Concern at leukaemia link to high voltages

Specialists in public health and disease in Britain and here say they are concerned about a potential two-fold increase in childhood leukaemia from high voltage electricity lines.

In a letter, doctors from Dublin, Waterford, London, and Cork argue there is robust and extensive evidence of increased cancer risk.

Debate has been raging about whether high voltage lines, such as the 440kV powerlines planned by Eirgrid as part of its Gridlink project from Cork to Wexford to Kildare, pose a risk to human health.

It is believed that many of the 35,000 submissions made to Eirgrid’s public consultation process this year raised such concerns.

However, health issues remain outside the remit of the McGuinness expert panel, which is examining whether the Gridlink and Grid West projects could go underground. Minister for Energy Pat Rabbitte has said these health fears are without foundation as has Eirgrid.

However, in a letter published in the Irish Medical Times, the doctors cite a preliminary opinion from the EU expert Scenihr committee which, “confirms the robustness of an approximately twofold increased risk of childhood leukaemia at magnetic field levels above 0.3/0.4µT”.

The experts say cancer risk has been established by around 20 studies since 1979. The Department of Environment is examining recent “published peer-reviewed scientific literature” on the potential health risks from electromagnetic fields and will report back to the Government on its findings.