7. Health Concerns Grow: Consumers,
especially electro-sensitive persons and those with autoimmune and
heart conditions, are reporting severe health problems from the RF
radiation emitted from the new wireless smart meters. Smart meters use
RF pulses to communicate two-way data usage between the smart meter
and the smart meters on neighboring structures, as well as relay
antennas on nearby utility poles that communicate data to and from the
smart meters to the utility station. Concern about the wireless
radiation from smart meters is exacerbated by multiple panel
installations of smart meters found in multi-residential units
(apartments, condos). Consumers Are Getting Sick From Wireless Smart Meters -- Olle Johansson, Ph.D. Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute (Sweden) "It's one thing to be on a cell phone for
one hour per day, but if you are exposed to smart meter or a cell tower,
you are exposed 24/7 so the effect is cumulative."
-- Henry Lai, Ph.D. Professor, Bioelectromagnetics Research Laboratory Dept. of Bioengineering, University of Washington (Seattle) Read: New York Times & Greenwire: “Health Concerns Over 'Smart' Electric Meters Gain Traction in Calif.,” January 10, 2011: http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2011/01/10/10greenwire-health-concerns-over-smart-electric-meters-gai-81496.html KCR-TV Channel 3, Sacramento: Some SmartMeter Customers Say Devices Make Them Sick: Thousands Of Complaints Roll Into Utilities Commission, Updated November 5, 2010: http://www.kcra.com/station/25639450/detail.html San Francisco Business Times: “Smart meter detractors question health risks,” September 2, 2010, http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/2010/09/for_smart_meters_if_its_not_one_thing_its_another.html Earth Island Journal: "EMF Concerns Causing Smart Grid Interference, December 6, 2010, http://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/elist/eListRead/emf_concerns_causing_smart_grid_interference/ But
by far the most dangerous aspect is the way these wireless meters put
our health at risk! This kind of microwave pulsing works differently
than more-continuous cell phone radiation, and it’s much more dangerous.
Many scientific studies have verified that this type particularly
affects the brain, nervous system and hormones, disrupting the
functioning of many body systems and causing very serious leakage of our
blood-brain barrier, and that low-power broadcasts (such as from these
meters) are even more damaging than higher-power ones. Typical acute
symptoms include migraine headaches, insomnia, exhaustion, forgetfulness
and confusion, tinnitus, tingling, nausea and vomiting, constant
thirst, heart palpitations and increased blood pressure, limbic system
disturbances such as severe depression or anxiety or crying jags,
etc.--and a general reduction from prior levels of functionality. For
some, the nervous and endocrine systems go into hyper-arousal (as with
severe stress), ultimately leading to the collapse known as "burnout".
Careful scientific research has proven that cumulative exposure to this
type of radiation also causes more and more DNA breaks, which—if
experienced frequently enough—have the potential to be a factor in
ultimately causing cancer. Our risk of developing serious symptoms
(often referred to as "electrical sensitivity") increases the longer our
chronic exposure to this radiation continues—and, with the smart meter
system fully in place, there will be no place to escape it night or day.
Children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with pre-existing
health problems are particularly vulnerable. The transmitting smart meters also typically add additional high frequencies directly onto home and building wiring. This additional high-frequency load is then re-radiated throughout the interior space. Scientific studies are finding that such high frequencies on building wiring are related to a host of health problems, similar to those described above. The Precautionary Principle—which says "Better safe than sorry"--is official policy in parts of the Bay Area; "better safe than sorry" should mean no wireless meters until it’s been independently proven that long-term exposure to them is safe. RF radiation exposure is increased thanks to the Home Area Network (HAN) that smart meters need in order to communicate with "smart" appliances (that also emit RF radiation) that will soon be introduced by appliance manufacturers. In addition, there is the Home Display Monitor (most likely wireless) that is needed to communicate between the HAN and your "smart" appliances that tells you how much energy certain appliances are using throughout the day/night. These all add to the cumulative RF radiation exposure in your home environment. The spikes or pulses of radiation emitted from the wireless smart meters may only last a microsecond, but they are emitted throughout the day 24/7. Read the voluminous comments from people reporting health problems with the smart meters being installed on their homes on the EMF Safety Network website (http://emfsafetynetwork.org/?page_id=2292) . Here are just a few of the many: They installed our Smart Meter about 3 months ago and I have been extremely sick from the day it was installed. My husband who never has headaches, now has one 24 hrs. a day. I have been extremely sensitive to RF/EMF since 2005 when a neighbor had 2 Sprint cell towers installed next door and we were forced to sell and move. We are trying to move now, but you have put Smart Meters on every house that might work for me. How come you don’t have a contingency plan for RF sensitive people? You have made my life a living hell and won’t even give me an option to have my old meter reinstalled even with a Drs. note saying how sick I am. J.M. Riverside ________________________________________________________ I am extremely sensitive to EMF and RF signals since 2005 when a neighbor had 2 cell towers installed about 400′ from our home. We moved from that house and I got better as long as I am not in any contact with any signals. Then we got our SM installed about 9 weeks ago and I have been extremely ill every since. My husband has sent letters to all of SCE mangement and the CPUC and they all ignored us. He finally got an SCE EMF engineer to reply back and they sent out 2 EMF “specialists” to measure the signals twice, and both times they said our SM meter was OK. My husband has his own meter and showed the specialists that the meter is showing dangereous spiking every 15 seconds. SCE’s meter did not show the spikes. My huband got the made and model number of their meters and talked to the company that makes them… apparently the meters they use only averge the signals and the 15 second spikes do not show up, so of course they are telling every body that complains they are within the “approved” range. My husband also measured their cell phones and the smart meter signals were about 5 times stronger then their cell phones. We have covered our meter with Heavy duty aluminum foil and a thick metal bucket. We have also lined our garage with it. It does cut our signal a little, but we still have all the other neighbor’s signals blasting towards our house. The SM’s use a repeater signal that sends the signals from one meter to the next.. they constantly “talk” to each other all day long and send data the same way. It’s so bad in our neighborhood that I can’t take our dog out for walks anymore. I feel it as soon as I walk out the front door. Jana, anon ________________________________________________________ Since I had the SmartMeter placed on my home (master bedroom wall by headboard of my bed) by SDG&E about 3-4 months ago, I have developed increasingly severe reactions to EMF (electromagnetic fields). I have constant ringing in my ears, getting louder and very distracting; headache, sinus pain, feeling of heaviness in chest, disorientation, mental confusion, difficulty concentrating and with calculation and driving, nausea, and very hard to use computer, phones, etc. Can’t sleep well, insomnia, though improved with change of bedroom. My doctor wrote a letter demanding under the ADA that SDG&E remove the SmartMeter, the reply was that SM’s don’t impact health,and that my doctor is wrong that the ADA covers this, and they essentially refuse to remove the SM. Needless to say, I am shocked, horrified, and will take further steps. This is an example of Big Brother in our lives worse than anything I have seen in America in 60 years. They can harm and kill us legally now, in our own country. S.B. San Diego _________________________________________________________ Since the “smart” meter installation I’ve been suffering from headaches, losing sleep, and hearing high pitched ringing from time to time. I’ve already called PG&E to complain and requested they remove the meters…they said someone from their “smart” meter escalation department will be contacting me soon. Would appreciate any suggestions or advice you may have on how to get them off my home. I am very sensitive to RF signals. (Two weeks later…) PG&E is still refusing to remove my “smart” meter even though It makes me ill. I will be forced to sell my home and move if wireless smart aren’t removed from my home and neighborhood. PG&E may have an easement to put a meter on my home…but a meter on my home that shoots RF in to my home and in to me, my partner and my child’s bodies? As a Realtor it seems to me like that should be overstepping the limits of their easement. M.H. Humboldt County CA _________________________________________________ “One month ago I moved into a house that has a smart meter installed on the same side of the house as my bedroom. I have been having sleep problems including insomnia, nightmares and restless sleep. I am epileptic and sleep deprivation is very dangerous for me. I have also been experiencing unexplained anxiety and irritability. I live in Oakland. I’m also having strange interference on my phone line.” (Update) ” I have now been living with a smart meter for nearly 4 months. My sleep has deteriorated. I often only get 4-5 hours which is a serious threat to my health as an epileptic. My request to have the meter removed has been denied. I cannot afford to move, and anywhere I move to in this area will likely have the same problems. Past seizures have caused me to suffer brain injuries, and many neurologists believe that seizures cause permanent damage to the brain. PG&E is putting me at risk of major injury and even death, since seizures can be fatal” .A.L.M. Alameda County CA _______________________________________________________________ I am disabled from a spinal injury and neurological damage from a severe case of Encephalitis. I moved into a small apt attached to my Mother’s house three months ago. Both my mother and her husband are also disabled. We all have serious health problems. They were not aware a smart meter was installed a year ago, right behind my bedroom wall. Everyone in the house has been having similar issues since it was installed, exhaustion, stomach issues, ear aches, ringing the ears, dizziness and skin issues. My health issues are complicated already and I cannot move again. I want to know what I can do to get this thing removed. Nobody asked, they just did it. I have signed petitions, I have written letters. What else can I do? My Mom has had 22 surgeries, Cancer, RSD, Interstitial Cystitis and much more. Just the fear that it may be adding to our health problems is unhealthy. She grew up under power poles and has always believed that played a role in her health issues. Although she knows now, I was afraid to even tell her it was there. I believe we as humans have not had time to adapt to the barge EMF from such devices and we need choices and a voice in the decision processes when it comes to technology such as Smart Meters. There are also privacy and other issues at play here that make me very much against Smart Meters. T.R. Aptos CA Source: To read these and even more health reports from consumers, go to the EMF Safety Network, “Smart Meter Health Impacts – Comments” website page here: http://emfsafetynetwork.org/?page_id=2292 Meanwhile, the website of the Utility Consumers’ Action Network (UCAN) is also attracting complaints from consumers who are getting ill due to their new smart meters: Smart Meters are ruining my health and others On November 29th, 2010 Steven Golden (not verified) says: Letter To SDGE, On September 29, 2010 at least 4 Smart Meters were installed on my apartment building on the wall just below my Unit. That very day I woke up with a swollen wrist for absolutely no physical reason. I opened my front door and found the notice that the Smart Meters were installed. My wrist and hand swelled so badly that I had to get a cortisone shot. Then, I got sick with sinus problems and a respiratory attack. One occurred after the other, and both conditions are still with me 3 weeks later. I have never been sick for more than one week in my entire life. I have heart palpitations and an erratic heart beat, along with insomnia. The latest affliction since the Meters were installed is Phantosmia, which I have never had before and will not go away. I am EMF sensitive and these Smart Meters are ruining my health, my living conditions, and my life. We are being bombarded with Microwave EMF from these Meters from all directions without our knowledge or consent. Since I am EMF sensitive I have chosen to never use WiFi or any other wireless technology in my apartment. With these Smart Meters I have no say in the matter and I am being slowly tortured by SDGE and the CPUC. This is an outrageous intrusion into our lives and a danger to the health of everyone in San Diego and wherever these Meters operate. Those of us who are EMF sensitive have an early warning system built in and we know what these meters are doing to our health. Those who aren’t as sensitive or may not realize that they are will not realize that the Meters their utility forced upon them are making them ill and even slowly killing them. Rest assured that word is getting out about the dangers of these Meters. I am requesting that the Meters attached to my building get replaced by the old Analogue Meters so I can get my life back. If you care about the health of all of our citizens you will see to it that the Smart Meters all get replaced by the old Analogue Meters. Please realize that the Smart Meters aren’t smart at all and that a mistake has been made. This decision can be reversed before any more damage is done. Source: “Smart Meters are ruining my health and others,” by Steven Golden, November 29, 2010: http://www.ucan.org/forum/forums/energy/sdg_e_disputes/billing_dispute#comment-30660 Response: Steven's Health On December 2nd, 2010 Susan Foster, MSW (not verified) says: Steven, this is about your health but possibly more importantly your life. I know from personal experience about the heart issues, and I told SDG&E they could NOT put a smart meter on my home. I got a letter from my cardiologist (you need to see one as your symptoms clearly are cardiac -- at least in part); I also got a letter from Dr. Gunnar Heuser, a renowned neurologist in Los Angeles who is very familiar with various cardiac and neurological symptoms. I told SDG&E in writing I would hold them legally responsible for any harm that came to me if a smart meter was placed on my home. You have been harmed. You are sensitive to RF radiation which is microwave radiation. A gaussmeter does not detect microwave radiation. You can go back & forth with SDG&E and they will have someone with no medical background tell you that you cannot be harmed by microwave radiation running along the wires in your home (which it does, by the way). But they have absolutely no experience in the health arena and there was no pre-market testing of smart meters. This is one big human experiment. Cut through the bureaucracy and demand to have this taken off your apartment. It will most likely cut down on some of your symptoms. If you have to move, so be it. Your health is paramount. You can do this. Good luck! Source: "Steven's Health," by Susan Foster, MSW, December 2, 2010: http://www.ucan.org/forum/forums/energy/sdg_e_disputes/billing_dispute#comment-30771 Electro-Hyper-Sensitivity (EHS) is real People who say that health effects from wireless devices is not real and had not been documented in peer-reviewed studies have GOT to do their homework. Just go back to 2002, when the California Department of Public Health did a study to estimate the numbers of electrohypersensitive persons in the state, the "Study of self-reported hypersensitivity to electromagnetic fields in California." The study found that there were an estimated 3% of the population that are hypersensitive to EMF. This study was done for the CPUC when it was developing EMF public health guidelines due to concerns about EMF from electrical lines. You can download a copy of the peer-reviewed study for free at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1241215/?tool=pubmed. One of the authors also did an update presentation illustrating the universal nature of electrohypersensitivity: http://www.who.int/peh-emf/meetings/archive/en/levallois.pdf. Here are some other studies: 1. Read "Provocation study using heart rate variability shows microwave radiation from DECT phone affects autonomic nervous system," by M. Havas, J. Marrongelle, B. Pollner, E. Kelley, C.R.G. Rees, L. Tully, published in the peer-reviewed European Journal of Oncology Library Vol. 5, 2010. The study shows that radiation from a digital cordless phone base station affects the heart in a double-blind provocation study. Go here to access the study: http://www.magdahavas.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Havas-HRV-Ramazzini1.pdf Also watch the related video: Relating potential heart problems to smart meters: persons with pacemakers are being advised to check with their doctors to see if there will be any problems if they get too close to a smart meter. Read PG&E Radio Frequency FAQ, http://www.pge.com/myhome/edusafety/systemworks/rf/faq/, excerpt here: In addition, San Diego resident Susan Foster
writes, “I was quite stunned to have senior SDG&E personnel ask me (a
medical writer) to explain the health concerns, as the woman from SDG&E had
been told to tell any concerned consumer that Smart Meters are perfectly safe.
They are NOT safe when one has a pacemaker or certain cardiac arrhythmias. It
has long been accepted in the medical literature that RF (microwave) radiation
can interfere with the heart's natural rhythm and/or the rhythm sustained by a
pacemaker. It was unconscionable to give false reassurances that could quite
literally cost someone their life.” Currently, medical device manufacturers advise patients to consult with their physicians when a patient has concerns about RF devices and interference. Although devices like SmartMeters™ have a typical RF exposure that is weak, distant, and extremely brief, PG&E would nevertheless advise any customer with concerns related to a medical device to consult with his or her physician for personal medical advice to best address his or her concern. See UCAN Smart Meter Forum, “Health Concerns re Smart Meters,” November 29th, 2010 by Susan Foster, on-line at: http://www.ucan.org/forum/forums/energy/sdg_e_disputes/billing_dispute#comment-30645. 2. Another peer-reviewed study published in 2010, “Mobile phone pulse triggers evoked potentials,” documented how cell phone EMFs are detected by the body and brain. The study was conducted by: Simona Carrubba and Andrew A. Marino of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, LSU Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Lousiana; Clifton Frilot II of the School of Allied Health, LSU Health Sciences Center; and Andrew L. Chesson Jr. of the Department of Neurology, LSU Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Lousiana. See Neuroscience Letters to read the study: http://andrewamarino.com/PDFs/160-NeuroLetters2010.pdf 3. In July 2011, a scientific study was released showing that electrosensitivity is not a psychological response. The peer-reviewed study “Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity: Evidence for a Novel Neurological Syndrome,” was published in the International Journal of Neuroscience, and its authors include David E. McCarty, M.D., Simona Carrubba, Ph.D., Andrew L. Chesson, Jr., M.D., Clifton Frilot, II, Ph.D., Eduardo Gonzalez-Toledo, M.D., Andrew A. Marino, Ph.D. It studied a woman who knew she was electrosensitive and then exposed her to certain types of EMF without her knowing it. Her symptomatic responses were associated in particular with pulsed (versus continuous) EMF. You can find the peer-reviewed study documenting health affects in an electro-sensitive individual on-line at: http://electromagnetichealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/McCarty_Marino_2011_EMF_ES__neurological_syndrome_Int_J_Neurosci_July.pdf. 4. Another peer-reviewed study in 2011 replicated other studies documenting how sleep is affected to mobile-phone like RF EMF. The study exposed 30 healthy males to this type of radiation, and found: “Consistent with previous findings, our results provide further evidence that pulse-modulated RF EMF alter brain physiology.” Read: “Sleep EEG alterations: effects of different pulse-modulated radio frequency electromagnetic fields,”
published in the Journal of Sleep Research, April 12, 2011, 5. A National Institutes of Health study of cell phones and the brain published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) showed definite effects on the brain and nervous system from cell phone use. The lead researcher, Nora D. Volkow, said "I confess that after the findings I changed my behavior". She now uses it on speakerphone or earphone. She says "We have a responsibility to investigate whether there are or there are not long lasting consequences from repeated stimulation after five or ten years of cell phone exposure. Watch the ABC World News report on Feb 22, 2011: http://abcnews.go.com/watch/world-news-with-diane-sawyer/SH5585921/VD55113679/world-news-222-new-zealand-earthquake-the-search-for-survivors. The
cell phone story is at 14 minutes 25 seconds. You can click to it on
the progress bar by going to 14:25. Read the original study, "Effects of Cell Phone Radiofrequency Signal Exposure on Brain Glucose Metabolism," published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), 2011; 305(8): pages 808-813: http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/305/8/808.abstract 6. Some people report what is called the "Microwave Hearing Effect" when they are exposed to pulsed radiofrequency energy (the type of radiation emitted from cell phones and cell towers). It results in ear ringing or tinnitus (read about this, "Cell Phone Tower Tinnitus," on-line at http://citizensforsafetechnology.org/Cell-Phone-Tower-Tinnitus,28,1047). This effect has been documented for decades by scientists, when those serving in the military began reporting ear ringing when they were near equipment emitting this type of radiation. Here is an excerpt from the GQ Magazine article, "Warning: Your Cell Phone May Be Hazardous to Your Health," by Christopher Ketchum, published in February 2010: In 1960, Frey, then 25, was working at General Electric's Advanced Electronics Center at Cornell University when he was contacted by a technician whose job was to measure the signals emitted by radar stations. At the time, Frey had taken an interest in the electrical nature of the human body, specifically in how electric fields affect neural functioning. The technician claimed something incredible: He said he could "hear" radar at one of the sites where he worked. Frey traveled to the facility and stood in the radar field. "And sure enough, I could hear it, too," he said, describing the persistent low-level hum. Frey went on to establish that the effect was real—electromagnetic (EM) radiation from radar could somehow be heard by human beings. The "hearing," however, didn't happen via normal sound waves perceived through the ear. It occurred somewhere in the brain itself, as EM waves interacted with the brain's cells, which generate tiny electrical fields. This idea came to be known as the Frey effect, and it caused an uproar in the neuroscience community. The waves that Frey was concerned with were those emitted from the nonionizing part of the EM spectrum—the part that scientists always assumed could do no outright biological damage. When Frey began his research, it was assumed that the only way microwaves could have a damaging biological effect was if you increased the power of their signals and concentrated them like sword points—to the level where they could cook flesh. In 1967, this resulted in the first popular microwave oven, which employed microwave frequencies at very high power, concentrated and contained in a metal box. Aside from this engineered thermal effect, the signals were assumed to be safe. Allan Frey would help pioneer the science that suggested otherwise. At the vanguard of a new field of study that came to be known as bioelectromagnetics, he found what appeared to be grave nonthermal effects from microwave frequencies—the part of the spectrum that belongs not just to radar signals and microwave ovens but also, in the past fifteen years, to cell phones. (The only honest way to think of our cell phones is that they are tiny, low-power microwave ovens, without walls, that we hold against the sides of our heads.) Frey tested microwave radiation on frogs and other lab animals, targeting the eyes, the heart, and the brain, and in each case he found troubling results. In one study, he triggered heart arrhythmias. Then, using the right modulations of the frequency, he even stopped frog hearts with microwaves—stopped the hearts dead. Frey observed two factors in how microwaves at low power could affect living systems. First, there was the carrier wave: a frequency of 1,900 megahertz, for example, the same frequency of many cell phones today. Then there was the data placed on the carrier wave—in the case of cell phones, this would be the sounds, words, and pictures that travel along it. When you add information to a carrier wave, it embeds a second signal—a second frequency—within the carrier wave. This is known as modulation. A carrier wave can support any number of modulations, even those that match the extra-low frequencies at which the brain operates (between eight and twenty hertz). It was modulation, Frey discovered, that induced the widest variety of biological effects. But how this happened, on a neuronal level, he didn't yet understand. In a study published in 1975 in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, Frey reported that microwaves pulsed at certain modulations could induce "leakage" in the barrier between the circulatory system and the brain. Breaching the blood-brain barrier is a serious matter: It means the brain's environment, which needs to be extremely stable for nerve cells to function properly, can be perturbed in all kinds of dangerous ways. Frey's method was rather simple: He injected a fluorescent dye into the circulatory system of white rats, then swept the microwave frequencies across their bodies. In a matter of minutes, the dye had leached into the confines of the rats' brains. Frey says his work on radar microwaves and the blood-brain barrier soon came under assault from the government. Scientists hired and funded by the Pentagon claimed they'd failed to replicate his findings, yet they also refused to share the data or methodology behind their research ("a most unusual action in science," Frey wrote at the time). For more than fifteen years, Frey had received almost unrestricted funding from the Office of Naval Research. Now he was told to conceal his blood-brain-barrier work or his contract would be canceled.
Since then, no meaningful research into the effect of microwaves on the
blood-brain barrier has been pursued in the United States. But a Swedish
neurosurgeon, Leif Salford, recently expanded on Frey's work,
confirming much of what Frey revealed decades ago. Salford found that
microwave exposure killed rodents' brain cells and stimulated neurons
associated with Alzheimer's. "A rat's brain is very much the same as a
human's," he said in a 2003 interview with the BBC. "They have the same
blood-brain barrier and neurons. We have good reason to believe that
what happens in rats' brains also happens in humans'. " His research, he
said, suggests that "a whole generation of [cell-phone] users may
suffer negative effects in middle age." Here are some peer-reviewed studies documenting ear ringing and headaches due to pulsed microwave radiation exposure: Read this list of peer-reviewed studies on ear-ringing done by neuroscientist A.H. Frey at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=microwave%20hearing%20Frey That's right, health effects from wireless RF radiation exposure is not fiction, and electro-sensitivity is not psychosomatic. In Sweden, it’s fully recognized as an impairment. Also read, "Headaches from cellular telephones: are they real and what are the implications?" by A. H. Frey, in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives,1998 March; 106(3): 101–103: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1533043/?tool=pubmed Read about it here: http://www.electrosensitivesociety.com/2010/01/28/hello-world Visit the website for the Swedish Association for the Electrohypersensitive (FEB) based in Sweden: http://www.feb.nu/ and the English-language part of its website: http://www.org.feb.nu/index_int.htm In fact, electro-hyper-sensitive persons are allowed to keep their analog utility meters and simply write-in their meter readings once a month to the utility company to avoid having a toxic smart meters installed on their residence. From Planet Thrive website: In
early 2010, all three utilities sat down in the same room with FEB to
discuss a formal arrangement for accommodating people with electrical
sensitivities. Both managers and engineers participated. The meeting was held in a very positive atmosphere and all parties agreed upon a set of guidelines. These were based on the experiences of the past five years. It
was recognized that there were no catch-all solutions. It was instead a
list of technical measures that could be selected from. One technology is a special filter that has been developed by E.ON1. This filter dampens some types of PLC signals on the powerline, though it does not work for all types of PLC systems. The filter would be installed without cost to the ratepayer, where needed. Another option is to let the ratepayer keep the old non-communicating mechanical meter, and simply send in a postcard once a month with the numbers. In cases where the guidelines did not resolve the problem, the utility would contact FEB for advice. As of early 2011, about 800-900 people with electrical sensitivities have needed to keep their mechanical meter. The total population of Sweden is about eight million. Read "Smart meters in Sweden: Accommodating people with EHS," http://planetthrive.com/2011/07/smart-meters-in-sweden/ On
Sept, 13, 2011, Per Segerback of FEB confirmed via e-mail to the
administrator of the Burbank ACTION website that the Planet Thrive
report was correct. He wrote: Our members have been given the option of signing a separate contract with the company owning the line & meter, stating that you personally take responsibility to report once per month - in time - and that you may have to pay a possible fine if the report arrives too late. Hundreds of studies have already
shown that chronic exposure to low-level non-ionizing radiation stresses the
body's immune system, is associated with increased risk of brain tumors, causes
DNA breaks, creates leakage in the blood-brain barrier, and affects fertility. For lists and tables of peer-reviewed studies documenting this, read:
About 900 members do this every month - I'm one of them. Environmental Reviews: "Biological effects from exposure to electromagnetic radiation emitted by cell tower base stations and other antenna arrays," by B Blake Levitt and Henry Lai, Nov 5, 2010, 18:369–395: http://www.magdahavas.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Blake_Levit-Henry_Lai.pdf "Recent studies (1995-2000) on the biological effects of radiofrequency and cell phone radiation," by Henry Lai, Ph.D. Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, 97 pages, http://www.emrnetwork.org/pdfs/laisummary.pdf The Sage Report: "RF Studies on RFR effects at Low-Intensity Exposures," http://sagereports.com/smart-meter-rf/?page_id=404 Powerwatch list of studies: http://www.powerwatch.org.uk/science/studies.asp Read “Research on the Effects of Cell Phone Radiation on Human Sperm,’ by Joel M. Moskowitz, Ph.D., March 3, 2011: http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/uploadedFiles/Planning_and_Development/Level_3_-_Commissions/Commission_for_Community_Environmental_Advisory/CEAC2011-04-07_1i-Effects_of_CellPhoneRadiation_onHumanSperm-Moskowitz.pdf Dirty Electricity Electrical engineer Rob States has studied smart meters in the home environment setting and has found that in addition to RF radiation exposure, the smart meters are generating spikes of EMF fields in our home wiring that is harmful to the human body. He also reports on a study done by two engineers that found “all of the meters measured so far, including ABB, GE, and Landis Gyr, emit noise on the customer’s electric wiring in the form of high frequency voltage spikes…recent scientific papers have increasingly reported that pulsed radiation is significantly worse than continuous radiation.” This type of electromagnetic radiation problem due to the smart meters SMPS can be documented by using very expensive and higher-end RF detection equipment, such as an oscilloscope. Read,
“New Critical Problem with ‘Smart’ Meters: The Switching-Mode Power
Supply (SMPS),” posted on March 30, 2011 on the eon3EMF blog site: http://eon3emfblog.net/?p=2180 Download: "Power Transient Measurements," by Rob States -- go to bottom of this screen/web page to view and download. Meanwhile, in the California desert communities, medical physician Sam Milham, author of the book, “Dirty Electricity,” has found the same SMPS home wiring contamination issue that States reported. Both States and Dr. Milham believe that smart meters are producing "dirty electricity" that gets into the wiring throughout a residence, emitting frequencies that is a making people sick. Read, "Utility Companies are Creating Hostile Environments," http://burbankaction.wordpress.com/2011/08/08/utility-companies-are-going-to-be-sued/
Read, "‘Dirty Electricity’ Ignored in CCST Report – Epidemiologist," eon3EMFblog site: http://eon3emfblog.net/?p=1444 Watch VIDEO of Dr. Sam Milham, "Smart Meters, Dirty Electricity and Disease," http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci5GGqEPecE&feature=player_embedded Watch VIDEO, Rob States, "The Dark Side of Smart Meters," http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLeCTaSG2-U Dr. Milham has also let it be known: What the utility companies and California Public Utilities Commission are doing with their smart meter installations is not only harming humans, but against the law. As the narrator at the end of this YouTube video concludes, “Utility companies can be sued.” How our pets and animal companions suffer from Smart Meters Our pets and our animal companions are of course proving to be very sensitive and smarter than the smart meters. They are suffering and are being made sick due to the smart meters, too. Just more reasons to oppose these at our homes and neighborhoods. Read more about smart meters affecting them here: Stop Smart Meters: "And What of the Animals?" posted August 31, 2011: Also read this consumer complaint in San Diego about cats/kittens dying on UCAN's website, "It is worse than you think," posted February 1, 2011: http://www.ucan.org/forum/forums/energy/sdg_e_disputes/billing_dispute#comment-31923 Feel free to notify the EMF Safety Network if your animals or pet is suffering since the installation of smart meters on your home or neighborhood: EMFSafe@sonic.net. (Many of you who have already researched the peer-reviewed studies examining the effects of popular wireless device and cell tower radiation on biology, already know about the documented non-thermal adverse effects on cellular, plant, animal and human health, many of them cited above; others can be found on our Burbank ACTION cell tower pages on health studies: https://sites.google.com/site/nocelltowerinourneighborhood/home/science-research-health-effects) Problems with the FCC RF standard As smart meter proponents will point out: the FCC sets the RF radiation public exposure standards in the U.S. However, doe they tell you that his standard is outdated, and it does not take into account the growing number of studies that show harmful effects on human health and biology from low-level non-thermal RF radiation? Dig a little further to find the source of the problem: the FCC has a major conflict of interest because it's in the billion-dollar business of selling wireless spectrum to the industry. Do you think the FCC will bite the hand that feeds it? Follow the money.... Read Broadcasting & Cable, "CEA/CTIA: Broadcast Spectrum Auctions Could Clear $33 Billion or More," February 15, 2011, http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/463971-CEA_CTIA_Broadcast_Spectrum_Auctions_Could_Clear_33_Billion_or_More.php Electronista News: "FCC: Spectrum auction could be worth $120 billion due to ‘iPad boom’," Friday, October 22, 2010, http://www.electronista.com/articles/10/10/22/fcc.says.ipad.helping.spark.wireless.spectrum.rush/ The Street, "FCC Spectrum Auction Nears $20 Billion," March 19, 2008, http://www.thestreet.com/story/10408536/fcc-spectrum-auction-nears-20-billion.html Urgent Communications, "FCC spectrum auction raises $13.7 billion Oct 1, 2006, http://urgentcomm.com/mag/radio_fcc_spectrum_auction/ Federal Communications Commission Wireless Telecommunications Bureau: "THE FCC REPORT TO CONGRESS ON SPECTRUM AUCTIONS," Adopted: September 30, 1997, Released: October 9, 1997, http://wireless.fcc.gov/auctions/data/papersAndStudies/fc970353.pdf The EPA, which participated in FCC's exposure standard setting, explains the limitations and uncertainty of the FCC's adopted standard in protecting human health. In a July 16, 2002 letter, EPA's Norbert Hankin, Center for Science and Risk Assessment, Radiation Protection Division explains to Ms. Janet Newton, President of the EMR Network:
(Source: 2002 EPA letter re: limitations of FCC RF radiation exposure guidelines: http://www.emrpolicy.org/litigation/case_law/docs/noi_epa_response.pdf) Read and watch these reports about the flaws
with FCC Guidelines and how they were developed:
World Health Organization classifies wireless device radiation as Class 2B Carcinogen The FCC standard was established in 1996 and does not take into account the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classifying non-ionizing wireless radiation as a Class 2B carcinogen, on par with DDT. The World Health Organization issued this classification on May 31, 2011, due to studies showing increased risk of brain cancer in long-term cell phone users. Read WHO Press release, "IARC CLASSIFIES RADIOFREQUENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS AS POSSIBLY CARCINOGENIC TO HUMANS, May 31, 2011: http://www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/pr/2011/pdfs/pr208_E.pdf Read Stop Smart Meters: "WHO's
Statement is a Game Changer," June 2, 2011, http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/06/02/whos-statement-is-a-game-changer/
In addition, Cindy Sage of Sage Associates on August 29, 2011, shared an e-mail from Robert Baan, the author of the above IARC statement finding radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation as a ClassB possible human carcinogen. Dr. Baan wrote to clarify that the WHO/IARC statement would apply not just to cell phones but include smart meters: Thank
you for your message, which was forwarded to me, and to which I would like to
respond as follows. The IARC Working Group classified "Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields" (RF-EMF) as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). The information that formed the main basis for this evaluation was found in epidemiological studies on cell-phone use, where a slightly increased risk for glioma (a malignant form of brain cancer) and acoustic neuroma (a non-cancerous type) was reported among heavy users. There were some indications of increased cancer among radar-maintenance workers (occupational exposure), but no reliable data from studies among, e.g., people living close to base-station antennas, radio/TV towers, etc (environmental exposure). Although the key information came from mobile telephone use, the Working Group considered that the three types of exposure entail basically the same type of radiation, and decided to make an overall evaluation on RF-EMF, covering the whole radiofrequency region of the electromagnetic spectrum. In support of this, information from studies with experimental animals showed that effects on cancer incidence and cancer latency were seen with exposures to different frequencies within the RF region. So the classification 2B, possibly carcinogenic, holds for all types of radiation within the radiofrequency part of the electromagnetic spectrum, including the radiation emitted by base-station antennas, radio/TV towers, radar, Wi-Fi, smart meters, etc. An important point is the radiation level. The exposure from cellular phones (personal exposure) is substantially higher and much more focused (usually on the brain) than exposures from radio/tv towers, antennas, or Wi-Fi.
I hope this is useful. Thank you for your interest in our work.
Sincerely yours, Robert A Baan PhD The IARC Monographs IARC, Lyon, FRANCE EPRI and Maine CDC's Exponent Studies on RF Exposure from Wireless Smart Meters Proponents of the utility industry say they are safe, operating within FCC public safety standards. PG&E contracted out Richard Tell Associates to prepare its RF analysis report: Richard Tell Associates: "Supplemental Report on An Analysis of Radiofrequency Fields Associated with Operation of the PG&E SmartMeter Program Upgrade System," by Richard Tell for PG&E, October 27, 2008: www.ci.sausalito.ca.us/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=6742 The Electric Power Institute (EPRI), meanwhile, issued its RF reports, often referenced by smart meter advocates: “An Investigation of Radio frequency Fields Associated with the Itron Smart Meter,” EPRI report number 1021126, December 22, 2010, https://www.cityofmadison.com/water/documents/EPRIsmartmeterstudy.pdf EPRI Study: "A Perspective on Radio-Frequency Exposure Associated With Residential Automatic Meter Reading Technology," February 22, 2010, https://www.nvenergy.com/NVEnergize/documents/EPRI_ExposureAMI.pdf You can read more about the EPRI ("About us") on its website: http://my.epri.com/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=200&mode=2&in_hi_userid=2&cached=true From its own website: "EPRI's members
represent more than 90 percent of the electricity generated and delivered
in the United States..." Read about its Company Officers and their backgrounds here: http://my.epri.com/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=200&&PageID=202&mode=2&in_hi_userid=2&cached=true And its technology strategic vision here: http://my.epri.com/portal/server.pt?space=Opener&parentname=CommunityPage&control=OpenObject&in_hi_OpenerMode=2&in_hi_ClassID=514&in_hi_ObjectID=324 And a related article it posted on the Energy, Utility and Environment Conference blog: "Health Fears and ‘Smart Meters,'” by Rob Kavet, Electric Power Research Institute, September 26, 2010: http://blog.euec.com/?p=123 In Maine, the state’s CDC hired experts from Exponent to assist its study and report about the health effects from wireless smart meters. The Maine CDC is yet another report that is often referenced by smart meter advocates. Exponent, by the way, is also a consultant to company that has defended the tobacco and asbestos industries in cancer cases. Maine Pubic Health: “Update on Smart Meters,” November 29, 2010: http://mainepublichealth.blogspot.com/2010/11/update-on-smart-meters.html Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention issued its report to the Maine Office of the Public Advocate, "Executive Summary of Review of Health Issues Related to Smart Meters," November 8, 2010, https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/documents/Smart_Meters_Maine_CDC_Executive_Summary_11_08_10.pdf, or, go to the Maine CDC website for a copy of the report and related documents: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/smart_meters.shtml Smart Meter Safety, “‘Doubt’ Surrounds CMP’s Hired Science,” December 1, 2010: http://smartmetersafety.org/2010/12/01/doubt-surrounds-cmps-hired-science/ Los Angeles Times, "Toyota calls in Exponent as hired gun," February 18, 2010, http://articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/18/business/la-fi-toyota-exponent18-2010feb18 CCST Health Report on Wireless Smart Meters In California, at the request of Assembly Members Jared Huffman (Marin)
and Bill Monning (Santa Cruz), the California Council on Science and
Technology (CCST), prepared a health report on wireless smart meters.
The CCST issued its controversial results in January 11, 2011. On
the one hand, the CCST project team says that given the current FCC
standard of acceptable public exposure to RF radiation emitted from
devices such as smart meters, the smart meters are safe and should
proceed with their rollout. However, the report authors also acknowledge that the FCC public exposure standard address do not address non-thermal health effects. In addition, on page 4, following its Key Findings, the CCST recommends that options should be explored for those who have concerns about wireless smart meters. CCST: “Health Impacts of Radio Frequency from Smart Meters,” January 11, 2011: http://ccst.us/news/2011/20110111smart.php The
CCST report also states that health concerns of RF from smart meters
are similar to those from cordless or mobile phone, microwave oven,
wireless router or hair dryers. However, the CCST report failed to
then follow these examples by stating the obvious: these personal
appliances involve consumer options and/or choice. Power Pulse: “CCST Report on RF Health Impacts from Smart Meters Available for Comment,” January 19, 2011: http://www.powerpulse.net/story.php?storyID=23441 Today’s consumers, thank goodness, still have the liberty, freedom, and right of choice whether they want to own and use (or not) these appliances in the privacy and sanctity of their homes, or how often they want to use them, or when they want to shut them off. They also have that same right, choice and freedom to decrease or reduce or limit their usage, in order to reduce their exposure to the non-thermal RF radiation these devices emit. However, wireless smart meters will be operating 24/7, and most utility companies are not allowing consumers to turn them off whenever they want. The CCST report also failed to report how most consumers lack a choice of competing utility companies – so if one of them offered a wired smart meter, another utility allowed you to keep your old analog meter and use non-wireless technologies and rate programs that would reduce energy usage and promote energy efficiency, and a third utility company offered a wired smart meter, then that would be closer to offering consumers choice and options. But right now, most utilities are monopolies -- consumers only have one utility to provide them with power, or water or gas. Pointing out the problem with only having one utility company, family physician Steven J. Kirsch, of Maine Medical Partners in Scarborough recently wrote a letter to the Public Utilities Commission in Maine, where growing numbers of doctors are asking the PUC to intervene and protect residents from forced wireless exposure in their private homes. Here is an excerpt: We
in American hold our personal liberties dear. One such liberty is to
create a personal living space that is safe, healthy and free from
potentially dangerous exposures. I would expect the same for my patient
who has required a hospitalization for her symptoms. Central Maine
Power is our only electricity supplier locally. If there was an
alternative electricity provider, this letter would not be as urgent. I
would suggest switching to the new carrier. However, we do not have
that choice here in Maine. As a result of not having this option,
Central Maine Power must provide its customer with an opt-out provision
with regard to Smart Meter installation. Source:
Letter dated February 2, 2011 from family physician Stephen J Kirsch,
MD, to Karen Geraghty, Administration Director, Maine Public Utilities
Commission, can be found on-line at: http://smartmetersafety.com/2011/02/05/prominent-m-d-links-patients-hospitalization-to-smart-meter-installation-urges-opt-outs/, and read in full on-line here: http://smartmetersafetydotcom.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/kirsch-letter.pdf Response to CCST Health Report Public comments to the CCST health report were due January 31, 2010. Meanwhile, Assembly Members Jared Huffman and Bill Monning, in response, continued to advocate an opt out for consumers who want it (update: Huffman pulled AB37 and put it aside when the CPUC asked PG&E to submit an opt-out plan, and consumers statewide believe that they will have to ask their area legislators to take up where Huffman started). Good Times: “Town Hall with Assemblymember Bill Monning,” January 25, 2011: http://www.goodtimessantacruz.com/santa-cruz-news/santa-cruz-town-hall/2105-town-hall-with-assemblymember-bill-monning.html Smart Metering News: CCST Report Says SmartMeters Are Safe, But The Debate Continues, January 12, 2011: http://smartmeteringnews.com/ccst-report-says-smartmeters-are-safe-but-the-debate-continues/ Assemblyman Jared Huffman: Joint Statement of Assemblymembers Huffman and Monning on Release of Smart Meter Report by the California Council on Science and Technology, January 11, 2011: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a06/newsroom/20110111AD06PR01.htm Stop Smart Meters Now Blog: “CCST STUDY LEAVES SMART METER HEALTH QUESTIONS UNANSWERED: Report Admits that Smart Meter Radiation “Continues to be of Concern,” January 12, 2011: http://stopsmartmeters.wordpress.com/press-releases/jan-12th-2011-ccst-study-leaves-smart-meter-health-questions-unanswered/ Mercury News: “Opponents vow to continue fight against PG&E's SmartMeters,” January 12, 2011: http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_17079860?nclick_check=1 When the CCST was preparing its report on smart meters, De-Kun Li, M.D. and Ph.D., submitted his letter outlining the problems with the FCC standard and radiation like that emitted from smart meters. Dr. Li is the Senior Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiologist, Division of Research, Kaiser Foundation Research Institute, of Kaiser Permanente. Excerpts from his letter to the CCST: While the underlying mechanisms of the potential EMF health effect are not totally understood at present, skeptics have been focused on the EMF thermal effect, especially those who are NOT in the profession of biomedical research, such as physicists. It is now known that EMFs can interfere with the human body through multiple mechanisms. For example, it has been demonstrated that communication between cells depends on EMF signals, likely in a very low level. External EMFs could conceivably interfere with normal cell communication, thus disrupting normal cell differentiation and proliferation. Such disturbance could lead to miscarriage, birth defects, and cancer... First, FCC currently has only “guidelines”, not standards as explained above. Second, as described in the background information above, the current FCC guidelines only deal with thermal effect which was also based on animal studies only. Meeting the current FCC guidelines, in the best case scenario, only means that one won’t have heat damage from SmartMeter exposure. It says nothing about safety from the risk of many chronic diseases that the public is most concerned about such as cancer, miscarriage, birth defects, semen quality, autoimmune diseases, etc. Therefore, when it comes to nonthermal effects of RF, which is the most relevant effect for public concerns, FCC guidelines are irrelevant and can not be used for any claims of SmartMeter safety unless we are addressing heat damage... The bottom line is that the safety level for RF exposure related to non-thermal effect is unknown at present and whoever claims that their device is safe regarding non-thermal effect is either ignorant or misleading. In summary, we do not currently have scientific data to determine where the safe RF exposure level is regarding the non-thermal effect. Therefore, it should be recognized that we are dealing with uncertainty now and most likely for the foreseeable future. The question for governmental agencies, especially those concerned with public health and safety, is that given the uncertainty, should we err on the side of safety and take the precautionary avoidance measures? Unknown does not mean safe. There are two unique features regarding SmartMeter exposure. First, because of mandatory installation, it is a universal exposure. Virtually every household is exposed. Second, it is an involuntary exposure. The public that are exposed to SmartMeters do not have any input in deciding whether they would like to have the SmartMeter installed. The installation is imposed upon the public. Governmental agencies for protecting public health and safety should be much more vigilant towards involuntary environmental exposures because governmental agencies are the only defense against such involuntary exposure. Given the uncertainty of the SmartMeter safety, one rational first step of public policy could be to require household consent before installation of SmartMeters. Finally, because of the nature of universal exposure, many susceptible and vulnerable populations including pregnant women and young children are unknowingly exposed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Usually, the threshold of harmful level is much lower for susceptible populations. Read more: http://www.ccst.us/projects/smart/documents/li_response.pdf Dr. Li's peer-reviewed studies include:1. Li DK, Odouli R, Wi S et al. "A population-based prospective cohort study of personal exposure to magnetic fields during pregnancy and the risk of miscarriage," published in Epidemiology, 2002;13(1):9-20. 2. Li DK, Yan B, Li Z et al. "Exposure to magnetic fields and the risk of poor sperm quality," published in Reproductive Toxicology, 2010;29(1):86-92. 3. Li DK, Checkoway H, Mueller BA. "Electric blanket use during pregnancy in relation to the risk of congenital urinary tract anomalies among women with a history of subfertility," published in Epidemiology, 1995;6:485-489. Using scientific evidence to shape public policy is always challenging. The standards for declaring certainty within a scientific discipline, which are often based on the results of statistical testing, may be unrealistic or inappropriate for making public policy decisions, particularly those with potential impacts on population health... Nonthermal-Effects Evidence from studies on non‐thermal health effects of RF EMF is confusing. A review of the literature demonstrated inconsistent associations with health outcomes and provided some suggestions of new causal mechanisms for disease. There is legitimate scientific controversy over whether the current body of evidence is best described as “evidence of absence” of health effects or “absence of evidence” of health effects for Smart Meter levels of radio frequency EMF exposures. Few studies have rigorously measured long‐term RF exposure or examined potential non‐thermal health effects from such exposure. Recently, some studies have suggested that RF absorption from mobile phones may disrupt communication between human cells, which may lead to other negative impacts on human biology. Additionally, some studies of long‐term cell phone users suggest an association with brain cancer on the same side of the head that the cell phone was used. Most studies of cell phones and cancer risk do not include many long‐term users, and therefore cannot realistically assess potential impacts of long‐term RF exposure to the head. “Electromagnetic stress,” which includes symptoms of fatigue, headache and irritability has been reported in less rigorous studies. The strength of this evidence is not such that it would be warranted to say with high certainty that long‐term EMF exposure causes significant health effects. However, there is enough suggestive evidence to warrant precaution and further study. Exposure Pathways Of equal importance, is the current dearth of information about potential exposures to Smart Meter emissions. There is no information on the performance of Smart Meters in the field after installation and the amount of variability in their RF emissions. There also is no information on the percent of people who will spend time closer than three feet (for this example the distance is arbitrary but might be more scientifically approximated) to a Smart Meter and the percent of their time within that radius. The [CCST] report states on page 4, point 3 under Other Considerations, “The California Public Utilities Commission should consider doing an independent review of the deployment of smart meters to determine if they are installed and operating consistent with the information provided to the consumer.” This is an important finding, and raises doubt about the strong reassurances provided in Key Findings in the absence of independent review of installed meters in the field. CDPH suggests further review of the literature on non-thermal effects, which is complicated and controversial, but does not support a claim of no nonthermal health effects from radio frequency electromagnetic fields. We offer three citations below as examples of the controversies over non-thermal effects: Electromagnetic Fields and DNA Damage: Phillips, J.L.; Singh, N.P.; Lai, H.; Pathophysiology 16(2009) 79-88 Electromagnetic Fields and the Induction of DNA Strand Breaks: Ruiz- Gomez, M.J.; Martinez-Morillo, M.; Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine 28:201-214, 2009 Radiofrequency and Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field Effects on the Blood-Brain Barrier: Nittby, H.; Grafstrom, G.; Eberhardt, J.L.; Malmgren, L.; Brun, A.; Persson, B.R.R.; Salford, L.; Electromagnetic Biology and Medicine 27:103-126, 2008 Another public health expert, David Carpenter, M.D., also submitted Comments to the CCST pointing out flaws with its report and conclusions. Dr. Carpenter is the Director for the Institute for Health and the Environment, and a Professor of environmental health and biomedical sciences, at the School of Public Health, University of Albany, New York. He received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School. Here is an excerpt of his Comments to the CCST and its smart meter report: This document is not an accurate description of the state of the science on the issue of radiofrequency fields, and is full of inaccuracies. My specific concerns are as follows: 1. The benefit of the smart meters is entirely to the utilities, and is economic in nature. If they install smart meters they can fire those individuals who at present are employed to go around reading meters. Thus this is a job-killing proposal, and will increase unemployment in a state that already has too much. 2. When a smart meter is installed residents have no choice in the matter nor ability to avoid exposure. But every individual has the option to use or not use other personal wireless devices, until more is know about health consequences of chronic RF exposure. There is a major different between an exposure which an individual chooses to accept and one that is forces on individuals who can do nothing about it. 3. The statement “The potential for behavioral disruption from increase body tissue temperatures is the only biological health impact that has been consistently demonstrated and scientifically proven to result from absorbing RF within the band of the electromagnetic spectrum that smart meters use” is totally wrong. In the first place there are many adverse health effects other than “behavioral disruption” demonstrated as a result of tissue heating. The evidence for increased risk of brain tumors, acoustic neuromas and parotid gland tumors in individuals who have used a cell phone for 10 years or more is consistent, and the tumors occur only on the side of the head where the phone is used. There is also strong and consistent evidence for increased risk of leukemia in individuals who live near to high power AM radio transmission towers, even though this report characterizes such exposures as being “quite low” and show in Figure 7 that they are lower than the RF fields from smart meters. 4. The statement “The scientific consensus is that body temperatures must increase at least 1oC to lead to potential biological impacts from the heat” is totally wrong, and makes it obvious that no persons with medical or biological expertise participated in this report. Every enzyme system in the body is exquisitely sensitive to temperature, and increases activity by even a fraction of a degree increase in temperature. In fact all RF generates heat, and what is defined as “nonthermal” is only a function of our ability to measure the temperature increase. 5. The statement “While concerns of brain cancer associated with mobile phone usage persist, there is currently no definitive evidence linking cell phone usage with increased incidence of cancer” is incorrect. The evidence is strong and consistent among studies looking at long-term and intensive use of cell phones. The AM radio studies mentioned above are also relevant, particularly because like smart phones radio transmission towers give whole body radiation, not just to the head. 6. The statement “There currently is no conclusive scientific evidence pointing to a non-thermal cause-and-effect between human exposure to RF emissions and negative health impacts is inaccurate, and depends totally on what one defines as “conclusive”. In biology and medicine there is nothing that is 100% proven. We rely on statistical significance and weight of evidence when drawing conclusions about health effects. Read Dr. Carpenter's full letter here: http://www.ccst.us/projects/smart2/documents/letter16carpenter.pdf Also watch this video of Dr. Carpenter advising the public to keep their analog meters as there have not been any human health studies done with smart meters (as the California Public Health department pointed out) showing they are safe:
The California Division of Ratepayer
Advocates is also critical of the CCST Health Report on Smart Meters, stating "DRA believes that the Report does
not fully explore issues related to additional factors that can impact
RF exposure from Smart Meters; exposure from multiple co-located
meters; or the basis for the Report's conclusion that 'there is no clear
evidence that additional standards are needed to protect the public
from smart meters or other common household electronic devices.'"
Committee to Bridge the Gap's Dan Hirsch also did a study that discovered under-estimation errors in the CCST report, and he submitted comments to correct and point this out. His new calculations suggest that continuous whole-body exposure to electro-magnetic radiation from smart meters – which operate around the clock – may be between 50 and 160 times worse that from cell phones. A recent report from the California Council on Science and Technology, requested
by state legislators to assess potential risks from RF radiation from
"SmartMeters" (new electric meters being installed on homes to broadcast energy
usage), largely just cut and pasted claims from a recent brochure from the
electric power industry, a CBG review discloses. Furthermore, because of two
errors, the report appears to underestimate relative RF cumulative whole body
exposures by a factor of approximately ten thousand, the CBG analysis indicates. Read: "Comments on the Draft Report by the California Council on Science and Technology, 'Health Impacts of Radio Frequency from Smart Meters'," by Daniel Hirsch, 31 January 2011: http://www.committeetobridgethegap.org/pdf/110212_RFrad_comments.pdf Now watch this eye-opening video (field survey) by Amy O'Hair showing what happens when you compare smart meter RF emission to cell phone RF emissions (whole-body exposure). Also read: eon3EMFblog,"SMs Worse Than Cell Phones – Two Orders of Magnitude," February 21, 2011, http://eon3emfblog.net/?p=1724 Sage Associates RF Study Finds Wireless Smart Meters Exceed FCC Compliance Standards In addition, environmental consultant Cindy Sage's field study found smart meters in excess and in violation of the FCC's acceptable level of exposure. Opponents of the devices have questioned their accuracy and their potential health effects, particularly for children, elderly and those predisposed to be sensitive to electromagnetic frequencies. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) establishes standards for the health and safety for such devices, while the Califoria Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) regulates Pacific Gas & Electric's installation and use of them in the Bay Area and beyond. The study found that “no positive assertion of safety can be made by the FCC, nor relied upon by the CPUC, with respect to pulsed RF when exposures are chronic and occur in the general population. Indiscriminate exposure to environmentally ubiquitous pulsed RF from the rollout of millions of new RF sources (smart meters) will mean far greater general population exposures, and potential health consequences.” The study found FCC public safety limit violations could be possible within six inches of the meter, said Barry Smith, a spokesman for the Environmental Health Coalition of West Marin. "PG&E is misleading the public with false assurances of safety,” Smith said in a statement. “SmartMeter radiation will be a permanent part of the home, and people have no idea how high their chronic RF exposure might be." The location of the Smart Meter could also lead to heightened RF exposure, the report concluded. “In addition to exceeding FCC public safety limits under some conditions of installation and operation, smart meters can produce excessively elevated RF exposures, depending on where they are installed,” the report stated. “With respect to absolute RF exposure levels predicted for occupied space within dwellings, or outside areas like patios, gardens and walk-ways, RF levels are predicted to be substantially elevated within a few feet to within a few tens of feet from the meter.” The report concluded that there were a number of additional factors at each individual installation that needed to be taken into account when evaluating RF impacts. Those factors include how much wireless activity already exists within a house hold or building, including wireless phones, wireless Internet routers, wireless security systems and wireless baby monitors, among others. The age and medical condition of the residents of the house also affect the potential impact of RF exposure, as does the exact location of the Smart Meter and how close residents are able to get to it. The California Council on Science and Technology released a report in early January on the health effects of the wireless meters. The conclusion was that the meters emit lower levels of radio frequencies than many household products, are well below federal standards even under worst-case scenarios and that FCC standards are adequately safe for possible thermal health effects. However, the report also concluded that not enough is known about the non-thermal health effects from radio frequencies and that more information should be provided to consumers about emissions of all devices, including SmartMeters. Source: Novato Patch: "Report: SmartMeters Could Exceed FCC's Radiation Limits; Environmental consultants find FCC public safety limit violations could be possible within six inches of meters," February 21, 2011: http://novato.patch.com/articles/report-smartmeters-could-exceed-fccs-radiation-limits Also read: KGO-TV ABC San Francisco: "Study: SmartMeters more powerful than thought," February 21, 2011: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/north_bay&id=7971215&rss=rss-ipad-kgo-article-7971215 Metering.com: “Smart meters in California likely to exceed FCC safety limits according to environmental consultants,” January 12, 2011: http://www.metering.com/Smart/meters/California/likely/exceed/FCC/safety/limits/according/environmental/consultants You can also read Cindy Sage's full report, as well as her Comments to the CCST report, and Comments submitted by other leading health, medical, and engineering experts from around the world; there is also a list of health studies on RF radiation:
The EPRI, which was mentioned previously regarding its ties to the energy industry and promoting smart grid technologies, came out with this report in February 2011, criticizing the Sage Report: EPRI, "EPRI Comment: Sage Report on Radio-Frequency (RF) Exposures from Smart Meters," EPRI Report No. 1022639, February 2011, http://www.sdge.com/documents/smartmeter/epri_sagereport.pdf In response to this EPRI report, Sage and Associates did a follow-up study and again found the wireless smart meters again far exceeding FCC compliance standards: See: Sage Associates, "Addendum: Assessment of Radiofrequency Microwave Radiation Emissions from Silver Springs OWS-NIC514, Model Wireless Electric Meter, February 18, 2011: http://sagereports.com/smart-meter-rf/?page_id=429 Levitt/Lai Study Environmental researcher Blake Levitt and Henry Lai, Ph.D., Dept. of Bioengineering, University of Washington, recently reviewed and cited the long list of studies and research that have been done on the effects of low-level radiation on human health and biology. In their peer-reviewed study, they included a discussion about smart grid technologies and human health, and the failure of the outdated FCC's public exposure standard for acceptable RF radiation: It remains to be seen what additional exposures “smart grid” or
“smart meter” technology proposals to upgrade the electrical powerline
transmission systems will entail regarding total ambient RFR increases, but it
will add another ubiquitous low-level layer. Some of the largest corporations on
earth, notably Siemens and General Electric, are involved. Smart grids are being
built out in some areas of the U.S. and in Canada and throughout Europe. That
technology plans to alter certain aspects of powerline utility metering from a
wired system to a partially wireless one. The systems require a combination of
wireless transmitters attached to homes and businesses that will send radio
signals of approximately 1 W output in the 2.4000–2.4835 GHz range to local
“access point” transceivers, which will then relay the signal to a further
distant information center (Tell 2008). Access point
antennas will require additional power density and will be capable of
interfacing with frequencies between 900 MHz and 1.9 GHz. Most signals will be
intermittent, operating between 2 to 33 seconds per hour. Access points will be
mounted on utility poles as well as on free-standing towers. The systems will
form wide area networks (WANs), capable of covering whole towns and counties
through a combination of “mesh-like” networks from house to house. Some meters
installed on private homes will also act as transmission relays, boosting
signals from more distant buildings in a neighborhood. Eventually, WANs will be
completely linked. Smart grid technology also proposes to allow homeowners to attach
additional RFR devices to existing indoor appliances, to track power use, with
the intention of reducing usage during peak hours. Manufacturers like General
Electric are already making appliances with transmitters embedded in them. Many
new appliances will be incapable of having transmitters deactivated without
disabling the appliance and the warranty. People will be able to access their
home appliances remotely by cell phone. The WANs smart grids described earlier
in the text differ significantly from the current upgrades that many utility
companies have initiated within recent years that already use low-power RFR
meters attached to homes and businesses. Those first generation RFR meters
transmit to a mobile van that travels through an area and “collects” the
information on a regular billing cycle. Smart grids do away with the van and the
meter reader and work off of a centralized RFR antenna system capable of
blanketing whole regions with RFR. ...It makes little sense to keep denying health symptoms that are being reported in good faith. Though the prevalence of such exposures is relatively new to a widespread population, we, nevertheless, have a 50 year observation period to draw from. The primary questions now involve specific exposure parameters, not the reality of the complaints or attempts to attribute such complaints to psychosomatic causes, malingering, or beliefs in paranormal phenomenon. That line of argument is insulting to regulators, citizens, and their physicians. Serious mitigation efforts are overdue. ...It might be more realistic to consider ambient outdoor and indoor RFR exposures in the same way we consider other environmental hazards such as chemicals from building materials that cause sick building syndrome. In considering public health, we should concentrate on aggregate exposures from multiple sources, rather than continuing to focus on individual source points like cell and broadcast base stations. In addition, whole categorically excluded technologies must be included for systems like Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, smart grids, and smart metering as these can greatly increase ambient radiation levels. Only in that way will low-level electromagnetic energy exposures be understood as the broad environmental factor it is. Radiofrequency radiation is a form of energetic air pollution and it should be controlled as such. Our current predilection to take this one product or service at a time does not encompass what we already know beyond reasonable doubt. Only when aggregate exposures are better understood by consumers will disproportionate resistance to base station siting bring more intelligent debate into the public arena and help create safer infrastructure. That can also benefit the industries trying to satisfy customers who want such services. Safety to populations living or working near communications infrastructure has not been given the kind of attention it deserves. Aggregate ambient outdoor and indoor exposures should be emphasized by summing up levels from different generating source points in the vicinity. Radiofrequency radiation should be treated and regulated like radon and toxic chemicals, as aggregate exposures, with appropriate recommendations made to the public including for consumer products that may produce significant RFR levels indoors. ...The
present U.S. guidelines for RFR exposure are not up to date. The most
recent IEEE and NCRP guidelines used by the U.S. FCC have not taken many
pertinent recent studies into consideration because, they argue, the
results of many of those studies have not been replicated and thus are
not valid for standards setting.That is a specious argument. It implies
that someone tried to replicate certain works but failed to do so,
indicating the studies in question are unreliable. However, in most
cases, no one has tried to exactly replicate the works at all. It
must be pointed out that the 4 W/kg SAR threshold based on the de Lorge
studies have also not been replicated independently. In addition,
effects of long-term exposure, modulation, and other propagation
characteristics are not considered. Therefore, the current guidelines
are questionable in protecting the public from possible harmful effects
of RFR exposure and the U.S. FCC should take steps to update their
regulations by taking all recent research into consideration without
waiting for replication that may never come because of the scarcity of
research funding. The ICNIRP standards are more lenient in key
exposures to the population than current U.S. FCC regulations. The U.S.
standards should not be “harmonized” toward more lenient allowances. The
ICNIRP should become more protective instead. All standards should be biologically based, not dosimetry based as is the case today. ...In general, the lowest regulatory standards currently in place aim to accomplish a maximum exposure of 0.02 V/m, equal to a power density of 0.0001 μW/cm2, which is in line with Salzburg, Austria’s indoor exposure value for GSM cell base stations. Other precautionary target levels aim for an outdoor cumulative exposure of 0.1 μW/cm2 for pulsed RF exposures where they affect the general population and an indoor exposure as low as 0.01 μW/cm2 ( Sage and Carpenter 2009). In 2007, The BioInitiative Report, A rationale for a biologically based public exposure standard for electromagnetic fields (ELF and RF), also made this recommendation, based on the precautionary principle (Bioinitiative Report 2007). Source:
NRC Research Press, "Biological effects from exposure to
electromagnetic radiation emitted by cell tower base stations and other
antenna arrays," published in Environmental Reviews, Vol. 18: 369–395
(2010): http://rparticle.web-p.cisti.nrc.ca/rparticle/RpArticleViewer?_handler_=HandleInitialGet&journal=er&volume=18&calyLang=eng&media=html&articleFile=a10-018.pdf Options and Solutions? You've already read about the options being provided to electro-hyper-sensitive persons in Sweden, above.In Arizona, residents are complaining about getting sick from the newly installed wireless smart meters. A a resident in Mesa complained about getting ill from hers, and the utility came out and replaced it with a non-RF one. It's an Empower "pay-as-you-go" meter, which does not transmit wireless signals, and she said it doesn't make her sick! Now that's an option, and two thumbs up to the local utility company that was able to come up with that win-win solution! Read and watch the TV story here: KPHO-TV
Channel 5 News, "Smart Meter Made Me Sick, Mesa Woman Claims; Loni
Rosser Says Symptoms Cleared Up With Different Device," posted Feb. 21,
2011 and updated February 22, 2011: http://www.kpho.com/story/14816096/smart-meter-made-me-sick-mesa-woman-claims-2-21-2011 For more information on the Empower meter, see http://www.geus.org/empower.htm Meanwhile,
in New Mexico, until the state public utility commission decides how it
wants to proceed with options, it is allowing residents to file Medical
Waivers so they don't want have to have wireless smart meters on their
home. That's another humane and healthy option. As for California residents, what happens if
these ill health and symptoms from wireless smart meters becomes so severe
that they become disabled? Or what if a growing number of residents
become electro-sensitive because of the 24/7 wireless radiation exposure
they will have after the meter is installed? Who is assuming
liability? Our cities or our utilities or the California State
Utilities Commission or the manufacturers of the equipment? New Mexico - Medical Waiver Instructions:http://whyfry.org/how-to-file-a-medical-waiver-now-to-keep-smart-meter-from-your-home/ The California Public Utilities Commission has organized proceedings to consider smart meter options proposed by the utilities, consumer groups and organizations who are parties to those proceedings. They are currently considering a wireless smart meters with the wireless function turned off, wired smart meters, and keeping the analog meter with fees involved. The first two options do not address the privacy, security, time of use, and remote shut-off concerns of ratepayers (in addition to the health concerns due to the switching-power-mode supply or dirty electricity and the radiation from the surrounding mesh network, relay antennas and other smart meters). The last one is tainted with the fees or higher rates that the utilities may impose for people who want to keep their analog meters, which critics call extortion. You can read about the latest developments on the smart meter options front in California by visiting these websites: www.stopsmartmeters.org Update on Sept. 14th CPUC Opt Out workshop: Read more and watch related VIDEO clips here: http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/09/15/utility-and-smart-meter-tech-company-executives-get-grilled-by-the-public/ Also read, “More Thoughts on Wednesday’s CPUC “Opt-Out” Workshop, posted September 16, 2011, which features Comments by environmental health expert Cindy Sage and Steve Martinot, who represents Alameda County Residents opposed to smart meters (which is a party in the CPUC Smart Meter Opt Out proceeding): http://stopsmartmeters.org/2011/09/16/more-thoughts-on-wednesdays-cpuc-opt-out-workshop/ www.emfsafetynetwork.org Update on Sept. 14 CPUC Opt Out workshop: http://emfsafetynetwork.org/?p=5850 Update on Sept. 14 CPUC Opt Out workshop: http://lamesa.patch.com/blog_posts/the-great-cpuc-dog-and-pony-show-aka-smart-meter-opt-out-workshop Video of the opt-out proceedings can also be viewed here, including the utilities and manufacturers finally admitting that the electrical smart meters are constantly emitting microbursts -- due to the meters need to "chat" with neighboring meters in the mesh network to stay in synch: Sept. 14, opt out workshop, 6 parts: http://eon3emfblog.net/?p=3520 Keep in mind that municipal water and power departments are telling their ratepayers that they don't have to offer options or abide by CPUC's regulations. This is a half-truth. The full-truth? ALL utilities would have to abide by CPUC regulations if the CPUC makes a decision and issues new regulations that concern matters of public safety. If enough residents throughout California (including those serviced by municipal water and power departments) make this a public safety and public safety hazard issue with the CPUC, then the CPUC can issue a decision on smart meter options that would affect ALL utilities. July 27, 2011 opt out meeting, 2 parts: http://eon3emfblog.net/?p=3349 Read more about how all utilities would have to abide by CPUC regulations when it comes to matters of public safety, especially at the end of this article on our Burbank ACTION blog, "Burbank resident informs California PUC Judge on how BWP Smart Meters are making her sick," posted August 29, 2011: http://burbankaction.wordpress.com/2011/08/29/bwp-burbank-resident-made-sick-from-smart-meters/ As you know, many municipal water and power departments (and the CPUC) are telling California residents this is not an issue of public safety. This is their tactic or strategy. So what should be ours? In communities serviced by municipal water and power companies, complaints have to be sent to the utility and also the City Council. The next step would be the courts, if the CPUC decides it will not examine or decide upon the smart meter public safety complaints and protests it is receiving. If the CPUC does this, and if at the end of the CPUC opt out workshops the CPUC fails to protect the public, then the courts or a legislative bill, as a result, may be the only viable solutions for the California public to address the smart meter problems faced by ALL Californians. Some consumers are so upset about these smart meters making them sick and disabling them that they are threatening lawsuits: On Thursday, January 6th, I called Southern California Edison to inform you I do not want a Smart Meter installed at my residence. I am disabled with several health conditions that will be adversely affected by the installation of the Smart Meter. I have very weak adrenal glands that don’t produce enough Cortisol. The combination of EMF/RF in the Smart Meters is known to be very damaging to the adrenal glands. The stress from this type of exposure could push me into Addison’s disease and possibly result in death. I have chronic migraines, which could be magnified with the EMF/FM exposure. I also have EMF sensitivity. EMF sensitivity is an illness caused by exposure to radiation that is discharged from a variety of sources like cell phones, microwaves, cell phone towers, etc. When I am exposed to certain levels of EMF, I experience migraines, heart palpitations, trembling, weakness, hot flashes, increased pulse, pain in my gastrointestinal system, dizziness, inability to concentrate, impaired cognitive functioning and hyper-arousal. I do not even own a cell phone, because I’m incapable of using one. When I called your office, I was met with hostility, confrontation, intimidation and a complete lack of regard for my position. I was told that I had no choice in the matter and if I do not comply my electricity will be shut off. Therefore, if a Smart Meter is installed at my home, I will hold you, Corix and the CPUC legally responsible for any and all impairments in my health and consider the following possible charges: Assault I have informed you that installation of a Smart Meter will cause me bodily harm and puts my life at risk. If you install a Smart Meter, I will consider this assault and will file charges accordingly. Manslaughter or Wrongful Death If I die, then we’re talking about manslaughter or wrongful death. Medical Expenses If you install a Smart Meter, I will hold you legally responsible for all medical expenses incurred by the Smart Meter to my health. Trespassing If you, Corix or anyone on your behalf comes on my property to install a Smart Meter, I will have you arrested for trespassing. Invasion and Violation of Rights Last, but not least. This entire procedure is unconstitutional. It is an invasion and violation of my rights. You should not have the right to bathe me with environmental toxins without my permission. You should not have the right to alter my home in any manner without my permission. I am not willing to play Russian roulette with my life and you should not be permitted to do so either. As someone who lives with five disabling chronic health conditions, there is not room in my life for more suffering that may result from the Smart Meter. You should not have the right to violate and intrude upon what I must do to protect my health. I should have the right to have electricity service without being forced to put my life and health in danger. I will take any and all measures available to me to be heard on this issue in my community and across the country including the media and the Internet. For starters, I am using my website which gets more than 70,000 visitors a month, to broadcast all that transpires between me, the CPUC, Corix and Southern California Edison, including your threat to turn off my electricity and your hostile and lackadaisical attitude towards the concerns and rights of the citizens. I will also use Facebook and Twitter. You may want to take a look at the following page on my blog, which I will be updating throughout this process: I am in the process of contacting ABC news, CBS news, NBC news, all the local newspapers, the Internet Radio shows, legislators, City Council, President Obama and anyone else who is willing to listen about your lack of concern for our rights and the threat to turn off my electricity — a woman who is disabled with five chronic health conditions. The lack of electricity would leave me without heat in the middle of winter, not to mention the inability to cook etc. So, once again, this letter is to inform you that I oppose the installation of a wireless SmartGrid meter at my home. I do not want to be exposed to the wireless radiofrequency/microwave radiation from the meter, the security and hacking risks, the potential fire hazard from the meter, or the electromagnetic interference with electronics and medical devices, the invasion of privacy – nor do I want any more cell antennas in my neighborhood. I will not opt-in to the Southern California Edison Company program by installing power transmitters inside my home on my home appliances, to report energy usage to SCE. The California Public Utilities Commission should require SCE to conduct additional economic studies that take into account various percentages of people who will NOT join this program. SCE has stated that its current ‘base case’ requires compliance by the public in placing radiofrequency radiation transmitters inside their homes. SCE says the SmartGrid project will cost $1.6 billion dollars of ratepayer money (for 5 million new wireless meters). This is a waste of ratepayer money if people decline to participate due to health and safety or trespass reasons. Therefore, I am requesting that you do not shut off my electricity and continue to provide me service with the meter that is currently installed at my residence. If you do not want to send out a meter reader to read my meter, I will be happy to take a picture of my meter every month and send it to you. I repeat, I do not consent to the installation of a Smart Meter at the address listed below. Corix, or anyone acting on your behalf does not have my permission to install a Smart Meter at the address listed below. I would appreciate hearing from you on this matter promptly, as deployment begins on January 18th in my neighborhood. Sincerely, Cynthia Perkins, M.Ed. Read Cynthia Perkins, M. Ed., “Open Letter to Southern California Edison and CPUC,” January 2011: http://smartmeters.transbay.net/doku.php?id=cp Susan Foster, an SDG&E customer, may be the only exception in SDG&E territory or all of California without a smart meter on her home due to her medical request: I am writing regarding health concerns surrounding Smart Meters. Smart Meters operate on pulsed microwave signals throughout our homes. It is the same RF (microwave) radiation as emitted by cell towers, cell phones, and Wi-Fi. This radiation does not just operate outside your home. It runs along electrical wires and has a "hand-shake" relationship with your indoor appliances, enabling an almost constant reading of how much electricity is being used. I blocked SDG&E from installing a Smart Meter on my home. To my knowledge, that "pass" has not been given to anyone else, and I was quite stunned to have senior SDG&E personnel ask me (a medical writer) to explain the health concerns, as the woman from SDG&E had been told to tell any concerned consumer that Smart Meters are perfectly safe. They are NOT safe when one has a pacemaker or certain cardiac arrhythmias. It has long been accepted in the medical literature that RF (microwave) radiation can interfere with the heart's natural rhythm and/or the rhythm sustained by a pacemaker. It was unconscionable to give false reassurances that could quite literally cost someone their life. I organized a brain study of firefighters living in the shadow of a large cell tower for over 5 years in 2003 and 2004. Dr. Gunnar Heuser of Los Angeles, neurologist and neurotoxicologist, led the medical study in which we found abnormalities in the "strongest of the strong" following their frequent exposure to the same microwave radiation that is pulsed throughout the consumers homes by the wireless smart meters on the exterior of their homes. Obviously the exposure levels are different, but the constant frequency of the pulsed signals running along the wires throughout the consumers homes has caused some significant health problems to people who have been living with the smart meters for a period of time. The brain is the first organ of the body to be affected by microwave radiation. Neurological symptoms include headache, forgetfulness, anxiety, attention deficit, sleep disruptions, and there can be an overlay with immunological problems. I attended an international conference on EMFs at the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco two weeks ago, and came away more concerned about Smart Meters than ever before. Our level of ambient exposure to RF Radiation is increasing often beyond what the FCC has set as a regulatory standard (as opposed to safety standard). There has never been ANY pre-market safety testing on cell phones or smart meters. We are a living experiment. PG&E, serving northern California, is considering an "opt out" for people who are sensitive, but many who are concerned about electrosensitivity insist the 40' radiation range of some smart meters means they would still be affected adversely by their neighbor's smart meters. That has been the case for me, even though I have no smart meter on my home. It really is imperative that UCAN becomes aware of the health concerns surrounding these wireless appliance-monitors that are being installed without ever having been testing on humans. Cell phones by-passed pre-market testing by the FDA, so it is truly industry spin for electric companies to piggy-back on the cell phone deception of presumed safety and declare these wireless applications to our existing meters "safe." I will help direct materials and facts to UCAN if you are interested in advocating for consumers' health concerns. Susan Foster, MSW Read “Health Concerns re Smart Meters,” by Susan Foster, MSW, November 29, 2010: http://www.ucan.org/forum/forums/energy/sdg_e_disputes/billing_dispute#comment-30645 There are several other options (wired, fiberoptics, etc.) that are reviewed in Discussion Item #11. Options: https://sites.google.com/site/nocelltowerinourneighborhood/home/wireless-smart-meter-concerns/options. However, opponents of wireless smart meters point out that due to the wireless smart meter mesh-network infrastructure, wireless smart meters are on every home -- which means that a resident without a wireless smart meter will still be receiving the RF radiation transmissions from their next door neighbor's wireless smart meter. In fact, electro-sensitive individuals who have been put on the "last-to-install" list and do not yet have a wireless smart meter on their home, are reporting ill health effects from their neighbor's wireless smart meters. As a result, they want communities to have the right to opt out as well individuals, and a statewide moratorium. Thus, because the California Public Utilities Commission has failed to adopt a moratorium, cities and counties are adopting measures and moratoriums in an effort to oppose the installation throughout their communities and protect their residents. The "wired" smart meter option would also still present problems with privacy, security, and time of use rates causing higher bills. Wired smart meters have also not been tested for public safety hazards, including the "dirty electricity" contamination problems in the household wiring due to the smart meter Switching-Mode Power Supply (SMPS), mentioned earlier on this page. Important: If you are experiencing any health problems
from the smart meter installed on your home,
=================================================================================== DISCUSSION OF MAIN CONCERNS: Read these and helpful information about the wireless smart meter issue -- click each of the discussion items below. 1. First and Foremost: Are Wireless Meters Mandatory?
2. Smart Meters Unite Consumers, Citizens and Residents from Opposite Backgrounds and Political Affiliations 3. Actions Being Taken: What Are Consumers Doing To Protect Their Civil Liberties and Affirm Their Rights to Refuse or Opt Out? 4. Going Deep: Understanding the Big Picture and Real Costs and Concerns, Helpful News Reports and Consumer Advocacy Reports and Analysis 5. Smart Meter Consumers Anger Grows Over Higher Utility Bills 6. Privacy and Security Concerns Still Unresolved 7. Health Concerns Grow: Consumers Are Getting Sick From Wireless Smart Meters 8. Consumers Report Public Safety Hazards and Interference Problems 9. Cities and States Outside of California Pull Back 10. Resident Campaigns In Other States 11. Options 12. Lessons Learned: What's Happened in Australia 13. Lessons Learned: Major Problems for Canada 14. Actions You Can Take & Other Helpful Organizations and Websites 15. City
and County Documents including Agendas, Minutes, Video Meeting links,
Staff Reports, Proposed and Approved Ordinances, Resolutions,
Correspondence, etc.
16. Wireless Smart Meter Background Information for Burbank/Glendale Or: Return to Wireless Smart Meter Concerns home page |
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