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

[BananaMamas]

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?

There's a pylon across the road (around 100 paces) from my old primary school, and I don't know of any kids from my school who got cancer. Residential area, probably 1/4 mile from my childhood home. We're all fine.

I don't think you'll get any answers from here that aren't just anecdotal though. If you're not comfortable, don't buy it.

I live in a town with a big childhood leukaemia cluster.

Nearest pylons are bloody miles away.

The link you posted is from a commercial company that makes money from people like you. You need to address your anxiety.

I agree.
You wouldn’t be happy somewhere that you’re nervous about.

It personally wouldn’t bother but I live in Cornwall which has high levels of radiation and my phone is constantly with me. I also drink alcohol, eat processed meat and used to smoke; which are all carcinogenic.
So I’m not exactly the most health conscious person.

My sister didn't either or my next door neighbour, or anyone from the school bang opposite it.

Honestly, by the time you have plotted the perfect spot away from:

Present and future phone masts and boosters
Present and future substations
Roads with emissions and particulates
The naturally radio-active rock underlying huge areas of Yorks and the Peak District and other areas
Etc

You might find it hard to buy a house in modern Britain.

Possibly more risk electromagnetic radiation from a mobile phone held to your head.

I was in this position OP, we loved the house but was too close to a pylon for my liking. My partner thought I was being ridiculous but there are other houses you can buy that don’t have the issue. We ended up buying elsewhere and are much happier. Also taking into consideration the eyesore of a pylon I do think it has an impact on potential resale.
Call me mental but there’s a reason these things tend to be build in more deprived areas where the populace don’t have the resources to say no.. go with your gut.

I thought that the majority of childhood leukaemias were due to changes that occur before birth. Can anyone confirm/deny this? Though the whole pylon thing is fairly debunked now.

I wouldn’t want to live near pylons at all. I always think I can hear the hum of the electricity.

It appears I’m in the minority so there will be plenty who’d choose to live in that house even if you don’t, OP.

You should probably check this list too.

Estate I lived on as a child had pylons running through it. Moved out of the area as an adult but have since moved back. My kids used to play football by the pylons (used the pylon legs as big football goals) In 55 years Haven't heard of anyone on the estate having leukaemia, not even the ones that had a pylon in their back garden! Pylons have now been removed but strangely I miss the buzzing of the cables when it was raining!

You can disregard any house for any conspiracy theory you want Op. It's your money.

Why would you trust a stranger on the internet?

But if it makes you feel better, the latest research indicates that the cluster of child leukaemia cases was likely to have been a random coincidence and no other study of the effect of electricity pylons has provided data that supports the theory that pylons cause childhood leukaemia.*

If you can see the pylons from the house you won't consider purchasing, then be aware that that will put purchasers off. People don't like living within sight of pylons. Not because they're scared of the effects but because they don't like looking at them.

*I made this up but it may well be true.

There are a load of houses near me, that are about 100ms from a pylon and we wouldn't live in them. 1km would probably be fine, but they are offputting

You are concerned, so don't buy the house.

If you can't see the pylons, I'd be happy. DH and I rejected a whole set of newbilds in an otherwise perfect location, as they were either facing the A road or the pylons. We've been in this house a year now, and a number of those newbuilds are unsold still (it was only about 25 houses).

"*I made this up but it may well be true". 🤣🤣🤣 brilliant

Move to London. No pylons there!

I would avoid because of your initial doubt.

Every time you have a health issues, that Pylon will be looming in your mind!

It's just not worth the bother. Plenty of other houses, or will be with time.

I wouldn't choose to live close to one but 1km isn't close.

But on looking it up I've now fallen down a rabbit hole with Xboxes and wireless headphones the kids use......quite worrying.

Personally wouldn’t buy a house near pylons. The distance depends on the voltage they are carrying though.

OP a simple Google will bring up numerous cancer orgs who say there is no evidence that pylons increase risk of cancer. Also it will show published scientific studies that show that too.

That's probably a better source of info than asking on Mumsnet or relying on an organisation who make money testing for electromag waves.

1km is huge.
I grew up on a housing estate one of dozens of houses clustered near the base of a pylon that was about 60 meters from our home and there were loads of houses within a 100m radius. It certainly wasn't pretty and I wouldn't choose to buy that close, but if it's more than 500m away it would be barely noticeable and if its 800-1000m away then its frankly weird to consider it an issue.

The WHO has stated that non ionising radiation is not harmful to humans, ie electricity networks pose no risk to human health.

I km is a good distance, it's not like they're in your garden.

Go see the house and decide then - if they're too visible you might not like it.

But remember, we have these radiations all around us. Electric toothbrushes are the worst and noones ever said they got cancer from that!!!!

Because why? Just ‘because’?

My parents lived near one and either side of them got MS and dad had strokes early 50s and then cancer. Who knows if any of it was linked? They may have got it all anyway, but I wouldn't want to live near one again.