Comments on: Redfin Readers Point Out Power Lines

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 06:04:38 +0000

We run a site with an faq on emf testing and home surveys. Lately we have seen an increase in the amount of home owners worried about living near power lines and cell towers.

http://pugetsoundemftesting.com

Feel free to check out the info.

Mike

By: homebuyer

homebuyer — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 05:28:19 +0000

Hi,

I am looking mainly in sunnyvale 94087 or west San jose neughbourhood

thnx

By: Alison

Alison — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:25:22 +0000

Dear Homebuyer: thanks for chiming in. I’m glad you found the website links helpful. I think there’s no harm in being cautious; as several readers have pointed out, there does not seem to be any truly crystal clear positive correlation between power lines and cancer but an association, especially in kids, is enough for me. Good luck in your search; what cities/neighborhoods are you looking at?

By: homebuyer

homebuyer — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:09:00 +0000

Hello,
I do not even look at properties with high power lines now. Thanks for the website links you gave. I did not do any research on this topic, but one of my friend said that it affects kids more. There was this property Cardinal Ave, 94087, I saw few months ago, not knowing it had high power lines (still in market – it was in market for long, then taken off and brought back again, but looks like people are becoming more cautious about high power lines).
I think cell phones and other house hold appliances do have risks, but not as much as the high voltage power lines. (I think!!!)
Plus I have a kid, who likes to climb any tree or pole he sees. Imagine one in my own backyard.

Thanks

By: Alison

Alison — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:36:39 +0000

Hi Drew and David: thanks for both your comments.That’s a good point about appliances (and cell phones/sunshine for that matter) producing higher measurements than power structures in the environment…However from what I’ve read so far on the subject, I think caution is still in order due to on-going questions about how EMFs affect the human body..plus I think for the 2002 California report to state that there is some kind of association (and they are not sure how, e.g. not necessarily causal) between leukemia and magnetic fields is something to take seriously.

Hi Buzz: thanks for adding your two-cents. Were the power lines a big “but” for you due to the buzzing or EMF? Or both?

By: Buzz

Buzz — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 05:47:24 +0000

I looked at a house one time with major power lines running through on an easement that came within a few feet of the house–actually ran diagonally through the patio as the lot itself was a triangle. You weren’t allowed to plant anything in the easement, nor build a pool, etc. You could mow the grass, that was it, yet it was your property. And although you couldn’t hear it inside, when outside you could hear a pretty loud buzzing sound. The house was significantly cheaper than comparable houses but…well, the power lines were a big BUT.

By: David

David — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:54:01 +0000

Ditto. The humming would drive me batty. I’m very skeptical the EMF field does anything. If you’re worried about radiation like that, you get way more stepping out in the sunshine and/or talking on your cell phone.

By: Drew

Drew — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:40:13 +0000

As an agent, I have had PG & E perform EMF measurements on site. As we all learned, those big power lines (not your average “telephone pole”, I’m talking Erector set style really big ones) don’t produce 1/10th the magnetic field measurement that standing in your kitchen with your appliances on does. That said, your appliances are not always on, but the power lines are.
Since there are homes which are not under power lines, I’d personally buy one of them instead—though my main concern would be the annoying buzzing of the wires, not the EMF’s.
Drew Morgan, Belmont, Ca