A risk assessment of health effects of living near high voltage powerlines in the UK
All the information in this table is discussed in the summary of a paper in Medical Hypotheses: Does our electricity distribution system pose a serious risk to health? D.L. Henshaw, 2002, 59, No.1, 39-51
| Condition | References | Key findings/Risk assessment | Predicted excess cases annually in the UK near high voltage powerlines |
| Childhood leukaemia |
Fews et al, 1999 Ahlbom et al, 2000 Greenland et al, 2000 Microwave News, Sept/Oct 2000 |
(i) Corona Ion Effects: Risk assessment based on increased exposure to air pollution. (ii) Magnetic Fields: No accepted causal mechanism for magnetic fields but an implied relative risk of 2.0 above 0.4 �T and 1.7 above 0.3 �T. |
2 � 8 cases |
| Skin cancer | Fews et al, 1999b NRPB 1997 |
Risk assessment based on increased skin exposure to radon decay products and other agents via 50 Hz oscillation of aerosols. | 14 cases |
| Lung cancer | McDowall, 1986 Katsouyanni & Pershagen, 1997 |
Risk assessment based on increased exposure to air pollution via corona ion effects. | 250 � 400 cases |
| Other illnesses associated with air pollution | Seaton et al, 1995 |
Risk assessment based on increased exposure to air pollution via corona ion effects. | 2,000 - 3,000 cases |
| Suicide and Depression | Reichmanis et al, 1979 Perry et al, 1981 Perry et al, 1989 Poole et al, 1993 Savitz et al, 1994 Verkasalo et al, 1997 Beale et al, 1997 van Wijngaarden et al, 2000 |
Considered biologically plausible
via magnetic field exposure. Apparent low threshold ~ 0.1 �T. 40% increase in suicide in West Midlands; small increase in general depressive illnesses; 2 to 3-fold increase in severe depression and a 2 to 3.6-fold increase in suicide among electric utility workers. | (em) Suicide: 60 cases (ii) Depression: Up to 9,000 cases of mild depression |