No Link Found Between Power Lines and Cancer No convincing evidence exists that links electromagnetic field exposure to the risk of getting cancer, according to a report released Nov. 1 by scientists for the National Research Council, an arm of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.

The 16-member committee looked at research papers and interviewed scores of experts during its three-year study, which was commissioned by the U.S. Congress. The committee concluded that the 500 reports completed during the past 17 years had not convincingly shown EMF to be a health hazard.

The National Academy of Sciences' executive summary said, "Specifically, no conclusive and consistent evidence shows that exposures to residential electric and magnetic fields produce cancer, adverse neurobehavioral effects or reproductive and developmental effects."

Researchers in Finland published a report in the October issue of the British Medical Journal that came to the same conclusion. The report said that residential magnetic fields produced by high-voltage power lines do not appear to be related to the risk of cancer. Circle 151 on Reader Service Card

Avoiding Helicopter Wire Strikes How to avoid striking wires with a he-licopter while on powerline patrol will be explained Feb. 1, 1997 in a full-day seminar at the Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California, U.S., in conjunction with HELI-EXPO 97, the largest display of civil helicopters and related equipment in the world. The course, designed for pilots and crews who operate in the wire environment, shows methods for early detection of wires and avoiding wire strikes.

On Feb. 2, from 9:30 am until 12:30 pm, a forum on emerging utility helicopter technology and specific capabilities is being sponsored by the Utilities Patrol and Construction Committee (UPCC), Helicopter Association International (HAI). Topics will include air-assisted construction, sock-line pulling, marker ball installation, routine patrol and detailed inspections, infrared scans, insulator washing and live-line maintenance.

For further information, contact Robert A. Feerst, chairman, UPCC, HAI at 1-800-435-4976, or 1635 Prince St., Alexandria, Virginia 22314-2818 U.S. Circle 152 on Reader Service Card

Lineman's Rodeo Winners Announced Union Electric edged out two Georgia Power teams for "Top Overall Team" at the 13th Annual Lineman's Rodeo, held in Kansas City, Missouri, U.S., on Sept. 28. The Union Electric team, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S., also won the "Investor-owned Utility" division. Georgia Power, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., won second and third, and Houston Lighting and Power came in fourth.

The Lineman's Rodeo was founded by TWSCO, Inc., of Kansas City, and sponsored by Houston Lighting & Power, Houston, Texas, U.S.; LG&E; Union Electric; Commonwealth Edison, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.; Kansas City Power & Light, Kansas City; Western Resources, Topeka, Kansas, U.S.; Los Angeles Department of Water & Light, Los Angeles, California, U.S.; Georgia Power; Detroit Edison, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.; T&D World magazine and Utilicorp United, Kansas City.

For the first time ever, the Lineman's Rodeo included an indoor exposition on Thursday and Friday before the rodeo. Fifty-eight exhibitors displayed their products, including poles, protective clothing, conductors, hardware, tools, anchors, bucket trucks, and more. Attendees had a chance to try out a boot harness by climbing a short pole, and of course, they swapped hats, shirts and belt buckles after eating Kansas City barbecue.

One hundred ninety-two teams and 129 apprentices from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom competed at the rodeo.

The rodeo was divided into journeymen events and apprentice events. Journeymen teams consisted of two linemen and one groundman. Apprentices competed on an individual basis. The journeymen events included the Hurtman Rescue, in which linemen simulated the rescue of an injured worker off the pole; the Pole Climb, Rope Splice, Dead End Bell Changeout, Brace Changeout and Terminator Installation. The overall apprentice winner was Joseph Montano, Jr. of Public Service of New Mexico. Circle 153 on Reader Service Card

ESMO Plans Underway A date and location for the next ESMO conference have been set for April 26-30, 1998 at the Renaissance Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida, U.S. ESMO-98, the 8th International Conference on Transmission and Distribution Construction, Operation and Live-Line Maintenance, combines technical paper and panel sessions, indoor and outdoor exhibits and outdoor demonstrations. Perhaps the most popular part of the show is the outdoor demonstrations, which in the past have included helicopter live-line work, tower erection, hot stick and rubber glove work and more. Two-days of indoor exhibits and technical programs and two-days of outdoor exhibits and field demonstrations are planned.

The show will be hosted by Florida Power Corp., St. Petersburg, Florida, and sponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Engineering in the Safety, Maintenance and Operation of Lines (ESMOL) subcommittee and the Working Group on Construction of Overhead Lines. Transmission & Distribution World magazine will provide management services for the conference. Circle 154 on Reader Service Card