EPRI Comments on Swedish Study of PCB Accumulation Beneath AC Power Lines
Öberg, T., and Peltola, P. “Increased deposition of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) under AC high-voltage power line,” Atmospheric Environment 2009; 43:6168–6174 (EPRI Product 1020733).  EPRI evaluates the strengths, limitations, and research context of this study, whose authors report that pine needles under AC power lines have polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels almost twice as high as needles from reference sites.  The authors imply that power line electric fields may enhance exposures to toxic or carcinogenic agents and write, “Since it has not been possible to establish a direct biophysical mechanism between ELF exposure and leukemia, indirect causation through intermediary factors must also be considered, and the suggested influence through chemical exposure therefore deserves attention.”  Comments are available on epri.com.  For more information, contact Gabor Mezei, (650) 855-8908, gmezei@epri.com.