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Lorne Hillier <br /> October 20, 1987 <br /> Page 2 <br /> The Panel concluded that Savitz strengthened the basis for the hypothesis <br /> that a relationship exists between childhood cancer incidence and exposure <br /> to low level 60 Hz magnetic fields. However, the Panel did not consider <br /> Savitz as demonstrating causality because of the following: The results <br /> have not been duplicated in other well designed studies and in other <br /> geographic areas, and no basic mechanism has been proposed to explain the <br /> casual relationship. Furthermore, the Savitz results seemed non-intuitive <br /> in that they reported an association of cancer with low power condition <br /> magnetic fields, but were unable to find an association with high power <br /> condition magnetic fields. <br /> Panel Recommendations <br /> The major recommendation of the Panel was for more research in several <br /> study areas. The Panel's report did not recommend standards for electric <br /> or magnetic field exposure, nor did it translate the study results into <br /> other regulatory recommendations such as ROW widths or minimum heights for <br /> transmission lines. <br /> Proposed London Substation <br /> Viewed in light of the information presented above, the proposed <br /> substation should present no significant risks from electromagnetic fields <br /> to nearby residents or passersby. This judgement is almost insured by the <br /> remoteness of the site combined with an understanding of the sources of <br /> electric and magnetic field strengths. <br /> Energized conductors create electric fields. The strength of the field <br /> depends upon the distance from the conductor and its voltage. Electric <br /> currents flowing through conductors create magnetic fields around the <br /> conductor. The strength of the field depends upon the distance from the <br /> conductor and the amount of current flowing through it. The key is that <br /> the relative strengths of both fields decrease with an increase in <br /> distance from the source. <br /> For example, the magnetic fields next to substations are generally below <br /> several milliGause (mG), but may be up to 100 mG next to certain <br /> electrical equipment. These higher fields decrease rapidly to less than 1 <br /> mG at a distance of only 10 feet from the equipment. The proposed <br /> location for the London Substation is 225 by 300 feet of which 95 by 130 <br /> feet will be fenced with the transformer at the center. Obviously, <br /> isolation and simple physics will combine to prevent any significant <br /> exposures to electromagnetic fields. <br /> Dennis Geary <br /> DMG/jms <br />