Living near power lines carries potential risks. The level of danger largely depends on the type of power line structure and the distance of your residence from it. For instance, a study found that residing within 50 meters of a 765-kilovolt line could increase the likelihood of certain cancers. However, the danger decreases significantly as the distance from the power lines increases.
Wertheimer and Leeper Study
Numerous studies conducted in recent years have been influenced by this study. Published in 1979 in the American Journal of Epidemiology, the study titled “Electrical Wiring Configurations and Childhood Cancer” explored the potential harm caused by both electrical wiring within homes and proximity to high-voltage power lines among children.
The researchers examined rates of childhood cancer in Colorado homes during 1976 and 1977. They compared homes with high-current electrical flow to control homes. Ultimately, they discovered a correlation between an increased risk of childhood leukemia and proximity to high-voltage power lines.
2005 BMJ Study on Cancer Risks in relation to High Voltage power lines
A study titled “Childhood cancer in relation to distance from high voltage power lines in England and Wales: a case-control study” was published in 2005 in the BMJ (formerly the British Medical Journal).
The aim of the study was to determine if there was an association between the distance of a child’s home address from high voltage power lines and an increased risk of cancer and leukemia, as previous studies had suggested.
The researchers examined the records of 29,081 children in England and Wales who had been diagnosed with cancer, including leukemia. After controlling for factors like sex and date of birth, they primarily focused on the “Distance from home address at birth to the nearest high voltage overhead power line in existence at the time.”
The study yielded the following results:
Compared to those who lived more than 600 meters from a power line at birth, children who lived within 200 meters had a relative risk of leukemia of 1.69 (95% confidence interval 1.13 to 2.53), while those born between 200 and 600 meters had a relative risk of 1.23 (1.02 to 1.49). There was a significant (P < 0.01) trend in risk based on the reciprocal of the distance from the power line.
In essence, the study indicated that the closer a child lived to a high voltage power line, the higher their relative risk of leukemia.
The study concluded:
There is an association between childhood leukemia and the proximity of a child’s home address at birth to high voltage power lines, and this risk seems to extend to a greater distance than what was previously suggested by studies. Approximately 4% of children in England and Wales live within 600 meters of high voltage power lines at birth. If this association is causal, about 1% of childhood leukemia cases in England and Wales could be attributed to these power lines, although this estimate has a significant statistical uncertainty. There is no accepted biological mechanism to explain the epidemiological results; in fact, the association could be due to chance or confounding factors.
It is important to note the last sentence of the conclusion, which states that there is no scientifically accepted explanation for the results. This means that although the researchers observed a relationship, they cannot explain how it would be possible, and they acknowledge the possibility that the risk may be due to chance.
It’s crucial to highlight such information whenever possible because there are scientists and researchers who do not consider this to be a danger, partly because they cannot provide a scientific explanation.
What Is A Safe Distance From A High Voltage Powerline?
For a high voltage powerline structure with a rating of 765 kilovolts (kV), it is advisable to maintain a distance of at least 250 meters. However, when it comes to any form of electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation, including magnetic radiation from power lines, increasing the distance provides greater safety.
In fact, the protection provided by distance follows an exponential pattern due to the inverse square law in physics. This law states that by doubling your distance from a radiation source, you reduce your exposure to it by a quarter.
Another factor to consider is the “step down” power distribution that occurs within electrical grids. This means that the magnetic field radiation emitted by the power lines is highest near the generating station and substations and decreases as it reaches the end, which would be the power lines near residential areas.
Therefore, if you happen to live near a power generating station, your exposure is likely to be much greater than living near a standard power line.
How Far Should A House Be From High Voltage Lines?
The recommended distance largely depends on the voltage carried by the power lines. However, based on my own research and anecdotal evidence, it is advisable to keep a house at least 250 meters away from overhead power lines whenever possible. It’s important to remember that increasing the distance exponentially reduces exposure to magnetic fields from power lines, making you safer.
This guideline also applies to cell towers, including 5G small cells, and any other sources of EMF radiation.