California IN BRIEF : SAN JOSE : Power Lines, Cancer Studied

A new study will focus on the link between electromagnetic radiation and the high incidence of brain cancer among workers in a county building, a health official said. Previous studies looked at such possible causes as air and water, but have not concentrated on the effects of electromagnetic radiation, said Dr. Stephen Cora, a county health officer. The radiation issue was raised by the proximity of power lines to the building, Coray said. Aggressive brain tumors called gioblastoma have been diagnosed in five employees since 1982. Four of the five have died. Another possible victim, a former county secretary who died of a brain tumor in 1984, was reported last week.