On a daily basis, most individuals are exposed to electric and magnetic fields (EMF) generated by household wiring, lighting, computers and other electrical appliances, such as hair dryers, coffee makers, televisions and power tools.
Since the 1970s, scientists have been researching possible human health effects of EMF, particularly certain cancers including brain cancer, lymphoma, breast cancer and leukemia. Studies of all adult cancers and most childhood cancers have shown no link to EMF. But a few epidemiological studies have suggested a weak association between proximity to power lines and childhood leukemia. The reason for this weak association with power lines remains unclear, as laboratory studies have found no causal connection between exposure to power frequency EMF and childhood leukemia.
Industry Position on EMF
The Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) recognizes the public concern over potentially adverse health effects from EMF. The Association and its member companies are committed to the health, safety and welfare of the public and our employees. We take seriously our responsibility to work with all stakeholders – including regulatory agencies, the government and the public – to develop and implement appropriate EMF policies.
CEA and its member utilities are also committed to communicating balanced, scientifically accurate and up-to-date information about EMF to the public, to employees and to regulatory agencies. To help this effort, CEA has recently launched a new public Web site entitled “Facts on Electric and Magnetic Fields”, which can be accessed through the CEA Web site at www.canelect.ca, or directly at www.canelect.ca/emf.html.
CEA continues to monitor world-wide research, standards and policy developments through its EMF Task Group, and its member companies support further research to answer remaining questions on potential health effects.
Health Canada’s 2005 Statement
Health Canada’s It’s Your Health fact sheet on EMF states, “At this time, Health Canada does not consider guidelines necessary because scientific evidence is not strong enough to conclude that typical exposures cause health problems.”
On January 20, 2005, the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Radiation Protection Committee (FPTRPC), organized under Health Canada’s Radiation Protection Bureau issued a Position Statement wherein the FPTRPC concluded that adverse health effects from exposure to power-frequency EMFs, at levels normally encountered in homes, schools and offices, have not been established.
Moreover, the Committee stated that “[s]ince there is no conclusive evidence that exposure to EMFs at levels normally found in Canadian living and working environments is harmful, FPTRPC is of the opinion that moderate measures and participation in the process of acquiring new knowledge are sufficient.” This is consistent with Canadian utility practices.
Draper Report on Childhood Leukemia
On June 3, the British Medical Journal released a paper entitled “Childhood cancer in relation to distance from high voltage power lines in England and Wales: a case-control study”. This paper contained findings from a study on childhood cancer carried out by Oxford University that analyzed and compared 33 years of data (from 1962 to 1995) on 29,000 children diagnosed with cancer.
The study finds slightly elevated rates of childhood leukemia in children whose residence at birth was close to these lines. Proponents of the EMF health connection have argued that the magnetic fields produced by the power lines are responsible for this correlation. However, this study finds elevated rates of childhood leukemia at distances out to 600 m from the lines. At these distances, the magnetic fields in homes due to power lines are negligible compared to existing background levels.
Moreover, the authors of the study found no causal link between childhood leukemia and EMF, stating “we emphasize again the uncertainty about whether this statistical association represents a causal relation.” In addition, the authors state “neither the association reported here nor previous findings relating to level of exposure to magnetic fields are supported by convincing laboratory data or any accepted biological mechanism.”
CEA is continuing to study and evaluate the Draper Report and its conclusions. The Association also notes that the authors of the study indicate that the elevated rates of childhood leukemia are more likely due to some characteristics of the areas that the power lines pass through, or of the people who live near them. This would be consistent with the growing evidence from other studies that childhood leukemia is linked to factors such as lifestyle, affluence or exposure to infections.
Other International Developments
In light of the evidence and research to date, a number of conclusions have been drawn by international research organizations on the health risks associated with EMF:
• The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified EMF as a 2B carcinogen – a possible carcinogen in relation to childhood leukemia (but not for any other cancers). Other 2B Possible Carcinogens include coffee and gasoline engine exhaust.
• A 1999 report by the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) following a seven-year EMF research programme concluded:
“The scientific evidence suggesting that [EMF] exposures pose any health risk is weak … [but it] cannot be recognized at this time as entirely safe because of weak scientific evidence that exposures may pose a weak leukemia hazard.”
WHO Review of EMF
The WHO is in the process of developing an environmental health criteria document, and in October 2004 released a draft precaution-based policy for public review (www.who.int/peh-emf/en).
Concerning EMF, the WHO Precautionary Framework considers that childhood leukemia and magnetic fields warrant a thorough consideration of precautionary measures including detailed cost-benefit or cost-effectiveness analysis. The WHO assessment recommends that costs and benefits to society should not be assessed on a project-specific or local basis but rather on a national basis. The report also states that only low-cost measures, are justified, and Canadian utilities are already engaged in many of the measures listed in the report. It was also noted that the report does not set limits for the edge of the right-of-way. A final version is expected in late 2005 or early 2006.
In the meantime, the WHO has organized a “Workshop on Guiding Public Health Policy in Areas of Scientific Uncertainty” to take place in Ottawa from July 11-13, 2005. Participants will discuss the WHO’s precautionary framework and review a series of case studies, including one on electromagnetic fields.
In Canada, several federal government agencies, including Health Canada, have developed a precautionary policy designed to address issues that lack scientific certainty but cause public concern. The intent is to use what is known and develop reasonable approaches that would minimize the impact should the risk prove real. Health Canada’s latest assessment is that there isn’t sufficient scientific evidence of an EMF health risk to allow the application of the precautionary policy.
Conclusion
The Canadian electricity industry continues to support scientific research on EMF and possible long-term effects on people. Electricity supply companies also work to communicate accurate and up-to-date information to the public and employees about the remaining scientific questions regarding EMF.
The Association welcomes the WHO’s comprehensive precautionary framework that will integrate all significant research done to date into public health policy. Additionally, the industry will continue to follow closely any similar assessments conducted by Health Canada.
For more information on EMF and the Canadian electricity industry, please visit our Web site at www.canelect.ca/emf.html.
Since the 1970s, scientists have been researching possible human health effects of EMF, particularly certain cancers including brain cancer, lymphoma, breast cancer and leukemia. Studies of all adult cancers and most childhood cancers have shown no link to EMF. But a few epidemiological studies have suggested a weak association between proximity to power lines and childhood leukemia. The reason for this weak association with power lines remains unclear, as laboratory studies have found no causal connection between exposure to power frequency EMF and childhood leukemia.
Industry Position on EMF
The Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) recognizes the public concern over potentially adverse health effects from EMF. The Association and its member companies are committed to the health, safety and welfare of the public and our employees. We take seriously our responsibility to work with all stakeholders – including regulatory agencies, the government and the public – to develop and implement appropriate EMF policies.
CEA and its member utilities are also committed to communicating balanced, scientifically accurate and up-to-date information about EMF to the public, to employees and to regulatory agencies. To help this effort, CEA has recently launched a new public Web site entitled “Facts on Electric and Magnetic Fields”, which can be accessed through the CEA Web site at www.canelect.ca, or directly at www.canelect.ca/emf.html.
CEA continues to monitor world-wide research, standards and policy developments through its EMF Task Group, and its member companies support further research to answer remaining questions on potential health effects.
Health Canada’s 2005 Statement
Health Canada’s It’s Your Health fact sheet on EMF states, “At this time, Health Canada does not consider guidelines necessary because scientific evidence is not strong enough to conclude that typical exposures cause health problems.”
On January 20, 2005, the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Radiation Protection Committee (FPTRPC), organized under Health Canada’s Radiation Protection Bureau issued a Position Statement wherein the FPTRPC concluded that adverse health effects from exposure to power-frequency EMFs, at levels normally encountered in homes, schools and offices, have not been established.
Moreover, the Committee stated that “[s]ince there is no conclusive evidence that exposure to EMFs at levels normally found in Canadian living and working environments is harmful, FPTRPC is of the opinion that moderate measures and participation in the process of acquiring new knowledge are sufficient.” This is consistent with Canadian utility practices.
Draper Report on Childhood Leukemia
On June 3, the British Medical Journal released a paper entitled “Childhood cancer in relation to distance from high voltage power lines in England and Wales: a case-control study”. This paper contained findings from a study on childhood cancer carried out by Oxford University that analyzed and compared 33 years of data (from 1962 to 1995) on 29,000 children diagnosed with cancer.
The study finds slightly elevated rates of childhood leukemia in children whose residence at birth was close to these lines. Proponents of the EMF health connection have argued that the magnetic fields produced by the power lines are responsible for this correlation. However, this study finds elevated rates of childhood leukemia at distances out to 600 m from the lines. At these distances, the magnetic fields in homes due to power lines are negligible compared to existing background levels.
Moreover, the authors of the study found no causal link between childhood leukemia and EMF, stating “we emphasize again the uncertainty about whether this statistical association represents a causal relation.” In addition, the authors state “neither the association reported here nor previous findings relating to level of exposure to magnetic fields are supported by convincing laboratory data or any accepted biological mechanism.”
CEA is continuing to study and evaluate the Draper Report and its conclusions. The Association also notes that the authors of the study indicate that the elevated rates of childhood leukemia are more likely due to some characteristics of the areas that the power lines pass through, or of the people who live near them. This would be consistent with the growing evidence from other studies that childhood leukemia is linked to factors such as lifestyle, affluence or exposure to infections.
Other International Developments
In light of the evidence and research to date, a number of conclusions have been drawn by international research organizations on the health risks associated with EMF:
• The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified EMF as a 2B carcinogen – a possible carcinogen in relation to childhood leukemia (but not for any other cancers). Other 2B Possible Carcinogens include coffee and gasoline engine exhaust.
• A 1999 report by the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) following a seven-year EMF research programme concluded:
“The scientific evidence suggesting that [EMF] exposures pose any health risk is weak … [but it] cannot be recognized at this time as entirely safe because of weak scientific evidence that exposures may pose a weak leukemia hazard.”
WHO Review of EMF
The WHO is in the process of developing an environmental health criteria document, and in October 2004 released a draft precaution-based policy for public review (www.who.int/peh-emf/en).
Concerning EMF, the WHO Precautionary Framework considers that childhood leukemia and magnetic fields warrant a thorough consideration of precautionary measures including detailed cost-benefit or cost-effectiveness analysis. The WHO assessment recommends that costs and benefits to society should not be assessed on a project-specific or local basis but rather on a national basis. The report also states that only low-cost measures, are justified, and Canadian utilities are already engaged in many of the measures listed in the report. It was also noted that the report does not set limits for the edge of the right-of-way. A final version is expected in late 2005 or early 2006.
In the meantime, the WHO has organized a “Workshop on Guiding Public Health Policy in Areas of Scientific Uncertainty” to take place in Ottawa from July 11-13, 2005. Participants will discuss the WHO’s precautionary framework and review a series of case studies, including one on electromagnetic fields.
In Canada, several federal government agencies, including Health Canada, have developed a precautionary policy designed to address issues that lack scientific certainty but cause public concern. The intent is to use what is known and develop reasonable approaches that would minimize the impact should the risk prove real. Health Canada’s latest assessment is that there isn’t sufficient scientific evidence of an EMF health risk to allow the application of the precautionary policy.
Conclusion
The Canadian electricity industry continues to support scientific research on EMF and possible long-term effects on people. Electricity supply companies also work to communicate accurate and up-to-date information to the public and employees about the remaining scientific questions regarding EMF.
The Association welcomes the WHO’s comprehensive precautionary framework that will integrate all significant research done to date into public health policy. Additionally, the industry will continue to follow closely any similar assessments conducted by Health Canada.
For more information on EMF and the Canadian electricity industry, please visit our Web site at www.canelect.ca/emf.html.
