We looked at property on a road in Mannington West Va. The land was nice but multiple power lines (double poles with eight lines) ran through one property, and about a half mile from the others.

Does anyone know how close is too close? When we stood under the lines, we couldn't feel the hair on our arms being affected, but the power station emited quite a hum from the lines. It was quite audible to about 1000 feet down the hill, away from them.

-- rick K (rick_122@hotmail.com), July 15, 2001

Answers

Rick,

While I can't point you to conclusive evidence, I know there's been lots of anecdotal evidence on strong correlations between living under or near power lines to the incidence of cancer. I recall the CBS show '60 Minutes' doing a segment on it some years ago.

Personally, I'd steer clear of that deal. There are lots of parcels of land without power lines. Why take even a small risk with your health and that of your family? I hope this helps.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), July 15, 2001.

Rick, I read a book about the dangers of emf waves from powerlines and substations several years ago. It seems to me the biggest risk was to people living under 750 yds away. Two miles is supposed to be the safest, but try finding land more than 2 miles from a powerline these days!

-- Judy C. Vaughan (whileaway3@cs.com), July 15, 2001.

I'm not a fear monger or anything,but I agree with Gary,Harrowsmith had a story once too,the jist of it was that you shouldn't sleep near the wall where your Hydro enters your home,some kids got cancer and the parents (seperate families )_said they slept under the connection

-- teri (mrs_smurf2000@yahoo.ca), July 15, 2001.

I would stay clear also,saw the same news story real scary stuff.

-- renee oneill{md.} (oneillsr@home.com), July 16, 2001.

Rick--In our area we have the huge towers with the heavy duty power lines that constantly hum. They are near my parent's home. In their area several children and an adult have died of lukemia. There are also several other cancers in the area. I would stay far, far away from any place near numerous electrical lines.

-- vicki in NW OH (thga76@aol.com), July 16, 2001.

Hi Rick, what a lovely area of WV Mannington is, been through there on US 250 many, many times!!! US 250 is a true scenic route, if you have the time to drive it instead of the freeways, it is beautiful!

What size towers are we talking about? The big metal towers over 600 feet tall, or wooden poles with double crosstie poles on top? The difference is the amount of power they carry, the big metal towers you want to be at least 1000 feet from with your house placement, don't woory about the barns, animals don't live long enough to be adversely affected by electric effect. 1000 feet is plenty of distance away for you to feel safe, you just have to be able to "live" with the noise they make.

If you like the property, buy it!!! Most all of us use electric power, and the lines have to be somewhere, you just don't want to be too close in your house to them, everything we use that draws power gives off some electromagnetic radiation, you have to use commom sense about it, that's all!!! You sure won't find such pretty and CHEAP property anwhere else in the country!

Aurora, WV, in Preston county, is also a very lovely area of WV, and has a high enough elevation that there are NO mosqitoes at all in the area (we don't have any of the little buggers here in SE OH either). I have relatives in that area and is why I have traveled over US 250 so often.

Best of luck with the Mannington place!

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), July 16, 2001.

With my dogs living 14 years, goats living about the same and donkeys 35 to 40 year lifespan I would certainly be worried about this. Especially with it cutting across the property. You have given away easement with this, in which they can come mow and cut trees anytime they want! Ask me how I know this! And this is just with a little one pole transformer with one line! You also can not build a structure underneath them nor dig a pond. Didn't move to the country to impose restrictions upon myself! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), July 16, 2001.

My dear sweet 11 year old nephew died of Luekimia {sp] six years ago, he had been around the big transmission lines all his little life. I'll probaly never know if there is a connection but I wouldn't risk my families well being if there is a possibly connection. I wouldnt want the utility company having right to come on my property but then I am a very private person. Sherry +++++++++++++++++++++++++

-- sherry (chickadee259@yahoo.com), July 16, 2001.

I think I'll steer clear. Thank you all, and those who may come later for the input.

-- rick K (rick_122@hotmail.com), July 16, 2001.