A proposed explanation for thunderstorm asthma and leukemia risk near high-voltage power lines: a supported hypothesis

ABSTRACT

Thunderstorm asthma and increased childhood leukemia risk near high-voltage power lines (HVPL) are occurrences whose mechanism of effect is not fully understood.

This paper proposes and discusses a key similarity: both thunderstorms and HVPL generate a high enough electrical field in the environment to ionize nearby air and air-borne particles.

I argue that the repeatedly demonstrated acute asthma response to pollen-laden air during thunderstorms is largely due to ionization of air-borne allergens, which adhere more readily and in greater quantity in the lungs than non-ionized particles. If these bind to mucous or phagocytic cells, it would enhance immune response. A rapid temperature drop and high ozone also seem to be drivers of thunderstorm asthma.

This causal nexus provides strong support for the parallel situation of prolonged exposure to ionized particles near HVPL and an increased rate of childhood leukemia. Here, it is proposed that upwind carcinogens are ionized when passing HVPL and then residential and business areas. Published evidence for most steps are presented, but have not previously been published as a coherent whole, nor has it been suggested that the inhaled ionized micro-particle explanation for acute asthma may also explain development of childhood leukemia over time.

The demonstrated series of events leading to increased deposition and retention of ionized particles in airways provides support for explaining both adverse health outcomes: acute thunderstorm asthma and increased risk of childhood leukemia near HVPL. Further support for this explanation of both outcomes is provided by effects of on-going proximity to highways.

KEYWORDS:

• Thunderstorm asthma
• childhood leukemia
• ionized particles
• lightning
• pollen
• ELF
• power lines

Acknowledgments

I very much appreciate the provision of lightning data by Weatherzone Total Lightning Detection Network for the period examined in this paper, and acknowledge the use of the library facilities at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, and Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.

Declaration of Interest

I have been a paid expert witness for the Plaintiff in a lawsuit regarding increased voltage in HVPL adjacent to a place of business. The case concluded in early 2016 and I have had no further involvement. I certify that other than some reading undertaken for that case, all aspects related to this study have received no funding.