Paul Miniato

"Let's put power lines in perspective"

I understand why some Tsawwassen homeowners are willing to pay $13M to move unsightly power lines from their back yards, and why others think they shouldn't have to pick up the tab. But judging from the continued debate over health concerns, you'd think power-line EMF was the biggest threat facing our kids today.

I have a son attending school next to the line, and I tried to find out how much risk there is. Even with the results of the recent Oxford study, it appears that a causal link between EMF exposure and childhood cancers is negligible to non-existent. And that includes EMF not just from power lines, but from cell phones, hair dryers, microwave ovens, and bed-side clock radios. At its worst, possible risk from EMF is still lower than the cancer risk from automobile & truck exhaust, secondhand smoke, too much sun, not enough sun, sun lamps, alcoholic beverages, coffee, hot dogs, and pickles.

Even these threats pale besides the very real dangers our children face. Day in and day out, Canadian children die from traffic accidents, drowning, fires, alcohol & drug abuse, smoking, accidental poisoning, infectious diseases, occupational accidents, murder by peers or predators, suicide, and even their sedentary fast-food lifestyles. Meanwhile health infrastructure is crumbling.

If I had $13 million to spend on improving the health and safety of my children, knocking a few points off their EMF exposure wouldn't even make the list.

(signed)

Paul Miniato Email me.
Tsawwassen, BC

June 5, 2005

Published:
South Delta Leader (June 10, 2005)
Delta Optimist (June 11, 2005)