| Monday, 08 May 2006 | |
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MP to chair commission looking into link between leukaemia and overhead power lines Dartford MP, Dr Howard Stoate, is to chair a new Parliamentary Commission that is to examine the link between childhood leukaemia and exposure to electric and magnetic fields - a principal source of which is overhead electricity transmission lines. The Commission, which holds its first meeting today, will examine the scientific evidence on the links between EMF and childhood leukaemia, review planning guidelines on the proximity of housing to power lines and look at the merits of precautionary action to reduce exposure to EMF. Research published last year in the British Medical Journal concluded that children living within 200m of a high voltage power line were at a 70% greater risk developing leukaemia than those living 600m or more away. Dr Stoate said; “Childhood leukaemia is a rare condition and the effect of EMF may well be small but clearly there is a high level of concern amongst the public. That is why, as parliamentarians, we think it is right to look at the issue in some detail to move the debate forward and to assist Government in coming to a conclusion about how to deal with this complex issue. We will circulate a report of our deliberations to Government, Parliament and all those concerned with the issue.” The Commission is being run with the support of the Charity, Children with Leukaemia. Edward Copisarow, Chief Executive of Children with Leukaemia, said; “this is a public policy matter of utmost importance. Childhood leukaemia is a devastating disease. It is already the most common childhood cancer and the number of new cases every year is growing – probably as a result of lifestyle and environmental factors. It is impossible to put a price on saving the life of a child and it would be wrong to base decisions on what to do about the EMF problem on financial considerations alone.” Notes The other members of the Commission are Dr Ian Gibson MP (Lab), Michael Connarty MP (Lab), Sandra Gidley MP (Lib Dem) and Nick Hurd MP (Con). An Early Day Motion calling on the Government to introduce an immediate moratorium on new homes being built near power lines has support of 170 backbench MPs. |
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© 2008 Dr Howard Stoate - Member of Parliament for Dartford
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