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AIBU?

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Original poster

To discard a house because it's less than 1 km from pylons

116 replies

BananaMamas · 21/08/2023 09:12

I have tried to research this and there doesn't seem to be any specific advice other than the very minimum distance required for security. I came across an old research suggesting a potential correlation between child leukemia and living less than 1 km away from electricity pylons.
A new house came on the market just now which is in an area we'd consider but right at the border or where we'd stretch to and just under 1 km from pylons. Am I mad to say I don't want to go and see it because of that?

OP posts:
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Toddlerteaplease · 21/08/2023 09:13

Yes. It wouldn't bother me at all.

WingedHermes · 21/08/2023 09:13

Yes. HTH.

DisforDarkChocolate · 21/08/2023 09:13

Even without research I wouldn't move close to pylons, if you're not comfortable that's enough.

HakunaMatiłda · 21/08/2023 09:14

1km is quite a distance!

WingedHermes · 21/08/2023 09:14

Think about what you've said yourself:

old research
potential correlation (not causation mind)

Original poster
BananaMamas · 21/08/2023 09:15

@WingedHermes I know, but if I can find somewhere else a bit more further away from the pylons why risk?

OP posts:
Original poster
BananaMamas · 21/08/2023 09:15

Has anyone come across a recent research on this? I can't find anything

OP posts:
DinoDaddy · 21/08/2023 09:16

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Original poster
BananaMamas · 21/08/2023 09:17

@DinoDaddy Thanks, that's very kind of you

OP posts:
OP posts:
avwnao · 21/08/2023 09:21

BananaMamas · 21/08/2023 09:15

@WingedHermes I know, but if I can find somewhere else a bit more further away from the pylons why risk?

So why even ask then? You've already made up your mind 🤷‍♀️

Original poster
BananaMamas · 21/08/2023 09:21

@avwnao because I realise it's an overly cautious thought and I was hoping someone would know more about this and be able to advise

OP posts:
vodkaredbullgirl · 21/08/2023 09:21

If it makes you nervous, I would look elsewhere.

user1477391263 · 21/08/2023 09:21

There are about to be a LOT of pylons built near a LOT of poeple’s properties in the UK due to the rapid move towards renewables and electrification of everything. All very important and welcome, but I hope people are prepared for this change!

avwnao · 21/08/2023 09:23

BananaMamas · 21/08/2023 09:21

@avwnao because I realise it's an overly cautious thought and I was hoping someone would know more about this and be able to advise

But someone did - and you response was why risk it - so as I said a totally pointless thread.

Cyclingforcake · 21/08/2023 09:23

The reason there is no recent research is because that paper was thoroughly debunked and is used in classrooms as a textbook case of correlation not causation.

Marmalady75 · 21/08/2023 09:24

It wouldn’t bother me personally. Wouldn’t want the pylon right beside my garden, but otherwise not an issue.
It is an issue for you, it sounds like it would play on your mind, so just keep looking for your perfect property - this isn’t it!

Name99 · 21/08/2023 09:26

I lived near pylons as a child and didn't get leukaemia.
HTH

Original poster
BananaMamas · 21/08/2023 09:30

@Name99 well obv it’s just an increased risk, not a 100% hit rate🙄

OP posts:
WomanAtWork · 21/08/2023 09:30

We live near pylons I’d say 15 mins walk, but it is through woodland so hard to say as the crow flies I have not measured. Our neighbourhood was built in the 80s. It’s very pleasant here - we don’t have road noise or pollution, there’s loads of fields and woodlands to play in, and safe paths for cycling.

I don’t think there has been any noticeable cancer risk here - lots of kids stay in the area as it is so nice (if they can afford it). Hard to say I suppose.

I would say though, if you feel uncomfortable it’s not the actual risk, it is your PERCEPTION of risk that counts. I wouldn’t want to live next door to 4 Rottweilers, even if they seemed very well trained.

Find another house, and have peace of mind.

stealthninjamum · 21/08/2023 09:31

Op I’ve only skimmed the link you’ve read but it doesn’t seem to give absolute numbers. If 10 children in 100 get leukaemia normally then a 60% increase would be worrying but if the figure were 1 in a 1000 or 1 in 10000 I would think the article scaremongering and wonder why that company had put it there.

Will you be checking your child’s school to make sure there are no pylons too? And will you be making sure your child never eats highly processed meats or any one of a million things that might lead to cancer.

i think you need to relax about this.

BarbaraV · 21/08/2023 09:32

My aunt died of leukaemia and the consultant asked her if she lived near a pylon very early on in the process. She did when she was growing up. Her sister and brother got leukaemia too but fortunately they survived, unlike my lovely auntie.

So we discount them too, even if the consultant was wrong I wouldn't ever risk it

BeverleyMacker · 21/08/2023 09:34

Even if you decide you'd be ok with it, you might struggle to sell in the future.

Iknowthis1 · 21/08/2023 09:37

This is not the house for you.

The concern will still be at the back of your mind there even if you find an article saying that it's safe.

SpicyNoodleSoup · 21/08/2023 09:39

Pylons 1km away wouldn't bother me as that is a quite a distance. But I wouldn't buy a house if they were on the property or very close by/dominating the view.