Vol. 372 No. 1
asked the Minister for Health if independent advice on standards for emissions from low frequency electro-magnetic fields will be sought in view of growing international evidence of biological damage to humans who are forced to live close to double circuit power lines; and if so, when this advice will be sought and published.
581.
asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the growing international concern about the effect on humans living near or underneath electricity carrying power lines who are persistently exposed to extremely low frequency electro-magnetic fields.
582.
asked the Minister for Health the studies undertaken on the effects of electro-magnetic fields resulting from constant proximity to electricity carrying power lines.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 580, 581 and 582 together.
My Department's primary concern in regard to the low frequency electro-magnetic fields which arise from electricity carrying power lines is as to whether there is any epidemiological evidence of an unusual incidence of ailments which might point to a possible association with these fields.
I am not aware of any epidemiological findings which have established that there is an unusual incidence of ailments among people who live near electricity carrying power lines. I understand that while, internationally, over a number of years a variety of illnesses have been alleged to have been associated with living under high tension power lines, large properly conducted trials have not to date substantiated any of these claims. Leukaemia and other malignancies have been the subject of suspicion at times but haematological and enzymatic tests have not shown a causal association between any such conditions and living under high tension power lines.
A report was published in 1984 under the joint sponsorship of the United Nations Environment Programme, the World Health Organisation, and the International Radiation Protection Association on Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) Fields. The report commented on studies in the United States which reported an increased incidence of leukaemia and adult cancer among people living near high tension power lines. The report emphasised the preliminary nature and limitation of these studies and concluded as follows:
The preliminary nature of the epidemiological findings on the increased incidence of cancer among children and adults exposed to ELF fields from electric wiring and the relatively small increment in reported incidence suggest that, although the epidemiological data cannot be dismissed, there must be considerable study before they can serve as useful imputs for risk assessment.
The report also stated as follows:
Whilst it would be prudent in the present state of scientific knowledge not to make unqualified statements about the safety of intermittent exposure to electric fields, there is no need to limit access to regions where the field strength is below 10 kV/m. Even at this field strength, some individuals may experience uncomfortable secondary physical phenomena such as spark discharge, shocks, or stimulation of the tactile sense.
It is not possible from present knowledge to make a definitive statement about the safety or hazard associated with long-term exposure to sinusoidal electric fields in the range of 1-10 kV/m. In the absence of specific evidence of particular risk or disease syndromes associated with such exposure, and in view of experimental findings on the biological effects of exposure, it is recommended that efforts be made to limit exposure, particularly as low as can be reasonably achieved.
I understand that international research in this area is continuing. If I receive any substantiated epidemiological evidence of a health risk associated with electricity carrying power lines I will take up the issue immediately with my colleague the Minister for Energy and with the Electricity Supply Board.
