Studies and Articles on Radiation from Power Lines and Electrical Systems

        
 
 
   
ELF-MAGNETIIC POWER LINE
ELF-MAGNETIIC POWER LINE

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In this section, we present several studies and articles on radiation from power lines and electrical systems and the health effects of exposure to this radiation. More people among the public and in regulatory systems around the world are familiar with this field. However, in this field too, there is a lack of awareness and a certain denial of the harm.

Power lines (high and low voltage) and electrical systems emit magnetic and electric fields, mainly at frequencies around 50-60 Hz. In 2001, IARC (the International Agency for Research on Cancer, an arm of the World Health Organization, WHO) classified low-frequency magnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans. This was based on an analysis of data from several studies, which showed that chronic exposure to magnetic fields at levels 500 times lower than the accepted standard increases the risk of leukemia in children.

Research in this field is progressing more slowly than in the mobile phone field. But there are still studies showing effects, changes, harm, and disease from exposure to this type of radiation.

Partial list of studies about EMF/EMR from power lines

  1. Israel – Formation of Free Radicals and Other Biological Effects from Exposure to Very, Very Low-Level Magnetic Fields
    Activation of Signaling Cascades by Weak Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields
    A study by Prof. Rony Seger, Weizmann Institute, 2017: the effect of magnetic fields starting at 1.5 milligauss on living cells.
    Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry (2017) 43 (4): 1533–1546.
    https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/481977
    DOI: 10.1159/000481977
    – The biological effect of a magnetic field begins at a level of 1.5 milligauss, within a short time.
  2. Germany, 1996 – Meta-Analysis of Studies Linking Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields and Childhood Cancers
    The study reviewed data from several studies and found that for childhood leukemia, the risk was 66% higher and statistically significant. For central nervous system cancers and lymphomas, the risk was higher than in the control group, but the results were not significant.
    The study:
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8907639
    – Radiation from high-voltage power lines
  3. Spain – Residential Exposure to Radiation from High-Voltage Power Lines and the Link to Childhood Leukemia
    A meta-analysis of 15 studies that examined the link between radiation from the electrical grid in homes located right next to power lines and childhood leukemia. The study found an excess risk with exposure. It concludes that there is enough scientific information to say that the old approach, that there is no risk, is not responsible.
    The study:
    http://www.who.int/bulletin/archives/77(11)906.pdf
    – Radiation from high-voltage power lines
  4. USA, 1979 – Link Between Childhood Cancer Cases and High-Current Power Lines
    The study found a link between three types of childhood cancer and living near power lines carrying especially high currents, compared with children in the same residential area (Denver, Colorado) who did not develop cancer. The link was especially strong among children who had lived their whole lives at the same address, and a dose-response relationship was found.
    The study:
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/453167
    – Radiation from power lines
  5. Israel, 2005 – Israeli Study Strengthens the Link Between Radiation from Electrical Appliances and Cancer
    The study, conducted among Israeli women at the Edith Wolfson Medical Center in Holon, compared the habits of using home electrical and electronic equipment (mainly computers, air conditioners, televisions and mobile phones) between two groups of breast cancer patients:
  • The first group was diagnosed between 1978 and 1990, and was characterized by little use.
  • The second group was diagnosed between 1991 and 2003, and its use was significantly greater.
    The data showed that only 19.5% of the women diagnosed with breast cancer in the first group made significant use of radiation-emitting equipment, while 51.1% of the women diagnosed with breast cancer in the second group made significant use of radiation-emitting equipment. The study also found differences in the tumor characteristics in cases where there had been radiation exposure.
    Abstract:
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15875777
    Full study:
    http://iv.iiarjournals.org/content/19/3/563.long
    (About the study in Hebrew:
    http://www.tapuz.co.il/blog/net/ViewEntry.aspx?EntryId=1756701)
    – Low frequency radiation from computers and home equipment, and from mobile phones
  1. USA, 2011 – Exposure to Low Frequency Magnetic Fields During Pregnancy Contributes to Asthma in Offspring
    The study examined the link between mothers’ exposure during pregnancy to low frequency magnetic fields (for example from the electrical grid) and the incidence of asthma in their children after birth. The study followed the children up to age 13. In total, 626 children were diagnosed with asthma.
  • Every 1 milligauss of exposure led to a 15% increase in the incidence of the disease.
  • A clear dose-response relationship was also seen.
  • Children of mothers exposed to levels above 2 milligauss were at a risk 3.5 times higher than children of mothers exposed to levels below 0.3 milligauss (the control group).
  • Children of mothers exposed to levels between 0.3 and 2 milligauss were at 1.74 times the risk of developing asthma compared with the low-exposure control group.
    The study’s conclusion is that mothers’ exposure to high magnetic fields during pregnancy affects the incidence of asthma in their children.
    Abstract:
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21810627
    (About the study:
    http://www.microwavenews.com/Asthma.Li.html#Continued)
    – Low frequency magnetic fields
  1. Europe, 2014 – New Report Claims Radiation from High-Voltage Power Lines Is Not Dangerous
    The report presents studies that examined whether there are more cancer cases within 200 meters of high-voltage power lines. The problem is that non-ionizing radiation is usually present only in the first 50 meters around the line.
    The report:
    http://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/emerging/docs/scenihr_o_041.pdf

    – Magnetic fields from high-voltage power lines
  2. France, 2011 – Residential and Occupational Exposure to Low Frequency Radiation and Brain Cancers
    Occupational and residential exposure to electromagnetic fields and risk of brain tumors in adults: A case–control study in Gironde, France
    A total of 221 central nervous system cancer cases were collected between 1999 and 2001, with 442 people in the control group. Exposure to low frequency fields was estimated by distance from power lines, and occupational radiation exposure was estimated from complete work histories. Education level, home pesticide use, rural or urban residence, and occupational exposure to pesticides and chemicals were also taken into account.
  • A non-significant increase in cancer risk was seen among those occupationally exposed to radiation: OR = 1.52, 0.92–2.51.
  • A significant increase in the risk of meningiomas was seen, especially with exposure to low-frequency radiation: OR = 3.02; 95% CI = 1.10–8.25.
  • A non-significant increase in the risk of meningioma was seen among those living less than 100 meters from high-voltage power lines: OR = 2.99, 95% CI 0.86–10.40.
    The researchers’ conclusions: “These data suggest that occupational or residential exposure to ELF may play a role in the occurrence of meningioma.”

    Int J Cancer. 2011 Sep 15;129(6):1477-84. doi: 10.1002/ijc.25765. Epub 2011 Jan 12.
    PMID: 21792884
    DOI: 10.1002/ijc.25765

    – Magnetic fields from occupational exposure and from high-voltage power lines.
  1. USA, 1982 (Wertheimer and Leeper) – Cancers in Adults Found to Be Linked to High-Voltage Power Lines Near Homes
    “Adult cancer related to electrical wires near the home.”
    Cancers in adults were found to be linked to the presence of high-voltage power lines near homes. Several findings strengthened the link:
    1. A dose-response relationship was seen.
    2. There was no effect of the subjects’ age, urban or rural residence, neighborhood or socioeconomic status.
    3. The link was seen especially in places without other industrial or urban factors that might themselves increase disease (and so make the disease caused by the power lines less clear).
    4. A clear pattern was seen between the time of first exposure and the date of cancer diagnosis.

      https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7152787

      – Low magnetic fields from high-voltage power lines promote cancers in adults
  2. USA, 1995 – Meta-Analysis of Studies Linking Exposure to Radiation from Transformer Stations and High-Voltage Power Lines
    The study examined about 13 epidemiological studies and found a link between exposure and cancers of the following types:
  1. USA, 1988 – Study on Childhood Cancers and Exposure to 60 Hz Magnetic Fields
    This study examined 356 childhood cancer cases (from Denver, Colorado) and compared them with controls. Radiation measurements were taken in the subjects’ homes.
    At a level of 2 milligauss, an excess risk was found for:
  • All cancers (OR=1.4)
  • Leukemia (OR=1.9)
  • Soft tissue sarcoma (OR=3.3)
    Electrical wiring that produced high fields was more common in the homes of the cancer cases than in the control groups. In this study, the link found was actually to fields from low-voltage lines, and not only from high-voltage lines.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3164167
    – Link between exposure to magnetic fields from low voltage and various cancers
  1. USA, 2017 – Women Exposed to Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Were at Higher Risk of Miscarriage
    In a new study published on www.nature.com, 913 pregnant women were followed to understand the link between exposure to strong low-frequency electromagnetic fields and the risk of miscarriage. The findings showed that women exposed to higher levels of electromagnetic fields were at 2.72 times the risk of miscarriage compared with those with lower exposure.
    During the study, the subjects were interviewed and each one wore a radiation meter for 24 hours. A further interview then asked the subjects about their activity during the day, and whether it was typical or a one-time activity.
  • In the group of subjects who reported that the activity was typical, an excess risk was found for those exposed to levels above 2.5 milligauss (2.72 times; 453 subjects in total and 95 miscarriages).
  • In the group whose activity was not typical, no dramatic increase in risk was found (460 subjects in total and 105 miscarriages).
    https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-16623-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16623-8
    (Summary of the results:
    https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-16623-8/tables/2)
    – Link between exposure to low-frequency magnetic fields and miscarriage

Studies list

  1. Israel – Formation of Free Radicals and Other Biological Effects from Exposure to Very, Very Low-Level Magnetic Fields
    https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/481977
    DOI: 10.1159/000481977
  2. Germany, 1996 – Meta-Analysis of Studies Linking Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields and Childhood Cancers
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8907639
  3. Spain – Residential Exposure to Radiation from High-Voltage Power Lines and the Link to Childhood Leukemia
    http://www.who.int/bulletin/archives/77(11)906.pdf
  4. USA, 1979 – Link Between Childhood Cancer Cases and High-Current Power Lines
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/453167
  5. Israel, 2005 – Israeli Study Strengthens the Link Between Radiation from Electrical Appliances and Cancer
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15875777
    http://iv.iiarjournals.org/content/19/3/563.long
  6. USA, 2011 – Exposure to Low Frequency Magnetic Fields During Pregnancy Contributes to Asthma in Offspring
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21810627
  7. Europe, 2014 – New Report Claims Radiation from High-Voltage Power Lines Is Not Dangerous
    http://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/emerging/docs/scenihr_o_041.pdf
  8. France, 2011 – Residential and Occupational Exposure to Low Frequency Radiation and Brain Cancers
    (No link on the page)
  9. USA, 1982 (Wertheimer and Leeper) – Cancers in Adults Found to Be Linked to High-Voltage Power Lines Near Homes
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7152787
  10. USA, 1995 – Meta-Analysis of Studies Linking Exposure to Radiation from Transformer Stations and High-Voltage Power Lines
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8080941
  11. USA, 1988 – Study on Childhood Cancers and Exposure to 60 Hz Magnetic Fields
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3164167
  12. USA, 2017 – Women Exposed to Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Were at Higher Risk of Miscarriage
    https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-16623-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16623-8