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December 23

1997 - Five bodies found during grading of Northlake development in Castaic; determined to be Jenkins graveyard [story]

Site Unsafe for Seniors?

Commentary by Dr. Gene Dorio

Dr. Gene Dorio | Sunday, Nov 2, 2014

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Within the past few years as a hospice doctor, I have had two cases of young patients in Santa Clarita dying from a brain tumor and lung cancer. In common, both lived next to high-power transmission lines.

The citizens of the Santa Clarita Valley have learned to live with power lines. The question remains: Are they dangerous?

As you drive eastbound on the cross-valley connector – on Newhall Ranch Road near the Fallen Warrior Memorial Bridge – you see multiple parallel power lines traversing next to the Five Knolls project grading site.

This is where community leaders have designated a potential new location for the SCV Senior Center. Los Angeles County announced a possible $3 million contribution to the center, and I’m sure the city will donate a similar amount.

Originally, this development was approved in 2006 as the Keystone Project. The studies presented to the city by the developer at that time stated: “It is unlikely that the DWP power lines raise any significant health problems to the project site.”

Because of what I have seen as a hospice doctor, I did an unscientific study of these power lines using an Extech Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) meter to collect data.

Most readings around our house are 0.0 to 0.1 milligauss units. When on, the TV reads 4.0 and our microwave 6.0. Not being able to access the Five Knolls property, I went a half mile south to Centre Pointe Parkway next to the Santa Clarita Sports Complex and took readings. Underneath the lines, I measured a continuous 9.9.

At that location, I noticed another large power transmission line from the east converging with the ones I was under, then passing next to the project. So I drove closer, north of Soledad Canyon Road to Santa Clara Street, just 300 yards south of the project grading.

Standing next to all the converged power lines, I measured 48.0 . Not only that: I could hear the lines “sizzling.” The combined power lines I believe increased the EMR exponentially.

I walked backward and east to a street called Oak Avenue, about 100 yards, before the meter returned to 0.1. Within this distance is approximately where the SCV Senior Center and a new YMCA will be located in the project.

The scientific jury is still out on the controversy whether EMR is harmful to humans or if some people might be more sensitive, but anecdotally there may be evolving evidence that high-power transmission lines cause medical problems. Our microwave is not on all the time, but at the Five Knolls project location, there will be continuous exposure for hours to our children and elder seniors.

As we have done in the past, let’s protect those in our community who might be the most vulnerable. I therefore ask the City Council and L.A. County Board of Supervisors, before investing a large sum of money to this location, do a true scientific study measuring the EMR coming from these power lines.

Just don’t let the developer pay for it.

Gene Uzawa Dorio, M.D., is a housecall geriatric physician on staff at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital and has been engaged as an advocate in many community activities. The views expressed in this column as his alone.

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29 Comments

Linda says:

Sunday, Nov 2, 2014 at

I agree that high power lines have an affect on our cells. I did not know that was a proposed site for the new Center. I am a voluteer and would be concerned regarding my health and that of the others attending the Center. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Reply
Jane Haida Del Vecho says:

Sunday, Nov 2, 2014 at

Thank you!

Reply
Robin Cantor- Silver says:

Sunday, Nov 2, 2014 at

Scary

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Carolyn Heinz says:

Sunday, Nov 2, 2014 at

Lauren Lefkowitz Greber…..things that make you go hmmmmmm????

Reply
Chris Hulse says:

Sunday, Nov 2, 2014 at

Nice report

Reply
Lauren Lefkowitz Greber says:

Sunday, Nov 2, 2014 at

Definitely. ..

Reply
Melissa D. Lennon says:

Sunday, Nov 2, 2014 at

Christina

Reply
Kitti St John says:

Sunday, Nov 2, 2014 at

Glad you have pointed this out…truly…!

Reply
Joyce U Thomas says:

Sunday, Nov 2, 2014 at

One of the newer developments near Kelly Johnson Parkway, .. homes being built with those power lines and transformers next to them.

Reply
Melanie Imber-Baker says:

Sunday, Nov 2, 2014 at

I never understood how people think it’s ok to live near power lines?! They buzzzz hello?! Growing up in Maine we never lived near them. Everyone stayed clear

Reply
Chris Kramer says:

Sunday, Nov 2, 2014 at

I’m glad he at least stated it was an unscientific study. The observations are anecdotal. I’ll bet all the individuals he encountered in hospice lived in homes with doors, but the doors did not necessarily cause the cancer. I’m really surprised there are no real scientific studies on exposure to high level exposure to these flux densities. I’m also not so naive as to believe all “scientific” studies are relevant. They usually support the view of the folks that paid for the study…

Reply
- David Navarette says:
  
  Monday, Nov 3, 2014 at
  
  What DOORS cause cancer!!! I knew it. Unhinge them honey! I want to live.
  
  Reply
Chris Cramer says:

Sunday, Nov 2, 2014 at

Cancer is an epidemic and running rampid!

Reply
- David Navarette says:
  
  Monday, Nov 3, 2014 at
  
  What rampids cause cancer????
  
  Reply
Dana Kert says:

Monday, Nov 3, 2014 at

Joel

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Michele Klein Feldman says:

Monday, Nov 3, 2014 at

I knew of 2 sisters who lived in a house under high power lines. The younger developed leukemia.

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- David Navarette says:
  
  Monday, Nov 3, 2014 at
  
  I knew two sisters too. Does that cause cancer?
  
  Reply
Deborah Acker-Zolnoski says:

Monday, Nov 3, 2014 at

Unsafe for anyone! This is the only community I have ever seen where homes are built so close to power lines.

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Marcos Rubalcava says:

Monday, Nov 3, 2014 at

I’ve always said this and have chosen apartments based on location for this reason. Can’t be good living under or near these structures.

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Carol Round says:

Monday, Nov 3, 2014 at

Marcus Round

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Sarah Raye Raza says:

Monday, Nov 3, 2014 at

We will never live by power lines because of the possibility of serious health risks.

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Sarah Raye Raza says:

Monday, Nov 3, 2014 at

Melanie Imber-Baker i’m from Maine too and i noticed you’re friends with my cousin Jason Raye! Small world!!

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- Melanie Imber-Baker says:
  
  Monday, Nov 3, 2014 at
  
  That’s crazy! You live in scv?
  
  Reply
- Sarah Raye Raza says:
  
  Monday, Nov 3, 2014 at
  
  Yeah in Circle J Ranch!
  
  Reply
- Melanie Imber-Baker says:
  
  Monday, Nov 3, 2014 at
  
  I sent you pm
  
  Reply
Linda Hitsman says:

Monday, Nov 3, 2014 at

When I was teaching in S.C., I had a student who had leukemia who lived under large power lines in Acton. Her mother was sure that had led to her disease and moved to C.C. The good news is, she was cured and now has a family of her own!!

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Jim Van Sickle says:

Monday, Nov 3, 2014 at

Scientific studies abound, but they tend to be quite technical, and so far as I know are not conclusive in either direction. Most of the information I’ve seen that indicates biological activity is based on laboratory tests of cells, not complete organisms.
There is a lot of anecdotal information that is strongly anti EMF/EMR (ElectroMagnetic Fields/ElectroMagnetic Radiation), and some that comes from the Electric Power Industry supporting their point of view. Unfortunately, when those groups do reference scientific materials, they tend to cherry-pick to support their arguments.

It’s easy enough to find out for yourself; google EMF and/or EMR. YOu can start at this site if you like: http://www.ehso.com/ehshome/emf.htm

Reply
Juan Delacruz says:

Monday, Nov 3, 2014 at

This is a good man know him personally

Reply
Misty Minchello says:

Tuesday, Nov 4, 2014 at

I have a friend that had brain cancer at the moment, one with intestinal cancer and one with breast cancer. All under the age of 30. This can’t just be random

Reply

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