The Price of PowerThe Price of Power

Is there a link between Pylons Is there a link between Pylons and cancer?and cancer?

A worrying trendA worrying trend

In the UK, 1,538 children were diagnosed with cancer in 2002

Can we explain this trend?Can we explain this trend? There has been a sharp increase in the amount of people There has been a sharp increase in the amount of people

being diagnosed with cancer since 1975.being diagnosed with cancer since 1975.

Worryingly research carried out in 2002 showed that 1,538 Worryingly research carried out in 2002 showed that 1,538 of the population diagnosed with cancer were actually of the population diagnosed with cancer were actually children.children.

This increase could be as a result of many factors. This increase could be as a result of many factors. However, there are many scientists that believe this However, there are many scientists that believe this increase could partially be explained by the increase in the increase could partially be explained by the increase in the number of overhead cables and pylons around the country!number of overhead cables and pylons around the country!

To assume that the increase in the amount of people being To assume that the increase in the amount of people being diagnosed with cancer is as a direct result of the increase in diagnosed with cancer is as a direct result of the increase in power cables and pylons being constructed would be naïve.power cables and pylons being constructed would be naïve.

Your objective today is to look at all the evidence and form Your objective today is to look at all the evidence and form your own opinion. You should base your opinion on facts, your own opinion. You should base your opinion on facts, and use these facts to emphasise your conclusion.and use these facts to emphasise your conclusion.

Related HeadlinesRelated Headlines

PYLONS ‘TREBLE PYLONS ‘TREBLE CANCER PARTICLES’CANCER PARTICLES’

PYLONS ‘DOUBLE CHILD CANCER

RATE,

NOTHING MORE THAN FEAR FACTOR:

NO DEFINITE LINK BETWEEN PYLONS

AND CANCER

CANCER FROM LIVING NEAR POWER

LINES RULED OUT

HOUSE PRICES TUMBLE THROUGH FEAR OF CANCER

FROM LOCAL PYLON

PARENT BLAMES OVERHEAD CABLES

FOR HER CHILDS PREMATURE DEATH

Here comes the science!Here comes the science! Every current carrying conductor (an Every current carrying conductor (an

overhead power cable) generates a overhead power cable) generates a magnetic field.magnetic field.

It is suspected that this magnetic field is It is suspected that this magnetic field is what is responsible for the increase in what is responsible for the increase in cancer ratescancer rates

Click on the following videos to get a Click on the following videos to get a better understanding of the phenomenon!better understanding of the phenomenon!

The EquipmentThe Equipment

The effect of a magnetic fieldThe effect of a magnetic field All magnetic All magnetic

compasses are aligned compasses are aligned to the earths natural to the earths natural magnetic fieldmagnetic field

As a result of this the As a result of this the needle of the compass needle of the compass points North.points North.

However when a However when a stronger magnetic field stronger magnetic field is present the needle is present the needle of the compass points of the compass points to its north pole.to its north pole.

See Movie 1

The magnetic field around a current The magnetic field around a current carrying wirecarrying wire

Originally all the Originally all the compass needles are compass needles are pointing to the north pointing to the north pole of the earths pole of the earths magnetic field.magnetic field.

When the power is When the power is turned on the current turned on the current passing through the passing through the wire creates a wire creates a magnetic field.magnetic field.

This affects the This affects the needles on the needles on the compasses.compasses.

See Movie 2

Science in the NewsScience in the News

Read two very different views on the link Read two very different views on the link between pylons and cancer.between pylons and cancer.

This article puts forward the issue that This article puts forward the issue that pylons increase the risk of cancer.pylons increase the risk of cancer.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/545086.stmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/545086.stm This article rejects claims that pylons This article rejects claims that pylons

increase the risk of developing cancer.increase the risk of developing cancer.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2977778.stmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2977778.stm

ActivityActivity

Your group must formulate an opinion Your group must formulate an opinion based on facts that you resource.based on facts that you resource.

There are a number of suggested web There are a number of suggested web sites to follow as well as a wealth of other sites to follow as well as a wealth of other resources available on the net.resources available on the net.

Remember what ever opinion you reach Remember what ever opinion you reach you have to have specific facts to validate you have to have specific facts to validate your opinion.your opinion.

PlenaryPlenary

Your teacher will ask you to present Your teacher will ask you to present your findings in a variety of formats.your findings in a variety of formats.

You will need to present your ideas You will need to present your ideas to the rest of the class when you are to the rest of the class when you are finished. Remember not everyone finished. Remember not everyone will agree with you so you require will agree with you so you require facts to support your opinion.facts to support your opinion.