Published: July 29, 2009 09:20 pm      

Power line could pose threat of leukemia for children

Like so many West Virginians, Virginians and Marylanders who are affected by the proposed PATH power line, I am trying to sort out fact from fiction. I am really troubled by the risk of childhood leukemia being imposed upon our children, grandchildren and future generations.

The high-voltage alternating current in the transmission lines like PATH causes “electro-magnetic fields” or EMF. The power companies behind PATH deny any connection between EMF from high voltage lines and health risks.

They say nothing about the Draper study conducted in the UK over 33 years, which revealed in 2003 that children under the age of 15 living within 100 meters (300 ft.) of high-voltage lines have close to twice the risk of developing leukemia, and children five years old and younger have even a higher risk.

Thousands of children along this proposed line will be exposed to EMF from being in close proximity to these lines at home or at school, as is the case in Jefferson County, W.Va. Our children are our most valuable resource. They aren’t lab rats and their safety is our greatest concern.

A 765kv line like PATH brings increased exposure and higher risks — most research has been done on much smaller lines. I bet that the opportunistic people who are poised to make millions on these power line deals won’t be watching their children or grandchildren playing under PATH towers or lines, like guinea pigs in some ill-fated lab experiment.

Perhaps enlightened values and progressive 20th-century decision making will triumph over greed and no child’s life or well-being will need to be sacrificed.

Nancy Williams

Elkview, W.Va.