Power lines are essential in the modern world, supplying homes and businesses with the energy vital for today's needs. But recent studies suggest that living near power lines is dangerous to your health. Children are at a particularly high risk.

Significance

According to a 2007 study cited by the U.K. Daily Mail, living near power lines has been linked to the development of childhood diseases such as leukemia. Scientists have suggested that the government ban the building of new homes within 65 yards of overhead power lines.

Effects

According to both the U.K. Daily Mail study and an American Academy of Pediatrics study, people living within 50 feet of overhead power lines may be more likely to suffer from cancer, depression, miscarriage, digestive problems, insomnia and other health ills.

Expert Insight

In his article "The Sensitivity of Children to Electromagnetic Fields," published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Leeka Kheifets says children are exposed to electromagnetic fields at an increasingly young age. There has been consistent evidence that exposure to even low levels of electromagnetic fields emitted by power lines can lead to childhood leukemia.

History

While scientists have been aware that power lines emitted electromagnetic fields for decades, people began to suspect they adversely affected their health in the 1960s. The 1979 Wertheimer-Leeper study was the first study to suggest that electromagnetic fields cause various childhood cancers.

Prevention/Solution

A solution to this problem is to avoid building houses near overhead power lines, and to avoid buying a house near power lines. Australia offers another solution, by laying their power lines underground to reduce the effects of electromagnetic fields.

Source:

UK Daily Mail: Don't Build Schools or Homes Near Pylons, Warn Experts

American Academy of Pediatrics: The Sensitivity of Children to Electromagnetic Fields

Colegate University: Midwest Power Line Expansion & the EMF Debate

More Information:

Power Line Health Effects: Health Effects