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.