The Fifth Meeting

The fifth meeting of the Cross-Party Inquiry into Childhood Leukaemia and Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF) took place on Wednesday 13 June.

Dr Ian Gibson, Sandra Gidley and and Dr Howard Stoate (Chair) were present. Apologies were recived from Nick Hurd and Michael Connarty. Evidence was given by Dr Jill Meara (Deputy Director / Public Health Consultant), Dr Mike Clark (Head of Press and Communications), Dr Zenon Sienkiewicz (Principal Scientific Officer), Dr M P Maslanyi (Honorary Visiting Fellow, University of York and Senior Scientific Officer, EMF Dosimetry Group), all from the Health Protection Agency and Mr Nick Goodall (Chief Executive) and Dr John Swanson (Scientific Advisor) from the Energy Networks Association. Also in attendance were Edward Copisarow, Chantelle Roberts and Dr Adrienne Morgan (all from CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA).

Witnesses from the Health Protection Agency - Radiation Protection Division (HPA-RPD) explained the history, function and main interests of the HPA-RPD and recommendations made to Government by the HPA on EMF exposure limits and precautionary measures. The witnesses also discussed the SAGE process and the current status of scientific evidence for an association between ELF EMF and health effects, including childhood leukaemia.

Nick Goodall, Chief Executive of ENA gave evidence on the background and purpose of the association, the association's involvement with health issues and EMF and the ENA's membership of the SAGE process. Dr John Swanson gave more detailed information on the SAGE process and possible precautionary measures.