Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Dec 1996

Vol. 472 No. 5

Written Answers. - Electromagnetic Fields.

Helen Keogh

Question:

10 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if his attention has been drawn to recent scientific reports indicating there may be adverse effects on the health of persons residing close to major power lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23488/96]

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Dukes)

I am happy to be able to advise the Deputy that two very recent authoritative reports on the subject of the possible adverse health effects of electromagnetic fields from overhead powerlines do not in fact support such an association.

The United States National Research Council completed a major study into the health effects of electromagnetic fields in October 1996. I have been reassured by their findings that no clear, convincing evidence exists to show that residential exposures to electric and magnetic fields are a threat to human health and there is no conclusive evidence that electromagnetic fields play a role in the development of cancer, reproductive and development abnormalities, or learning and behavioural problems.

In a second study, also published in October 1996, epidemiologists in Finland examined the incidence of cancer among 383,700 people who lived within 500 metres of high voltage powerlines. They found fewer cases of cancer in the vicinity of the powerlines than would have been expected from cancer incidence statistics for Finland as a whole, although this reduction was not statistically significant. It was concluded that the results of the present study suggest strongly that typical residential magnetic fields generated by high voltage powerlines are not related to cancer in adults.

I can assure the Deputy that my Department maintains very close surveillance of all developments in this area. The Department produced major reviews of this subject in 1988 and 1992. It is hoped to publish a further review during the first half of 1997.