Press Release

Power Lines Top Agenda In Parliament As Scotland Demands Action To Save Young Lives

21 June 2006

MSP’s will hear today (Wednesday 21 June) the results of a ground breaking new survey which shows that more than 9 out of 10 Scots are calling for action which could save children from exposure to potentially dangerous fields from new and existing overhead power lines.

These lines have been linked to a massive increase in the risk of children developing leukaemia (Draper Report 2005).

There’s a popular misapprehension that this strength of feeling was reserved to those who lived in affected areas, owned homes near power lines or have young children. This survey gives lie to these unsubstantiated claims. Scottish people clearly want action and want it now

Edward Copisarow, CEO of CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA

The results are the most significant recorded since the debate on overhead power lines began, as the sample surveyed included one third who didn’t own a property, two thirds who didn’t have children and 92% had never been affected by living near or under a power line.

In total a staggering 97% of Scots want action taken including more research. Two thirds clearly want action now to stop the problem getting worse with planning controls introduced to stop new homes being built near power lines, including one third who went further by advocating burying existing power lines to reduce the fields emitted, even before the results of the latest scientific research is published.

It’s a very clear message for the policymakers in Scotland – even those Scottish people not affected want a moratorium on new building where it puts homes and power lines next to each other. We have a duty to do everything we can to protect young lives now and in the future.

Eddie O’Gorman, Chairman of CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA who himself lost two children to cancer

These findings will be presented to the Cross Party Group, set up by the Scottish Parliament, by leading childhood leukaemia charity, CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA. Following the publication of the Draper Report last year, which found a link between childhood leukaemia and high voltage overhead power lines, the charity are calling for an immediate moratorium on building new houses or schools near or under overhead power lines.

Other findings to be presented include:

2 out of 3 Scots surveyed said that, due to health concerns alone, they would not buy a house situated near or under a power line
Over 80% of Scots are concerned about the links between childhood leukaemia and exposure to electric and magnetic fields (EMF), with 1 in 3 Scots very concerned
MSP’s will also consider the strength of scientific evidence for the link between EMF’s and childhood leukaemia and explore the legal framework in which precaution needs to be introduced by looking at UK and EU law and the experience of other countries.

While it is a rare disease, leukaemia is the most common childhood cancer. Despite the huge advances in treatment, leukaemia has claimed the lives of more children in the UK in the last five years than any other disease. The number of new cases of leukaemia is increasing each year and EMF is one of a number of possible causes. CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA continues to fund an extensive programme of research into the causes of childhood leukaemia, including the link with electric and magnetic fields.