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Child Health and Electromagnetism
EMFS: Study Finds 'Lingering' Exposure Concerns
After six years of research, scientists have not found hard evidence that magnetic fields around electric power lines cause cancer. But in its report to Congress yesterday, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences said that "lingering concerns" remain.
The NIEHS reported some statistical associations between the electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and childhood leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia in adults. And the NIEHS said efforts to reduce exposure to EMFs should continue (AP/Washington Post/others, June 16).
Meanwhile, a separate team of Canadian scientists have concluded that children exposed to EMFs are nearly five times more likely to develop leukemia than infants who are less exposed.
The researchers could not find a biological reason for the association, leaving many questions about the risk unanswered. The 20-year study by the U. of Toronto and the Hospital for Sick Children was funded in part by the Ontario Hydro Services Co. and the Canadian Electricity Assn. (Brad Evenson, Toronto National Post, June 16).
Mark Greenberg of the Hospital for Sick Children: "We live in a world dominated by huge magnetic-field exposure. There is no way to actually protect your children from exposure" (Carolyn Abraham, Toronto Globe & Mail, June 16).