The proportion of the UK population at increased risk of childhood leukaemia from proximity to high voltage overhead power lines is ten times greater than previously demonstrated.

Eddie O'Gorman, Chairman of leading UK charity CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA, who has himself lost a child to leukaemia, said "We have to do everything we can to protect young lives: there is now a clear case for immediate government action. Planning controls must be introduced to stop houses and schools being built close to high voltage overhead power lines."

Ten fold increase in demonstrated cases: previous studies have shown similar increases in childhood leukaemia but only in the less than 0.5% of the population living closest to high voltage overhead power lines. This study shows an apparent impact affecting close to 5% of the UK population.

CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA is Britain's leading charity dedicated exclusively to the conquest of childhood leukaemia through pioneering research, new treatment and support of leukaemic children and their families.

Leukaemia is Britain's biggest child-killer disease and is on the increase.

CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA currently invest in excess of £10m every year in its vital charitable work including research, support and education. Last month CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA committed over £1m in grants for research into the causes of childhood leukaemia with 12 projects examining the importance of factors such as diet, melatonin, infection, genetic susceptibility and exposure of EMFs and radiation.

In 2004 CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIAorganised the world's first international conference on the causes and prevention of childhood leukaemia which attracted 250 scientists and clinicians. CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA is in the mainstream of international opinion in believing that childhood leukaemia is a multi-causal and multi-factorial disease.

CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA is a key partner with the Department of Health and National Grid Transco in SAGE (Stakeholder Advisory Group on EMFs) which is examining the health effects of EMFs and the charity is contributing 1/3 of the costs. SAGE was approved by Health Minister, Melanie Johnson, and is expected to be re-approved by the new Public Health Minister, Caroline Flint. The purpose of SAGE is "To bring together the range of stakeholders to identify and explore the implications for a precautionary approach to ELF EMF (electric and magnetic fields) and make practical recommendations for precautionary measures" Spokespeople available for comment on behalf of CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA:

Professor Denis Henshaw, Scientific Adviser to CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA whose work on explaining how high voltage power lines can have an adverse impact on child health is cited in BMJ's accompanying science commentary.

Tel: 0117 926 0353
Mobile: 07773 356442

Edward Copisarow, CEO of CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA

Tel: 020 7404 0808
Mobile: 07932 152522

Eddie O'Gorman, Chairman of CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA, who has himself lost a child to leukaemia

For more information or to arrange an interview with Eddie O'Gorman, please contact Tina Price at Tina Price Consultants on 02380 454570 or 07966 239092

CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA