Power lines and safety

I have never written to a newspaper concerning the information they print; however, since so much misinformation is being printed concerning the power lines (500 KV) over a residential area, I must write to add credence to some of this misinformation.

First, I am an electrical engineer. I have over 25 years experience. I have been working in Indonesia for years, all of which in building and designing power plants and transmission systems. I personally would not live 18 meters, 50 meters, or 1000 meters under 500 KV power lines.

PLN (the state-owned electricity company) has acted and started misinformation, that I feel, gives total disregard to human life and safety.

Assuredly they know the dangers of 500 KV power lines on long term health. Considerable research has taken place on this matter in Florida (USA). Florida Power and Light built 500 KV lines over a school yard. A high rate of brain cancer developed in some of the children. Over a period of time extensive tests were made. Teachers wore radiation monitors for a two year period. It was determined that excessive radiation was encountered. Though not conclusively proven, it is believed that brain cancer can occur if exposed to this radiation over long periods of time.

It would be wise for PLN to contact the state of Florida and Florida Power and Light, the Broward County and Palm Beach County School Board and the American Cancer Society concerning this matter.

The newspaper keeps reporting the short term problems residents have reported. Those being: headaches, balancing problems, weakness and other symptoms. PLN keeps playing these symptoms down and denies they are caused by the power lines.

I agree with PLN, however; PLN knows the long term effects of power lines on humans. This is what they are not saying. And what they are not saying is on the borderline of neglect.

NORMAN C. SCHMIDT

Bekasi, West Java