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A lot has been written about alleged health issues from living near high voltage power lines, but I don't think there is solid science around the claims, last I read. Still they do create issues for some buyers - as your question evidences. Nearby power lines are a factor potential buyers will look at, so consider how they could impact your future sale of the property.
Location: Chapel Hill, NC, formerly NoVA and Phila
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I agree with CHTransplant. I know I immediately ruled out Winmore because of the power lines. Even if there are no health issues associated with it, they are unsightly.
I looked at that neighborhood as well and ruled it out because of those power lines. They are ugly and I have young children so the possible health issues worry me..
I, too, rejected a house next door to overhead power lines. Not just the health effects, but on the potential resale value. . . location, location, location.
A lot has been written about alleged health issues from living near high voltage power lines, but I don't think there is solid science around the claims, last I read.
RF drops off rapidly as you move away from the source. There are no definitive studies I know about that prove a link between RF and health issues. If you are really worried about RF, stay inside to avoid exposure to the sun and natural sources and also get rid of your cell phone, wireless router, microwave oven, wireless keyboard, etc.
EMR (Electro-Magnetic Radiation), much like other forms of EMR (light, X-Rays, etc.), power falls off with the inverse of the distance squared.
People are afraid of overhead power lines, but don't worry too much about living near radio or TV broadcast towers. It's all relative risk. We're all constantly being irradiated with EMR no matter where we are--unless you live in a cave or underground, in which case you have to worry about Radon and other radioactive gasses caused by natural decay of radioactive particles in soil/rock formations underground.
BY FAR, and I mean by a LONG WAYS, you're doing two HUGELY more dangerous things by going into your bathroom and driving, than any of these other threats pose.
So, to put it in perspective about the house in question: you're probably pretty safe from an EMR standpoint being near those power lines--just don't go into its bathroom or drive to or from the house.
I have read the studies, and I know that there's nothing conclusive, but some studies have shown a higher rate of childhood leukemia relative to distance of power lines. The property is ~500 feet away which seems so close...wondering if I should still err on the safe side?
Never hurts to be safe, cm143. For grown adults I wouldn't worry. For children who are still "forming", I would probably worry a bit. Enough to find something else if you can.
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