Transcript Introduction

The Price of Power
Is there a link between Pylons
and cancer?
A worrying trend
In the UK, 1,538 children were diagnosed with cancer in 2002
Can we explain this trend?
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There has been a sharp increase in the amount of people
being diagnosed with cancer since 1975.
Worryingly research carried out in 2002 showed that 1,538
of the population diagnosed with cancer were actually
children.
This increase could be as a result of many factors.
However, there are many scientists that believe this
increase could partially be explained by the increase in the
number of overhead cables and pylons around the country!
To assume that the increase in the amount of people being
diagnosed with cancer is as a direct result of the increase in
power cables and pylons being constructed would be naïve.
Your objective today is to look at all the evidence and form
your own opinion. You should base your opinion on facts,
and use these facts to emphasise your conclusion.
Related Headlines
HOUSE
NOTHING
PRICES
MORE
TUMBLE
THAN
PARENT
BLAMES
CANCER FROM LIVING
PYLONS
‘DOUBLE
CHILD
FEAR
THROUGH
FACTOR:
FEAR
NOOF
PYLONS
‘TREBLE
CANCER
OVERHEAD
CABLES
FOR
NEAR POWER LINES
CANCER
RATE,
DEFINITE
CANCER
LINK
FROM
BETWEEN
LOCAL
PARTICLES’
HER
CHILDS
PREMATURE
RULED OUT
PYLONSDEATH
PYLON
AND CANCER
Here comes the science!
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Every current carrying conductor (an
overhead power cable) generates a
magnetic field.
It is suspected that this magnetic field is
what is responsible for the increase in
cancer rates
Click on the following videos to get a
better understanding of the phenomenon!
The Equipment
The effect of a magnetic field
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All magnetic
compasses are aligned
to the earths natural
magnetic field
As a result of this the
needle of the compass
points North.
However when a
stronger magnetic
field is present the
needle of the compass
points to its north
pole.
See Movie 1
The magnetic field around a current
carrying wire
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Originally all the
compass needles are
pointing to the north
pole of the earths
magnetic field.
When the power is
turned on the current
passing through the
wire creates a
magnetic field.
This affects the
needles on the
compasses.
See Movie 2
Science in the News
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Read two very different views on the link
between pylons and cancer.
This article puts forward the issue that
pylons increase the risk of cancer.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/545086.stm
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This article rejects claims that pylons
increase the risk of developing cancer.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2977778.stm
Activity
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Your group must formulate an opinion
based on facts that you resource.
There are a number of suggested web
sites to follow as well as a wealth of other
resources available on the net.
Remember what ever opinion you reach
you have to have specific facts to validate
your opinion.
Plenary
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Your teacher will ask you to present
your findings in a variety of formats.
You will need to present your ideas
to the rest of the class when you are
finished. Remember not everyone
will agree with you so you require
facts to support your opinion.