Abstract :
The electric and magnetic fields under 400 kV overhead lines in the UK have typical maxima of 11 kV/m and 32 A/m (40 μ T, 400 mG). The research programmes in the UK, and other countries are briefly described. The author discusses the gross effects on the body of fields, personal dosimetry, epidemiological studies and biological studies. Although some studies suggest an association between exposure to 50/60 Hz fields and cancer, other studies do not. Having reviewed the evidence, the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA), the World Health Organization, the US Congress Office of Technology Assessment and the UK National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) all consider that the relation is not established