Childhood Cancer and Distance from High-Voltage Power Lines

An important paper examining the incidence of childhood cancer in England and Wales and how it relates to distance from major high-voltage overhead power lines has been published. This large epidemiological study has found higher rates of childhood leukaemia among those born within 600 metres of a power line compared with those born further away. Rates of other types of childhood cancer are not raised. The authors of the study do not regard these findings as establishing a definite causal association between childhood leukaemia and exposures to electromagnetic fields from power lines. The findings are available at: www.hpa.org.uk/radiation/publications/documents_of_nrpb/pdfs/doc_15_3.pdf