Agenda - Council - 06/25/2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Enterprise Park to Crooked Lake 115 kV Transmission Line March 2012 Environmental Assessment • Epidemiological studies have serious limitations in their ability to demonstrate a cause and effect relationship whereas laboratory studies, by design, can clearly show that cause and effect are possible. 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. The lack of consistent positive findings in animal or mechanistic studies weakens the belief that this association is actually due to ELF-EMFs, but it cannot completely discount the epidemiological findings. • The NIEHS concludes that ELF-EMF exposure cannot be recognized as entirely safe because of weak scientific evidence that exposure may pose a leukemia hazard. In our opinion, this finding is insufficient to warrant aggressive regulatory concern. However, because virtually everyone in the United States uses electricity and therefore is routinely exposed to ELF-EMF, passive regulatory action is warranted such as a continued emphasis on educating both the public and the regulated community on means aimed at reducing exposures. The NIEHS does not believe that other cancers or non -cancer health outcomes provide sufficient evidence of a risk to currently warrant concern (NIEHS, 1999). The USEPA states the following viewpoint of the associated health effects of EMFs on its website: Much of the research about power lines and potential health effects is inconclusive. Despite more than two decades of research to determine whether elevated EMF exposure, principally due to magnetic fields, is related to an increased risk of childhood leukemia, there is still no definitive answer. The general scientific consensus is that, thus far, the evidence available is weak and is not sufficient to establish a definitive cause -effect relationship (USEPA: Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF) Radiation from Power Lines, 2010). The WHO states the following viewpoint of the associate health effects of EMFs on its website: Based on a recent in-depth review of the scientific literature, the WHO concluded that current evidence does not confirm the existence of any health consequences from exposure to low level electromagnetic fields. However, some gaps in knowledge about biological effects exist and need further research (WHO, 2010). In September of 2002, the MSIWG on EMF Issues, published "A White Paper on Electric and Magnetic Field (EMF) Policy and Mitigation Options," referred to as the "White Paper." The MSIWG was formed to examine the potential health impacts of EMFs and to provide useful, science -based information to policy makers in Minnesota. Work Group members included representatives from the Department of Commerce, the Department of Health, the Pollution Control Agency, the Public Utilities Commission, and the Environmental Quality Board (MSIWG, 2002). The White Paper concluded the following findings: 35