$60m US study finds link between living near pylons and cancer is weak

There is only weak evidence to suggest that living near power lines can cause cancer, according to a six-year $60 million study conducted in the US.

The federally funded report, published yesterday, acknowledges that exposure to electric and magnetic fields near power lines and household appliances "cannot be recognised as entirely safe". It concludes, however, that "the probability that EMF electric and magnetic field exposure is truly a health hazard is currently small".

Groups campaigning against the siting of power lines near built-up areas and warning of exposures in the home and workplace continue to claim that there is evidence of a link between exposure and cancers. "I would be convinced there is a link," Mr Willie Cunningham of the Cork Anti-Pylon Representative Association said.

"We are totally and completely suspicious of anything the power companies do." He would be "profoundly unconvinced" about the US study.

"The epidemiology of this is very difficult," said Mr John Royds, who advises on the health effects of these fields. He cited a Canadian study to be published this week, which claimed to show an increase in childhood leukaemia in those exposed to electric and magnetic fields. "I am quite comfortable with the idea you should not be exposed to these fields where possible."

The "accelerated" study was commissioned by the US Congress and conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. It involved six years of research, including a two-year review of studies done by others. Congress provided $23 million, which was matched by the electrical industry, although it had no control over what research was conducted. The institute provided the remainder.

It described the connection between human disease and EM fields as "weak". It noted limited epidemiological associations between EM exposure and two forms of leukaemia, including a childhood form, but laboratory work did not back up these findings. The report urged that re search should continue on some "lingering concerns" related to the epidemiological findings.

The institute's director, Dr Kenneth Olden, said: "The lack of consistent, positive findings in animal or mechanistic studies weakens the belief that this association is actually due to EMF, but it cannot completely discount the epidemiological findings. For that reason, and because virtually everyone in the United States uses electricity and therefore is routinely exposed to EMF, efforts to encourage reductions in exposure should continue."

The ESB "complied with the latest international guidelines" related to EM exposures, a spokeswoman said yesterday. "We also closely monitor and support re search on this issue," she said. The board would not comment on the study until it had been reviewed, she added.