Is it dangerous to live near electric power lines?

Nothing has ever been physically proven, but high voltage power lines generate large magnetic fields - and because of our lack of knowledge about magnetism, it is difficult to say whether they cause a problem or not.

Personally, I would not live near high-voltage power lines - just in-case something is proven at a later date.

This is an issue of some controversy. However I can offer some personal experience. From the time I was 9 until I left home I lived near enough to large power lines that if my window was open at night I could hear the power lines crackle. I turned out healthy. My parents have lived there for over 40 years and seem fine. They will both be 80 later this year. I'm not worried about it.

It's not any different than living in a suburb where you don't see any power lines at all. The buried power lines are actually closer to you when they are three feet underground. The magnetic field around a power line depends on the current, not the voltage. (If you have the same amount of power, the lower voltage line has higher current and more magnetic field.) Lucky for us, we're not that magnetic, so there's not much effect on us.

The risk is so low, there's nothing to worry about. The only thing I'd be worried about is how much the crackling noise would irritate me. As for health effects, try eating healthy and you'll lower you risks for all kinds of stuff. And wear your seatbelt.

I recall reading a set of studies recently that basically disproved any connection with living near lines like that and health effects. My concern might be about power surges screwing up computers -- I mean power surges through the air as well, like lightning, or pumping an extra blast through the household wiring.

A far as general health, I don't think there's an issue, after all, as it is we're bombarded with radio waves 24/7 [it's all e/m, after all] so even if there is a negative effect, you're exposed to it anyway from lots more sources than power lines.

My objection is aesthetic! For having to live with those ugly towers outside the window, I hope you're getting a great price for the house!

Not at all. It only becomes dangerous if you are out touching the lines with your bare hands, hen you can create and path for the electricity to travel through your body. This is only if you are touching a line and another line or a line and the ground or some other object touching the ground that current can travel through. Cancerous though.... no. Unless you are for some reason getting radiation instead of electricity travelling through your power lines.

This has been a long running dispute with the power companies saying its safe (imagine that!) and families saying their young children have developed cancer living in these areas.

There is no doubt that anyone living in these areas is subject to higher levels of magnetic radiation. Underground cables do not produce this effect because the cores are twisted slightly to cancel it out.

Personally I wouldn't move there but that's my personal opinion not to take the risk rather than any scientific proof. Also you need to consider re-sale although reading some of the other answerer's it seems ignorance is bliss. I have tended to take interest in this subject and watch documentaries and read articles I see on it.

The only danger is having severe weather break them and them falling on your property

Added: If the lines generated large fields, people would just wind a big coil and power their homes from the fields

noy unless they falll on you. they may draw more lighting because they are taller. but they shouldnt hurt you.