Does anyone know if there is any relationship between very high powered electrical lines and any types of cancer? Our local school board has proposed building a middle school almost directly under some. I seem to remember some association, but I can't remember what it was or if it was conclusive. Any help in pointing me in the right direction would be appreciated. John ------------------------------------------------------- This is what the National Cancer Institute has to say about childhood Leukemia and extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields: ****************************************************************************** * CANCER FACTS * * National Cancer Institute * * National Institutes of Health * ****************************************************************************** Extremely Low Frequency Field Exposure & Childhood Leukemia Collaborative Study of Extremely-Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure & Childhood Leukemia The National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Children's Cancer Group (CCG) are collaborating on a large-scale investigation to determine whether exposures to extremely-low-frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields contribute to the development of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in children under age 15. ALL accounts for 85 percent of all childhood leukemias in the United States. ELF electromagnetic fields are the electric and magnetic fields created by electric charges in the 60-hertz (60 cycles per second) alternating current supplied to U.S. households. The 5-year study, directed by NCI's Epidemiology and Biostatistics Program, was initiated in September 1989 because of public concern and a need for more precis epidemiologic data. It is part of a larger CCG investigation evaluating the ris of ALL associated with a wide range of factors, such as prenatal exposure to x-rays, childhood and maternal diseases, maternal drug use, maternal smoking, parental occupations, household chemical exposures, and family genetic histories For the ELF field evaluation, 600 children with ALL and 600 matched controls are being selected from the 1,800 cases and 1,800 controls (the latter identified by random-digit telephone dialing) who are participating in the comprehensive CCG study. The subjects, all under age 15, will include residents of 11 states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. A dosimetry study was conducted to determine the best way to estimate children's ELF exposure levels. Children under age 9 wore monitors that recorded all ELF exposures during a 24-hour period. When results were compared with ELF field measurements made in homes, schools, and day care centers, the home measurement were found to correlate closely with actual cumulative ELF exposures, while school and day care center measurements contributed little to the overall ELF exposure history. Based on these findings, several types of home measurements were selected for use in the main ELF field study to characterize exposures for all cases and controls. The relationship between ELF radiation (from both household sources and electric power lines) and ALL is being examined by: - Measuring ELF radiation levels in four rooms in current and former homes of children with leukemia and matched controls; - Interviewing parents about their children's ELF exposures (including prenatal exposures) from electrical appliances; - Diagramming the location, type, and size of external power lines near residences; - Measuring the earth's magnetic field in two rooms to determine its possible influence on ELF field measurements; - Examining seasonal variability in ELF radiation levels within selected homes over a 1-year period; - Determining whether electric meter readings and utility company records can be used to approximate ELF radiation measurements in a home; and - Replicating the personal ELF radiation dosimetry study on selected control subjects in both younger (0-8 years) and older (9-14 years) age groups. Data on individual subjects will be used to estimate the amount of ELF exposure prenatally and throughout life. Estimates will be made for both the children wh developed ALL and their matched controls. It will then be determined whether EL exposure increases the risk of childhood ALL. This study will provide one of th first comprehensive and complete measures of ELF exposures in children's residences. In summary, children with newly diagnosed ALL and matched controls will have ELF field measurements made in current and former homes. For children with leukemia measurements will be obtained closer to their date of diagnosis than was possibl in previous studies. The possible role of ELF magnetic field exposures will be evaluated as part of a large-scale, comprehensive study of virtually all known or suspected causes of childhood ALL. Results from the study should be availabl in 1995. # # # The Cancer Information Service (CIS), a program of the National Cancer Institute is a nationwide telephone service for cancer patients and their families, the public, and health care professionals. CIS information specialists have extensive training in providing up-to-date and understandable information about cancer. They can answer questions in English and Spanish and can send free printed material. In addition, CIS offices serve specific geographic areas and have information about cancer-related services and resources in their region. The toll-free number of the CIS is 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). [December 1992] -------------------------------------------------------