Re: Radon, Powerlines and Cancer

[Rich Oesterling <rgo@srv.net>]

At 16:30 2/18/96 -0600, Alex Zapantis wrote:
>>To: RADSAFE --INTERNET radsafe@romulus.eh
>>
>>*** Reply to note of 02/15/96 16:36
>>
>>This is following a similar pattern to cold fusion.  Public announcements,
>> complete details not available.  Some of the problems here are this paper
>> says the radon powerline effect is E field ONLY.   The suggested ELF cancer
>> "evidence" is H field ONLY.  Daaa!
>
>Yes but the evidence is pretty tenuous at best (as you recognise with your
>""). There is no plausible model for ELF H fields causing or promoting
>cancer at field strengths commonly encountered around transmission lines.
>
>These British chaps have come up with a new model for how HT lines can cause
>cancer. Their "results" (meaning the stuff that was on their home page, most
>of it has now been removed) show about a 4 or 5 fold increase in plateout of
>Rn progeny on track etch detectors placed in contact with conductors at
>mains potential. They theorise that this may indicate that HV lines cause an
>increase in Rn progeny concentration in their vicinity and hence the
>increase dose results in increase cancer.
>
>I can not make the quantum leap between increased plateout on mains cables
>indoors in still conditions and increased risk of cancer from living near HT
>lines.
>
>(Crikey its a long way down from up here on this horse!!) INCOMING!!
>
>Regards
>
> 
>  Alex Zapantis                                         
>  Radiation Safety Officer                                     
>  Queensland University of Technology        
>  Health & Safety Section                             
>  Locked Bag No.2                    Ph     : 61 7 3864 3566
>  Red Hill Qld 4059                    fax     : 61 7 3864 3993
>  AUSTRALIA                           Email  : a.zapantis@qut.edu.au    
>
>     *****************************************************************
>       "If I could remember the names of all those particles
>        I would have become a botanist."
>                                                            Enrico Fermi
>
>     *****************************************************************

It would appear that the Brits have found a positive relationship between
grabbing hold of the mains and injuries or fatalities.

Rich Oesterling