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Inquiry backs ban on building near power lines

Posted: 18/07/2007

A Cross-Party Inquiry set up to examine in detail the association between High Voltage Overhead Transmission Lines and an increased risk of childhood leukaemia has published its recommendations to Government.

Top of their recommendations is a moratorium on the building of new homes and schools within at least 60 metres of existing High Voltage Overhead Transmission Lines (HVOTL) of 275 kV and 400 kV and on the building of new HVOTL within 60 metres of existing homes and schools and the same within 30 metres from 132 kV, 110 kV and 66 kV lines. The Inquiry also recommends that the Government consider the case for extending this distance to 200 metres for the highest voltage lines and pro-rata to lower voltages.

Dr Howard Stoate MP, Chair of the Cross Party Inquiry into Childhood Leukaemia and Extremely Low Frequency Electric and Magnetic Field(ELF EMF) said: “This important Inquiry has led us to the conclusion that a moratorium on building close to high voltage power lines is absolutely necessary. We have taken evidence from a range of valid sources and we think that there is enough to warrant the immediate implementation of sound precautionary measures to protect the health of children. The most recent scientific research has indicated that there may be a link between childhood leukaemia and proximity to electricity pylons. It would be wrong to wait any longer before taking action. In representing my own constituents and the wider general public I think there is a duty to put children’s health at the top of the agenda where this issue is concerned.”

The MPs hope that the Report will add to the work done by the SAGE First Interim Assessment (The Report of the Government’s Stakeholder Advisory Group on EMF) by identifying from a cross-party political perspective what action should be taken on the important issue of EMF and childhood leukaemia.

Members of the Inquiry, all backbench parliamentarians, are Nick Hurd MP, Sandra Gidley MP, Dr Ian Gibson MP, Michael Connarty MP and Dr Howard Stoate MP (Chair). It was formed in 2006 following the publication of the Draper Report (BMJ, 2005), a Department of Health funded study which reported that children whose birth address was within 200 metres of a high voltage power line had a 70% increased risk of childhood leukaemia.

The Inquiry has held five meetings at the Houses of Parliament during the last year and taken written and oral evidence from a broad range of witnesses on the scientific, legal and policy issues as well as the public’s view on the matter. The Inquiry has heard evidence on EMF and health from scientists, the electricity industry (National Grid and the Energy Networks Association), Ofgem, the Health Protection Agency, estate agents, RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), house builders, national and local campaign groups and legal experts.

The MPs all have a particular interest in either health or environmental issues. Howard Stoate and Sandra Gidley are Health Select Committee members, Ian Gibson is past Chair of the Science and Technology Select Committee and now chairs the APPG on Cancer, Michael Connarty has been involved in the debate on EMF since the 1980s and Nick Hurd is a member of the Environmental Audit Committee.

Other recommendations of the Inquiry include: channel increased funds into research into the association between childhood leukaemia and EMF; immediately implement SAGE’s recommendation to provide more information to the public on the potential risks of EMF exposure; and consider the potential health risks of EMF exposure as part of the Government’s Energy Review.

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