3/7/2011 12:54 pm Date / Time filed with the Register of Regulations | VA.R. Document Number: R____-______ |
Virginia Register Publication Information
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Transmittal Sheet: Response to Petition for Rulemaking
Initial Agency Notice
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Agency Decision
Promulgating Board: | State Board of Health |
Regulatory Coordinator: | Douglas R. Harris (804)864-7001 doug.harris@vdh.virginia.gov |
Agency Contact: | Dwight Flammia, Ph.D. Public Health Toxicologist (804)864-8127 dwight.flammia@vdh.virginia.gov |
Contact Address: | Department of Health Virginia Department of Health 109 Governor Street Richmond, VA 23219 |
Chapter Affected: | |
12 vac 5 - : |
Statutory Authority: |
State: Federal: |
Date Petition Received | 10/28/2010 |
Petitioner | Kenneth Strong |
The petitioner requests that the Board of Health adopt, promulgate and enforce a policy
aimed at educating the public and decision makers in the environmental and health
effects of extremely low frequency magnetic fields located inside high voltage electric
power line right-of-ways.
Agency Plan
The Agency anticipates it will consider public comments, information submitted by
the petitioner and any additional information before determining what appropriate
action is required.
Publication Date | 03/28/2011 (comment period will also begin on this date) |
Comment End Date | 12/12/2010 |
Take no action
Agency Response Date | 03/07/2011 |
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) issued a comprehensive report on the health
effects of high voltage transmission lines to the Virginia General Assembly on October
31, 2000 which stated, "the Virginia Department of Health is of the opinion that there
is no conclusive and convincing evidence that exposure to extremely low frequency
electromagnetic fields emanated from nearby high voltage transmission lines is causally
associated with an increased incidence of cancer or other detrimental health effects
in humans." Based on information presented by the petitioner and other public comments
received from November 30 to December 12, 2010, there is still no collective body
of evidence available which might supercede the agency's prior conclusion. More research
by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and other public health agencies such
as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Agency for Toxic Substances
and Disease Registry, is needed. VDH environmental epidemiology staff will continue
to periodically review information obtained pertaining to this and any other enviromental
health issue.
The Board of Health recognizes and appreciates the petioner's desire to promote a
policy to protect public health. While the Board of Health does have a responsibility
to educate the citizenry on health and environmental matters and to formulate a program
of patient and community health education services, there is insufficient evidence
to warrant adoption, promulgation and enforcement of a policy aimed at ELF magnetic
fields located inside high voltage (115 kilovolt and above) electric power transmission
line right-of-ways, at this time.