Stunell speaks out on risks of overhead power lines
August 4, 2005 5:36 PM
Following a new report linking childhood leukaemia with high voltage power lines, Andrew Stunell MP has called for a freeze on building of school and homes close to these lines.
Hazel Grove MP, Andrew Stunell said:
"The Draper Report, funded by the Department of Health gives worrying evidence that children born close to high voltage power lines are at an increased risk of childhood leukaemia. Childhood leukaemia is the UK's biggest child-killer disease and it is still on the increase."
Mr Stunell has previously called for high voltage power lines in his own area to be moved away from residential areas. Mr Stunell added:
"With power lines positioned close to many homes in the Offerton Green estate, there is local concern and I will continue to campaign on the issue.
"Children's safety must come first. We need to see an immediate freeze on building homes and schools close to high voltage power lines, and much more research into the subject. I am meeting a senior scientific advisor to the National Grid to take this further."
ENDS
Notes to Editors
1. 1. More details about the issue can be found at: www.bbc.net.uk/1/low/health/4606229.stm">http://newswww.bbc.net.uk/1/low/health/4606229.stm
2. The text of the Parliamentary Motion is:
CHILDHOOD LEUKAEMIA AND OVERHEAD POWER LINES
That this House recognises that childhood leukaemia is the UK's biggest child-killer disease and that it is still on the increase; welcomes the publication of the paper, `Childhood cancer in relation to distance from high voltage power lines in England and Wales', known as the Draper Report, funded by the Department of Health; notes that the conclusion to the report states `There is an association between childhood leukaemia and proximity of home address at birth to high voltage power lines and the apparent risk extends to a greater distance than would have been expected from previous studies'; recognises that the proportion of the UK population now known to be at increased risk of childhood leukaemia from proximity to such lines is 10 times greater than previously demonstrated; endorses the call by the charity Children with Leukaemia to introduce an immediate moratorium on the building of new schools and homes in the proximity of these lines and to increase funding for research into the relationship between electric and magnetic fields and causation of childhood leukaemia; and calls on the Government to take immediate action to help protect children's health.
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