Yes, in that they're less visible and so not a constant visual intrusion/reminder - 'out of sight, out of mind'.
However, sometimes the opposite can occur where the hidden nature of a technology can raise concerns. But I don't think you're right this should be less of a case of powerlines given the 'everyday nature' of electricity and its benefits). Crucial here will be how transparent the decision process to bury the cables is and whether residents have been involved in the decision-making process.
________________________________
From: Martin Birley [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wed 20/12/2006 20:36
To: Salim Vohra; [log in to unmask]
Subject: RE: high-voltage lines
When lines are buried I expect perception of risk issues diminish, don't you think?
Martin Birley
http://www.birleyhia.co.uk/
Mobile +44 (0) 7725040361
Landline +44 (0) 208 546 0823
Skype(mic/cam) martinbir
Conference call access number +44(0)7953 953 953
-----Original Message-----
From: Health Impact Assessment for the United Kingdom and Ireland [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Salim Vohra
Sent: 20 December 2006 15:32
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: high-voltage lines
Dear Amaia,
You may have already come across these resources but as part of some work I did six months ago I did a rapid search of public material on the web and found some useful stuff.
They are on the HIA wiki website http://www.seedwiki.com/wiki/health_impact_assessment_hia_community_wiki/energy?wpid=239577
It's not comprehensive but the keys links; the WHO site in particular and also the industry funded site by the National Grid are good starting points into the literature and issues as well as key organisations around the world who have undertaken research in this area. The WHO is running a major EMF study involving many countries - The International EMF Project.
The key issues are that the literature is very large, complex and wide ranging. New issues for research keep cropping up e.g. breast cancer and EMF) but the evidence for effects in general is weak, ambiguous or non-existent. The exception seems to be around childhood leukaemia and EMF exposure but the evidence is not conclusive. Therefore a precautionary approach to reducing exposure wherever possible , especially children, seems to be the general consensus with the ICNIRP guidelines being adequate, appropriate and protective against negative health effects.
However this work tends to ignore public concern and anxiety which can lead to physical health effects for long term residents near powerlines. The WHO do raise this as an issue but its not covered widely elsewhere.
Two excellent books/reports that are public accessible and written in an easy to understand form are:
[1] Establishing a Dialogue on Risks from Electromagnetic Fields; Radiation and Environmental Health; Department of Protection of the Human Environment; World Health Organization; 2002; http://www.who.int/peh-emf/publications/risk_hand/en/index.html ; last accessed 30th June 2006 (this is available in Spanish as well as other languages)
[2] Questions & Answers EMF electric and magnetic fields associated with the use of electric power; National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Institutes of Health Sciences; 2002; http://www.niehs.nih.gov/emfrapid/booklet/standard.htm ; last accessed 30th June 2006
Hope you find this useful.
Regards,
Salim
________________________________
From: Health Impact Assessment for the United Kingdom and Ireland [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of amaia bacigalupe
Sent: 20 December 2006 14:32
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: high-voltage lines
Dear all,
We are a research group belonging to the Basque Government
who is conducting a HIA on a local project in Bilbao. Among other things,
this project will bury a high-voltage line underground which,
at present, is an overhead line which completely crosses the neighbourhood.
Has anybody done any HIA on this issue or could provide us with interesting information?
Kind regards,
Apologies for cross-posting.
Amaia Bacigalupe
Health studies and research/Azterlan eta Ikerkuntza Sanitarioa
Health Department of the Basque Country/Osasun Saila
C/ Donostia-San Sebastian 1. 01010 Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spain)
Tel: +34945019233 Fax: +34 945019280
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
________________________________
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