The generating plant produces 60 Hz alternating current. Transformers located at the power plant, at district substations, and on local power poles are used to step up and step down the voltage, for reasons having to do with the economics of power distribution. We put up with these well- understood risks because of the obvious benefits and convenience of electric power. They are identical in essence, differing only in wavelength.
Intense microwaves can cause cataracts in the eyes.
These forms of radiation do not cause chemical changes in cells and thus cannot possibly induce cancer. A study in the 1970's claimed to correlate childhood leukemia with proximity to electric power transformers. Since this and other original studies neither measured the actual magnetic field exposure of the leukemia victims, nor did they match for exposure with people who did not get leukemia, they were at best inconclusive. Follow-up work has not confirmed the early reports. The later work did measure magnetic fields, for example field intensity along city streets, as above.