Health and EMF Emissions from Smart Meters
CMP claims that the meters are safe because they comply with Electromagnetic Field (EMF) regulations established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The truth is that EMF is currently under investigation by the World Health Organization as a possible carcinogen, and even the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that the FCC standards are “thermally based, and do not apply to chronic, non-thermal exposure situations.” There has been no independent testing of the devices for cumulative impacts, or long term exposure.
Large institutions with a responsibility for human health and wellbeing already admit that there are likely health problems associated with EMF exposure. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) classifies EMF radiation as a hazardous substance. NIEHS advocates prudent avoidance of EMF in the workplace.
There are literally thousands of studies that raise concerns about the health impacts from EMF. Many of these are detailed on the EMF Safety Network site. In CA, Bay Area physicians and other health practitioners are currently requesting an immediate moratorium on the smart meter program because of health concerns. Doctors in New Mexico are urging their colleagues in other states to protect public health by halting smart meter programs. Your colleagues in other states cite a growing body of careful independent scientific research, suggestive of serious health problems resulting from smart meters and other wireless equipment exposure.
Although the science is far from certain, growing numbers of us feel there is a reasonable suspicion of negative health impacts that may result from EMF in general, and these meters in particular. This uncertainty is reason to tread cautiously, not justification for introducing millions of new sources of EMF into our communities and onto our homes.
Privacy and control issues
There are a number of concerns about data privacy and the potential for hackers to fiddle with our electricity supply. There are a number of articles and resources here:
http://www.eff.org/press/archives/2010/03/09
http://www.sott.net/articles/show/209844-Smart-Meters-Raise-Privacy-Concerns
http://consumercal.blogspot.com/2009/09/emerging-privacy-threat-posed-by-smart.html
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/12/03/smart_meters_confirmed/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8N7_iryR1A&NR=1
Fire and Electrical Safety
There have been a number of reports of smart meters malfunctioning, shorting out and catching on fire. They also have been known to interfere with AFCI’s and GFCI’s — safety devices intended to prevent electrical fires. Read one report from Bakersfield, Calif.
Prudent action is needed at this time to defend the health, safety and security of the people of Maine by calling for a moratorium on the smart meter program until such time as these questions are resolved. In so doing, Maine would join a growing number of cities, counties and states who are calling for further study before proceeding with smart meter installation.
As awareness of the problems with the meters spreads, we expect to see more state governments, local governments and public officials join the call for a moratorium.
The town of Fairfax, Calif., has taken one of the boldest stands yet against smart meters, passing an ordinance banning the devices. You can also download the ordinance.
There is an excellent video of the council meeting in which many of the issues with smart meters are raised in a public forum, available online.
There are relatively minor consequences for putting the brakes on the smart meter program. However, the consequences of going forward with potentially injurious and inaccurate meters could be much more serious.
