Orono_Route_Permit_Application - Docket # W002/TL-11-223

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A number of other diseases have been investigated for possible association with ELF magnetic field exposure. These include cancers in children and adults, depression, suicide, reproductive dysfunction, developmental disorders, immunological modifications and neurological disease. The scientific evidence supporting a linkage between ELF magnetic fields and any of these diseases is much weaker than for childhood leukemia and in some cases (for example, for cardiovascular disease or breast cancer) the evidence is sufficient to give confidence that magnetic fields do not cause the disease. (Id. at p. 12.) Furthermore, in their "Summary and Recommendations for Further Study" WHO emphasized that: The limit values in [ELF -MF] exposure guidelines [should not] be reduced to some arbitrary level in the name of precaution. Such practice undermines the scientific foundation on which the limits are based and is likely to be an expensive and not necessarily effective way of providing protection. (Id. at p. 12). Although WHO recognized epidemiological studies indicate an association on the range of three to four mG, WHO did not recommend these levels as an exposure limit but instead provided: "The best source of guidance for both exposure levels and the principles of scientific review are international guidelines." Id. at pp. 12-13. The international guidelines referred to by WHO are the International Commission on Non -Ionizing Radiation Protection ("ICNIRP") and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers ("IEEE") exposure limit guidelines to protect against acute effects. Id. at p. 12. The ICNIRP-1998 continuous general public exposure guideline is 833 mG and the IEEE continuous general public exposure guideline in 9,040 mG. In addition, WHO determined that "the evidence for a casual relationship [between ELF -MF and childhood leukemia] is limited, therefore exposure limits based on epidemiological evidence is not recommended, but some precautionary measures are warranted." Id. at 355-56. WHO concluded that: given both the weakness of the evidence for a link between exposure to ELF magnetic fields and childhood leukemia, and the limited impact on public health if there is a link, the benefits of exposure reduction on health are unclear. Thus, the costs of precautionary measures should be very low... Provided that the health, social and economic benefits of electric power are not compromised, implementing very low-cost precautionary procedures to reduce exposure is reasonable and warranted. (Id at p. 13). Wisconsin, Minnesota and California have all conducted literature reviews or research to examine this issue. In 2002, Minnesota formed an Interagency Working Group ("Working Group") to evaluate the body of research and develop policy recommendations to protect the public health from any potential problems resulting from HVTL EMF effects. The Working Group consisted of staff from various state agencies and published its findings in a White Paper on Electric and Magnetic Field (EMF) Policy and Mitigation Options in September 2002, (Minnesota Department of Health, 2002). The report summarized the findings of the Working Group as follows: Research on the health effects of EMF has been carried out since the 1970s. Epidemiological studies have mixed results — some have shown no statistically significant association between exposure to EMF and health effects, some have shown a weak association. More recently, laboratory studies have failed to show such Orono Project June 7, 2011 MPUC Docket No. E002/TL-11-223 34