British scientists have revisited the question of whether high-voltage power lines are harmful to humans and how exactly an increased health risk arises. For years, studies have been conducted to determine whether high-voltage power lines increase the risk of blood cancer in the long term. Studies suggest that they do, but there are no scientifically sound explanations yet. In addition, a plausible explanation has now been almost refuted. The “corona ionization” was a convincing explanation until recently, which assumes that high-voltage power lines ionize air pollutants and make them even more harmful. However, this hypothesis is now weakening.
The British researchers confirm what has been suspected since the late 1970s: children who grow up near high-voltage power lines are more likely to develop blood cancer. In a 2010 study, there was talk of a 70% increased risk of leukemia in children who live less than 200 meters from a line, compared to a distance of 600 meters or more. The risk is increased by 20% between 200 and 600 meters. These alarming numbers cannot be refuted by the new study in the IOP Science journal. Instead, the common hypothesis is being questioned. Based on corona ionization, children in close proximity should be particularly at risk. This is initially confirmed, but the cases in the range between 200 and 600 meters are not sufficiently clarified because the magnetic field of the lines does not extend several hundred meters. One could argue that these cases were caused by ionized air pollutants that were blown away, which is also possible. However, this hypothesis does not correlate with the wind directions that were investigated based on over 50,000 leukemia cases. The once plausible explanation has been significantly shaken by these results.
One thing remains likely: high voltage increases the risk of leukemia in children. However, it is still not clear how it comes about. It may be possible to explain the diseases in the future through a revised and expanded corona ion hypothesis. The Oxford researchers also do not rule out that the field effects of the high-voltage power lines could still play a role. High-voltage power lines are not only unwanted from an optical point of view, but many people also have concerns about possible health risks.
