” The high voltage transmission line (HVTL) / cancer connection is solid for childhood leukemia, and very recently, a Swiss study has associated Alzheimer’s disease with residence near HVTs.
New HVTLs should not be located close to homes or schools.” … Dr. Sam Milham, La Quinta, California (see #11 below)
———————-
This is a continuation of email sent Oct 07, 2008:
2008-10-07 Feedback: Letter from School Superintendent re high voltage transmission lines, (sandrafinley.ca/blog/?p=27293)
“… The Delta School District relies on professional advice from experts in the field.” … “… with respect to the issue of power lines and health, it is safe for students and staff to attend South Delta Secondary School.”
———————-
CONTENTS (most of these are short paragraphs)
- INTRODUCTION
- GAUSSMETER FOR MEASURING
- EMF “SENSITIVITY”: CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY
- EMF DISEASE : CHEMICAL DISEASE
- EMFs, WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OTHER COUNTRIES?
- B.C. TRANSMISSION CORPORATION’S ROLE
- EASY FOR US ALL TO HELP THE MOTHERS IN TSAWWASSEN
- VISUALS HELP: LIST AND MARK THE FURDALE CANCERS ON A MAP
- CANCER RESEARCH DAY IN SASKATOON, DEC 5TH
- CONTACT GAYLE COHEN, “HIGH FREQUENCY VOLTAGE ASSOCIATED WITH CANCER INCIDENCE IN TEACHERS IN A CALIFORNIA SCHOOL (2008)”
- DR. MILHAM DID THE RESEARCH STUDY IN LA QUINTA. HE TELLS US “HOW TO PROCEED” HERE.
- AUSTRALIA ADVISES PUBLIC TO REDUCE EXPOSURE TO ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
- WEB-SITES WITH INFORMATION ON EMFs
- FACEBOOK GROUP
- WILL THE PREMIER OF B.C. BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CANCERS THAT DEVELOP IN TSAWWASSEN? … OR IS IT US?
- SEND MAP TO PEACE RIVER PEOPLE. HIGH VOLTAGE LINES FOR NUCLEAR ENERGY FROM BRUCE POWER REACTORS
- LIVING NEAR A POWERLINE CAN DOUBLE YOUR CHANCE OF DYING FROM ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE, SWISS STUDY, NOV 2008
- THE U.S. NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE LISTING OF THE SWISS RESEARCH, from Power Watch
- ANITA COMMUNICATING WITH SENIORS’ GROUPS: THE ALZHEIMERS CONNECTION
- COMMUNICATION TO HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
- INFORM GOVERNMENT
- SAMPLE LETTER
- NEW TRANSMISSION LINES: KNOW WHERE THE ELECTRICITY IS GOING. INDEPENDENT (PRIVATE) POWER PRODUCERS (IPPs) on BC RIVERS.
- MOTHERS AGAINST POWER POLES (MAPP), FROM EMAIL SENT SEPT 27
- FATE OF THE CANADIAN CHILDHOOD CANCER SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL PROGRAMME (CCCSCP); MORE ON FURDALE
That’s all ~~~~~ !
==============================
- INTRODUCTION
“Talk” says there are too many cancers near some electrical fields.
Don’t know. And Health Canada cut the funding to the Canadian Childhood Cancer Surveillance and Control Programme, so how will we ever know?
Dr. Magda Havas from Trent University gave a presentation at the Prevent Cancer NOW Conference. … Ooooh yes – there is a relationship between cancers and EMF’s, as they are called (Electro Magnetic Fields).
============================
- GAUSSMETER FOR MEASURING
Anita (Tsawwassen, B.C.) writes: “You can measure the magnetic field. The gadget is called a gaussmeter (also known as a magnetometer) and it measures milligauss. 2 – 4 mG is generally considered by world experts to be a safe level.”
Madga had some gaussmeters at the Prevent Cancer NOW organization’s conference. You can take readings from around a room, for example, at the electrical plug-ins.
A quick google search shows lots of information and suppliers of gaussmeters.
============================
- EMF “SENSITIVITY” : CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY
A young woman at the presentation is very sensitive to EMFs. There is a growing number of people who suffer from health symptoms that are being traced back to EMFs. EMF sensitivity has parallels with chemical sensitivity.
People with chemical sensitivities are careful in the siting of their homes and what they bring into their homes. They must limit themselves to as little exposure as possible or suffer debilitating health consequences. The same is true for people with EMF sensitivity.
==============================
- EMF DISEASE : CHEMICAL DISEASE
Chemicals are associated with cancers. EMFs are associated with cancers.
It is now well-established that EMFs are associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Chemicals are clearly associated with reductions in cognitive functioning in children (interference in cognitive development).
EMFs and chemicals are invisible. There are other disease or bad health connections for both.
=================================
- EMFs, WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OTHER COUNTRIES?
Thanks to the Mothers in Tsawwassen. Their battle brings us a fast lesson in EMFs.
I am doubly indebted: knowledge of the Tsawwassen situation (July email) caused my nephew and his wife with their infant twins to back out of a house deal in Red Deer. They got a gaussmeter; the reading caused by a nearby transmission line was above safe levels. What a relief they got the information in time. I hope other people, and especially the Mothers in Tsawwassen, will benefit in a some way from this assembled information.
The knowledge level and actions in Canada about exposure to EMFs is behind other countries.
– July 2007 Australian authorities will advise the public on how to reduce their exposure to electromagnetic fields
– This month a UK government inquiry recommended a moratorium on building new homes and schools within 60 metres of existing high-voltage overhead powerlines.
– 2008 High Frequency Voltage Transients Associated With Increased Cancer Incidence in Teachers in a California School (more detail in #10 below.
– Nov 2008 Living close to a powerline can double your chance of dying from Alzheimer’s Disease A large new study (4.7 million persons) from Switzerland shows a significant dose-related increase in deaths from Alzheimer’s Disease … more information in #17.
A Google news search on “EMFs” turns up:
– Cancer fear spurs kindy (kindergarten) to fight ‘killer rays’
New Zealand Herald, New Zealand – 29 Oct 2008 Links with EMF levels and child cancers were what was most alarming, Miss Drinnan said. “There was a big case in Massey a few years ago linking EMF with …
– Saw Creek is fixing for a fight
Pocono Record, Pennsylvania – 12 Nov 2008 Residents are worried that increased electromagnetic fields, or EMFs, could cause cancer clusters, childhood leukemia and other illnesses. …
– Greens: No Cell Towers Near Schools/preschools Voxy, New Zealand – 3 Nov 2008 “As more and more evidence emerges about the potential adverse health effects of low level exposure to EMF, the Government must take a precautionary …
Anita writes:
“We understand that the World Health Organization (WHO) will be issuing international guidelines on the basis that there is a link between the emissions and infant leukemia. As you are no doubt well aware, other research has found links between other forms of cancers and proximity of residences to high voltage transmission lines.
======================
- B.C. TRANSMISSION CORPORATION’S ROLE
(Anita, continuing): “BC Transmission Corporation has been publishing
misleading information to all of us by stating that exposure of up to 833 mG is the WHO guideline without noting that WHO has not issued guidelines, and that the 833 is a figure quoted for short term occupational exposure. This truly verges on psychopathic behavior – lying and doing whatever is necessary to achieve the corporation’s goals. Incidentally, there was an excellent documentary film released several years ago, entitled “THE CORPORATION”. In this film, the actions of some huge corporations meet the conditions of the checklist developed for psychopathic behavior by Dr. Robert Hare.”
=====================================
- EASY FOR US ALL TO HELP THE MOTHERS IN TSAWWASSEN
Women in the lower mainland of B.C. are fighting a high-voltage line that runs right through their community. One of the towers has been erected on the school parking lot. The wires are not yet hung. The Mothers’ chance of success will be enhanced if some of us will pitch in. You know people in B.C. Send information to them. Phone, write or email Gordon Campbell, the Premier of B.C. (tel. 250-387-1715; email premier@gov.bc.ca )
Also, the School Superintendent identifies other parties we should be talking to:
” The Delta School District relies on professional advice from experts in the field. Advice on public health matters comes from the World Health Organization, Health Canada, the Fraser Health Authority, and the BC Centre for Disease Control.
In a letter dated July 30, 2008, the Chief Medical Health Officer of the Fraser Health Authority stated that “… with respect to the issue of power lines and health, it is safe for students and staff to attend South Delta Secondary School.” A copy of the full text of the letter from the Chief Medical Health Officer and other information is available on the District’s web-site at www.deltasd.bc.ca. ”
Hopefully some of us will look up contact info and send an email with information on EMFs to:
– Chief Medical Health Officers (they exist at the regional, provincial and national level. They meet with each other.
– Fraser Health Authority
– BC Centre for Disease Control
– Health Canada (probably a waste of time. Any of the thousands of people who have worked on pesticide bylaws know that Health Canada is dedicated to the health of industry profits. The Canadian public is not its clientele.)
– World Health Organization (WHO). As with Health Canada and many of the American regulatory agencies, the pharm-chem=biotech transnationals have gotten their people well placed inside Government. Or, they have the lobbying dollars to buy favours. You simply cannot rely on them to look after the public interest in removal of cause of disease.
The woman I talked with in Premier Campbell’s office was sympathetic to the information about Furdale (#8 and #24 below), the teachers in California (#10), etc. She was also honest: she said that the high power transmission line will go ahead in spite of the information.
The Government doesn’t care how many children and adults will have some form of cancer or other disease from the high voltage line – UNLESS. The line will go through – UNLESS. Unless enough people know AND make it known to Government.
Remember: B.C. was going ahead with an Independent (Private) Power Producer
(IPP) on the Pitt River (#22 below). A thousand people turned up at a public meeting. The Premier decided maybe it wasn’t such a good idea after all.
When I think of your situation (Tsawwasswen) with the power tower in place I am reminded of the nuclear power plant in Austria. The whole plant was built. The citizens forced a referendum and voted against it. It has never been turned on. I think it’s a museum now.
High voltage transmission lines are an issue in the Peace River area (nuclear energy for the tar sands). They are an issue wherever in Canada there is a plan for the export of electricity to the U.S. The information in this email should be known to the people whose lives will be affected by the lines.
To put children and their families through two years of grueling cancer treatment, and for the child to die in spite of the treatment is a tragedy, especially when the cause is known with a high degree of certainty.
I am thankful to the Mothers from Tsawwassen; we learn through their work.
====================================
- VISUALS HELP: LIST AND MARK THE FURDALE CANCERS ON A MAP
(I deleted the attachment, a map of Furdale with cancers marked. They make a line parallel to the transmission line. PLEASE ask me for the map if it would be useful. It makes too many kilobytes to include in this email.)
Furdale (pop’n approx 200 people) is a compelling example that other communities can use (especially right now – the women in the lower mainland of B.C.).
We went to Furdale on Tuesday.
The attached map shows SOME of the cancers, numbered:
1 Danny survived Hodgkins
2 Tanya deceased rhabdomyosarcoma
3 Amanda survived Hodgkins
4 M.S. deceased stomach cancer
5 M.J. deceased cancer
6 M.L. deceased brain tumour
These 6 cancers are along one street (Strathcona Ave). Roughly a city block long (not a short block but a longish one).
The first 3 were adolescent children.
The last 3 were adults.
These are SOME of the cancers that ONE PERSON, who left the community more than 7 years ago, knows of.
The “X” on the west side of the South Saskatchewan River is the Queen Elizabeth power-generating station.
6 high-voltage transmission lines run (north-south) parallel to Strathcona Ave. (See the map)
The north-south voltage alongside Furdale is shown on a SaskPower map as 138 kV. I presume that is the combined capacity of the 6 transmission lines? I don’t know.
There are 4 high-power transmission lines running along the south side of Furdale (map). The lines are almost in some people’s backyard.
There is a spur along the north side of the community that takes electricity a short distance into Saskatoon. I have no idea what voltage it carries.
These 6 cancers may be enough to be helpful. Without research there is no way of knowing the complete picture on the cancers. And you know the story on Health Canada’s Canadian Childhood Cancer Surveillance and Control Programme (CCCSCP) (the funding was cut in the 1990’s). (see #24 below)
Furdale tells me that other reports on the connection between EMFs and cancer (plus other ailments like dementia) are legitimate. It might help to explain why the funding to the CCCSCP was cut.
(More on the Furdale cancers in #24, FATE OF THE CANADIAN CHILDHOOD CANCER SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL PROGRAMME (CCCSCP))
=========================
- CANCER RESEARCH DAY IN SASKATOON, DEC 5TH
GOOD NEWS: there is a Cancer Research Day here (Saskatoon) on Dec 5th.
Some have attended these events in the past. The research money goes where the funding is. The funding is “find a cure” (the pharmaceutical companies and their influence).
Please let me know if you will attend. I’m going. Will take the information on Furdale and EMFs. Would be good to have a few “alternative”
voices in the room.
I get nauseous every time I hear “research to find a cure”. They really need to be pressured to “remove the cause”. Get out of their ivory towers.
=======================================
- CONTACT GAYLE COHEN, “HIGH FREQUENCY VOLTAGE ASSOCIATED WITH CANCER INCIDENCE IN TEACHERS IN A CALIFORNIA SCHOOL (2008)”
Page 8.
“CONCLUSION. The cancer incidence in the teachers at this school is unusually high and is strongly associated with exposure to high frequency voltage transients. In the 28 years since electromagnetic fields (EMFs) were first associated with cancer, a number of exposure metrics have been suggested. If our findings are substantiated, high voltage frequency transients are a new and important exposure metric and a possible universal human carcinogen similar to ionizing radiation.”
(From http://lqms.net/default.aspx (La Quinta Middle School’s Cancer
Site! We need to stand together!)
Also available from American Journal of Industrial Medicine” (2008) “A New Electromagnetic Exposure Metric: High Frequency Voltage Transients Associated With Increased Cancer Incidence in Teachers in a California School”.
http://www.emfsolutions.ca/images/Milham%20Morgan%202008.pdf )
Gayle is a teacher in La Quinta, California near Palm Springs. She writes:
“Dear Sandy,
Sorry I missed your call. I contacted Dr. Milham, he had been working with the teachers from the beginning of this issue with La Quinta Middle School.
You can see a history of our problem and lack of support we have received from our district if you go to our website. http://lqms.net/default.aspx (La Quinta Middle School’s Cancer Site! We need to stand together!)
I contacted Dr. Milham and he said I could give you his phone number.
His knowledge will be more helpful to you then I could ever be. A copy of his research is on our website also. I am also including his email address below. Let me know if I can be of any more assistance. Good luck.
Gayle Cohen”
=======================================
- DR. MILHAM DID THE RESEARCH STUDY IN LA QUINTA. HE TELLS US “HOW TO PROCEED” HERE.
Dear Sandra,
The high voltage transmission line (HVTL) / cancer connection is solid for childhood leukemia, and very recently, a Swiss study has associated Alzheimer’s disease with residence near HVTs.
Someone should measure the magnetic fields at the residences in question. If they are above 4 mG, then with adequate census data and access to provincial tumor registry data, it should be relatively easy to determine if Furdale has an increased cancer incidence.
New HVTLs should not be located close to home or schools.
Best, Sam Milham
=========================
- AUSTRALIA ADVISES PUBLIC TO REDUCE EXPOSURE TO ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/2007/1988802.htm
Call to cut magnetic field exposure in home Anna Salleh ABC Science Online Friday, 27 July 2007
Australian authorities will advise the public on how to reduce their exposure to electromagnetic fields from common household appliances like fridges and clock radios, in line with precautionary moves internationally.
The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) says this is part of wide-ranging advice designed to limit exposure to extremely low-frequency (ELF) fields.
But some say Australia should go further, pointing to some countries that have set targets to reduce such exposure.
While there is no absolute proof that such fields cause disease, there have been some puzzling links.
Most important is a link between ELF fields from powerlines and childhood leukaemia, which has persisted for some time. But scientists still don’t know how such fields could cause ill health.
This month a UK government inquiry recommended a moratorium on building new homes and schools within 60 metres of existing high-voltage overhead powerlines.
The inquiry also called on the government to consider ELF field exposure when planning new homes and schools.
ARPANSA says it is taking a precautionary approach with its new recommendations. …”
===================
- WEB-SITES WITH INFORMATION ON EMFs
- Mothers Against Power Poles (Tsawwassen, B.C.) http://www.mothersagainstpowerpoles.com/
- La Quinta Middle School’s Cancer Site! We need to stand together!
(California) http://lqms.net/default.aspx
3. Powerwatch http://www.powerwatch.org.uk/
“Powerwatch is a non-profit independent organisation with a central role in the UK Electromagnetic Field and Microwave Radiation health debate. We work closely with decision-makers in government and business, and with other like-minded groups, promoting policies for a safer environment.
We have been researching electromagnetic field effects on health for the last 20 years, and provide a range of information to help the general public understand this complex issue.”
4. Others?
=======================
- FACEBOOK GROUP
I can set up a group on facebook – for an information sharing purpose. The information on EMFs might be helpful to people who are fighting Independent
(Private) Power Producers (IPPs) in B.C., nuclear power reactors (that require transmission lines), etc. There are lots of those groups. They could add another whole layer of informed and active people to help the Mothers in Tsawwassen.
What would the name of the group be? Your suggestions are welcome!
(The “EMF” groups on facebook are related to a musical group and to EMF broadcasting. (I don’t know what that is.))
=======================
- WILL THE PREMIER OF B.C. BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CANCERS THAT DEVELOP IN TSAWWASSEN? … OR IS IT US?
I spoke with the Premier’s office, discussed:
– the evidence of Furdale,
– the teachers at La Quinta Middle School (“The cancer incidence in the teachers at this school is unusually high and is strongly associated with exposure to high frequency voltage transients”),
– the withdrawal of funding from the Canadian Childhood Cancer Surveillance and Control Programme (The government didn’t want to know what it was finding)
The Premier’s office was sympathetic but the transmission line is going to proceed anyway.
I said that this is criminal behavior. The responsibility of the government is to protect the citizens.
I told the Premier’s office that I would send a copy of the information that we will be circulating.
TO:
Honourable Gordon Campbell (tel. 250-387-1715); premier@gov.bc.ca
As I understand, the juice is scheduled to start flowing in the new 230 kV line in January. One tower for the line is in the school parking lot in Tsawwassen.
============================
- SEND MAP TO PEACE RIVER PEOPLE. HIGH VOLTAGE LINES FOR NUCLEAR ENERGY FROM BRUCE POWER REACTORS (note: the reactors for the Peacr River were eventually defeated by citizens working together across provincial boundaries)
That does indeed explain the Wesley Creek – Hotchkiss transformer upgrade and why they needed to increase (double the amount of juice!), wattage on the power lines. I had been suspecting that for sometime now. Wanda
—– Original Message —–
From: Brenda
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2008 7:56 AM
Subject: Second potential nuclear site announced
Hi All–
Bruce Power announced last night that it is considering a second site for a nuclear facility in the Peace Country. It is located about 30 km north of Peace River, on the west side of the river but east of Weberville Road (Highway 743). I think that would put it almost directly east of Chinook Valley.
Duncan Hawthorne stated on the radio this morning that the company has not abandoned the proposed site on Lac Cardinal. However, he said he has always wanted to look at “other options”.
Drilling for samples at the new site will begin on Monday.
=====================
17. LIVING NEAR A POWERLINE CAN DOUBLE YOUR CHANCE OF DYING FROM ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE, SWISS STUDY, NOV 2008. FROM POWERWATCH website:
http://www.powerwatch.org.uk/news/20081112_alzheimers_powerlines.asp
Nov 12/2008 – Living close to a powerline can double your chance of dying from Alzheimer’s Disease
A large new study from Switzerland[Huss 2008] shows a significant dose-related increase in deaths from Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in people who have lived for a number of years within 50 metres of high-voltage overhead powerlines. The results of this new study considerably raises the stakes in the EMF-health debate by showing up a serious and wide-spread public ill health problem as being closely associated with power-frequency magnetic field exposure. The cost of dementia to the UK economy is estimated to be over £17 billion (GBP) per year.
Researchers at Bern University’s Institute of Social and Preventative Medicine in Switzerland have found that people who have lived for least 5 years within 50 metres had an adjusted hazard ratio for dying of AD of 1.51, increasing to 1.78 after 10 years and to 2.0 (CI 1.21-3.33) after living there for at least 15 years. The pattern was similar for senile dementia.
The relation between where people live in relation to power lines and mortality from neurodegenerative conditions was analyzed within the data for
4.7 million people in the Swiss National (mortality and census) Cohort, covering the period 2000-2005. If anything this will have underestimated the risk as AD is often not entered as the prime or even underlying cause of death – so the actual incidence of the disease will almost certainly be higher.
Team member Professor Matthias Egger also warned that sleeping in power-frequency magnetic fields from any source probably presents a dementia risk. He said: “Anything that is plugged in and that is on all the time and that is near to your body is a source of EMF”.
Magnetic fields from underground electricity cables, especially those that run under the pavements and supply our houses are another most significant source of higher-than-normal magnetic fields in homes, often up to several microtesla. This was highlighted in a report by the NRPB a few years ago [Maslanyj 2005]. Powerwatch has found it to be a common problem, especially in older areas of UK cities. The Department of Health SAGE Process will be investigating this matter during 2009 and hopefully reporting in early 2010.
Previous Research
The findings of this new Swiss study are consistent with the combined analyses of risk of Alzheimer’s with occupational exposure to power-frequency magnetic fields by Ana Garcia[Garcia 2008], published earlier in 2008. Her study combined the results of 14 occupational studies (from 1995 to 2004) of EMF exposure and the later development of Alzheimer’s disease. This resulted in an overall increased odds (risk) ratio of 2.03 (95% CI 1.38–3.00) from the case-control studies and 1.62 (CI 1.16–2.27) rising to 2.05 (95% CI 1.51–2.80) for men. They estimated that the effect occurred when the average magnetic field was over about 0.5 microtesla.
Interestingly, this would agree well with the 50 metres distance from the powerlines in the new Swiss study.
The evidence for risk of Alzheimer’s is now quantitatively comparable with that for childhood leukaemia, which is recognised as an IARC class 2B carcinogen.
For further detailed background information we suggest that you download and read Section 12 of the BioInitiative Report. …”
———————–
18. THE U.S. NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE LISTING OF THE SWISS RESEARCH, from Power Watch
PubMed A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health
Residence Near Power Lines and Mortality From Neurodegenerative Diseases:
Longitudinal Study of the Swiss Population.
Huss A, Spoerri A, Egger M, Röösli M; for the Swiss National Cohort Study.
The relation between residential magnetic field exposure from power lines and mortality from neurodegenerative conditions was analyzed among 4.7 million persons of the Swiss National Cohort (linking mortality and census data), covering the period 2000-2005. Cox proportional hazard models were used to analyze the relation of living in the proximity of 220-380 kV power lines and the risk of death from neurodegenerative diseases, with adjustment for a range of potential confounders. Overall, the adjusted hazard ratio for Alzheimer’s disease in persons living within 50 m of a 220-380 kV power line was 1.24 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.80, 1.92) compared with persons who lived at a distance of 600 m or more. There was a dose-response relation with respect to years of residence in the immediate vicinity of power lines and Alzheimer’s disease: Persons living at least 5 years within 50 m had an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.51 (95% CI: 0.91, 2.51), increasing to 1.78 (95%
CI: 1.07, 2.96) with at least 10 years and to 2.00 (95% CI: 1.21, 3.33) with at least 15 years. The pattern was similar for senile dementia. There was little evidence for an increased risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, or multiple sclerosis.
PMID: 18990717 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]
(There’s a list of related research)
=====================
19. ANITA COMMUNICATING WITH SENIORS’ GROUPS: THE ALZHEIMERS CONNECTION
Anita wrote:
“The implications of this Swiss study become scarier and scarier. We need to get this information out to national and international news media. 4.7 million persons in this study has got to be statistically significant.
I need to share my ever increasing alarm with each of you.”
She is now sending the information to seniors’ groups. I have no doubt but that some of you will do the same.
====================
20. COMMUNICATION TO HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
I leave it up to all of us. Remember the Colleges of Medicine, of Physicians & Surgeons, Health Districts.
====================================
21. INFORM GOVERNMENT
The people who might help bring pressure on B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell?
How about B.C. Health Services Minister George Abbott?
British Columbia Health Authorities with contact info are listed at
http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/socsec/
I don’t have time right now, but maybe between us, we can pump out information to these people.
==================================
22. SAMPLE LETTER
There is no copyright on this email! You can block parts out, delete them, and use what’s left. Whatever you like.
Sometimes the best strategy is KISS! (Keep It Simple Sweetie)
Something like:
Death by cancer or alzheimer’s disease is worse than death by a bullet.
Stop the new high voltage transmission line through Tsawwassen, with a tower right on the school parking lot.
The high voltage transmission line (HVTL) / cancer connection is solid for childhood leukemia, and very recently, a Swiss study has associated Alzheimer’s disease with residence near HVTs.
New HVTLs should not be located close to homes or schools.
Anyone who authorizes a high voltage transmission line that is close to homes and to schools, given the information about EMFs that is known today, should be held accountable and responsible for the disease and deaths that will be associated with these lines.
Sincerely,
=================================
23. NEW TRANSMISSION LINES: KNOW WHERE THE ELECTRICITY IS GOING.
INDEPENDENT (PRIVATE) POWER PRODUCERS (IPPs) on BC RIVERS.
It’s up to the people in B.C. to answer this. I only know by rumour which may be false, that the line through Tsawwassen crosses to Vancouver Island; from there a line is to run to Washington state.
The issue of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) is growing rapidly in B.C.
As I understand,
– the Campbell Govt legislated changes to B.C. Hydro to change its mandate.
It can no longer own the dams for hydro-electric power generation.
– it has sold and has applications for more licenses which give rights to “Independent (Private) Power Producers” to build dams and generate the electricity. They have rights to sections of B.C. rivers.
– “Save Our Rivers” was formed when people learned the implications of the IPPs. Over a thousand people came to one public meeting to express their outrage. The Premier backed down on the Pitt River IPP.
IN CONTEXT:
– In our network earlier we circulated the news of the report out of the US southwest: the two largest man-made water reservoirs in the US, on the Colorado River (Lake Powell and Lake Mead behind the Hoover and Glen Canyon Dams) are drying up. They have a 50/50 chance of being dry by 2021.
As the water levels go down, they have a 50/50 chance of losing their hydro-electric capability by 2013. There are millions of people and industries in California, Nevada and Arizona that are dependent upon the water and energy from these reservoirs. Under NAFTA you can’t have preferential treatment. So if the IPPs start selling energy to the US (where it will command a high dollar), the people of B.C. will pay the same high dollar. And once you start shipping south, under the terms negotiated (given away) for Canada by former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and Company, you have to maintain proportional shipment to the U.S., no matter what the domestic need is.
For more information visit www.citizensforpublicpower.ca
=======================================
24. MOTHERS AGAINST POWER POLES (MAPP), FROM EMAIL SENT SEPT 27
Sent: Sat 27/09/2008
High voltage transmission lines are the death-knell (from cancer) for many children, not to mention adults. Long-timers in this network know because of the story of Furdale. Unfortunately, the cause-and-effect relationship is not well known generally. Deliberately.
That is changing. Many thanks to Mothers Against Power Poles (MAPP). These women inspire me. I’ve sent a note of support to them.
(Aside: The effects of the transmission lines speak in support of small-scale, localized power production.)
From their web-site: http://www.mothersagainstpowerpoles.com/
” These are the basic facts that brought MAPP together:
– Mothers in Tsawwassen are united to fight the 230 KVOLT (and higher) power lines being erected right through the middle of our small residential community
– There is no established limit on the power line KVOLT for the future
– Radiation leaking from power lines have been known to cause childhood leukemia, lung cancer, skin cancer and increases in suicide and depression
– We are afraid of the “corona ionization effect”, whereby carcinogenic particulates are attracted to the power lines like magnets, and people breathe in these carcinogens
– With prevailing winds from Delta Port coming off the ocean, Tsawwassen stands in the direct path of this particulate
– Every child in Tsawwassen will be attending the ONE and ONLY high school, which is targeted for a massive power pole in the main parking lot
– The electricity is being sold to California and Washington
– President Bush announced the agreement on national television, much to the astonishment of the residents of Tsawwassen
– Billions of dollars will be earned by private power companies, including BCTC, and they must spend some of the profit to do the right thing and bury and shield the power lines
– The truth was not revealed and the BC Government promised the power lines would not be erected. Now the BC Government must do the right thing
– BC Government is selling out…….hundreds of licenses have been sold to private power companies outside of BC, and Tsawwassen is paying the price
– Premier Gordon Campbell must do the right thing and spend the money to bury the power lines
– Tsawwassen is being squeezed between lucrative private power contracts and North American clients…we are the gateway to the power
– Tsawwassen has been deemed “unstable” in the event of an earthquake, which would make the very real possibility of the power poles collapsing a catastrophe. The entire high school population would be in grave danger, along with all residents in town
This whole UGLY story is revealed at www.saveourrivers.ca
Contact
Anita Den Dicken adendikken@dccnet.com Linda Mills lmills@dccnet.com
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25. FATE OF THE CANADIAN CHILDHOOD CANCER SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL PROGRAMME (CCCSCP); MORE ON FURDALE
Hi Lynda (Tswwasswn),
I don’t know if this is of any value to you – – it is the documentation of WHY there is a lack of research in this country for you to use in your fight. It is a damning story, well documented.
The letter from the CCCSCP is at the bottom – scroll down to “LETTER FROM THE GOVERNMENT:”
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There is another story to go with all this (Furdale). The Canadian Childhood Cancer Surveillance & Control Programme.
If you look on the Health Canada CCCSCP web-site, it looks as though we have this wonderful programme that is going to lead to answers. But we have a letter from the people there: their budgets were slashed back around the year 2000. All they have is a skeleton staff. No money for more data collection and none for data analysis. See appended.
Don’t let those power lines go up. We’ll do whatever we can to help you.
I’ve had some response from my network of people already. They’re right behind you.
Sandra
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APPENDED:
“In response to the 25% rise in childhood cancers reported by the Canadian Institute of Child Health (CICH) (the information was shown on the screen in Wendy Mesley’s CBC television documentary), the Federal Department of Health established the Canadian Childhood Cancer Surveillance & Control Programme in the early nineties to collect data:
– where are the cancers occurring?
– what age are the children?
– what kinds of cancer?
– etc.
As inconceivable as it might be, funding for the programme was DISCONTINUED by the Liberal Govt. There is enough money to support CCCSCP in name only.”
“Health Research Foundations” were established with a stated priority for “funding research that has the potential for commercialization”. Biotech pharmacy is, through the Health Research Foundations, a recipient of public money but the trail is covered over because the public has no way of knowing, from the name, that “Health Research Foundations” are funded by Government. Here we have a clear example: public money is diverted away from the research that would help address the CAUSES of a 25% increase in childhood cancers; then public money is funnelled to biotech pharmacy research with its “potential for commercialization”. There will be no progress on REMOVAL OF CAUSE. “Government fronts” are an obstacle that need to be removed / outlawed.”
Following is the record of Donna, along with the response from Health Canada, CCCSCP.
Don’t be fooled by the web-site for the CCCSCP. The letter in 2004 from the CCCSCP, written in response to citizen efforts to track down the Report that was supposed to have been issued, to track down the researchers, to track down the data that HAD been collected, that WAS no longer being collected (documentation below) tells the lie of the spin-doctors.
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ccdpc-cpcmc/cancer/publications/cccscp-vol7no1_e.html
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November 13, 2004
Visuals make an impact.
Here is the picture I spoke about – Tanya with several of her friends at a school fun night. (INSERT: there are 8 children in the photograph.) Three out of these children were diagnosed with cancer. Two are now deceased. A 4th friend (not in the picture) was diagnosed this summer. I have concealed the faces of all the children with the exception of my daughter to protect their privacy & that of their families.
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The Queen Elizabeth Power Generating Station is on the other side of the
River: there are high voltage transmission lines.
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I will use the example of my own experience. My 15 year old daughter was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma in 1997. In Aug. of ’98, just after my daughter had completed an extremely gruelling one year treatment protocol for her ‘mystery’ cancer, I received a request asking for my permission to release her medical files for use in a study. I was reluctant to do so without more information. Eventually I received more information from Judy Kosloski (the Provincial Study Co-ordinator located at Epidemiology, Prevention & Screening at 4101 Dewdney Ave in Regina Ph 306-766-2170).
I was told the principle investigator of the study was Marie Desmeules (613-957-0577).
The Canadian Childhood Cancer Surveillance and Control Program (CCCSCP) was announced in July 1992 by the Minister of the Federal Health Dept. The program was part of the government’s Brighter Futures initiative aimed at reducing risks to the health and normal development of children. Its goal was to contribute towards reducing the suffering and burden caused by childhood cancer. To accomplish this a nationwide information system on childhood cancer was established. One of the main objectives was to collect information on stage at diagnosis by age of the patient, geographic region & cancer site. Another was to estimate the economic costs.
From time to time I would make general inquiries into how the study was coming and receive vague replies. I have a newsletter that I received from CCCSCP in July of 2000. At this time the newsletter said ‘the overall goal of the etiology component of the CCCSCP was to establish a national, population-based database of childhood cancer cases and matched controls with detailed information on major putative risk factors. This database would be used to identify individuals or groups at high risk for developing cancer.
In Aug of 2000 I made a call to inquire how the study was coming. I spoke to Catherine Makris, a research analyst. The notes I made during our conversation say I was told that the principle investigator of the study, Marie Desmeules, had moved re job instability and was put on assignment somewhere else in women’s health. I was told that there was now zero funding for childhood cancer investigations because of Allan Rock’s budget. Things were no longer up to date but hey, they were doing their best. (As a side note I made a note that a Howard Morrison was involved with a pesticide risk assessment study.)
My still unanswered questions & concerns are :
Did the collection of this data actually cease in the year 2000 despite cancer being the number one disease killer of children in North America?
Where is the raw data that has been collected?
Is this a case of information being collected and nothing being done with it?
Has any further work been done to estimate economic costs?
(and lets not forget the psychological and emotional costs too – At Mcmaster in Hamilton I observed parents going from the ped department where their child was diagnosed, straight to the shrink department where parents were put on antidepressants and antianxiety drugs.) I myself spent a small fortune on ulcer medication and gavison.
LETTER FROM THE GOVERNMENT:
Most recently in writing to CCSCB this is the reply (Oct. 2004) I (Donna) received.
Dear Donna:
Thank you for your inquiry. The Program you refer to, the Canadian Childhood Cancer Surveillance and Control Program (CCCSCP), is still in operation.
However, due to decreased funding, the CCCSCP now functions at a level of intensity that is significantly lower than initially planned and implemented. Currently, the Program’s viability is directly at risk as only core salary costs have been secured. The newly formed Public Health Agency of Canada (formerly part of Health Canada) will continue efforts to work with provincial partners to secure long term viability for the Program.
Despite this, the Program has established a national network of experts which is responsive to fundamental surveillance needs within childhood cancer control. During this process, the Program has produced a number of information resources for a variety of consumers. I would be happy to send you some of these documents if you like.
Regards,
Les
So as one can see less and less money is going into determining why children in Canada get cancer. My observation is that we, as a society, really don’t want to know why because we will have to change our individual lifestyles.
And we don’t want to interfere with economic profits. So we myopically focus our efforts and our hope on cures that large pharmaceutical companies are happy to offer.
Donna
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The CCCSCP is a kind of front. We have a web-site with names and fine statements. Without the letter from “Les” and Donna’s background you don’t know that there is little substance behind the web-site. Only the wind shuffling papers on an empty Ottawa parking lot, small fragments of morality left in the dust and rubble.
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Email from:
Sandra Finley
