Electric and Magnetic Fields
PNM understands that there is some public concern regarding alleged
human heath effects and exposure to electric and magnetic fields. Because of this,
we are closely following the ongoing research developing in this area. We believe
that, if evaluated closely and objectively, anyone concerned with this issue will
be encouraged by the findings of the following respected organizations:
- In December 1999, THE LANCET reports that new research done by the UK Childhood
Cancer Study investigators casts doubt over a possible link between exposure to
electromagnetic radiation and childhood cancer. "Their results show no significant
link between exposure to EMF and other childhood leukemias." - December 1999,
THE LANCET.
- In June 1999, the National Academy of Sciences/National Research
Council (NRC) released a review of the study cited above. The NRC concluded: "It
now appears even less likely that magnetic fields in the normal domestic or occupational
environment produce important health effects, including cancer. The results of
the EMF-RAPID program do not support the contention that the use of electricity
poses a major unrecognized public-health danger." - June 1999, Research on
Power-Frequency Fields Completed Under the Energy Policy Act of 1992 [Final Report,
1999].
- In June 1999, congressionally mandated research by the National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, known as the EMF-RAPID program, concluded:
"The scientific evidence suggesting that (extremely low frequency) EMF exposures
pose any health risk is weak. ... Virtually all of the laboratory evidence in
animals and humans and most of the mechanistic work done in cells fail to support
a causal relationship between exposure to ELF-EMF at environmental levels and
changes in biological function or disease status." - June 1999, NIEHS Report
on Health Effects from Exposure to Power Line Frequency Electric and Magnetic
Fields.
- In April 1999, a health study of 800 children in five Canadian
provinces investigated whether electric power lines and magnetic fields around
their homes increased the risk of developing leukemia. It concluded: "There
is no clear connection between exposure to power frequency electric and magnetic
fields and the risk of childhood leukemia." - April 1999, BC Cancer Agency
press release, in advance of published results in American Journal of Epidemiology,
May 1999.
- In July 1997, the National Cancer Institute reported the following
conclusion: "Our results provide little evidence that living in homes characterized
by high measured time-weighted average magnetic-field levels or by the highest
wire-code category increases the risk of ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) in
children." - July 1996, The New England Journal of Medicine.
- In October
1996, the National Academy of Science - upon review of more the 500 studies spanning
17 years of research - concluded: "Based on a comprehensive evaluation of
published studies relating to the effects of power frequency electric and magnetic
fields on cells, tissues, and organisms (including humans), the conclusion of
the committee is that the current body of evidence does not show that exposure
to these fields presents a human-health hazard." - October 1996, Possible
Health Effects of Exposure to Residential Electric and Magnetic Field (Pre-publication
Copy), National Academy Press.
- In April 1995, the American Physical Society
concluded: "The scientific literature and the reports of reviews by other
panels show no consistent, significant link between cancer and power line fields.”
April 1995." - statement by the Council of the American Physical Society.
PNM
recognizes that some level of public concern will persist regarding the EMF issue.
Therefore, PNM will do what is reasonably possible to develop substation layouts
and transmission line configurations that are intended to reduce electric and
magnetic field levels at the edge of substation property lines and at the edge
of transmission line right-of-ways. More information
on the Web 
Medical College of Wisconsin
EMF Rapid
World Health Organization
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