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Pylons: Health Hazards

Asked by Andrew BowieConservativeDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled Answered 28 October 2024UIN 9931

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department holds information on the potential impact of electromagnetic fields from high-voltage electricity pylons on public health.

Answered by Michael Shanks

The National Policy Statement for electricity networks notes that all overhead power lines produce electromagnetic fields (EMF), and that Government policy is that exposure of the public to EMF from 275kV and 400kV lines should be limited to low levels in compliance with International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection guidelines (1998). Potential health effects associated with long-term low-level exposure to EMF have been extensively studied over recent decades and detrimental effects have not been found.

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