Pylons not to blame, says leukaemia study

Scientists believe they can now pinpoint the causes of childhood leukaemia and have ruled out exposure to radiation from pylons. The largest study ever undertaken into the disease has found children exposed early to common infections are less vulnerable. A similar US study also found children-in regular early contact with others at nursery or in day care ran the lowest leukaemia risk.

The 15-year UK study of childhood cancer, published by the BMA, shows most leukaemias start before birth but infection exposure plays a major role in how a child's body deals with the disease.

Neither living near electric pylons nor exposure to natural radon gas are causes. Instead the evidence points to a genetic defect during development in the womb, which leads to cancer via an abnormal response to infection by the child's immune system.

But Sir Walter Bodmer, head of the research fund's advisory panel, said that scientists are still puzzled both by exactly how cancerous blood cells emerge and by the role of inherited susceptibility.