IEE finds study may actually rule out power lines as the cause of childhood cancer

The IEE welcomes a study * published in today's British Medical Journal , which looks at childhood cancer and high-voltage power lines. The study finds slightly elevated rates of childhood leukaemia (between 15% and 79% increase) in children born close to the lines.

Power lines produce magnetic fields, and some previous studies have suggested that high levels of magnetic fields in homes may be associated with an increased risk of childhood leukaemia.

However, this study finds elevated rates of childhood leukaemia at distances out to 600 m from the lines.  At these distances, the magnetic fields in homes due to power lines are negligible compared to existing background levels.

The IEE is of the view that this new data makes it highly unlikely that the elevated rates are due to magnetic fields from the lines.  It is more likely to be caused by some characteristic of the areas that the power lines pass through, or of the people who live near them (something the authors of the paper themselves suggest). This would be consistent with the growing evidence from other studies that childhood leukaemia is linked to factors such as lifestyle, affluence or exposure to infections.

The IEE strongly supports high-quality research into possible health or environmental consequences of the use of electricity.  It welcomes this study for the new insights it brings.  The IEE considers that the study points away from magnetic fields from power lines as a cause of childhood leukaemia, and hence attention should focus on investigating other possible causes of this disease.

* Childhood cancer in relation to distance from high voltage power lines in England and Wales: a case-control study. G.Draper et al., BMJ 4th June 2004

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Notes to editors
The IEE
The IEE is one of the largest engineering and technology institutions in the world. Members range from students to leading figures in industry, research and development and education. They work in a variety of fields including IT, communications technology, electronics, electrical, power engineering, software, control, informatics and manufacturing. With a membership of over 120,000, the IEE aims to lead in the advancement of engineering and technology and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practice, ensuring that its members are thoroughly equipped to meet the needs of today's rapidly changing technological world.

For more information about the IEE please visit www.iee.org

IEE Biological Effects Policy Advisory Group (BEPAG)
The Institution of Electrical Engineers created the Biological Effects Policy Advisory Group (the Group) in November 1992, to consider the possible harmful effects of low-level, low frequency electromagnetic fields, primarily at power frequencies. 
The Group comprise leading scientists and engineers specialising in the study of electromagnetic fields and their effects upon humans, animals and other biological systems.  The Group uses refereed full papers as its source material, retrieved from a broad literature search of a range of electronic databases.