Smart meters appeared on the power grid scene as a way for electric companies to take readings of customers’ usage without an actual person having to visit every building.
These little devices were presented as a way to save time, money, and the gasoline required to drive around all day.
Some even to so far as to say that this technology would be more eco-friendly. However, experts have now voiced their concerns over smart meter radiation.
How Smart Meters Work
Using radio frequency microwave transmissions (RF) pulsing continuously through your home, meters measure energy usage and send the information to the energy provider.
Transmissions are relayed at intervals via power lines, the internet, or cellular modes—internet and cell (wireless) being the most common.
The American Cancer Society’s warns:
“Smart meters give off RF radiation. RF radiation is low-energy radiation. RF radiation doesn’t have enough energy to remove charged particles such as electrons (ionize), and so is called non-ionizing radiation. Non-ionizing radiation has enough energy to move atoms in a molecule around or cause them to vibrate, which can lead to heat but it can’t damage DNA directly.”
“RF radiation is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), as ‘possibly carcinogenic to humans.’ This is based on the finding of a possible link in at least one study between cell phone use and a specific type of brain tumor. Because RF radiation is a possible carcinogen, and smart meters give off RF radiation, it is possible that smart meters could increase cancer risk…Smart meters have not been studied to see if they cause health problems.” (1)
What do Medical Experts say?
The American Academy of Environmental Medicine issued a letter to the state of California to oppose the use of Smart Meters: “based on a scientific assessment of the current medical literature…Chronic exposure to wireless radiofrequency radiation is a preventable environmental hazard that is sufficiently well documented to warrant immediate preventative public health action.” (2)
Dr. David Carpenter is a vocal opponent of Smart Meters. With very impressive medical credentials, he warns of the ill effects to the central nervous and reproductive systems . In addition, he highlights the documented evidence that RF causes cancer.
La Maison Saine et Écologie published an open letter from Dr. Carpenter that was endorsed by over fifty international experts. In it, he delineates the dangers that the RF microwave radiation from Smart Meters pose (3).
Smart Meter Radiation and Health
Links to cell phone use and brain tumors have been established by several independent studies (4). In fact, it’s estimated that Smart Meters emit 160 times more radiation than cell phones do (5, 6).
This video of the actual electromagnetic frequency emission from a Smart Meter shows it can be substantially more than that:
A class-action tort lawsuit was filed against Southern California Edison in 2013 for health damage caused by the use of Smart Meters (7). More specifically, lawsuits have reported symptoms of insomnia, dizziness, nausea, heart palpitations, interference with pacemakers, tinnitus, seizures, and chronic headaches.
Other concerns about Smart Meters:
Security – former CIA Director James Woolsey said in an interview that the “Smart Grid” of which Smart Meters are a part are “a really, really stupid grid”. It is completely vulnerable to privacy and security invasions, unbeknownst to the Smart Meter customer (8).
Privacy – you may think that it’s not a big deal for the power company to monitor energy usage every minute of every day but consider this: from that information, strangers know when you’re home and when you’re not; your living habits; and potentially what you talk about in your own home—the technology uses radio frequencies. In 2013, utility companies in California provided the data they had collected from their customers to the federal government.
“It’s a form of surveillance… If someone analyzes the data coming from smart meters, they can tell when you’re home, when you’re cooking a meal, when you’re watching TV…. the sheer number of data disclosures made by SDG&E [San Diego Gas & Electric Company] raised the possibility that government agencies wanted to sift through large amounts of data looking for patterns, rather than conducting targeted investigations…Smart meters are clearly one more avenue into people’s private lives, just like credit cards, your cell phone, your computer.” (9)
Fire – Smart Meters have been known to catch fire and explode if turned off and on again.
Cost – a class-action lawsuit was filed in Bakersfield, California because residents’ Smart Meters resulting in over-billing by the electric company (10).
There is no evidence that Smart Meters are safe but plenty that they are not. If given the choice, opt out.
If not, there are steps you can take to minimize smart meter radiation exposure in your home and protect your family. Click here for simple solutions.