New pylons risk evidence could spark compensation battle

A British report on the health effects of living near high voltage power cables could reopen the way for millions of pounds worth of compensation claims, it was claimed today.

Solicitor Martyn Day, who unsuccessfully pursued cases on behalf of leukaemia victims in the mid-1990s, said a report by the British National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) was the 'piece of evidence we need'.

The report, published today, highlighted research done outside the UK showing that children exposed to high levels of electromagnetic fields for prolonged periods could be at a very small but increased risk of leukaemia.

The research said the risk of children suffering leukaemia before the age of 15 was one in 1,400 across the general population, but one in 700 among those living in households with high levels of electromagnetic fields.

The NRPB report concluded that the levels of exposure required were seldom encountered by the general public in the UK and current evidence was not strong enough to justify a 'firm conclusion' that such fields caused leukaemia.

But it said: "Unless further research indicates that the finding is due to chance or some currently unrecognised artefact the possibility remains that intense and prolonged exposures to magnetic fields can increase the risk of leukaemia in children".

Mr Day said: "What it is basically saying is that if you are exposed to 0.4 micro-Tesla, the sort of level you get if you live reasonably near a pylon or heavy sub-station there is a doubling of risk.

"This is the NRPB making this announcement - they are the gold standard on radiological issues in this country and they are seen, with the American equivalent, as one of the two main bodies in the world.

"It’s a very significant announcement and it’s very significant legally.

"We have to show our case on the balance of probability and a doubling of risk is absolutely what we were looking for.

"I will without question be dusting off my old files from two years ago and talking to families about where we stand.

"I want to look at the minutiae of the report but in terms of principle I am reasonably clear this is the piece of evidence we have been looking for to give us confidence that a court case can succeed."

A successful test case could have a huge impact on the electricity industry not only in terms of compensation but in terms of the siting of power lines near residential areas.

Today’s report was released by epidemiologist Sir Richard Doll, chairman of the NRPB which is the Government’s radiation watchdog.

It follows months of analysis of all the research on electromagnetic fields and cancer published in recent years.

The report suggested no good evidence that electromagnetic fields cause cancer in adults.

Electromagnetic fields are found in all households which use electricity, either as a result of appliances or electrical circuits around the house.

High level electromagnetic fields are found in only 0.5% of households in the UK, the British Department of Health said.

Of those households with higher levels of electromagnetic fields 20% are close to electricity pylons.