland and the UK at a public meeting in Trim on Monday next.
Note to Editors: The following are the speakers at the public meeting to be held in the Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim at 7.30pm on Monday next, February 10th.
o Professor Denis Henshaw, Bristol University, Expert on EMF Fields – Health Issues
o Dr. Volker Wendt, Director, Public Affairs, Europacable – representative body for the European Cable Industry – Over or Under?
o Padraig O’Reilly, NEPPC – The Case for the People
