DocuSign Envelope ID: ED4D966F-5B48-487E-984D-8FE6B3B216EC
COMMISSION SUMMARY
AGENDA CATEGORY: Finance ITEM NUMBER: DATE: September 16, 2020
SUBJECT Approve Proposed FYs 2022-2027 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) and Transmittal to County Governments SUMMARY Section 23-304 of the Public Utilities Article requires WSSC Water to prepare, and submit to the Counties, a Proposed Capital Improvements Program by October 1 of each year. This action approves the Proposed FYs 2022-2027 CIP.
SPECIAL COMMENTS Upon approval, the Proposed CIP will be transmitted to both County Governments as required.
CONTRACT NO./ Not applicable. REFERENCE NO.
The Proposed FYs 2022-2027 CIP has a six-year program cost of COSTS $3,904,434,000.
AMENDMENT/ CHANGE ORDER NO. Not applicable. AMOUNT MBE PARTICIPATION Not applicable.
PRIOR STAFF/ COMMITTEE REVIEW Carla A. Reid, General Manager/CEO Joseph F. Beach, Deputy General Manager for Administration PRIOR STAFF/ Patricia A. Colihan, Chief Financial Officer COMMITTEE APPROVALS Letitia Carolina-Powell, Budget Division Manager
RECOMMENDATION TO COMMISSION Approve.
COMMISSION ACTION
DocuSign Envelope ID: ED4D966F-5B48-487E-984D-8FE6B3B216EC
TO: COMMISSIONERS
THRU: CARLA A. REID GENERAL MANAGER/CEO
THRU: JOSEPH F. BEACH DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER FOR ADMINISTRATION
FROM: PATRICIA A. COLIHAN CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
DATE: SEPTEMBER 8, 2020
SUBJECT: FISCAL YEARS 2022-2027 PROPOSED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM (CIP)
Section 23-304 of the Public Utilities Article requires WSSC Water to prepare and submit to Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, a Proposed Capital Improvements Program, before October 1 of each year. The purpose of this memo is to update you on the status of the FYs 2022-2027 Proposed CIP.
The only substantive change to the document since our CIP worksession at the July 15, 2020 Commission Meeting is that we have included the cost information provided by the developer for the new W-46.26 Pleasant’s Property Water Main Extension project. This 100% growth project will be constructed and funded by the developer. No WSSC Water rate supported debt will be used for this project.
Our virtual CIP Public Hearings were held on September 2nd and 3rd. All testimony and comments received to date are included in the complete transcripts of each hearing, attached.
We request that you approve the document as proposed and, if approved, the document will be transmitted to the two Counties as required.
Attachments DATE: October 1, 2020 REVISED: May 7, 2020 FINANCIAL SUMMARY (ALL FIGURES IN THOUSANDS) EXPENDITURE PROJECTIONS EST. EXPEND EST. TOTAL EXPENDITURE SCHEDULE BEYOND TOTAL THRU EXPEND SIX YR 1 YR 2 YR 3 YR 4 YR 5 YR 6 SIX PAGE COST 20 21 YEARS 22 23 24 25 26 27 YEARS NUM
Montgomery County Water Projects 31,879 21,738 1,623 8,518 2,864 2,624 2,674 178 89 89 0 1-1
Prince George's County Water Projects 227,832 49,426 15,767 154,341 62,481 49,628 35,048 5,214 1,030 940 8,298 5-1
Bi-County Water Projects 1,000,474 118,946 73,558 721,026 87,972 106,854 137,539 136,188 126,858 125,615 86,944 3-1
TOTAL WATER PROJECTS 1,260,185 190,110 90,948 883,885 153,317 159,106 175,261 141,580 127,977 126,644 95,242
Montgomery County Sewer Projects 37,742 4,047 4,832 28,863 8,512 4,972 7,441 5,387 2,476 75 0 2-1
Prince George's County Sewer Projects 537,300 260,871 89,917 184,937 70,103 50,439 33,459 19,966 8,830 2,140 1,575 6-1
Bi-County Sewer Projects 1,794,199 484,052 149,841 986,879 234,947 243,526 149,823 116,032 121,135 121,416 173,427 4-1
TOTAL SEWER PROJECTS 2,369,241 748,970 244,590 1,200,679 313,562 298,937 190,723 141,385 132,441 123,631 175,002
TOTAL CIP PROGRAM 3,629,426 939,080 335,538 2,084,564 466,879 458,043 365,984 282,965 260,418 250,275 270,244
Total Information Only Projects 2,055,996 1,916 234,210 1,819,870 266,272 292,201 300,784 306,243 316,934 337,436 0 7-1
COMBINED PROGRAM 5,685,422 940,996 569,748 3,904,434 733,151 750,244 666,768 589,208 577,352 587,711 270,244
FUNDING SOURCES
WSSC Bonds 4,437,282 468,344 515,802 3,281,913 625,623 647,330 567,793 489,018 470,379 481,770 171,223
PAYGO 432,048 11,016 10,000 331,032 31,016 31,016 44,000 65,000 80,000 80,000 80,000
State Grants 385,831 242,480 20,000 123,351 20,351 21,500 21,500 20,000 20,000 20,000 0
System Development Charges 314,497 194,092 12,479 99,628 31,329 34,621 22,813 8,797 1,608 460 8,298
Contributions/Other 53,465 16,758 6,247 30,458 17,369 8,011 2,656 951 736 735 2
Government Contributions 46,279 7,736 3,675 24,147 3,343 3,646 3,886 3,897 4,629 4,746 10,721
Federal Grants 16,020 570 1,545 13,905 4,120 4,120 4,120 1,545 0 0 0
COMBINED PROGRAM 5,685,422 940,996 569,748 3,904,434 733,151 750,244 666,768 589,208 577,352 587,711 270,244
EXHIBITS From: BudgetGroup To: Houston, John; Brackett, Mark; Halloran, Brian Subject: FW: Oral Testimony to WSSC Water Budget Division CIP Public Hearing September 2, 2010 7:30 PM Date: Thursday, September 3, 2020 9:13:35 AM
From: Anna R. Pritchard
EXTERNAL EMAIL! Oral Testimony to WSSC Water Budget Division CIP Public Hearing September 2, 2010 7:30 PM
September 2, 2020
To: WSSC Commissioners and Budget Team By Email
I attest and affirm that the following statements are true, accurate, and within my personal knowledge. My name is Anna Pritchard and I reside in Silver Spring, Maryland.
I implore you to not move forward with the proposal to procure the AMI Smart Meter project and please remove it from the CIP budget for the following reasons:
There is not a common consensus among water utility companies that AMI smart meters are cost effective. At least five states, including Virginia, rejected utility Smart Meter proposals due to exorbitant costs and lack of consumer benefit. Virginia’s “Fairfax Water” determined that implementing AMI was not cost effective, resulting in Fairfax, Virginia keeping their customers’ rates low. The increased cost of our water bills will be needless and very difficult for many WSSC customers to pay.
Smart Meters are dangerous and should not be used. As a medical professional I am strongly opposed to Smart Meter usage. Not only have I read widely about the harms from Smart Meters, but I have first-hand experience when three weeks after Pepco installed a Smart Meter on my house my beloved cat had a detached retina leading to permanent loss of vision in one eye due to highly increased blood pressure of 230. She could have had a fatal stroke, heart attack, or blindness in both eyes. She was put on blood pressure medication and when the Smart Meter was removed and replaced with an analog meter, her blood pressure decreased dramatically and she could have her medicine greatly reduced. I believe that the cause of her increased blood pressure was the Smart Meter on my house.
There are other health harms resulting from Smart Meters. In her article, How Dangerous is your Smart Meter?, Dr. Amy Myers, MD wrote that symptoms from wireless smart meter radiation are: headaches, dizziness, short term memory loss, fuzzy-headedness, irritability, itchiness, aches, sleep disturbances, digestive problems, and heart rate changes. Other reported effects are ear pain, palpitations, anxiety, and negative effects on the immune system, etc.
On July 23, 2019 there was a report from Public Utilities Commission Hearings in several municipalities in California entitled “Reports on Smart Meter Problems.” To summarize some of the contents of this report, it states that, “Investigation and admissions by the industry since 2012 continue to substantiate these serious problems… The report is evidence for assessing accountability and liability for the excessive harm caused to the public.” Some of the problems noted were: electrical fires, health problems, interference with medical devices, vulnerability to electromagnetic pulses, excessive costs that exceed benefit, hacking and cybersecurity, etc.
There are alternatives to AMI Smart Meters for water usage readings. Wired, as opposed to wireless connectivity it is a safe alternative for all of the above reasons, as is fixing the problems with existing AMR meters and replacing aging meters with new improved AMR meters.
To summarize, I am opposed to paying approximately $100 million for AMI that harms people, animals, the environment, and invades my privacy, and is not safe.
I have presented no matter of mere ‘concern’ or any other non-substantive matter, but solely matters of substance, of fact and law.
Anna R. Pritchard, RN, (Registered Nurse) BSN, CNC (Certified Nutritional Consultant), Doctor of Naturopathy Silver Spring, MD. 301-758-8169
CAUTION This email originated from outside WSSC Water. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. This page intentionally left blank From: BudgetGroup To: Halloran, Brian; Houston, John; Brackett, Mark Subject: FW: Opposition to Smart Meters. Date: Thursday, September 3, 2020 6:00:39 PM
From: Cyndie Baughman
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
WSSC -
Please consider the below information and my prior submissions (also listed below) to WSSC at your budget meeting as you consider the health, safety, privacy, and disparate application of meters to communities.
Those of us concerned about this topic have not seen one public comment from dozens of rate- payers opposing this project in the August 19, 2020 AMI Project Update. I have received no responses on my comments, questions and concerns other than to acknowledge they are received despite various follow-ups on particular areas of concern such as if WSSC is considering an “opt out” provision like PEPCO does with its smart meters or to acknowledge the discriminatory treatment of placing meters within homes near living spaces vs. outside homes far from living spaces. I specifically asked if you have a water meter located outside of a bedroom, if WSSC would move it to a safer location. I received no response.
Additionally, WSSC undertook to study the health risks associated with RF emissions but seemed to disregard any science that was not associated with a public agency. Additionally, the person tasked with reviewing the health risks on RF emissions (Professor Leeka Kheifets) from smart meters appears to have ties to utility companies and I wonder if WSSC has considered any conflicts of interest for Professor Kheifets.
Some of Professor Kheifets’ studies supported by utilities include:
“Race/ethnicity and the risk childhood leukemia: a case-control study in California states, “This project was supported by a research contract from the Electric Power Research Institute to UCLA” The study Magnetic fields exposure from high-voltage power lines and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in two Italian populations states, “Dr. received funding from EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute) for other research activity and not for the present study. All the remaining authors declare no conflict of interest.” Residential magnetic fields exposure and childhood leukemia: a population-based case–control study in California funded by EPRI The study Race/ethnicity and the risk childhood leukemia: a case-control study in California states, “This project was supported by a research contract from the Electric Power Research Institute to UCLA” Leeka Kheifets was an expert consultant to SDG&E on the health effects of smart meters. “PG&E flew Leeka Kheifets, a University of California Los Angeles professor and epidemiology authority, to the event to address health concerns.”
Thank you for your consideration. Cyndie Baughman Potomac, Maryland 20854
From: Cyndie Baughman
I understand there is a meeting next week on this topic. I have a conflict with work so I will be unable to attend this meeting scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday Aug. 19th. My family and I STRONGLY oppose the addition of a smart meter to our home by WSSC.
I would like to reiterate again the below points from an earlier email on this topic. Additionally, I would like to add the following points:
1. The “health study” was disappointing as it ignored many of the high profile agencies who have weighed in on negative health effects relating to RF radiation. The American Cancer Society has recently updated its materials on RF and cell phones and detrimental effects. 2. At an absolute minimum, if you are going to mandate smart meters be applied to our homes, please provide an opt-out provision for those that do not want this. 3. WSSC should consider if spending money on this project is cost effective given that we are in the middle of a pandemic. I understand that Fairfax Water has rejected AMI at this time due to expense. 4. Other water utilities DO offer opt-outs. Pepco offers opt-outs. I would expect WSSC, as a health agency, to do the same. 5. As we are seeing in the COVID-19 pandemic, science matters. Some people choose to wear a mask and protect others and themselves while others ignore this. At least gives those concerned with health and privacy the ability to wear a mask (i.e, to “opt out”) of) the smart meter program. It is unfair and irresponsible for a utility to make a health choice for a community without considering science – unless the science was issued by a “PUBLIC AGENCY” as your report notes.
PLEASE RECONSIDER ANY MANDATORY APPLICATION OF SMART METERS TO HOMES. PLEASE CONSIDER THE SCIENCE AND THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITIES AND CHILDREN.
From: Cyndie Baughman
WSSC Commissioners –
It was very disappointed to receive the February 14, 2020 email from the AMI Project about the February 19th meeting and attached health study (“Report”) conducted by WSSC. It was also very disappointing to receive a note from the AMI Project about how the study was conducted. This e-mail preceding the February 19th seems to say that since a public agency has not found RF harmful to human health, you will take no action. The WHO has classified RF as a Class 2B Human Carcinogen and there have been discussions of increasing this to a Class 1 at the urging of scientists over the past few years. Calls to the American Cancer Society indicate that they may be revisiting their review of RF and I am not sure they would weigh in on other health effects than cancer.
I do not understand why the limit on public agency and why the conclusion of no harm to human health given the WHO classification and the NTP study.
Additionally, the following organizations have studied RF safety: • World Health Organization; • American Cancer Society; • National Toxicology Project (National Institutes of Health); and • International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Because of these studies, no public agency has identified RF as harmful to human health.
1. As far as the Report, it notes that smart meters should clearly fall below the FCC guidance for RF. However, the FCC standard for measuring the health effects of electromagnetic radiation is based on whether the exposure, on average, will heat human tissue over short periods (six minutes for occupational work and 30 minutes for public exposure). That standard was adopted in 1996 and was based on data from the 1980s to so hear that smart meters will fall below this is no comfort. The standard also does not assume 24/7 exposure.
2. Page 17 of the Report states that “About 60% of WSSC water meters are located inside the basements of homes. Whereas, 40% are located outside the home at the property line…The distance from the front door to the property line can vary much with minimum distances of about 5-10 feet… Therefore, in general, meters are located away from the area where people spend time.”
My water meter is located directly on my home – on the wall opposite a basement office where my children study. This means it would be within 5 feet of them. My home is not unusual in my community of 85 homes in Potomac MD. I am unaware of any home in my community where a meter is at the property line and not affixed directly to the home.
3. Further, p. 18 of the Report states that “No exposure assessment studies focused on water smart meters have been identified, however several studies have looked at electric smart meters. Given that exposure from electric meters is likely to be higher than that of water meters they are reviewed below as representative of an upper bound.”
If there is no study then how can the conclusion be made that these are “better” than a PEPCO smart meter (which allows for OPT OUT to its customers) and that they are safe?
4. In regard to the studies cited in the Report, why are so many based a small sampling of residences located outside the U.S. and not subject to U.S. standards? Studies like the bioiniative report are not included in your Report.
Why? Please refer to the case filed by Montgomery County, Maryland that cites to a variety of health reports on RF. Why were those reports NOT considered by you? See June 10, 2019 filing – page 11 and page 55 discuss current research on RF health effects and the non-thermal health effects raised by RF. https://www.khlaw.com/Files/39783_Montgomery_County_Brief.pdg.
5. Was the researcher who prepared your Report an independent third party? Many concerned citizens raised this issue with you prior to the undertaking of this report and I assume, like myself, did not receive a response on who was to conduct the Report and what materials would be considered and if the WSSC commissioners would be open to hearing from scientists. General research indicates that he author may not be an independent third party and this is very concerning. Did you invite any members of the scientific community to speak with you or was it solely this one author and this short Report?
See link below regarding Dr. Kheifets.
https://smartmeterharm.org/2017/02/19/industry-scientist-paid-14681-for-testimony- on-smart-meters/
The Report references the Itron meter. Attached below is an excerpt from Itron’s most recent shareholder report filed on Form 10-K with the SEC. It notes that “we may face adverse publicity, consumer or political opposition, or liability associated with our products.”
The safety and security of the power grid and natural gas and water supply systems, the accuracy and protection of the data collected by meters and transmitted via the smart grid, concerns about the safety and perceived health risks of using radio frequency communications, and privacy concerns of monitoring home appliance energy usage have been the focus of recent adverse publicity. Unfavorable publicity and consumer opposition may cause utilities or their regulators to delay or modify planned smart grid initiatives. Smart grid projects may be, or may be perceived as, unsuccessful….. We may be subject to claims that there are adverse health effects from the radio frequencies utilized in connection with our products. If these claims prevail, our customers could suspend implementation or purchase substitute products, which could cause a loss of sales. https://www.sec.gov/ix? doc=/Archives/edgar/data/780571/000078057119000007/itri10k12312018.htm
I hope the WSSC Commissioners will consider the following prior to implementing any smart meter roll-out?
1. Did WSSC ask for any current pending or settled actions or claims from companies such as Itron on health, privacy or similar issues as they have disclosed above?
2. Did WSSC consider that not every customer’s meter falls within the 60/40 categorization noted in the Report.
3. Will WSSC provide for an opt-out like PEPCO does (with a fee or no fee)?
4. Will WSSC guarantee the number of times per day the meter will transmit? There are reports that transmissions vary widely from a few times a day to a few times a minute. How will WSSC guarantee this? How many times will WSSC test its meter to ensure they are only transmitting infrequently as the Report states? Will it have drivers that will come to our homes and measure this and provide us this information on our quarterly WSSC bills? If so, how frequently?
5. Will WSSC consider customer re-location of water meters that back to a bedroom or another room that is frequently used? The Report assumes that the meters are “conveniently located” in unused portions of one’s home.
6. Will WSSC guarantee the safety RF level of the meters or seek a guarantee from Itron or the meter provider it uses? Will this guarantee be made publicly available? Will WSSC require the meter provider to (or will WSSC employees) test the RF levels of the meter and on what type of periodic basis will this be done? Will the test results be made public?
I am unable to personally attend this meeting. I hope the Commissioners will take seriously their review of this report and complete their due diligence on this topic and, at an absolute minimum, provide an opt out for those who do not wish to have these meters attached to their homes.
Thank you, Cyndie Baughman Potomac, MD
CAUTION This email originated from outside WSSC Water. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. This page intentionally left blank From: BudgetGroup To: Halloran, Brian; Brackett, Mark; Houston, John Subject: FW: Opposition to deployment of smart meters Date: Thursday, September 3, 2020 9:12:43 AM
From: Deborah Vollmer
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
To: WSSC and Montgomery County Council:
I am opposed to the deployment of smart meters by the WSSC for financial and economic reasons. I am also opposed, because I believe that the accumulated exposure to the radiation emitted by smart meters may be dangerous to our health, and I am concerned that the meticulous tracking of water use by smart meters has serious implications for our personal privacy.
Please DO NOT proceed with plans to deploy smart meters! Thank you.
Deborah Vollmer Montgomery County Resident and Community Activist 7202 44th Street, Chevy Chase, Maryland, 20815
Telephone: 301- 652-5762
Virus-free. www.avg.com
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September 3, 2020
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Budget Division 14501 Sweitzer Lane Laurel, MD 20707 via email to [email protected]
Re: CIP Testimony
Thank you for allowing me to submit comments on WSSC Water’s proposed six-year (Fiscal Years 2022-2027) Capital Improvements Program (CIP).
I ask commissioners to carefully evaluate the proposed $100M Advanced Metering Infrastructure project also known as smart meters. I am not referring to potential health, privacy or jobs impacts but specifically the financial impacts of smart meters.
Regarding the financial impacts of smart meters, there are unanswered questions that commissioners need to resolve: 1) Do the benefits of smart meters outweigh the costs? 2) Will implementation of smart meters result in higher or lower water bills? 3) What are the risks? Implementation of smart meters will put WSSC Water into the business of collecting massive amounts of customer data. Is this WSSC Water’s core competency? Is there a potential for IT cost overruns as occurred on the billing system replacement?
I also believe that commissioners need to seek out objective, unbiased information about smart meters.
Smart meters were first approved in the CIP in 2012 under a different General Manager. Their justification and cost estimate is based on a study that was performed in 2011 and has not been updated since other than adjusting for inflation. September 3, 2020 Delegate Al Carr’s comments on WSSC Water’s CIP Page 2
I hope you will also consider the experiences of nearby utilities. When I reached out to the General Manager of Fairfax Water in December 2018, he told me that Fairfax Water had rejected AMI smart meters as too costly. For many customers, Fairfax Water’s rates are half of WSSC Water’s rates.
I also hope that commissioners will ask staff to present you with a range of options to improve meter reading. AMI is currently presented as an all-or-nothing, but there are other options. The City of Rockville was able to obtain many of the promised benefits of AMI smart meters but at a lower cost by using a system of drive by AMR meters. With AMR, Rockville was able to reduce labor costs and eliminate estimated readings but without the expense of a wireless data network and extensive IT infrastructure required by AMI. Another feature of Rockville’s AMR system is that an opt out policy is not applicable because drive-by AMR meters configured for “wake up” operation do not continuously capture and transmit detailed customer usage information and lack the consumer privacy and health concerns raised by AMI that drive some customers to seek opt outs. Rockville has addressed unbilled water concerns by focusing on replacing older and wrongly-sized large meters.
If you decide to move forward with AMI smart meters, please adopt an opt out policy. That is the policy of the State of Maryland as established by the Maryland Public Service Commission when they approved AMI smart meters for most of the investor- owned electric utilities.
Speaking of the PSC, there is testimony on their record about how some promised benefits of AMI smart meters did not materialize at electric utilities.
I appreciate your efforts to provide safe and reliable water, life’s most precious resource, and return clean water to our environment, all in an ethical, sustainable, and financially responsible manner.
Sincerely,
Delegate Al Carr Maryland’s 18th Legislative District This page intentionally left blank From: Super Java
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
Hello,
I am in the military and just moved to the area at 5112 Belgreen St. in Suitland. The seller for this home did not disclose an ancient septic. I learned the permit costs are $14,500. My neighbor who has been here said it used to be about $7,000. Why is the permit to go to sewer so high now? What all does that even include, just the go ahead to convert? The plumber labor costs are already so high. The city charges for sewer in the WSSC bill anyways which covers a lot of area fees. This area has a lot of improvement underway. Sewer homes will be more desirable for new transplants to the area such as myself. The permit at this time seems overwhelming to me. I'd like to know why.
Elisa C. Mercado 919-698-6012
CAUTION This email originated from outside WSSC Water. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. This page intentionally left blank From: BudgetGroup To: Halloran, Brian; Houston, John; Brackett, Mark Subject: FW: AMI Water Meter Date: Friday, September 4, 2020 10:48:58 AM
LETITIA CAROLINA-POWELL Budget Division Manager Finance Department
301.206.8379 (O) [email protected]
-----Original Message----- From: Heather Eatmon
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
Hello,
Please strike the AMI “smart” water meters. I have young young children and would not be comfortable with the increased radiation Between dealing with impact of the virus, school closures, and reduced work hours, we have had enough challenges to deal with. Please allow for more long term third party safety studies and examine the impact on the environment and humans.
Thank you for looking out for our welfare.
Best,
Heather Eatmon.
Sent from my iPhone
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This page intentionally left blank From: BudgetGroup To: Brackett, Mark; Houston, John; Halloran, Brian Subject: FW: No to “smart” meters! Date: Tuesday, September 8, 2020 9:57:40 AM
LETITIA CAROLINA-POWELL Budget Division Manager Finance Department
301.206.8379 (O) [email protected]
-----Original Message----- From: Jenya Art
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
Hello there!
I am a well-educated resident of Montgomery County, Maryland and I have done a thorough research on the negative biological effects of electro-magnetic fields and continuous exposure to non-ionizing radiation. Based on that extensive research I came to a conclusion that I DO NOT want an EMF-emitting device on my house. They can call it “smart” meter, “genius” meter or “lifesaving” meter - it will not change the fact that this is a highly dangerous radiation-emitting device which causes DNA damage, cancer and autoimmune disease on human beings. This fact is supported by numerous published scientific studies. Maybe you don’t see it yet, but we’ve been down this road before with DDT, asbestos, mercury fillings and even those “convenient” portable X-ray machines that were used casually at many shoe stores in the 60s to scan customers feet in order to select the best fitting shoe. How did all that turn out for us?
Those who don’t know their history are doomed to repeat it. Please don’t put your customers (and your own families) in grave danger - educate yourself on the biological effects of “smart” meters. I promise: you will NOT want them anywhere near your family!
Thank you,
-Jena Art
Sent from planet Earth
CAUTION This email originated from outside WSSC Water. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. This page intentionally left blank From: BudgetGroup To: Halloran, Brian; Brackett, Mark; Houston, John Subject: FW: Smart meter replacement 18701 Little Star Lane, Germantown MD Date: Friday, September 4, 2020 10:49:35 AM Attachments: image001.png
LETITIA CAROLINA-POWELL Budget Division Manager Finance Department
301.206.8379 (O) [email protected]
From: Katerina Goldfarb
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
Hello there, Please don’t place any smart meters near our property. And we would like to replace/remove our smart meter. Address is 18701 Little Star Lane Germantown MD 20874. Thank you, Katerina Goldfarb 215-495-5977
CAUTION This email originated from outside WSSC Water. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. This page intentionally left blank From: BudgetGroup To: Halloran, Brian; Brackett, Mark; Houston, John Subject: FW: I Oppose AMI Smart Meters Date: Friday, September 4, 2020 10:48:21 AM Attachments: image001.png
LETITIA CAROLINA-POWELL Budget Division Manager Finance Department
301.206.8379 (O) [email protected]
From: kthktzn
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
Dear WSSC Commissioners and Budget Team:
I oppose AMI smart meters. Do not move forward with the proposal to procure the AMI smart meter project.
I attest and affirm that the following statements are true, accurate, and within my personal knowledge.
There is no consensus that AMI smart meters make economic sense. The economics of WSSC's AMI smart meter proposal are based on a 2011 study that has not been updated. There is a risk that the cost will be much greater than the estimated $100M.
There is no evidence that implementation of AMI smart meters will reduce water rates. In fact the opposite is true, they will increase water rates. Between 2018 and 2019 several states, including Virginia, rejected smart meter proposals due to exorbitant costs and lack of customer benefit. Virginia's Fairfax Water determined that implementing AMI was not cost effective, resulting in Fairfax keeping their customer's rates low, half of what WSSC’s rates are. In today’s uncertain economic times, rate increases will be a burden on families that are already struggling to pay their utilities with job and income loss due to COVID- 19.
The immense cost of converting to AMI smart meters will also likely result in the laying off of nearly all WSSC staff who read meters. At this time our country and Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties are experiencing extreme rates of unemployment. According to the latest numbers available from the Maryland Department of Labor, unemployment rates as of June 2020 in Montgomery County were 8.1 percent, and in Prince Georges County were 9.9 percent (up from 2.9 and 3.6, respectively, in February 2020). (Retrieved 8/19/20 from https://www.dllr.state.md.us/lmi/laus)
Smart meters will put WSSC into the business of collecting massive amounts of customer data. This is not WSSC's core competency.
AMI smart meter deployment is bad for the environment. It will result in tens of thousands of working meters entering the waste stream. In addition, digital meters, which need to be changed every 8 years or less, do not last as long as the mechanical ones, which lasted decades. AMI is an e-waste nightmare.
The Maryland Public Service Commission has established a statewide policy that customers may opt out of AMI smart meters. So why are you considering REMOVING our right to OPT Out?
We depend on WSSC staff to provide unbiased information so commissioners can make fair decisions. Staff has instead provided misleading information about AMI smart meters. The health consultant WSSC is relying on, Dr. Leeka Kheifet, is not only paid by wireless companies to testify in their defense, but has also been a longtime consultant for Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). This is a violation of your mission to be ethical and transparent.
Why is staff presenting AMI smart meters as the only solution to improve WSSC's meter reading operations? There are alternatives available, such as maintaining the current analog metering infrastructure, that are more cost effective and avoid the health and privacy concerns of AMI smart meters.
In closing, I am opposed to paying approximately $100 million for AMI that harms people, harms the environment, and invades my privacy.
I have presented no matter of mere "concern" or any other non-substantive matter, but solely matters of substance, of fact, and law.
Sincerely,
Katherine Katzin 7008 Aspen Ave. Takoma Park, MD 20912
Sent with ProtonMail Secure Email.
CAUTION This email originated from outside WSSC Water. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. This page intentionally left blank From: BudgetGroup To: Brackett, Mark; Halloran, Brian; Houston, John Subject: FW: PLEASE Strike AMI Smart meters from the WSSC Budget! Date: Wednesday, September 2, 2020 3:52:58 PM
From: L B
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
Dear Commissioners,
I'm writing today because I'm deeply concerned about the proposed switch to smart meters. I know this seems to make sense from a technology perspective, but there are health concerns yet to be addressed. I bought a home in Montgomery County so that I can have some control over my home and raise my children in a healthy environment. There is now clear evidence from NIH that RF radiation though invisible is linked to tumors and cancer among other health issues. CEHPAC (The Children’s Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council) after a thorough review of the science put out recommendations that RF is a health hazard and should be minimized to protect the health of children. We are increasingly becoming a nation of unwell and adding another layer of radiation at this time that cannot be turned off, even if it makes sense financially, is quite a burden to put on the people you serve. There should be full disclosure to the public that this is an environmental hazard especially for children and a thorough review of the science before this moves forward.
I look forward to hearing from you soon about this matter.
Regards,
Laura Simon 11104 Hurdle Hill Drive Potomac, MD 20854
CAUTION This email originated from outside WSSC Water. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. This page intentionally left blank From: BudgetGroup To: Halloran, Brian; Brackett, Mark; Houston, John Subject: FW: WSSC Public Testimony: AMI Opposition Date: Thursday, September 3, 2020 9:12:20 AM
From: Lisa Cline
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
Dear Councilmembers,
I have been following WSSC’s Advanced Meter Infrastructure project for years. My family is one that prefers to take advantage of Opt Out clauses, such as Pepco’s smart meter program.
There are two reasons we opt out: our right to data privacy and inconclusive studies regarding the health effects of RF radiation exposure, particularly in aggregate.
I have spoken with WSSC commissioners and staff in the past about my concerns about a smart meter mandate. Here they are in summary, along with some requests for information I feel is lacking.
1. Commissioners have dated information. Here is the most ‘recent’ cost analysis of the project: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17QNvwP- g77hw70LE1TBqjMXRxqorx8Xo/view. It is ten years old.
2. No cost comparison. WSSC, to my knowledge, has not compared the cost of replacing outdated handheld meter reading devices and re-training staff VS. scrapping everything and building a new platform (AMI). This calculation is foundational to any decision. As you may know, Virginia’s Dominion Energy where the Virginia State Corporation Commission stated, “we know that smart meters are not cost effective and exploit the captive ratepayer.” This decision saved Fairfax ratepayers $72 million.
3. Then there are the environmental costs. A conversion to smart meters will produce a magnificent waste steam of operational, analog meters, and will nullify the “Environmental Stewardship” claim WSSC makes in its Mission Statement: “We continuously enhance and protect natural resources and the environment for the health of future generations.”
4. Public Input. Not one public comment from dozens of ratepayers opposing the project is represented in the August 19, 2020 AMI Project Update. Many traveled great distances and took time off from work and family to invest in this process. Yet there is no mention of the educated testimony from those opposed in the publicly posted summary.
This failure makes the emails I receive stating, “Public Input Welcome” something of a farce. In fact, they have proven not welcome public input.
5. Job loss. Maryland, like the rest of the world, struggles with sudden, unexpected unemployment due to pandemic-related layoffs. The AMI project will dismiss WSSC workers in droves. This sends a message to the people of Maryland that WSSC values automation over job protection and creation.
Today I ask you to request the information I myself have not been able to obtain from WSSC: an updated cost analysis, a detailed comparison, an independent review of how smart meter programs nationwide are or are not saving rate-payers money, and a detailed job lost summary.
Thank you for your time and further inquiries on behalf of ratepayers, Council.
Lisa Cline 420 Upshire Circle Gaithersburg, MD 20878 (301) 978-9789
CAUTION This email originated from outside WSSC Water. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. August 15, 2020
Dear Commissioners,
As a ratepayer and stakeholder of the proposed Advanced Meter Infrastructure project, I am incited by the partial picture painted by the AMI project team in their latest presentation. It is incomplete, biased and makes a sham of WSSCWater’s mission statement.
1. Public Input. Not one public comment from dozens of ratepayers opposing the project is represented in the August 19, 2020 AMI Project Update. Many traveled great distances and took time off from work and family to invest in this process. Yet there is no mention — not even on the Lessons Learned slide — of the educated testimony about the possible health1 effects and data privacy2 infringements AMI presents.
This failure makes a farce of the emails I receive stating, “Public Input Welcome.” In fact, it is not.
This action nullifies the sincerity of your Mission Statement,3 which promises:
• “…employees who act ethically, are accountable, and conduct ourselves with integrity and transparency.” These attributes are falsified by the lack of incorporating public comments.
• “We achieve the highest level of quality, safety, productivity, and cost-effectiveness, demonstrating world class service to everyone.” Safety and cost-effectiveness (see below) will not be upheld with a shift to AMI. You should also strike “everyone.” Thousands of your customers oppose AMI.
2. Costs. As a ratepayer, I insist on seeing a cost comparison: replacing handheld meter reading devices and training staff VS. scrapping everything and building a new platform (AMI). This calculation is conspicuously absent in the narrative. As per the Dominion case in Virginia,4 we know that smart meters are not cost effective and exploit the “captive” ratepayer.
Then there are the environmental costs. A conversion to smart meters produces an avoidable waste steam of junked, yet operational, analog meters. This will necessitate the removal of your “Environmental Stewardship” claim in the Mission Statement: “We continuously enhance and protect natural resources and the environment for the health of future generations.”
3. Job loss. As you know, the state of Maryland and the global workforce struggle with sudden, unexpected unemployment due to pandemic-related layoffs. The AMI project will dismiss WSSC workers in droves. This is more than unfortunate. It sends a message to the people of Maryland that WSSC values automation over job protection and creation.
I now realize that the hours I have spent researching and writing this testimony is time wasted. You are not listening. At least I know I tried, and that I spoke up for thousands of residents and over 1,800 employees, including those out of the road this very day who are supporting their families, while you work safely from the comfort of your homes. Will you feel as safe there with a smart meter pulsing all day long just outside your, or your child’s bedroom window? Listen to yourself, if not me.
Lisa Cline 420 Upshire Circle Gaithersburg, MD 20878
1 https://www.sej.org/publications/tipsheet/many-are-claiming-health-problems-caused-smart-meters
2 “Are Smart Meters A Waste of Money?” KCET.ORG, December, 2012 — “Data to be collected by the smart meters, including intimate personal details of citizens' lives, is not necessary to the basic purpose of the smart grid -- supply/demand balancing, demand response (DR), dynamic pricing, renewable integration, or local generation and storage -- as promoters of the meters, and uninformed parties, routinely claim. Instead, the meter data is serving to create an extraneous market for consumer data mining and advertising (i.e., "big data" analytics). Even those critical of smart meter deployments often seem to uncritically accept the myth that the meters somehow help manage electricity supply and demand.”
“ In April 2013 the first reports were issued: the most striking fact to emerge, was that the San Diego Gas & Electric company had disclosed, pursuant to legal process, the records of 4,062 customers. It's not clear, from the report, who asked for and received those records, and why. Aside from governmental monitoring, energy data harvesting, or hacking by third parties could also be possible,” https://www.forbes.com/sites/federicoguerrini/2014/06/01/smart-meters-friends-or-foes-between- economic-benefits-and-privacy-concerns/#1ea2c79563a6
3 https://www.wsscwater.com/about-us/overview.html
4 https://www.nbc12.com/2020/05/04/regulators-refuse-reconsider-denial-dominions-smart-meter-plan/
This page intentionally left blank From: BudgetGroup To: Brackett, Mark; Houston, John; Halloran, Brian Subject: FW: Sept. 3 WSSC CIP Testimony of Mary Rooker Date: Tuesday, September 8, 2020 9:58:20 AM Attachments: image001.png
LETITIA CAROLINA-POWELL Budget Division Manager Finance Department
301.206.8379 (O) [email protected]
From: Mary Rooker
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
Also for the record, below is my formal, written testimony opposing AMI meters; it's longer and more detailed than the oral testimony I presented at the hearing.
Thanks! Mary September 3, 2020
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Budget Division 14501 Sweitzer Lane Laurel, MD 20707 via email to [email protected] I ask that you use the AMR drive-by meter system because, unlike the AMI, AMR protects privacy, health, and the environment.
Regional water utilities are finding that AMI is not cost effective and is a bad investment. Other utilities (like PEPCO) who deployed "smart" meters ended up RAISING rates after putting in smartmeters. Fairfax Water rejected AMI smart meters as too costly back in December 2018. Their rates are half of WSSC's rates. Deployment of AMI smart meters is a risky proposition. WSSC has a poor record of containing costs of IT projects.
The states of New Mexico (2018), Massachusetts (2018), Kentucky (2018) and Virginia (2019) have all listed that their official reasons for rejecting smart meter proposals have been exorbitant costs and lack of customer benefit. Please represent the interests of WSSC and your customers, not the AMI smart meter sales representatives. If you decide to ignore the science and your own best financial interests and proceed with AMI smart meters anyway, you must provide a no-cost opt-out policy for those customers who do not wish to have a smart meter for health, privacy, or other reasons. Don’t be misled by industry sales tactics that would have you believe opt-out isn’t the norm. This pitch ignores the fact that opt out only applies to AMI smart meters, not AMR meters that do not have the same health or privacy concerns. The Maryland Public Service Commission has established a statewide policy that customers may opt out of AMI smart meters. Your staff has counseled you to ignore state policy.
Forcing a penalty fee on those desiring to protect their family’s health violates WSSC’s ethical mission—it’s an act of environmental racism. This penalty is especially burdensome to those of us who can least afford it. We are already paying extra fees to opt out of other meters. I ask for your leadership to be an example to other utilities rather than repeating their mistakes. It’s great that WSSC already has a self-read program for many indoor meters, which could easily be applied to opt-out customers.
Proponents claim that AMI smart meters are good for the environment by reducing the carbon footprint of the current system, which requires meter readers to drive through Montgomery and Prince George's counties. Yet this aspect could be resolved by upgrading to electric vehicles or switching to quarterly readings.
Also, AMI smart meters will waste about 40% of the existing meters that are in perfect working order. Further waste is created in replacing the iron meter space tops, as iron interferes with radio frequency (RF). The batteries AMI smart meters require will also add to the waste stream. Smart meters appear to have a short shelf-life; for example, the District of Columbia has had two wholesale meter replacements in the past ten years.
They also damage the environment due to their health impacts on pollinators and wildlife.
The industry is aware of the human health and safety risks—that's why they had Congress exempt the entire industry from federal regulation for wireless structures. I specifically request:
1. a formal health impact assessment;
2. a formal Environmental Impact Statement;
3. an update and Council review of the now-outdated 2011 consultant’s report;
4. at a bare minimum, the ability to opt out at no charge, preceded by written warnings and full disclosure to all WSSC customers, with public hearings to inform customers of all possible risks.
I ask that you either use the AMR drive-by system or, if you must use AMI metering, provide opt outs at no charge. Any AMI deployment should be preceded by written health, privacy, and cybersecurity warnings and full disclosure to all WSSC customers. Public hearings should be held to inform customers of all possible risks and federal safety regulations on required distance from these microwave meters.
I believe that this approach is the only one that meets the WSSC mission of providing water in an “ethical, sustainable, and financially responsible manner.”
Thank you.
Mary Rooker WSSC Customer 804 Larch Ave. Takoma Park, MD 20912-5828 Testimony of Mary Rooker WSSC Public Hearing, CIP Budget, 3 Sept. 2020
My name is Mary Rooker, WSSC customer. I ask that you use the AMR drive-by meter system because, unlike the AMI, AMR protects privacy, health, and the environment.
Four states and our own regional water utilities have found that AMI is not cost effective and is a bad investment, citing exorbitant costs and lack of customer benefit. Other utilities who deployed "smart" meters ended up RAISING rates. Fairfax Water rejected AMI smart meters as too costly back in December 2018. Their rates are half of WSSC's rates.
If you proceed with AMI smart meters despite the science and your own best financial interests, you must provide a no-cost opt-out. Your staff has counseled you to ignore the statewide opt-out policy of the Maryland Public Service Commission.
Forcing a penalty fee on those desiring to protect their family’s health violates WSSC’s ethical mission—it’s an act of environmental racism. This penalty is especially burdensome to those of us who can least afford it. I ask for your leadership to be an example to other utilities rather than repeating their mistakes. The industry says that AMI smart meters are good for the environment because meter readers would not need to drive through the service area. Yet this aspect could be resolved by upgrading to electric vehicles or switching to quarterly readings. Also, AMI smart meters will waste about 40% of the existing meters that are in perfect working order. Further waste is created in replacing the iron meter space tops, as iron interferes with radio frequency. AMI batteries appear to have a short shelf-life: the District of Columbia has had two wholesale meter replacements in the past ten years. AMI meters also damage the environment due to their health impacts on pollinators and wildlife. The industry is aware of the human health and safety risks—that's why they had Congress exempt the entire industry from federal regulation for wireless structures.
I specifically request:
1. a formal health impact assessment; 2. a formal Environmental Impact Statement; and 3. an update and Council review of the now-outdated 2011 consultant’s report. Full disclosure: I’m also a member of the Montgomery County Green Party. Please either use the AMR drive-by system or, if you must use AMI metering, provide opt outs at no charge. Thank you. Mary Rooker WSSC Customer 804 Larch Ave. Takoma Park, MD 20912-5828
This page intentionally left blank From: BudgetGroup To: Halloran, Brian; Houston, John; Brackett, Mark Subject: FW: AMI Water Meters Are A Bad Idea: Strike AMI from the Budget Date: Thursday, September 3, 2020 8:41:39 PM Attachments: image001.png
LETITIA CAROLINA-POWELL Budget Division Manager Finance Department
301.206.8379 (O) [email protected]
From: Maya Simon
EXTERNAL EMAIL! Hello,
I am a citizen of Montgomery County asking for AMI Smart Meters to be removed from the budget. These meters are a proven health and environmental hazard.
Thank you.
CAUTION This email originated from outside WSSC Water. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. This page intentionally left blank From: BudgetGroup To: Brackett, Mark; Halloran, Brian; Houston, John Subject: FW: Strike AMI "Smart"meters from the WSSC Budget Date: Thursday, September 3, 2020 6:01:02 PM
From: Michelle
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
Dear all,
I oppose this project. I don't want to pay for it. We don't need it. The environment doesn't need it. Our health doesn't need it. Our privacy doesn't need it.
Strike AMI "Smart"meters from the WSSC Budget.
Thanks,
Michelle Bailey Silver Spring, MD
CAUTION This email originated from outside WSSC Water. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. This page intentionally left blank From: BudgetGroup To: Halloran, Brian; Brackett, Mark; Houston, John Subject: FW: AMI Smart Meters Date: Thursday, September 3, 2020 8:41:10 PM Attachments: image001.png
LETITIA CAROLINA-POWELL Budget Division Manager Finance Department
301.206.8379 (O) [email protected]
From: Sandi Weiss Lancaster
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
Hi - My family and I live in Germantown and we are WSSC customers. We do not want AMI Smart Meters and I know many other local families who do not want them either. We respectfully request that you please terminate any plans for smart meters.
Thanks!
-Sandi
CAUTION This email originated from outside WSSC Water. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. This page intentionally left blank
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
Dear WSSC Water Damion Lampley and WSSC Commissioners,
Please see my questions below to the WSSC. I sincerely hope each is answered before the September 16, 2020 Commissioner Meeting. Please number your answers for each question so we can ensure full clarity in communication. I would expect WSSC Commissioners could not move forward with any action on AMI until these questions are answered.
Question 1: What does the research show about how many pulses a minute smart meters emit, including mesh network message management [transmissions]? I am not talking about transmissions from meters talking to the cell tower or to the collection meter but simply the total pulses of radiation each day. Please answer the question as to exactly how many times a smart water meter emits pulses of radiation a day.
WSSC heard testimony from their expert, who is a known industry consultant, that “Smart meters emit like a 2 minute cell phone call.” In actuality, Smart water meters, like smart electric meters, are continuously broadcasting RF waves. For example, the smart water meter Neptune E-coder R900i transmits data to the utility every 14 seconds! Neptune has 1 watt pulses (for AMI) every 7 1/2 minutes, and 100 mW pulses (for AMR) every 14 seconds. They are factory set.
See the Specsheet for the “smart” water meter here clearly showing pulses every 14 seconds https://smartmeterharm.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/neptune-r900-unit-spec-sheet-18- 001848-ps-r900-miu-02.18.pdf
As another example, a Department of California study found smart meters had emissions averaging 60 times a minute. That would be about one pulse a minute. PG&E, a California utility, publicly stated in all its materials that its meters transmit only 6 times a day. However, when the court ordered it to submit data on the actual number of transmissions, the utility had to admit that its smart meters transmit 9,600 to 190,000 times per day! See it here https://www.smartmetereducationnetwork.com/uploads/health/PGE%209,600%20bursts.pdf
Please see what PG&E submitted to the court here and an image from the report here:
Question 2. I am repeatedly reading that the industry says smart meters will be part of the internet of things (IoT) and collaborating with the 5G ecosystem. It is unclear why Leeka Kheifets, WSSC’s health expert, said they are not connected. Is it correct that these smart meters can be used later, whether intended to at this point in time or not, for the 5G “ecosystem”?
Multiple documents talk about smart meters and 5G.
Please see the October 2019 article entitled LoRaWAN Will Co-exist with the 5G Ecosystem as a De Facto Unlicensed LPWAN Standard. It states, “LoRaWAN may be rolled-out on a water meter, smart city or smart building project where cellular IoT can be deployed for an electricity smart grid project requiring high throughput and frequent data transmission to feed analytics into the cloud….LoRa Alliance, supported by its members and the other partnering Alliances, already seamlessly interconnects with cellular IoT at the data management level (application layer) and will continue to look openly at the best options to interconnect and collaborate with 5G ecosystem.”
Please see How 5G Enables Advanced Metering Infrastructure which states, “While smart metering currently features cross-network connection capability for 2G, 3G, and 4G LTE, the coming impact of 5G for IoT solutions in enabling new applications across AMI and smart utility functionality will be felt across the globe.”
Please see The Importance of 5G for Utilities by Jeffery Torrance in electric energy online.
Please see the published paper Smart Grid: a demanding use case for 5G technologies
Please see Future Generation 5GWireless Networks for Smart Grid: A Comprehensive Review
3. Is it WSSC’s expert opinion that smart meters are safe for humans after long term exposure? Is it WSSC’s expert opinion that smart meters are safe for bees, birds and trees after long term exposure? Please answer yes or no. Then provide documentation for both the actual study showing long term safety for humans and for bees, birds and trees.
4. Have any health studies been done on smart meters that have followed people for over ten years to understand if there are health impacts? If so, please share documentation.
5. According to the WSSC Commissioner Meeting on August 19, 2020 at 3:02: 22 “there are some impacts of the RF to humans and what she determined was that they are minimal and low and equivalent to a cup of coffee.” My question related to this statement is: What are the health impacts, specifically, that you are referring to in that sentence?
6. Regarding the word “minimal” stated at 2:58:30 “According to the expert there seem to be minimal impacts on health.” What do you mean by “minimal”? Please specify the percentage of exact numbers that leads you to say this word so it is clear what you mean. Do you mean 1% or 2% or more?
And please provide the data and numbers in relation to what health endpoint for each. The report by the expert does not provide this information. For example, if cancer is an impact, what is the “minimal” impact in terms of exact numbers and provide documentation as to how you got such numbers?
7. At the last Commission meeting in August, the WSSC stated that, “Experts that have weighed in on the health impacts” . What experts are you referring to? I only have heard from one. Please share the names of the others.
8. How much money was spent on the consultant brought in to talk about health? Is there an ongoing contract?
9. Please attach scope of work for the consultant.
10. To date, $1.1 million towards the AMI project has been spent. Would you detail that $1.1 million expenditure?
11. As I understand it, there was 8.6 million dollars awarded to a consulting firm to guide WSSC through the AMI process. What is the name of the consulting firm? What is the scope of work for the awarded contract?
12. How are you publicising the virtual public hearings for AMI smart meters? In addition to social media which gets little attention from ratepayers, will you be informing ratepayers with a notice of the 100 million dollar project hearing?
10. There seems to be some confusion regarding if the Commission or WSSC ever did vote for AMI or not. A WSSC Commissioner stated at 3:39:40, “It is my understanding that this was put in the budget in 2011... And it has been carried forward in the budget...” However I do not se a vote by Commissioners with an understanding of the details of AMI, for example with information shared with the Commission that smart meters would emit radiation? Am I correct that commissioners never actually voted on implementation of “smart” radiofrequency emitting meters?
12. WSSC has been putting videos on their social media promoting the AMI program. See it here https://twitter.com/WSSCWaterNews/status/1296537604184301569. I cannot believe it is legal or ethical for the WSSC - paid for my tax dollars - to promote a project that customers have not been a part of deciding. Why is only one side of the story showcased, as several customers testified against AMI meters in this meeting? If public input is welcomed, why not share the inclusive events of the meeting? Please explain why testimony against AMI meters from ratepayers was not posted on your social media.
13. At 3:37: 40 The issue of the county council and their opinion was raised in the August 19, 2020 meeting. It seemed there was an assumption that the Council approved this in some way. Can you specify when there was a discussion on smart meters with the Council?
14. Residential meters are located on or in our property. In my case, I have the meter in my basement and the place where the “smart” meter would be is directly outside my basement door. This is where my family congregates outside.. Once a transmitting meter is set up, WSSC cannot control how it is used. Is it your opinion that smart meters are safe? I am not asking if you think harm is established but rather if you are sure it is safe for my children who will be standing near the meter and having outdoor meals near the meter.
15. What is the process by which ratepayers will file their need for medical accommodations related to radio frequency emitting devices? My daughter has a letter from her doctor stating that electromagnetic fields should be reduced. Clearly we should not have to pay for not having a device we cannot have. Who do we send these to?
Thank you so much, Theodora Scarato I pay 3 WSSC Bills, two in Montgomery County (home and family business) one in Prince Georges in home we have not sold yet but lived in for 6 years.
From: Brackett, Mark To: Halloran, Brian Subject: FW: Our Lawsuit Against the FCC Re Wireless Radiation. EHT v. The FCC Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2020 9:09:26 AM Attachments: image001.png image003.png
More testimony.
MARK BRACKETT Capital Budget Section Manager
301.206.8179 (O) 240.204.0812 (C) [email protected]
From: BudgetGroup
LETITIA CAROLINA-POWELL Budget Division Manager Finance Department
301.206.8379 (O) [email protected]
From: Theodora Scarato
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
Please see our lawsuit against the FCC. I especially recommend reading the Brief of the Natural Resources Defense Council on environmental impacts and the lack of environmental review in light of the published research. Many thanks, Theodora Scarato
Download Briefs and Amicus Briefs
EHT'S LEGAL ACTION IS MOVING FORWARD Important Amicus Briefs have been filed.
EHT v. FCC: FCC Violated NEPA and APA Press Conference 7/30/2020
Washington, DC, — Environmental Health Trust (EHT), the scientific think tank headed by Devra Davis PhD, MPH, filed its principal brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia on July 31, 2020 in a landmark case against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The appeal is aimed at getting the FCC to reconsider, revise, and update its 24-year old exposure limits for radio-frequency radiation (RFR) from cellphones, cell towers, Wi-FI networks, smart meters, and other wireless communication devices and facilities.
Since the opening brief was filed, Amicus Briefs have been filed by the Natural Resources Defense Council, Attorney Joe Sandri, Catherine Kleiber and the Building Biology Institute. We have provided links to Amicus Briefs below. The FCC opened an Inquiry into the adequacy of its exposure limits in 2013 after the Government Accountability Office issued a report in 2012 stating that the limits may not reflect current science and need to be reviewed. In response, hundreds of scientists and medical professionals submitted a wealth of peer- reviewed studies showing the consensus of the scientific community is that RFR is deeply harmful to people and the environment and is linked to cancer, reproductive harm, and other biological ills to humans, animals, and plants.
Notwithstanding the extremely well-documented record of these negative impacts from RFR, the FCC released an order in December 2019 deciding that nothing needed to be done and maintaining that the existing, antiquated exposure limits are adequate now and for the future.
In large measure, the FCC simply ignored the vast amount of evidence in the record showing an urgent need for action to protect the public and the environment. EHT contends that the FCC ignored the recommendations of hundreds of medical experts and public health experts who called for updated regulations that protect against biological impacts and for the development of policies to immediately reduce public exposure.
The brief contends the FCC has violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) because its order is arbitrary and capricious, and not evidence-based; violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) because the FCC did not take a hard look on the environmental impacts of its decision; and violated the 1996 Telecommunications Act (TCA) because the FCC failed, as required by the TCA, to consider the impact of its decision on the public health and safety.
Next steps are the FCC will file a reply in mid September and we will file a reply to the FCC reply mid October. Oral arguments are expected to be scheduled after Spring 2021.
“We submitted numerous studies clearly documenting adverse effects at radiofrequency levels allowed by the FCC. Our published research sent to the FCC concludes that radiofrequency radiation is an established human carcinogen. Cell phones held close to the head will substantially increase the risk of a type of brain cancer—glioblastoma. Yet FCC limits do not protect against cancer nor any other disease,” stated Dr. Anthony B. Miller, Professor Emeritus at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto and former Director of the Epidemiology Unit of the National Cancer Institute of Canada. “FCC limits only protect against overheating living tissue. The FCC’s so called ‘safety’ limits are based on decades old science that only investigated short-term effects. Those limits are based on the proven false and erroneous assumption that heat is the only harm from radiofrequency microwave radiation.”
“Environmental Health Trust has worked for a decade to protect the public from environmental pollutants,” said Devra Davis PhD, MPH. “Our children deserve safe technology and there is no negotiating with their future. As the legacy of lead, asbestos, and tobacco teaches us, this issue deserves the immediate attention of our federal government in order to protect our children’s healthy future.”
“The FCC entirely ignored the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, hundreds of scientists and over 30 medical and public health organizations. Wireless emission limits should protect children who will have a lifetime of exposure,” stated Theodora Scarato, Executive Director of Environmental Health Trust. Scarato pointed out that the FCC “saw no reason to take steps to protect children” despite voluminous scientific evidence on the record showing that children are uniquely vulnerable due to their developing brains and bodies.
“Equally shocking is how the FCC could state that the existing limits which were developed in 1996 are protective without even addressing the impact of the existing limits on the natural environment. In this regard, there was a noticeable absence of on-the-record comments by the EPA. In fact, the EPA recently stated that it has no funded mandate to even review research on RFR. Yet there is a great deal of evidence in the FCC proceeding showing that radiofrequency radiation is harmful to birds, bees and trees.”
Last year, the FCC revisited its wireless safety standards and found that the current regulations did not need to be changed. But according to the lawsuit, prolonged exposure can impair development in children, lead to radiation sickness, cancer and is also associated with negative environmental impacts, such as impacts to trees, bees and birds.
The petitioners are represented by Edward B. Myers W. of the Law Office of Edward B. Myers; and W. Scott McCollough of the McCollough Law Firm P.C. The FCC is represented in-house by William J. Scher, Ashley Stocks Boizelle, Jacob M. Lewis and Richard Kiser Welch.
Video of Press Conference Opening Brief EHT Submissions to 13-84
Amicus of NRDC: Natural Resources Defense Council Amicus of Attorney Joe Sandri including declaration of Dr. Linda Birnbaum, former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Amicus of Catherine Kleiber. Amicus of the Building Biology Institute.
News Reports on the Case
TR Daily News: FCC Ignored Health Impacts of Inadequate RF Limits, July. 30, 2020Â Law 360: FCC Ignoring Evidence Of Wireless Tech Harms, DC Circ. Told, July 31, 2020 Consumer Electronics Daily, RF Safety Group Says FCC Rules Are Based on Old Science; Asks Court to Order Update, July 31, 2020
Stay updated by regularly checking in to EHTs webpage on the Lawsuit HERE.
Your generosity has made this possible. A win against the FCC is critical to halting the deployment of 5G. The FCC wants to apply its outdated limits to 5G’s higher frequencies — without any concern for the biological health effects of wireless radiation. Our legal appeal forces the FCC to review the science and update its limits.
View as Webpage
-- Theodora Scarato Executive Director Environmental Health Trust EHTrust.org
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CAUTION This email originated from outside WSSC Water. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. This page intentionally left blank From: BudgetGroup To: Brackett, Mark; Halloran, Brian; Houston, John Subject: FW: WSSC"s wireless smart meters will harm human health and must be stopped. Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2020 3:23:31 PM Attachments: Wireless smart meters harm human health.pdf Summary of Symptoms after Exposure to Wireless Utility Meters.pdf Survey in 2010 by Ed Halteman.pdf Survey in 2013 by Conrad and Friedman.pdf Survey in 2014 by Federica Lamech.pdf image001.png
LETITIA CAROLINA-POWELL Budget Division Manager Finance Department
From: Ronald M. Powell, Ph.D.
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
September 3, 2020
To: Carla A. Reid General Manager and CEO Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Laurel, Maryland Email: [email protected]
CC: Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Officials WSSC Corporate Secretary, Sheila Finlayson, Esq. WSSC Board of Commissioners (copies sent separately) WSSC Legal Counsel, Amanda Stakem Conn, Esq. WSSC Board of Ethics, c/o Latonya Allen, Administrative Assistant to the Board WSSC Office of the Inspector General, Arthur A. Elkins, Jr., J.D., CFE, CBA
Officials of Maryland counties served by WSSC
Montgomery County Executive, Marc Elrich Montgomery County Council Members Prince George's County Executive, Angela D. Alsobrooks Prince George's County Council Members From: Ronald M. Powell, Ph.D. Retired U.S. Government career scientist (short biography appended) Email: [email protected] Subject: WSSC's wireless smart meters will harm human health and must be stopped.
As a retired U.S. Government scientist, I urge you to stop WSSC from making its biggest mistake ever: the conversion of its metering system to wireless smart meters. They will increase the exposure of the public to harmful radiofrequency radiation every day and every night for the indefinite future.
In this era of COVID-19, we do not need another assault on the health of the public, especially in the two counties served by WSSC. They have the highest cumulative numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths of any counties in Maryland.
My understanding of WSSC's Plan, in Brief
WSSC plans to provide wireless smart meters for all of its customer accounts, which number 475,000 in the two Maryland counties that WSSC serves: Montgomery County and Prince George's County. If I understand correctly, each of these smart meters will likely have a peak radiofrequency (RF) power output between 1 and 2 watts. Thus, altogether, WSSC is planning to add 475,000 to 950,000 watts of peak RF power output capability, distributed throughout the two counties. And WSSC apparently wants us to believe that this capability will have no adverse health effects on any county residents.
The Health Argument Against Wireless Smart Meters
To be judged "safe", those wireless smart meters must cause NO HARM TO ANYONE, even though these meters will be communicating with WSSC every day and every night, indefinitely. However, to date, WSSC seems to be showing very limited interest in safety. In fact, to those of us outside of WSSC, even that limited interest seems to have surfaced only AFTER WSSC Management had already decided to implement wireless smart meters. That limited interest took the form of a presentation, and a related document, from a consultant hired by WSSC Management to speak to the WSSC Commission at its meeting on February 19, 2020. That consultant made an earnest effort to make the case for safety, but had insufficient evidence to assure NO HARM TO ANYONE. That is not surprising because evidence of the harm caused by radiofrequency radiation continues to accumulate and is overwhelming. To date, thousands of peer-reviewed biomedical research publications have examined and highlighted the many adverse health effects of radiofrequency radiation.
For an overview of the harm caused by radiofrequency radiation, including the radiation emitted by wireless smart meters specifically, please see the first attached document, entitled "Wireless smart meters harm human health." This document was first presented to WSSC Management on January 19, 2020 and has been just been updated. To date, no response has been received from WSSC. This document cites many references and is further supported by five additional attached documents.
For a quick look at what is covered in the first attached document, here are several of the section titles: o Personal stories of those harmed by radiofrequency radiation from wireless utility meters and other wireless devices continue to accumulate. o Three surveys link health problems to exposure from wireless utility meters. o Individuals harmed by exposure to radiofrequency radiation tell their stories in videos. o Scientific evidence of harm from radiofrequency radiation has been growing for decades and has become overwhelming. o The NIH National Toxicology Program finds "clear evidence" that radiofrequency radiation causes cancer. o The World Health Organization classifies radiofrequency radiation as a Group 2B human carcinogen. o 253 of the world's EMF scientists appeal to the UN and the WHO to protect the public from harm from radiofrequency radiation, including the radiation from smart meters. o Review papers document the scientific evidence of harm from radiofrequency radiation. o Books document the harm from radiofrequency radiation. o Public awareness of harm from radiofrequency radiation is growing and is finding expression at local, state, national, and international levels. o 40,369 Maryland ratepayers have "opted out" of wireless smart meters for electricity. o 297,823 individuals and organizations have signed the "International Appeal to Stop 5G on Earth and in Space". o 217,000 individuals have signed up for the "5G Summit". o Public Television programs raise public awareness about the risks of exposure to radiofrequency radiation. o Video documentaries bring discussions of the risks of radiofrequency radiation to the public. o U.S. Supreme Court upholds "Right to Know" ordinance about cellular radiation risk. o Children's Advisory Council to the Governor of Maryland recommends phasing Wi-Fi out of Maryland's schools. Other Concerns that WSSC's Plan Raises
While this message focuses on health concerns, there are other important concerns that are stated below but that are not further elaborated in this message or in the attached documents: o Privacy concerns arise from the daily monitoring of customers' behavior through their water consumption (such as when their homes are occupied and when they are not, and when their children arrive home from school).
o Security concerns arise from the need to keep secure an immense database of largely unnecessary information about WSSC's customers, since no organization, not even the Department of Defense, has succeeded in protecting its data from unwanted intrusion.
o Economic concerns arise from the immense cost ($100 million, estimated by WSSC) for the conversion to wireless smart meters, at a time of extreme fiscal stringency. Also of concern is the high uncertainty that these costs can ever be fully recovered without rate increases, as WSSC attempts to maintain technically complex wireless smart meters that will likely have shorter lifetimes than current metering technology.
o While WSSC's representative claims that no meter readers will be fired when wireless smart meters are implemented, employment concerns still arise because the projected cost recovery motivates such firing, when unemployment is already dramatically high in this era of COVID-19. And most of these staff do outdoor jobs that are much safer in this era than most indoor jobs.
o The MANDATED installation of wireless smart meters, as currently contemplated by WSSC, would ignore the rights of property owners to control which equipment is installed on their property, especially in the absence of an unpaid opt-out option. A paid opt-out option, though better than no option, would smack of extortion ("pay or we will irradiate you, forever"). And neither an unpaid, nor a paid, opt-out option would protect the public from the radiation from their neighbors' wireless smart meters. Who am I?
I am a retired U.S. Government career scientist (Ph.D., Applied Physics, Harvard University, 1975). During my Government career, I worked for the Executive Office of the President of the United States, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. For those organizations, respectively, I addressed Federal research and development program evaluation, energy policy research, and measurement development in support of the electronics and electrical-equipment industries and the biomedical research community. I currently interact with other scientists, with physicians, and with other informed individuals around the world about the impact of electromagnetic fields, including radiofrequency radiation, on human health. I have been a resident of Montgomery County since 1979.
Thank you for your attention.
Regards,
Ronald M. Powell, Ph.D. 20316 Highland Hall Drive Montgomery Village, MD 20886-4007 United States of America E-mail: [email protected] Tel: (301) 926-7568
CAUTION This email originated from outside WSSC Water. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. January 9, 2020 Ronald M. Powell, Ph.D.1 Summaries of Symptoms after Exposure to
Wireless Utility Meters
People from coast to coast in the USA, and from one side of the world to the other, are becoming ill after exposure to the radiofrequency radiation emitted by wireless utility meters. Attached are the results from three surveys of symptoms reported in 2011, 2013, and 2014.
The Survey in 2011 included 318 respondents from 28 states in the United States, and from Canada. The Survey in 2013 included 210 respondents from 33 states in the United States, from Canada, and from Australia. The Survey in 2014 included 92 respondents from the other side of the world, Victoria, Australia. Altogether, 620 adults and children were included in the three surveys.
The attached bar graphs show the number of respondents in each survey who experienced new or worsened symptoms after exposure to the radiofrequency radiation from wireless utility meters in the respondents’ environment. Each bar indicates the percentage of respondents who experienced each symptom. Respondents commonly experienced multiple symptoms. Each bar graph is followed by one page of additional information written by the person who analyzed the survey data for the Survey in 2011 and the Survey in 2014, or by me for the Survey in 2013.
The three surveys were conducted independently. They grouped symptoms into somewhat different categories, but many of those categories are similar enough to be comparable. Of the nine most frequently experienced categories of symptoms in each of the three surveys, seven appeared in all three of the surveys: insomnia; headaches; ringing in the ears; cognitive disturbances affecting concentration, memory, or learning; dizziness or loss of balance; cardiac disturbances such as heart palpitations or arrhythmia; and fatigue or weakness. Insomnia was the most frequently experienced symptom in all three of the surveys.
The surveys do not tell us how likely a given individual is to become symptomatic after exposure to the radiofrequency radiation from wireless utility meters. But the surveys do tell us which symptoms a person who does become symptomatic is most likely to experience. The large numbers of symptoms found reflect the many systems of the body that are disrupted by such radiation.
Other health effects may not be as easily sensed by the body as those represented by the symptoms described here. The development of these other health effects may go undetected for years. Examples include reproductive harm, DNA damage, and cancer.
1 Ronald M. Powell is a retired career U.S. Government scientist. He holds a Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Harvard University. During his Government career, he worked for the Executive Office of the President, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Survey in 2011 New or Worsened Symptoms Reported by 318 Individuals after Exposure to Wireless Utility Meters in the USA2
Sleep problems 49%
Stress, anxiety, irritability 43%
Headaches 41%
Ringing in the ears 38%
Concentration, memory, or learning problems 35%
Fatigue, muscle, or physical weakness 34%
Disorientation, dizziness, or balance problems 33%
Eye problems, including eye pain, pressure in eyes 26%
Cardiac symptoms, heart palpitations, heart arrhythmias 26%
Leg cramps, or neuropathy 19%
Arthritis, body pain, sharp, stabbing pains 18%
Nausea, flu-like symptoms 17%
Sinus problems, nose bleeds 15%
Respiratory problems, cough, asthma 14%
Skin rashes, facial flushing 13%
Urinary problems 9%
Endocrine disorders, thyroid problems, diabetes 9%
High blood pressure 7%
Changes in menstrual cycle 5%
Hyperactivity or changes in children's behavior 4%
Seizures 2%
Recurrence of cancer 2%
None of the above 9%
Other 18%
I don’t know 25% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
2 Ed Halteman, Ph.D., statistics, Wireless Utility Meter Safety Impacts Survey: Final Results Summary, September 13, 2011, p. 22 (http://emfsafetynetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Wireless-Utility-Meter-Safety-Impacts-Survey-Results-Final.pdf). 97 percent of respondents to full survey were in the USA, from 28 states, with most in California (78 percent) and New York (16 percent). In the Final Results Summary, the four clusters of symptom’s with the fewest responses (2 to 5 percent each, totaling 13 percent) were included in “Other” but are broken out separately in the above bar graph, reducing the responses listed as ”Other” (from 31 percent to 18 percent).
Survey in 2011 Executive Summary by Ed Halteman, Ph.D. “Wireless Utility Meter Safety Impacts Survey” OBJECTIVES To investigate reported public health and safety complaints about wireless utility meters. To evaluate the impacts on health and safety due to wireless utility meters. To determine whether further study is warranted. METHODS Survey was designed by the EMF Safety Network (Network). The survey was circulated online through various social media outlets including Network’s email list, Facebook, and the California EMF Safety Coalition (a discussion group). The survey was also posted on Network’s website: www.emfsafetynetwork.org where visitors were invited to take the survey. 443 responses were received from 7/13/2011 through 9/2/2011. (318 of the 443 answered the health questions that formed the basis for the bar chart on symptoms. RMPowell) Network commissioned Survey Design and Analysis (SDA) to provide this report of the survey findings. RESPONDENT MAKEUP 93% are over 40 years old and 43% are over 60 years old. 73% are women. 78% are from California. 68% have Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) as their utility provider. 49% are EMF Sensitive. 41% have had a new wireless meter installed in their home; of these . . . o 56% have had it installed for at least six months o 89% have electric meters, 53% gas meters and 10% water meters o 35% saw an increase in their utility bill o 26% have experienced some type of interference o 8% experienced burned out appliances or damaged electronics including TV, stereo, computer, refrigerator and other. 76% indicated they have wireless utility meters installed in their neighborhood, town or city. o 44% near their home o 36% in town TOP HEALTH ISSUES SINCE NEW METERS INSTALLED Sleep problems (mentioned by 49%) Stress, anxiety and irritability (43%) Headaches (40%) (Listed as 41% on symptoms bar graph, rounded up from 40.9%. RMPowell) Ringing in the ears (38%) Heart problems (26%) UTILITY and PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION INTERACTIONS (Title inserted by RMPowell.) 40% (111 people) of those having wireless meters in their homes or community have complained to their utility provider. o 96% of these people were either “Unsatisfied” or “Very Unsatisfied” with the handling of their complaint. 32% (88 people) complained to the utilities commission. o 96% of these people were either “Unsatisfied” or “Very Unsatisfied” with the handling of their complaint 94% of respondents want to retain or restore their analog meters and 92% of these respondents do not think they should have to pay any additional money. STATISTICAL TESTING SHOWS THE TOP HEALTH SYMPTOMS ARE POSITIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH EMF Sensitivity Wireless meters installed in the home Survey in 2013 New or Worsened Symptoms Reported by 210 Individuals after Exposure to Wireless Smart Meters in the USA, Canada, 3 and Australia
Insomnia 80%
Difficulty concentrating/attention deficit 78%
Ringing, buzzing, or tone in ears/tinnitus 77%
Fatigue 75%
Headaches 73%
Agitation 69%
Memory problems 67%
Dizziness 64%
Heart racing, arrhythmia, or palpitations 63%
Pressure in head 62%
Eye/vision problems 60%
Tingling, burning, or itching skin 51%
Digestive problems 51%
Flu-like symptoms 50%
Involuntary muscle contractions 47%
Numbness in hands or feet 46%
Respiratory problems 38%
Tingling, burning, or itching internally 30%
High blood pressure 26%
Nosebleeds 25%
Low blood pressure 15% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
3 Richard H. Conrad, Ph.D. and Ed Friedman, B.S., Exhibit D – Smart Meter Health Effects Survey and Report, 2013, Appendix 5, page 62 (http://www.mainecoalitiontostopsmartmeters.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Exhibit-D-Smart-Meter-Health-Effects-Report-w- AppendicesV3-1-9Reduced-Appendices.pdf). Data normalized to 210 respondents. Additional information, including the qualifications of the first author, Richard H. Conrad, Ph.D., can be found here: Pre-Filed Testimony of Richard Conrad, Ph.D., MPUC Docket No. 2011-00262, February 2013 (http://www.mainecoalitiontostopsmartmeters.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Exhibit-9-Conrad-Web.pdf). Survey in 2013 Abstract of “Smart Meter Health Effects: Survey and Report” by Richard H. Conrad, Ph.D. and Ed Friedman, B.S.4 Purpose of Survey
This survey was designed to discover the health effects experienced by individuals exposed to smart meters, and to test the strength of the correlation between those effects and that exposure. The survey was distributed widely through internet sites and interest groups with this invitation: “If you feel your health has been affected by smart meters, we request your immediate help in studying these effects.” The results of the survey were submitted as legal testimony before the Maine Public Utilities Commission in 2013.
Survey Respondents
Survey data was collected from December 4, 2012 to January 28, 2013. 210 survey documents were completed and used for analysis. About 75 percent of respondents were from the USA, with the rest from Canada and Australia. 73 percent were women. 52 percent were age 45 to 59, while 29 percent were older and 19 percent were younger. The highest academic degrees, and the number of respondents with them, were BS or BA (70), high school (61) or GED (4), MS or MA (42), PhD (9), MD (1), RN (1), DDS (1), and other medical (13).
Exposure of Respondents
83 percent of respondents were exposed to at least 1 smart meter that was 4 to 50 feet from where they spent the most time. Within 50 feet of their residences, 39 percent were exposed to 1 to 2 meters; 32 percent to 3 to 5 meters; 12 percent to 6 to 9 meters; and 11 percent to 10 to 29 meters. Such high exposure may explain why the percentages of new or worsened symptoms in this survey were higher than in the 2011 and 2014 surveys.
Timing of Exposure versus Timing of Symptoms
After smart meter installation or start of exposure, new or worsened symptoms were experienced within minutes for 20 percent of respondents, within hours for 14 percent, within days for 28 percent, and within months for 19 percent. Yet 42 percent did not discover that they had a smart meter until after new or worsened symptoms began. 82 percent of respondents were sure, and 17 percent were fairly sure, that their new or worsened symptoms correlated to smart-meter exposure. 17 percent moved and 37 percent wanted to.
Impact of Exposure on Respondents’ Use of Other Wireless Devices
This survey assessed the impact of exposure to smart meters on the respondents’ ability to use other electronic devices that also emit radiofrequency radiation: computers, Wi-Fi, and cell phones. Exposure to smart meters significantly reduced the respondents’ ability to use those other electronic devices without symptoms.
Computers: The percent of respondents who used computers without symptoms was 79 before exposure and decreased to 39 after exposure. The percent of respondents who experienced symptoms when using computers was 21 before exposure and increased to 57 after exposure. The percent of respondents who did not use computers at all because of symptoms was 0 before exposure and increased to 2.4 after exposure.
Wi-Fi: The percent of respondents who used Wi-Fi without symptoms was 40 before exposure and decreased to 18 after exposure. The percent of respondents who experienced symptoms when using Wi-Fi was 11 before exposure and increased to 28 after exposure. The percent of respondents who did not use Wi-Fi at all because of symptoms was 17 before exposure and increased to 41 after exposure.
Cell Phones: The percent of respondents using cell phones without symptoms was 50 before exposure and decreased to 24 after exposure. The percent of respondents who experience symptoms when using cell phones was 18 before exposure and increased to 39 after exposure. The percent of respondents who did not use cell phones at all because of symptoms was 14 before exposure and increased to 26 after exposure.
4 This abstract was written by RMPowell to accommodate the format of this summary document. Survey in 2014 New or Worsened Symptoms Reported by 92 Individuals after Exposure to Wireless Smart Meters in Australia5
Insomnia, sleep disturbance, or sleep disruption 48% Headaches, head pain, or dull head 45% Tinnitus, ringing or buzzing/noises in ears 33% Lethargy, tiredness, fatigue, exhaustion, or weakness 32% Cognitive disturbance, inability to concentrate or think, disorientation, or memory loss 30% Abnormal sensations, including nerve pain, neuropathy, burning sensations, tremors,… 22% Dizziness/loss of balance 21% Heart palpitations 17% Nausea 16% Onset of Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity Syndrome 15% Pain (in joints, bones, muscles, other and including arthritic changes) 14% Pressure/heat/weird feeling in or on head 13% Anxiety/agitation/irritability/restlessness 13% Problems with eyes or eyesight/blurred vision 11% Chest pain/pain in the heart 10% Rashes/skin irritation/skin discoloration/dry skin 8% Aggravation of pre-existing medical condition 7% Digestive problems/bowel irritability/stomach pain 5% Muscle spasms/cramps/twitches 5% Nose bleeds 4% Ear problems (ear pain, loss of hearing) 3% Depression/loss of motivation 3% Increased rate of infections/colds 3% Allergies/food sensitivities 3% Aggravation of Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity Syndrome 2% Sinus problems 2% Lump in throat/sore throat 2% Weight loss/loss of appetite 2% Swollen face/lips 2% Bladder infections/strains 2% Flu-like symptoms 1% Dehydration/thirst 1% Weight gain 1% Inability to talk 1% Loss of motor skills 1% Loss of feeling and movement from waist down 1% Adverse health effects not otherwise specified 12% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
5 Federica Lamech, MBBS, Self-Reporting of Symptom Development from Exposure to Radiofrequency Fields of Wireless Smart Meters in Victoria, Australia: A Case Series. Alternative Therapies, Nov/Dec 2014, Vol. 20, No. 6, pages 28-38. NIH PMID 25478801 (http://www.alternative-therapies.com and http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25478801). Survey in 2014 Abstract of Dr. Federica Lamech’s Article from the National Institutes of Health PubMed Index Altern Ther Health Med. 2014 Nov-Dec;20(6):28-39.
Self-reporting of symptom development from exposure to radiofrequency fields of wireless smart meters in Victoria, Australia: a case series.
Lamech F.
Abstract
CONTEXT: In 2006, the government in the state of Victoria, Australia, mandated the rollout of smart meters in Victoria, which effectively removed a whole population's ability to avoid exposure to human-made high-frequency nonionizing radiation. This issue appears to constitute an unprecedented public health challenge for Victoria. By August 2013, 142 people had reported adverse health effects from wireless smart meters by submitting information on an Australian public Web site using its health and legal registers.
OBJECTIVE: The study evaluated the information in the registers to determine the types of symptoms that Victorian residents were developing from exposure to wireless smart meters.
DESIGN: In this case series, the registers' managers eliminated those cases that did not clearly identify the people providing information by name, surname, postal address, and/or e-mail to make sure that they were genuine registrants. Then they obtained consent from participants to have their deidentified data used to compile the data for the case series. The author later removed any individual from outside of Victoria.
PARTICIPANTS: The study included 92 residents of Victoria, Australia.
OUTCOME MEASURES: The author used her medical experience and judgment to group symptoms into clinically relevant clusters (eg, pain in the head was grouped with headache, tinnitus was grouped with ringing in the ears). The author stayed quite close to the wording used in the original entries. She then calculated total numbers and percentages for each symptom cluster. Percentages were rounded to the nearest whole number.
RESULTS: The most frequently reported symptoms from exposure to smart meters were (1) insomnia, (2) headaches, (3) tinnitus, (4) fatigue, (5) cognitive disturbances, (6) dysesthesias (abnormal sensation), and (7) dizziness. The effects of these symptoms on people's lives were significant.
CONCLUSIONS: Review of some key studies, both recent and old (1971), reveals that the participants' symptoms were the same as those reported by people exposed to radiofrequency fields emitted by devices other than smart meters. Interestingly, the vast majority of Victorian cases did not state that they had been sufferers of electromagnetic hypersensitivity syndrome (EHS) prior to exposure to the wireless meters, which points to the possibility that smart meters may have unique characteristics that lower people's threshold for symptom development.
PMID: 25478801 Ed Halteman, Ph.D., Consultant! 303.818.3679 ! Objective and Methods Page 3 ! Executive Summary Page 4-6 ! Demographics Page 7-11
! Wireless Meter Installations Page 12-17 ! Wireless Meter Effects Page 18-23
! Complaints to Utility and PUC Page 24-28 ! Factors Associated w/Health Symptoms Page 29-31 ! Verbatim Comments Page 32-34 ! Survey Questions Page 35
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 2 ! To investigate reported public health and safety complaints about wireless utility meters. ! To evaluate the impacts on health and safety due to wireless utility meters. ! To determine whether further study is warranted. METHODS ! Survey was designed by the EMF Safety Network (Network). ! The survey was circulated online through various social media outlets including Networks email list, Facebook, and the California EMF Safety Coalition (a discussion group). The survey was also posted on Networks website: www.emfsafetynetwork.org where visitors were invited to take the survey. ! 443 responses were received from 7/13/2011 through 9/2/2011. ! Network commissioned Survey Design and Analysis (SDA) to provide this report of the survey findings.
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 3 ! Respondent Makeup ! 93% are over 40 years old and 43% are over 60 years old ! 73% are women ! 78% are from California ! 68% have Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) as their utility provider ! 49% are EMF Sensitive ! 41% have had a new wireless meter installed in their home; of these . . . ! 56% have had it installed for at least six months ! 89% have electric meters, 53% gas meters and 10% water meters ! 35% saw an increase in their utility bill ! 26% have experienced some type of interference ! 8% experienced burned out appliances or damaged"electronics including TV,"stereo, computer, refrigerator and other. ! 76% indicated they have wireless utility meters installed in their neighborhood, town or city. ! 44% near their home ! 36% in town
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 4 ! Top health issues since new meters installed ! Sleep problems (mentioned by 49%) ! Stress, anxiety and irritability (43%) ! Headaches (40%) ! Ringing in the ears (38%) ! Heart problems (26%) ! 40% (111 people) of those having wireless meters in their homes or community have complained to their utility provider. ! 96% of these people were either “Unsatisfied” or “Very Unsatisfied” with the handling of their complaint. ! 32% (88 people) complained to the utilities commission. ! 96% of these people were either “Unsatisfied” or “Very Unsatisfied” with the handling of their complaint ! 94% of respondents want to retain or restore their analog meters and 92% of these respondents do not think they should have to pay any additional money.
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 5 ! Statistical testing shows the top health symptoms are positively associated with ! EMF Sensitivity ! Wireless meters installed in the home
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 6 Demographics
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 7 60% 50.3% Female 73% 40.4% 40%
20% Male 27% 6.1% 2.9% 0% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 20-39 40-59 60-79 80 or older
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 8 Please indicate the name of your utility provider(s). N=420
Pacific Gas & Electric 67.6%
Southern California Edison 6.4%
Consolidated Edison 3.1%
San Diego Gas & Electric 2.4%
Edison Electric 1.4%
Central Maine Power 1.4%
Florida Power & Light 1.0%
Progress Energy 0.7%
Other 16.0%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 9 Where do you live? N=439
90% 80% 77.9% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 16.4% 10% 3.7% 2.1% 0% CA NY Canada Other
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 10 Are you, or is a member of your household, EMF sensitive? N=439
60%
50% 48.7%
40.1% 40%
30%
20% 11.2% 10%
0% Yes No I don't know
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 11 Wireless Meter Installations
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 12 Have you had a new wireless utility meter installed on your home? N=409
60% 53.1% 50%
40% 35.0%
30%
20%
10% 5.6% 3.4% 2.2% 0.7% 0% Yes, 1-2 Yes, 3-4 Yes, 5-8 Yes, more No I don't know meters meters meters than 8 meters
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 13 If yes, how long ago was it installed on your home? N=188
35%
28.7% 30% 27.1% 25%
20% 18.6%
15% 12.8%
10% 8.5%
5% 4.3%
0% Within the last One to three Three to six Six months to More than a I don't know month months ago months ago a year ago year ago
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 14 If yes, please indicate the type of new meter installed on your home. (Check all that apply) N=160
Electric 88.9%
Gas 53.3%
Water 10.0%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 15 Do you have new wireless utility meters deployed in your neighborhood, apartment building, area, town or city? N=394
80% 75.6% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 18.0%
10% 6.3% 0% Yes No I don't know
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 16 Please describe the placement of the wireless utility meters in relation to where you live. (Check all that apply. ) N=347
Near my home 44.7% In my town or city 36.0% Repeater, collector or relay in the area 17.3% Outside a garage wall 16.1% On a bedroom wall 16.1% On a living room or office wall 13.8% At my workplace 8.1% Detached from the home 7.2% On a kitchen wall 4.9% On a bathroom wall 1.7% Other 14.7% I don't know 10.1%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 17 Wireless Meter Effects
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 18 How concerned are you about the reported problems with the new wireless Smart Grid utility meters, also known as Smart Meters (AMR, AMI, AED)? Check all that apply. N=425-432
Very concerned Concerned Unsure Unconcerned Loss of meter reader jobs 60% 28% 3% 9%
Waste of functional meters 62% 27% 3% 8%
Fire risk, burned out appliances 60% 29% 3% 8%
Health & environmental impacts 91% 5%1%3%
Interference 63% 30% 2%5%
Security risks 70% 20% 4%7%
Privacy risks 72% 20% 2%6%
Inaccurate utility bills 61% 30% 2%7%
Increased utility rates 60% 30% 2%8%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 19 If yes, have your bills increased, decreased or stayed about the same? N=174
40% 37.9% 35% 30% 24.7% 25% 20% 14.4% 15% 12.6% 10% 8.0%
5% 0.6% 0.6% 1.1% 0% Decreased Decreased by Decreased by Stayed about Increased by Increased by Our bills I don't know by 10% 20% more than the same 10% 20% or more have 20% doubled, tripled, or more
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 20 If yes, have you experienced interference, damaged equipment, or a fire since the new meter(s) has been installed? (Check all that apply) N=194
Interference with radios, cell, or cordless phones 15%
Interference with security systems 11%
Burned out appliances including TV, stereo, and computer 8%
Interference with GFI's or AFCI's 2%
Interference with medical implant device 1%
I don't know 26%
None 54%
0% 20% 40% 60%
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 21 Have you, or anyone in your household, experienced new or worsened health symptoms since the new wireless utility meters have been installed on your home, in your neighborhood, apartment building, area, town or city? (Check all that apply) N=318 Sleep problems 49.1% Stress, anxiety, irritability 43.1% Headaches 40.9% Ringing in the ears 38.1% Concentration, memory or learning problems 34.6% Fatigue, muscle or physical weakness 34.3% Disorientation, dizziness, or balance problems 33.0% Eye problems, including eye pain, pressure in the eyes, 25.8% Cardiac symptoms, heartblurred palpitations, vision heart arrhythmias, 25.8% chest pain Leg cramps, or neuropathy 19.2% Arthritis, body pain, sharp, stabbing pains 18.2% Nausea, flu-like symptoms 17.3% Sinus problems, nose bleeds 14.5% Respiratory problems, cough, asthma 13.8% Skin rashes, facial flushing 12.6% Urinary problems 8.8% Endocrine disorders, thyroid problems, diabetes 8.8% High blood pressure 7.2% None of the above 8.8% Other 30.5% I don't know 24.8%
0% Survey Design20% & Analysis, 40% 60% SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 22 Do you have one or more of the following? (Check all that apply.) N=275
Mercury amalgam dental filings 69.5%
Metal dental crowns or bridges 64.7%
Metal joints or metal plates 11.6%
Dental implants 10.2%
Metal dental braces 4.4%
Medical implant device such as a pace 3.6% maker
Other 7.3%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 23 Complaints to Provider and PUC
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 24 If you have experienced problems with the new wireless utility meter(s), have you complained to… N=195
the utility company? your Public Utilities Commission or similar utility oversight commission?
70% 65.6%
60% 54.3%
50% 45.7%
40% 34.4% 30%
20%
10%
0% Yes No
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 25 How satisfied are you about how they handled your complaint?
The utility company N=164 Your Public Utilities Commission N=103
75.6% 80% 72.8% 70% 60% 50% 40%
30% 24.3% 20.7% 20% 10% 1.2% 1.0% 2.4% 1.9% 0% Very satisfied Satisfied Unsatisfied Very unsatisfied
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 26 Would you prefer to retain or restore the analog (also known as electromechanical meter) utility meters and a meter reader? N=387
100% 94.1% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20%
10% 2.8% 3.1% 0% Yes No I don't know
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 27 If yes, do you think you should pay more for the analog service? N=374
100% 91.7% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20%
10% 2.9% 5.3% 0% Yes No I don't know
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 28 Factors Associated with Health Symptoms
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 29 Have you, or anyone in your household, experienced new or worsened health symptoms since the new wireless utility meters have been installed on your home, in your neighborhood, apartment building, area, town or city? (Check all that apply.) N=298
Sleep Problems No sleep Problems
70% 65.6% 58.6% 60% 50% 41.4% 40% 34.4% 30% 20% 10% 0% No Meters in Home, N=133 Yes Meters in Home, N=147 * The relationship is the same for the top five Health Symptoms sited.
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 30 Have you, or anyone in your household, experienced new or worsened health symptoms since the new wireless utility meters have been installed on your home, in your neighborhood, apartment building, area, town or city? (Check all that apply.) N=298 Sleep problems No Sleep Problems 90% 80% 77% 70% 60% 56% 50% 40% 28% 30% 20% 20% 16%
10% 4% 0% I don't know, N=118 Not EMF Sensitive, N=31 EMF Sensitive, N=149
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 31 ! “We should not have to pay for NO CHANGE in electric service. We don't pay for not getting cable. We don't pay for not getting satellite. We don't pay for gas if we don't use gas appliances. “ ! “I firmly believe that it is ILLEGAL to charge someone for services they are not receiving. I should not have to pay for the "privilege" of retaining my analog utility meter and I should not have my rates increase monthly whether my usage does nor not. That is RIDICULOUS …” ! “I am almost ready to deny gas and electric service rather than pay for an analog or accept a SmartMeter. Then they would have the freezing death of an old lady on their hands and my kids could sue them.“ ! “I am a Doctor of Chiropractic. Several patients have told me they become sick and weak in the presence of wireless devices. They get sicker the closer they are. Some are sensitive even blocks away. These are intelligent, educated, sincere people who ask if I know of anything that can help them mitigate their symptoms, given that such fields are increasingly common.” ! “I see absolutely NO BENEFIT from this expensive, wasteful change-out. I see nothing but trouble ahead, especially once hackers get into the network. I believe that human meter readers are a community benefit and am distressed to see them removed at a time when we need jobs and the extra oversight they provide in our communities.” ! “The electrical companies and investors should be forced to foot the bill on this one and not be allowed to pass the cost on to customers. They deserve to be sued and heavily fined and maybe some people belong in prison over this.”
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 32 ! “The radio transmissions of the meters could very well be affecting the presence of pollinators in our yards. Bees, hummingbirds and butterflies are small and sensitive creatures that are becoming less prevalent and I am certain it is due to the air wave pollution we are inflicting upon them . . .” ! “We should not have smart meters and their mesh network in our community (in any community) due to non-ionizing wireless RF radiation from these devices being classified by the WHO as a Class 2B carcinogen, on par with DDT. … Chronic long-term exposure to this type of radiation is stressful on our cells and associated with increased risk of cancer, according to peer-reviewed health studies. ... This should not be mandatory, especially when the Federal government does not mandate these on our homes. This is a gross violation of our civil liberties, and endangers the privacy, security, public safety, health and lives of ourselves and our loved ones, neighbors, friends and family.” ! “I am so worried about these Smartmeters, that I don't want to leave home because the installers will put them on whether you want them or not. ... I do know many people who are suffering terribly from them.” ! “… it effected the equipment in the emergency medical operating unit. The doctor did not know what was causing this, he had the old back up ways before tech in his head, but maybe others do not have this. He almost lost an animal due to this. So I am very frustrated over all this. … Appliances burned up, blender caught fire, stereo malfunctioned, two shredders burned up, a water fountain no longer works, a popcorn popper caught on fire, ...”
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 33 ! “In the beginning I called all around, talked to many people about my concern. I was told I had no choice - the meters are going in and I have no say. No one addressed my concerns or called me back to address my concerns as I had left messages and asked. Anyone who I spoke with to address my concerns skated right past them and told me the same thing, I have no choice but to have a SmartMeter installed.” ! “My interaction with PG&E has been entirely focused on keeping them from installing meters on my home. Each time I have called, I get only arguments that they are safe, no way to guarantee that we can opt out. ! “I have been thinking of contacting PG&E, but I dread it knowing that it will increase my already elevated stress levels. I'm feeling very frustrated and stuck. I've thought about taking a sledge hammer to the meter at some points.” ! “SCE basically told us that there was nothing they could do to help us. My husband has emailed every executive at SCE and CPUC and nobody will reply back. I even got a letter from my Dr. about my EMF/RF sensitivities and SCE said that they have no contingency plan for people with EMF/RF sensitivities or health problems that are caused by their Smart Meters.” ! “They do not care about the long-term health of their customers. They are a 100% monopoly, and the CPUC is their lapdog. This situation stinks.” Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 34 ! How concerned are you about the reported problems with the new wireless Smart Grid utility meters, also known as Smart Meters (AMR, AMI, AED)? Check all that apply. ! Do you believe wireless devices can cause health problems? ! Are you, or is a member of your household, EMF sensitive? (EMF sensitivity is also called electrical sensitivity, or electrohypersensitivity) ! Have you had a new wireless utility meter installed on your home? ! If yes, how long ago was it installed on your home? ! If yes, please indicate the type of new meter installed on your home. Check all that apply. ! If yes, have your bills increased, decreased or stayed about the same ? ! If yes, have you experienced interference, damaged equipment, or a fire since the new meter(s) has been installed? Check all that apply. ! Do you have new wireless utility meters deployed in your neighborhood, apartment building, area, town or city? ! Please describe the placement of the wireless utility meters in relation to where you live. Check all that apply. ! Have you, or anyone in your household, experienced new or worsened health symptoms since the new wireless utility meters have been installed on your home, in your neighborhood, apartment building, area, town or city? Check all that apply. ! Do you have one or more of the following? Check all that apply. ! If you have experienced problems with the new wireless utility meter(s), have you complained to the utility company? ! If you complained to the utility company about the new wireless utility meter(s), how satisfied are you about how they handled your complaint? ! If you have experienced problems with the new wireless utility meter(s), have you complained to your Public Utilities Commission or similar utility oversight commission? ! If yes, how satisfied are you with how they handled your complaint? ! Would you prefer to retain or restore the analog (also known as electromechanical meter) utility meters and a meter reader? ! If yes, do you think you should pay more for the analog service? Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 35
Smart Meter Health Effects
Survey and Report
By
Richard H. Conrad, Ph.D. and Ed Friedman, B.S. 2013
Accepted as legal testimony before the Maine Public Utilities Commission, Docket 2011-00262
About the Authors
Richard H. Conrad
Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Johns Hopkins University; postdoctoral research at the Institute of Molecular Biophysics of Florida State University and Department of Biochemistry of Cornell University.
Ed Friedman*
B.S. in Environmental Science, Empire State College, SUNY; research over the years from Antarctica to Arctic; Chair, Friends of Merrymeeting Bay, Maine since 1996 engaged in research, advocacy, education, and land conservation.
*Corresponding author
Smart Meter Health Effects Survey and Report
Nearly 98% of respondents were very sure or fairly sure their new or worsened symptoms correlated to smart meter exposure.
Smart Meter Health Effects Survey: Results, Analysis and Report
This survey was designed to discover if the health effects/symptoms that many persons have recently been attributing to exposures to smart meters, were really caused by those exposures or not. The Survey essentially collected testimonials of their personal experiences with smart meters, broken down into answers to approximately 50 questions, most of them multiple choice. Since all questions required an answer, all respondents answered identical questions via a choice of identical answers. This provided uniformity of the data collected, enabling detailed analysis and comparison of their experiences.
This Survey was written by Richard Conrad, Ph.D, and Ed Friedman. It utilizes SurveyGizmo software and automatic survey collection via the internet and SurveyGizmo, who stores the data securely and provides most of the analysis tools used. The survey was distributed widely via internet sites and interest groups, who directed interested people to this link: http://www.conradbiologic.com/smartmetersurvey.html for an introduction, more information, and a link to actually take the survey. The invitation began : “If you feel your health has been affected by smart meters, we request your immediate help in studying these effects.” Thus this is not a prevalence survey (i.e. its purpose is not to determine the percentage of all ratepayers that had symptoms) but was intended to query persons who already felt that they had “symptoms or health effects from smart meters” (quoted here from the introduction within the Survey itself) to determine whether or not there actually was a correlation.
Near the end of the Survey was a request (Question 46) for free text comments, where most respondents provided a short summary of the impacts smart meters had on their lives. (A list of most of their comments is included in the Appendices.) The last two questions of the Survey concern permission to use their data anonymously (Q47) and with limited confidential disclosure (Q48). Any respondent that answered No to Q47 was automatically disqualified by the SurveyGizmo survey collection software. Thus 100% of the surveys collected and designated as “completed” answered Yes to permission for anonymous use. 90% of these also answered Yes to Q48, limited confidential disclosure (most supplied their personally identifiable information).
The Survey opened for data collection on December 4, 2012, and closed at the end of the day on January 28, 2013 (this said was erroneously dated 2012 in submitted version). The number of completed surveys received and used for analysis was 210.
Approximately 75 % were from the US, and the rest from Canada and Australia.
Of the 210 respondents, 9 were Ph.D.’s, 42 MS or MA, 70 BS or BA, 1 MD, 1 DDS (see Q44).
Look at “Pie Chart Summary Report Q2 vs Q32.” You can clearly see the tremendous increase (more than a doubling) in the blue sector of the pie chart from only 32.9% aware of having some electrical sensitivity before, to 67.6% considering themselves to actually have ES after smart meter exposure.
Before smart meters, 23.3 % (calc. from Q2a) of the 210 respondents considered themselves to have ES (Electrical Sensitivity).
Now, after smart meters, 67.6 % (Q32) of the 210 respondents consider themselves to have ES. Note that 62.7 % (calc. from Q32a) of these feel certain that their exposure to smart meters was responsible for initiating their ES.
Of the 49 persons who already considered themselves to have ES before SM, all 49, or 100 % felt that their exposure to SM made their ES not only worse, but “much worse”.
Cell Phone, Computer and WiFi Use Before and After Smart Meters
In order to ascertain what influence common electronic devices: cell phones, wifi and computers have in relation to smart meter radiation exposure, we looked at device use before and after smart meter installation. We found very clear evidence smart meter exposure adversely affected respondent ability to use other RF devices without incurring harmful symptoms.
In the survey, computer use is addressed in questions 4 and 29, wifi in questions 5 and 30 and cell phones in questions 6 and 31 (Appendix 7).
Computer Use: Before smart meters, nearly 79% of respondents were using computers without symptoms while 21% had previous sensitivities and used computers despite their symptoms. Following smart meter installation and exposure, those able to operate a computer without symptoms dropped to 39% (about one-half of before), while those now showing symptoms from computer use nearly tripled to 57%. 2.4% of respondents could not use computers after smart meters because of adverse symptoms whereas nobody was limited in this way prior to meter installation.
WiFi: The responses were similar with wifi. Before smart meters nearly 40% of respondents were using wifi without symptoms while 11% had previous sensitivities and used wifi to some extent but with symptoms. Following smart meter installation and exposure, those able to use wifi without symptoms dropped to 17% (about one-half of before) while those showing symptoms from wifi nearly tripled to 28%. Those who could not use wifi prior to smart meters because of symptoms were 17%. This rose to 40% after smart meter installation and exposure.
Cell phones: Before smart meters, 50% of respondents were using cell phones without symptoms while 18% had previous sensitivities and used cell phones, but with symptoms. Following smart meter installation and exposure, those able to use cell phones without symptoms dropped to 24% (about one-half of before) while those with symptoms from cell phone use more than doubled to 39%. 14% of respondents could not use cell phones previous to smart meters because of symptoms. This increased to 26% after smart meters.
The inability to use these common tools severely inhibits our respondents in their personal and economic lives. Their ability to live normal lives in the 21st century has been severely compromised. This change in ability to use these devices is directly correlated to smart meter exposure.
Symptoms, New and Worsened, Correlated to Smart Meter Exposure
Our survey asks respondents to identify their symptoms found to be associated with smart meter exposure. Many of these same symptoms have been cited in previous literature on low level RF and for example in the EMF Safety Network Survey (also submitted in our PUC testimony). We also allowed space for respondents to write in other symptoms they felt were associated with smart meters. Specifically we wanted to know both what symptoms (and their intensity: mild, moderate or severe) began (for the first time in their lives) after smart meter installation and, if someone had pre-existing symptoms, did these symptoms worsen (and how much) after smart meter installation.
We found fourteen symptoms that many individuals suffered in common including ear ringing, headaches, difficulty concentrating, insomnia and heart arrhythmias. We highlight the main symptoms in the attached histograms (Appendices 2 & 3). How long can you go without sleep, how well can you respond to workplace and personal situations when having cognitive difficulties, how much pressure in your head must you tolerate? While any of these symptoms by themselves on occasion may be of little consequence, taken in combination and at a severe level is quite enough to force people from their homes and from their work place. There is no 10-30 year latency period as there may be from cell phone exposure to glioma, the devastating results are essentially immediate.
In our histogram showing “severe and new” and “moderate and new”, it is extremely important to note that all of these numbers report only new symptoms, that is, symptoms suffered for the first time in their lives, symptoms they had never experienced before smart meters. The red bars indicate symptoms which respondents suffered from after smart meter installation and which were severe in intensity: insomnia, tinnitus, pressure in the head and difficulty concentrating top the list. The blue bars indicate symptoms that were both new and moderate in intensity. Pressure in the head, difficulty concentrating, tingling/burning skin and vision problems are the most common symptoms in descending order. Taken together, red and blue bars show the total number of victims suffering from severe or moderate intensity of each symptom: pressure in the head, difficulty concentrating and tinnitus being the most common.
Looking at respondents who had suffered some of these same symptoms previously, our blue bar graphs show previous symptoms that worsened from either mild or moderate, to severe following smart meter installation. Fatigue, insomnia, difficulty concentrating and headaches top this list.
It’s important to reiterate, as documented elsewhere in this survey, both that many of our respondents (82%) were in good or excellent health before smart meters were installed and that overall, approximately 42% developed symptoms prior to any knowledge meters were installed.
Some detailed analysis:
Thread 1: a filtered, or “thread” analysis of Q1 and Q3 and Q17: the number of respondents reporting excellent or good health, and who had no prior concerns about EMF from smart meters, and who began to experience their new/worsened symptoms BEFORE they discovered the smart meter, totaled 48, or 22.9 % of the 210 respondents.
Thread 2: another filtered analysis of Q1 and Q3 and Q17: the number of respondents reporting excellent or good health, and who had no prior concerns about EMF from smart meters, and who began to experience their new/worsened symptoms weeks or months AFTER they discovered the smart meter, totaled 20, or 9.5 %.
22.9 % + 9.5 % = 32.4 %, or almost one-third of the initially healthy respondents who had no prior concerns about EMF from smart meters began to experience symptoms at a time (before discovery of SM or well after discovery of SM) that indicates that their symptoms did not develop due to any knowledge or concern about smart meters.
Thread 3: a filtered analysis of Q2a and Q17: the number of respondents who considered themselves ES before smart meters, and who began to experience their new/worsened symptoms BEFORE they discovered the smart meter, totaled 19, or 9 % of the 210 respondents.
Thread 4: another filtered analysis of Q2a and Q17: the number of respondents who considered themselves ES before smart meters, and who began to experience their new/worsened symptoms weeks or months AFTER they discovered the smart meter, totaled 2, or 1 % of respondents.
The ratio of symptoms before to after discovery of SM in threads 3 and 4 is 9.5, whereas in threads 1 and 2 it is only 2.4. This indicates that symptoms developed much, much more rapidly in the persons who had had ES prior to smart meters.
From Q18: A total of 98.6 % of the 210 respondents were sure that their new/worsened symptoms correlated to smart meter exposure (breakdown of this total: 81.9 % very sure and 16.7 % fairly sure).
Q19 shows that for 83 % of the respondents, the smart meter had been between 4 and 50 feet from a location in their home where they spent most of their time (27.6 % were actually between 20 and 50 feet; the table gives the exact breakdown).
Q20 shows that for more than 2/3 of respondents, symptoms lessened when they went further from SM; most in seconds, minutes or hours, with the majority in hours.
Q21 shows that for about 2/3 of respondents, when they went closer to SM, their symptoms worsened, with the majority in seconds.
Q22 shows that 53.8 % of respondents conducted the “experiments” described in Q20 and Q21 “more than a dozen times”.
Q23 shows that 48.1 % were the only ones affected (sometimes because they were the only person in the house, see Q24), and that in the case of 51.9 % of respondents, between 2 to more than 6 others in the house were affected.
Q25, 25a, 26 and 26a show that there were no known other sources of EMF other than the smart meters that corresponded to their symptoms.
Q27a shows that in 91.1 % of the cases where all smart meters were removed, symptoms weakened or disappeared completely.
Q28 and 28a show that 77.1 % of those who moved, did so because of smart meters, and that some of those are currently homeless, and many others want to move because of smart meters but can’t.
Q 37, 38 and 39 are self-explanatory.
Q 40 and 41 show pre-existing MD diagnosed conditions that were worsened by smart meter exposure, and new MD diagnosed conditions that only appeared after exposure to smart meters, i.e., initiated by SM. At the top of the list of new conditions diagnosed by an MD after SM is cardiac arrhythmia and other heart conditions.
The suffering and the social and economic effects of chronic debilitating symptoms that victims have experienced since smart meter exposure simply cannot be ignored, and provide ample evidence that there is something about smart meters that make them extremely harmful to at least some, and possibly eventually all persons. While there is obviously only a portion of our population that consciously realizes and manifests ES/EHS symptoms now (the canaries), we are all being exposed and are all susceptible.
Summary Report, all Q's except Symptoms Q15 and open textbox Q's - Jan 31, 2013 Survey: Smart Meter Health Effects Survey (Live Dec. 4, 2012)
Poor 2.9%
Fair 15.2%
Excellent (and no Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia or known autoimmune disease) 43.3%
Good 38.6%
1. Before smart meters, what was the general state of your health?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Excellent (and no Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, chronic fatigue, Total Responses 210 91 43.3% fibromyalgia or known autoimmune disease) Skipped 0 Good 81 38.6% Unanswered 0 Fair 32 15.2% Poor 6 2.9%
6 Unsure 8.6%
Yes 32.9%
No 58.6%
2. Before smart meters, did you have any electrical sensitivity that you were aware of?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 69 32.9% Total Responses 210 No 123 58.6% Skipped 0 Unsure 18 8.6% Unanswered 0
7 Unsure 7.4%
No 20.6%
Yes 72.1%
Before smart meters, did you consider yourself to have ES (Electrical Sensitivity)?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 49 72.1% Total Responses 68 No 14 20.6% Skipped 0 Unsure 5 7.4% Unanswered 142
8 Yes 36.9%
No 63.1%
Before smart meters, had you ever heard of electrical sensitivity?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 52 36.9% Total Responses 141 No 89 63.1% Skipped 2 Unanswered 69
9 Yes 36.7%
No 63.3%
3. Before smart meters, did you have any concerns about EMF (Electromagnetic Fields) from smart meters?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 77 36.7% Total Responses 210 No 133 63.3% Skipped 0 Unanswered 0
10 No for another reason 1.0%
Yes, and it caused symptoms 20.5%
Yes, without it causing any symptoms 78.6%
4. Before smart meters, were you using a computer?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes, without it causing any symptoms 165 78.6% Total Responses 210 Yes, and it caused symptoms 43 20.5% Skipped 0 No because it had caused symptoms in the past 0 0.0% Unanswered 0 No for another reason 2 1.0%
11 No for another reason 31.4%
Yes, without symptoms 40.0%
No because it had caused symptoms in the past 17.1%
Yes, with symptoms 11.4%
5. Before smart meters, were you using Wi-Fi?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes, without symptoms 84 40.0% Total Responses 210 Yes, with symptoms 24 11.4% Skipped 0 No because it had caused symptoms in the past 36 17.1% Unanswered 0 No for another reason 66 31.4%
12 No for another reason 18.1%
No because it had caused symptoms in the past 14.3% Yes, without symptoms 50.0%
Yes, with symptoms 17.6%
6. Before smart meters, were you using a cell phone?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes, without symptoms 105 50.0% Total Responses 210 Yes, with symptoms 37 17.6% Skipped 0 No because it had caused symptoms in the past 30 14.3% Unanswered 0 No for another reason 38 18.1%
13 n/a 1.4% More than 2 hours/day 5.6%
1/2 to 2 hours/day 26.1%
Less than 1/2 hour/day 66.9%
If you were using a cell phone, how would you characterize your cell phone usage?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Less than 1/2 hour/day 95 66.9% Total Responses 142 1/2 to 2 hours/day 37 26.1% Skipped 0 More than 2 hours/day 8 5.6% Unanswered 68 n/a 2 1.4%
14 Don't know or n/a 2.9% Zero 1.4% More than 100 0.5% 30 to 99 1.4% 10 to 29 11.4%
1 to 2 38.6% 6 to 9 11.9%
3 to 5 31.9%
7. Roughly what was the total number of smart meters within about a 50 foot radius around your residence, including those (if any) on your residence? (Please review your selection to be sure it is correct.)
Value Count Percent % Statistics Zero 3 1.4% Total Responses 210 1 to 2 81 38.6% Skipped 0 3 to 5 67 31.9% Unanswered 0 6 to 9 25 11.9% 10 to 29 24 11.4% 30 to 99 3 1.4% More than 100 1 0.5% Don't know or n/a 6 2.9%
15 8. How many of these smart meters were on your residence (or on your building and relatively close to you)? (Select "Zero" if none). Electric
Number of Smart Meters Total 20.5% 20.5% Zero 43 43 50.5% 50.5% 1 106 106 11.0% 11.0% 2 23 23 2.9% 2.9% 3 6 6 4.8% 4.8% 4 to 5 10 10 3.8% 3.8% 6 to 9 8 8 4.8% 4.8% 10 to 29 10 10 0.5% 0.5% 30 to 99 1 1 1.4% 1.4% Don't know or n/a 3 3 Total 210 210
Water
Number of Smart Meters Total 74.2% 74.2% Zero 155 155 9.1% 9.1% 1 19 19 1.0% 1.0% 2 2 2 1.4% 1.4% 4 to 5 3 3 1.0% 1.0% 6 to 9 2 2 13.4% 13.4% Don't know or n/a 28 28 Total 209 209
Gas
Number of Smart Meters Total 70.3% 70.3% Zero 147 147 16.3% 16.3% 1 34 34 1.0% 1.0% 2 2 2 0.5% 0.5% 3 1 1 1.0% 1.0% 4 to 5 2 2 1.4% 1.4% 6 to 9 3 3 0.5% 0.5% 10 to 29 1 1 9.1% 9.1% Don't know or n/a 19 19 Total 209 209
16 Don't remember or n/a 10.5%
At the time of installation/start of exposure 22.9%
More than 3 months after installation/start of exposure 12.9%
2+ to 3 months after installation/start of Less than one hour after installation/start of exposure 4.8% exposure 6.7%
1 to 2 months after installation/start of exposure 5.2%
Later on the day of installation/start of exposure 8.6% 14 to 28 days after installation/start of exposure 4.8%
7 to 13 days after installation/start of exposure 4.8% The day after installation/start of exposure 6.2% 4 to 6 days after installation/start of exposure 4.8% 2 to 3 days after installation/start of exposure 8.1%
9. Concerning only the smart meter(s) that most affected you, about how long after smart meter installation or after beginning of exposure, did you discover that the smart meter was present (by actually seeing it or being told about it)?(Please read the answer that remains in the dropdown menu box after you make your selection, to be sure it is correct).
Value Count Percent % Statistics At the time of installation/start of exposure 48 22.9% Total Responses 210 Less than one hour after installation/start of exposure 14 6.7% Skipped 0 Later on the day of installation/start of exposure 18 8.6% Unanswered 0 The day after installation/start of exposure 13 6.2% 2 to 3 days after installation/start of exposure 17 8.1% 4 to 6 days after installation/start of exposure 10 4.8% 7 to 13 days after installation/start of exposure 10 4.8% 14 to 28 days after installation/start of exposure 10 4.8% 1 to 2 months after installation/start of exposure 11 5.2% 2+ to 3 months after installation/start of exposure 10 4.8% More than 3 months after installation/start of exposure 27 12.9% Don't remember or n/a 22 10.5%
17 Westinghouse 0.5% Tantalus 0.5% Schlumberger (Centron) 1.0% ABB 1.0% OpenWay (Itron) 2.9% Elster 4.3% Sensus 5.2% Centron (Itron) 5.7% Don't know or n/a 42.4%
GE 7.1%
Other Brand 7.6%
Landis+Gyr 10.5%
Itron 11.4%
10. What was the Brand/Manufacturer of the closest Electric smart meter?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Don't know or n/a 89 42.4% Total Responses 210 Itron 24 11.4% Skipped 0 Landis+Gyr 22 10.5% Unanswered 0 Other Brand 16 7.6% GE 15 7.1% Centron (Itron) 12 5.7% Sensus 11 5.2% Elster 9 4.3% OpenWay (Itron) 6 2.9% ABB 2 1.0% Schlumberger (Centron) 2 1.0% Tantalus 1 0.5% Westinghouse 1 0.5% Siemens 0 0.0%
18 Don't know or n/a 33.8%
AMI 53.8%
Other 2.9%
AMR 9.5%
11. What was the TYPE of the closest Electric smart meter? AMI = Advanced Metering Infrastructure type of meter (data automatically sent to utility), AMR = Automated Meter Reading type of meter (data read remotely by reader from vehicle or on foot)
Value Count Percent % Statistics AMI 113 53.8% Total Responses 210 AMR 20 9.5% Skipped 0 Other 6 2.9% Unanswered 0 Don't know or n/a 71 33.8%
19 Don't know or n/a 29.5%
PLC-Power Line Carrier/Broadband over Power Line 4.8% Wireless 65.7%
14. Which method of data reporting to the Utility did the Electric smart meter use?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Wireless 138 65.7% Total Responses 210 PLC-Power Line Carrier/Broadband over Power Line 10 4.8% Skipped 0 Phone line 0 0.0% Unanswered 0 Fiber optics 0 0.0% Don't know or n/a 62 29.5%
20 Yes 6.5%
Don't know or n/a 36.2%
No 57.2%
If wireless, were the transmitters supposedly turned off?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 9 6.5% Total Responses 138 No 79 57.3% Skipped 0 Don't know or n/a 50 36.2% Unanswered 72
21 Hours 7.1% Within a few minutes after installation/start of exposure 11.4%
Don't remember, don't know or n/a 12.4% Less than one hour after installation/start of exposure 8.1%
More than 3 months after installation/start of exposure 6.7% Later on the day of installation/start of exposure 13.8% 2+ to 3 months after installation/start of exposure 4.3%
The day after installation/start of exposure 1.0% 1 to 2 months after installation/start of exposure 8.1%
2 to 3 days after installation/start of exposure 9.5% 14 to 28 days after installation/start of exposure 7.1% 7 to 13 days after installation/start of exposure 5.2% 4 to 6 days after installation/start of exposure 5.2%
16. Approximately how long after smart meter installation or the start of exposure (concerning only the smart meter(s) that most affected you) did new symptoms begin and/or previous symptoms worsen? (Please read the answer that appears in the dropdown menu box after you make your selection, to be sure it is correct).
Value Count Percent % Statistics Within a few minutes after installation/start of exposure 24 11.4% Total Responses 210 Less than one hour after installation/start of exposure 17 8.1% Skipped 0 Later on the day of installation/start of exposure 29 13.8% Unanswered 0 The day after installation/start of exposure 2 1.0% 2 to 3 days after installation/start of exposure 20 9.5% 4 to 6 days after installation/start of exposure 11 5.2% 7 to 13 days after installation/start of exposure 11 5.2% 14 to 28 days after installation/start of exposure 15 7.1% 1 to 2 months after installation/start of exposure 17 8.1% 2+ to 3 months after installation/start of exposure 9 4.3% More than 3 months after installation/start of exposure 14 6.7% Don't remember, don't know or n/a 26 12.4% Hours 15 7.1%
22 Don't remember or n/a 9.5% Symptoms months BEFORE discovered smart meter 17.1%
Symptoms months after 9.5%
Symptoms weeks before 8.6% Symptoms weeks after 6.7%
Symptoms days before 9.0% Symptoms days after 12.4%
Symptoms hours before 4.3% Symptoms minutes BEFORE 2.9% Symptoms hours after 11.9% Symptoms minutes AFTER discovered smart meter 8.1%
17. Did your new/worsened symptoms (that you correlate with smart meter exposure) begin or worsen BEFORE, or AFTER you first DISCOVERED the presence of a smart meter? (the smart meter(s) that most affected you) (After you select your answer, please double-check to be sure that the answer that shows in the box is the one you meant to select).
Value Count Percent % Statistics Symptoms months BEFORE discovered smart meter 36 17.1% Total Responses 210 Symptoms weeks before 18 8.6% Skipped 0 Symptoms days before 19 9.1% Unanswered 0 Symptoms hours before 9 4.3% Symptoms minutes BEFORE 6 2.9% Symptoms minutes AFTER discovered smart meter 17 8.1% Symptoms hours after 25 11.9% Symptoms days after 26 12.4% Symptoms weeks after 14 6.7% Symptoms months after 20 9.5% Don't remember or n/a 20 9.5%
23 Unsure 1.4%
Fairly sure 16.7%
Very sure 81.9%
18. How sure are you that your new/worsened symptoms correlated to smart meter exposure?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Unsure 3 1.4% Total Responses 210 Fairly sure 35 16.7% Skipped 0 Very sure 172 81.9% Unanswered 0
24 Less than 3 feet 0.5% feet to head of bed 10.5% Don't know or n/a 1.0% More than 100 feet 1.0% 50 to 100 feet 3.8% 4 to 9 feet 27.1%
20 to 50 feet 27.6%
10 to 19 feet 28.6%
19. What is (or was) the approximate distance (through the wall in a straight-line measurement) between the closest smart meter and the location closest to the smart meter where you spent the most time (for example, the head of your bed)?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Less than 3 feet 1 0.5% Total Responses 210 4 to 9 feet 57 27.1% Skipped 0 10 to 19 feet 60 28.6% Unanswered 0 20 to 50 feet 58 27.6% 50 to 100 feet 8 3.8% More than 100 feet 2 1.0% Don't know or n/a 2 1.0% feet to head of bed 22 10.5%
25 Yes in seconds 9.5% Don't know or n/a 14.8%
Yes in minutes 21.9% No 15.7%
Yes in a month or longer 3.8%
Yes in weeks 3.3%
Yes in days 5.7% Yes in hours 25.2%
20. Did your symptoms lessen when you went further away from smart meter(s)?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes in seconds 20 9.5% Total Responses 210 Yes in minutes 46 21.9% Skipped 0 Yes in hours 53 25.2% Unanswered 0 Yes in days 12 5.7% Yes in weeks 7 3.3% Yes in a month or longer 8 3.8% No 33 15.7% Don't know or n/a 31 14.8%
26 Don't know or n/a 22.4%
Yes in seconds 32.4%
No 9.0%
Yes in a month or longer 0.5% Yes in days 1.0%
Yes in hours 7.6%
Yes in minutes 27.1%
21. Did your symptoms worsen when you went closer to smart meter(s)?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes in seconds 68 32.4% Total Responses 210 Yes in minutes 57 27.1% Skipped 0 Yes in hours 16 7.6% Unanswered 0 Yes in days 2 1.0% Yes in weeks 0 0.0% Yes in a month or longer 1 0.5% No 19 9.1% Don't know or n/a 47 22.4%
27 Don't remember or n/a 8.1% Never 13.3%
A few times 24.8%
More than a dozen times 53.8%
22. How many times did you conduct the inadvertent (or conscious) "experiment" described by the previous two questions?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Never 28 13.3% Total Responses 210 A few times 52 24.8% Skipped 0 More than a dozen times 113 53.8% Unanswered 0 Don't remember or n/a 17 8.1%
28 More than 6 1.0% 6 1.0% 5 1.4% 4 4.3% 3 (myself + two others) 12.4%
1 (only myself) 48.1%
2 (myself + one other) 31.9%
23. How many people in your household were affected by smart meters, including yourself?
Value Count Percent % Statistics 1 (only myself) 101 48.1% Total Responses 210 2 (myself + one other) 67 31.9% Skipped 0 3 (myself + two others) 26 12.4% Unanswered 0 4 9 4.3% 5 3 1.4% 6 2 1.0% More than 6 2 1.0%
29 More than 6 0.5% 6 1.0% 5 5.2% 4 8.1% 1 (only myself) 25.7%
3 16.2%
2 43.3%
24. What was the total number of persons living in your household at the time of smart meter exposure, including yourself?
Value Count Percent % Statistics 1 (only myself) 54 25.7% Total Responses 210 2 91 43.3% Skipped 0 3 34 16.2% Unanswered 0 4 17 8.1% 5 11 5.2% 6 2 1.0% More than 6 1 0.5%
30 Don't know or n/a 2.9% Yes 4.8%
No 92.4%
25. Was there any new electronic device in your home that was first turned on at around the time of smart meter installation/start of exposure, such as a: baby monitor, DECT cordless phone, large screen TV, computer/monitor, internet connection, Wi-Fi device, high-efficiency light bulbs such as compact fluorescents (CFLs) or LEDs, induction-type stove top, generator, welder, large charger or 12 volt DC to 120 volt AC inverter such as for a solar system?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 10 4.8% Total Responses 210 No 194 92.4% Skipped 0 Don't know or n/a 6 2.9% Unanswered 0
31 No 100.0%
If "Yes" a new device was turned on at the time, is it possible that your new/unusual or intensified symptoms were associated with this new device and not at all to the smart meter?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes it is possible 0 0.0% Total Responses 11 No 11 100.0% Skipped 1 Don't know or n/a 0 0.0% Unanswered 199
32 Yes 3.8%
Don't know or n/a 24.8%
No 71.4%
26. Was there a new antenna/transmitter newly activated near your home around the time of smart meter installation/start of exposure that was not part of the Smart Meter Mesh system (such as a new cell tower or emergency police/fire communication system, either an antenna, or a microwave dish/drum pointed at you at your elevation)?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 8 3.8% Total Responses 210 No 150 71.4% Skipped 0 Don't know or n/a 52 24.8% Unanswered 0
33 No 100.0%
If "Yes" a new antenna/transmitter was activated, is it possible your new/unusual or intensified symptoms were associated with this transmitter and not at all to the smart meter?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes it is possible 0 0.0% Total Responses 9 No 9 100.0% Skipped 0 Don't know or n/a 0 0.0% Unanswered 201
34 n/a 15.2%
Yes 26.7%
No 58.1%
27. If one or more smart meter(s) were installed on your residence, have all of them been removed?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 56 26.7% Total Responses 210 No 122 58.1% Skipped 0 n/a 32 15.2% Unanswered 0
35 n/a 3.6% No 5.4%
Yes all symptoms disappeared 25.0%
Yes fewer or weaker symptoms 66.1%
If "Yes" all smart meters were removed, did removal decrease your symptoms?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes fewer or weaker symptoms 37 66.1% Total Responses 56 Yes all symptoms disappeared 14 25.0% Skipped 0 No 3 5.4% Unanswered 154 n/a 2 3.6%
36 n/a 1.4% Yes to another residence 11.9%
Yes moved out and currently homeless 4.8%
No 45.2%
Want to move because of smart meters but can't 36.7%
28. Have you moved?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes to another residence 25 11.9% Total Responses 210 Yes moved out and currently homeless 10 4.8% Skipped 0 Want to move because of smart meters but can't 77 36.7% Unanswered 0 No 95 45.2% n/a 3 1.4%
37 n/a 2.9%
No 20.0%
Yes 77.1%
If you moved, did you move primarily because of smart meter(s)?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 27 77.1% Total Responses 35 No 7 20.0% Skipped 0 n/a 1 2.9% Unanswered 175
38 Have not tried 1.4% No because of symptoms 2.4%
Yes without symptoms 39.0%
Yes with symptoms 57.1%
29. Are you presently able to use a computer?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes without symptoms 82 39.1% Total Responses 210 Yes with symptoms 120 57.1% Skipped 0 No because of symptoms 5 2.4% Unanswered 0 Have not tried 3 1.4%
39 Have not tried 12.9% Yes without symptoms 17.6%
Yes with symptoms 28.1% No because of symptoms 41.4%
30. Are you presently able to use Wi-Fi?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes without symptoms 37 17.6% Total Responses 210 Yes with symptoms 59 28.1% Skipped 0 No because of symptoms 87 41.4% Unanswered 0 Have not tried 27 12.9%
40 Have not tried 11.4%
Yes without symptoms 23.8%
No because of symptoms 26.2%
Yes with symptoms 38.6%
31. Are you presently able to use a cell phone?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes without symptoms 50 23.8% Total Responses 210 Yes with symptoms 81 38.6% Skipped 0 No because of symptoms 55 26.2% Unanswered 0 Have not tried 24 11.4%
41 Unsure 25.2%
No 7.1%
Yes 67.6%
32. Do you presently have ES (Electrical Sensitivity)?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 142 67.6% Total Responses 210 No 15 7.1% Skipped 0 Unsure 53 25.2% Unanswered 0
42 n/a, or unsure/don't know 28.2%
Yes 45.6%
No 26.2%
Was your exposure to smart meters responsible for initiating your ES?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 89 45.6% Total Responses 195 No 51 26.2% Skipped 0 n/a, or unsure/don't know 55 28.2% Unanswered 15
43 Yes, slightly worse 6.2%
Yes, considerably worse 14.3%
n/a, or unsure/don't know 52.9%
Yes, much worse 23.3%
No 3.3%
36. If you already had ES before smart meters, did your exposure to smart meters make your ES worse?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes, slightly worse 13 6.2% Total Responses 210 Yes, considerably worse 30 14.3% Skipped 0 Yes, much worse 49 23.3% Unanswered 0 No 7 3.3% n/a, or unsure/don't know 111 52.9%
44 n/a 16.7%
No 19.5%
Yes 63.8%
37. Have your symptoms from smart meter(s) significantly limited your capacity to work?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 134 63.8% Total Responses 210 No 41 19.5% Skipped 0 n/a 35 16.7% Unanswered 0
45 Yes 19.0%
n/a 47.6%
No 33.3%
38. If you had a job, did your symptoms from smart meter(s) force you to leave it?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 40 19.1% Total Responses 210 No 70 33.3% Skipped 0 n/a 100 47.6% Unanswered 0
46 100
75
48.1% 50
31.9% 30% 24.3% 25 18.1%
0 Yes, at home/housing Yes, at work Yes, in public buildings No n/a
39. Have your symptoms from smart meter(s) caused you to have a disability that needs (or needed) accommodation? (Check all boxes that apply; you can check more than one.)
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes, at home/housing 101 48.1% Total Responses 210 Yes, at work 51 24.3% Skipped 0 Yes, in public buildings 67 31.9% Unanswered 0 No 63 30.0% n/a 38 18.1%
47 40. Have you been diagnosed by a M.D. to have anyof the following conditions, and if Yes, diagnosed when?[SM = your exposure to Smart Meter(s)]
No or n/a Yes, before SM Yes, after SM Responses 77.8% 10.0% 12.2% Cardiac arrhythmia 180 140 18 22 86.3% 8.9% 4.8% Other heart condition 168 145 15 8 75.6% 20.6% 3.9% MCS 180 136 37 7 86.8% 11.4% 1.8% CFIDS 167 145 19 3 80.4% 14.3% 5.4% Fibromyalgia 168 135 24 9 99.4% 0.6% 0.0% Lupus 154 153 1 0 97.5% 2.5% 0.0% MS 157 153 4 0 77.1% 15.4% 7.4% Otherautoimmune 175 135 27 13
48 Were any of these diagnosed conditionsworsened by SM or initiated by SM?[SM = your exposure to Smart Meter(s)]
No or n/a Yes, Worsened by SM Yes, Initiated by SM Responses 31.1% 32.8% 36.1% Cardiac arrhythmia 61 19 20 22 72.3% 12.8% 14.9% Other heart condition 47 34 6 7 43.3% 46.7% 10.0% MCS 60 26 28 6 58.7% 34.8% 6.5% CFIDS 46 27 16 3 43.4% 43.4% 13.2% Fibromyalgia 53 23 23 7 100.0% 0.0% 0.0% Lupus 33 33 0 0 89.2% 10.8% 0.0% MS 37 33 4 0 50.8% 38.1% 11.1% Otherautoimmune 63 32 24 7
49 MO 0.7% MT 0.7% LA 0.7% SC 1.3% OK 1.3% IA 1.3% ID 1.3% AK 1.3% CO 1.3% CA 40.7% OH 1.3% VA 1.3% MD 1.3% PA 1.3% WI 1.3% IL 2.0% NC 2.0% OR 2.7% TX 2.7% GA 2.7% NV 2.7% FL 3.3% ME 4.0% MI 6.0% WA 4.0% AZ 6.0%
State if a USA address (pease review your selection to be sure it is correct). If not a USA address, enter your equivalent to State in the "(Provence)" textbox, also enter your equivalent of Zip code and enter your Country, and then ignore the reminder "You skipped this question" that pops up over County and State when you click "Submit Survey". Just scroll down to the bottom of the page again and click "Submit Survey" a second time.
Value Count Percent % Statistics CA 61 40.7% Total Responses 150 MI 9 6.0% Skipped 60 AZ 9 6.0% Unanswered 60 WA 6 4.0% ME 6 4.0% FL 5 3.3% NV 4 2.7% GA 4 2.7% TX 4 2.7% OR 4 2.7% NC 3 2.0% IL 3 2.0% WI 2 1.3% PA 2 1.3% MD 2 1.3% VA 2 1.3% OH 2 1.3% CO 2 1.3% AK 2 1.3% ID 2 1.3% IA 2 1.3% OK 2 1.3% SC 2 1.3% TN 1 0.7% VT 1 0.7% HI 1 0.7% AL 1 0.7% SD 1 0.7% NY 1 0.7% NH 1 0.7%
50 LA 1 0.7% MT 1 0.7% MO 1 0.7% MP 0 0.0% OH 0 0.0% OK 0 0.0% OR 0 0.0% ND 0 0.0% PW 0 0.0% NJ 0 0.0% NV 0 0.0% NE 0 0.0% NH 0 0.0% PA 0 0.0% NY 0 0.0% NM 0 0.0% NC 0 0.0% SD 0 0.0% WA 0 0.0% VA 0 0.0% WV 0 0.0% WI 0 0.0% MT 0 0.0% WY 0 0.0% VI 0 0.0% VT 0 0.0% SC 0 0.0% RI 0 0.0% TN 0 0.0% TX 0 0.0% UT 0 0.0% PR 0 0.0% GA 0 0.0% DE 0 0.0% CT 0 0.0% DC 0 0.0% FM 0 0.0% GU 0 0.0% FL 0 0.0% CO 0 0.0% CA 0 0.0% AK 0 0.0% AL 0 0.0% AS 0 0.0% AZ 0 0.0% AR 0 0.0% HI 0 0.0% ID 0 0.0% MD 0 0.0% MH 0 0.0% MA 0 0.0%
51 MI 0 0.0% MS 0 0.0% MN 0 0.0% ME 0 0.0% LA 0 0.0% IN 0 0.0% IL 0 0.0% IA 0 0.0% KS 0 0.0% KY 0 0.0% MO 0 0.0%
52 Male 26.8%
Female 73.2%
42. Sex
Value Count Percent % Statistics Female 153 73.2% Total Responses 209 Male 56 26.8% Skipped 1 Unanswered 1
53 18 to 29 2.4%
30 to 44 16.7%
60+ 29.0%
45 to 59 51.9%
43. Please Select Your Age Range
Value Count Percent % Statistics under 18 0 0.0% Total Responses 210 18 to 29 5 2.4% Skipped 0 30 to 44 35 16.7% Unanswered 0 45 to 59 109 51.9% 60+ 61 29.1%
54 RN 0.5% DDS 0.5% M.D. 0.5% GED 1.9% n/a 3.8% Ph.D. 4.3% BS or BA 33.3% Other medical 6.2%
MS or MA 20.0%
High School 29.0%
44. Highest degree achieved: (Please review your answer after you select it to be sure it is correct).
Value Count Percent % Statistics BS or BA 70 33.3% Total Responses 210 High School 61 29.1% Skipped 0 MS or MA 42 20.0% Unanswered 0 Other medical 13 6.2% Ph.D. 9 4.3% n/a 8 3.8% GED 4 1.9% M.D. 1 0.5% DDS 1 0.5% RN 1 0.5%
55 Yes 100.0%
47. Anonymous Use: Do you give us permission to incorporate your answers and comments given in this questionnaire: into a research database to be used in our analysis and report which may eventually be presented, as anonymous data only, in legal proceedings, at conferences and/or published, including permission for us to quote some of your comments anonymously? [Your personally identifiable information - last name, street address, email and phone number - will remain in a secure SurveyGizmo computer database. Neither SurveyGizmo nor the author of this survey will share any of your personally identifiable information with anyone. The author will use your phone number to contact you only if there is a problem with your survey.]
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 210 100.0% Total Responses 210 No 0 0.0% Skipped 0 Unanswered 0
56 No 10.0%
Yes 90.0%
48. Limited Confidential Disclosure: Anonymous data carry very little weight in regulatory or legal proceedings. Therefore in order for your data to be convincing in such proceedings, it must include at least your full name and street address. If you answered "Yes" to the previous question concerning permission to use anonymously, do you give us further permission to use all (except email and phone) of your answers and comments given in this questionnaire, including full name and street address, subject to confidentiality restrictions (i.e., disclosable only to parties to proceedings who are bound by sworn confidentiality obligations not to disclose any personal information), in regulatory/legal proceedings concerning smart meters, including in the pending investigation of smart meters by the Maine Public Utilities Commission? (Your email and phone will not be revealed under any conditions. If you did not supply your last name, street address, email and phone number where requested in previous questions, please reconsider doing so.) [Aside from this limited and confidential disclosure, your personally identifiable information (last name, street address, email and phone number) will remain in a secure SurveyGizmo computer database, accessible only to the author of this survey via a secure password. All surveys and data reside on SurveyGizmo's servers, which use Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256 bit encryption, the method used by banks and by the US National Security Agency for classified top secret information. There are multiple layers of proactive security, and data are never exported, sold, rented or used in any way by SurveyGizmo.]
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 188 90.0% Total Responses 209 No 21 10.1% Skipped 1 Unanswered 1
57 58 Severe & Worsened
Number of respondents who checked both Severe & Worsened
Insomnia 37
Ringing, buzzing/tinnitus 22
Pressure in Head 17
Difficulty concentrating 37
Headaches 33
Heart racing, arrhythmia 18
Memory problems 11
Agitation 26
Dizziness 22
Fatigue 52
SYMPTOMS AFTER SMART METER SYMPTOMS Tingling, burning skin 11
Involuntary muscle contractions 8
Eye/vision problems 12
Numbness 12
25 50 75 Number of Respondents j
59 Severe & New Moderate & New
Number of Respondents
Insomnia 66 16
Ringing, buzzing/tinnitus 61 37
Pressure in Head 53 80
Difficulty concentrating 51 48
Headaches 47 33
Heart racing, arrhythmia 47 32
Memory problems 44 29
Agitation 40 35
Dizziness 40 31
Fatigue 37 27 SYMPTOMS AFTER SMART METER AFTER SMART SYMPTOMS Tingling, burning skin 29 38
Involuntary muscle contractions 28 27
Eye/vision problems 17 38
Numbness 16 23
50 100 150 Number of Respondents
60 Exhibit I: 15. Group A: Symptom Intensity AFTER smart meters; click 1. Group B: Category-click 1.
A. Symptom Intensity AFTER Smart Meter Exposure B. Symptom Category MILD MODERATE SEVERE New Worsened 15.2% 40.0% 44.8% 63.6% 37.1% Agitation 22 58 65 91 53 Difficulty concentrating 10.2% 34.4% 55.4% 54.3% 46.3%
/attention deficits 16 54 87 88 75 21.9% 48.2% 32.5% 51.4% 48.6% Digestive problems 25 55 37 55 52 16.3% 37.8% 45.9% 67.2% 32.8% Dizziness 22 51 62 90 44 19.5% 58.6% 21.9% 57.7% 43.9% Eye/vision problems 25 75 28 71 54 8.3% 34.4% 58.0% 46.2% 53.8% Fatigue 13 54 91 73 85 27.4% 49.1% 23.6% 70.8% 29.2% Flu-like symptoms 29 52 25 75 31 12.2% 34.0% 53.8% 61.4% 38.6% Headaches 19 53 84 94 59 Heart racing, arrhythmia or 12.2% 39.6% 48.2% 69.9% 30.1% palpitations 17 55 67 93 40 33.3% 41.7% 26.7% 68.5% 31.5% High blood pressure 20 25 16 37 17 10.0% 28.8% 61.2% 56.0% 44.6% Insomnia 17 49 104 94 75 27.6% 39.0% 35.2% 73.5% 27.6% Involuntary muscle contractions 29 41 37 72 27 37.8% 44.4% 17.8% 41.9% 58.1% Low blood pressure 17 20 8 13 18 16.2% 43.4% 40.4% 64.3% 35.7% Memory problems 22 59 55 90 50 54.1% 34.4% 11.5% 75.5% 24.5% Nosebleeds 33 21 7 40 13 29.0% 43.0% 29.0% 60.6% 41.5% Numbness in hands or feet 29 43 29 57 39 13.4% 34.3% 53.0% 76.3% 23.7% Pressure in head 18 46 71 100 31 21.1% 50.0% 30.0% 62.0% 38.0% Respiratory problems 19 45 27 49 30 Ringing, buzzing or tone in 11.0% 36.0% 53.0% 67.3% 32.7% ears/tinnitus 18 59 87 109 53 19.1% 45.5% 36.4% 75.5% 25.5% Tingling, burning or itching skin 21 50 40 80 27 Tingling, burning or itching 27.7% 41.5% 30.8% 77.4% 22.6% internally 18 27 20 48 14
61 15. GROUP A: Symptom Intensity AFTER smart meters; click only one box:
Symptom Intensity AFTER Smart Meter Exposure MILD MODERATE SEVERE Total 15.2% 40.0% 44.8% 100% Agitation 22 58 65 145 10.2% 34.4% 55.4% 100% Difficulty concentrating/attention deficits 16 54 87 157 21.9% 48.2% 32.5% 100% Digestive problems 25 55 37 114 16.3% 37.8% 45.9% 100% Dizziness 22 51 62 135 19.5% 58.6% 21.9% 100% Eye/vision problems 25 75 28 128 8.3% 34.4% 58.0% 100% Fatigue 13 54 91 157 27.4% 49.1% 23.6% 100% Flu-like symptoms 29 52 25 106 12.2% 34.0% 53.8% 100% Headaches 19 53 84 156 12.2% 39.6% 48.2% 100% Heart racing, arrhythmia or palpitations 17 55 67 139 33.3% 41.7% 26.7% 100% High blood pressure 20 25 16 60 10.0% 28.8% 61.2% 100% Insomnia 17 49 104 170 27.6% 39.0% 35.2% 100% Involuntary muscle contractions 29 41 37 105 37.8% 44.4% 17.8% 100% Low blood pressure 17 20 8 45 16.2% 43.4% 40.4% 100% Memory problems 22 59 55 136 54.1% 34.4% 11.5% 100% Nosebleeds 33 21 7 61 29.0% 43.0% 29.0% 100% Numbness in hands or feet 29 43 29 100 13.4% 34.3% 53.0% 100% Pressure in head 18 46 71 134 21.1% 50.0% 30.0% 100% Respiratory problems 19 45 27 90 11.0% 36.0% 53.0% 100% Ringing, buzzing or tone in ears/tinnitus 18 59 87 164 19.1% 45.5% 36.4% 100% Tingling, burning or itching skin 21 50 40 110 27.7% 41.5% 30.8% 100% Tingling, burning or itching internally 18 27 20 65
62 15. GROUP B: Symptom Category; click only one box:
Symptom Category New Worsened Total
100% 63.6% 37.1% Agitation 91 53 143 54.3% 46.3% 100% Difficulty concentrating/attention deficits 88 75 162 51.4% 48.6% 100% Digestive problems 55 52 107 67.2% 32.8% 100% Dizziness 90 44 134 57.7% 43.9% 100% Eye/vision problems 71 54 123 46.2% 53.8% 100% Fatigue 73 85 158 70.8% 29.2% 100% Flu-like symptoms 75 31 106 61.4% 38.6% 100% Headaches 94 59 153 69.9% 30.1% 100% Heart racing, arrhythmia or palpitations 93 40 133 68.5% 31.5% 100% High blood pressure 37 17 54 56.0% 44.6% 100% Insomnia 94 75 168 73.5% 27.6% 100% Involuntary muscle contractions 72 27 98 41.9% 58.1% 100% Low blood pressure 13 18 31 64.3% 35.7% 100% Memory problems 90 50 140 75.5% 24.5% 100% Nosebleeds 40 13 53 60.6% 41.5% 100% Numbness in hands or feet 57 39 94 76.3% 23.7% 100% Pressure in head 100 31 131 62.0% 38.0% 100% Respiratory problems 49 30 79 67.3% 32.7% 100% Ringing, buzzing or tone in ears/tinnitus 109 53 162 75.5% 25.5% 100% Tingling, burning or itching skin 80 27 106 77.4% 22.6% Tingling, burning or itching internally 100% 48 14
63 CommentsQ46, Jan30 Survey: Smart Meter Health Effects Survey (Live Dec. 4, 2012)
46. You can enter additional heath-related comments in the space provided below, including if you wish, a short summary of the impacts smart meters have had on your life. (Your entry is limited to 300 words).
ResponseID Response 1 SMs installed 1/24/12. Felt fine until went to bed on 1/24/12, sick all night and woke up 1/25/12 really sick. Discovered SM on neighbor's house outside my bedroom window 25 feet from head of my bed. Called FPL and confirmed meter had been installed on prior afternoon. Haven't had a single good day or decent night's sleep since installation. It was a dramatic change in my health, which has continued to deteriorate. I've had a dramatic change in my behavior/personality, too. I cry at the drop of a hat. I get irritable and argumentative. Restless to the point of pacing. I've developed a cough over the last month not associated with any cold, influenza, etc. I attribute it to worsening health from RF radiation. I have lost roughly 18 years of progress in my treatment of my CFIDS and MCS. My CFIDS had been quite mild, but now is almost as bad as when I first got sick 23 years ago. My MCS has gotten somewhat worse, too. 3 Smart meters have restricted my access to friends, family, public services, and certain neighborhoods. Ban them. 6 my life is over.havent slept in 3 yrs now.my cats are being tortured by the devices as well,and there is no where to go.i have parkinsons like symptoms frequently,all good memories of my life are gone.no one left to call,no where to go,no way to get there.doctor is more harm than good,politicians dont care.billions of bats and frogs thrived here before "deployment.they and all life in the creek are gone forever now.trees are dying a slow death for miles,and if it werent for leaving a kid and 6 feline family members behind ...well...i really see no reason to live.there is no more joy in my life.it is a constant stressfull struggle each and every day with no light at the end of the tunnel.mercury/cadmium/nickel dentistry started my disabilities,and smartmeters zapped what life i had left.hope the dentists and utilities profiting enjoy their beachfront houses.their professions have cost me all hope for a normal life.if there were justice in this world,these people and their poisonous products would be behind bars.my friend has gone from 235lbs to 400+lbs. since this program started,and he will need oxygen tanks soon.his dad died relatively soon after deployment.the cells of every living creature in this state is under constant and consistent stress.god help us all 8 Type A personality, loved to work. Had had chemical sensitivity for years. Big mold toxin exposure made me super MCS and gradually EMF sensitive. Smart meters made me even more EMF sensitive, and now homeless and unable to work for the last 4 years. Biggest loss is the joy of being able to work, and to be productive, not just the financial loss which has been huge. Life for the past 4
64 years has been totally about survival. Had to get out of escrow 7 times, 1/2 from mold and 1/2 from nearby wi-fi. Electrical sensitivity is real and extremely limiting - few safe places to go free of EMF. Family (except for wife, who is also electrically sensitive) don't believe me - that's the worst - because it is an intangible, invisible disability that they have never experienced themselves. 9 I am electrosensitive and have taken measures to limit exposure to EMF/RF. I do not have WiFi in my home. I refused installation of a smart meter by SMUD and have been active in trying to bring awareness to this issue. Recently via a public records request, I found out that SMUD installed a digital meter on my home in 2007 without my permission. According to SMUD, this meter sends out an RF pulse every 30 seconds . This correlates with onset and aggravation of many health related symptoms to myself and my family. My son's bedroom and bed is not far from this meter. He was entering the 4th grade when this meter was installed. In 3rd grade, he was recommended for a special program for advanced and gifted children. In 4th grade, he refused to write or draw saying, "I can't". Later, behavioral problems developed. In 2010, he was evaluated and deemed to have ADD. He continues to struggle and has also complains of ringing in his ears. He is also fatigued and irritable. I also thought it was odd that he never dreams. I believe the digital meter is responsible for this. According to my research, RF/EMF affects the brain and disrupts proteins needed for brain function. This is backed by more than 2300 research studies, many done by the Naval Medical Research Institute and Yale showing repeatable harmful results. How can this be ignored and disregarded because the FCC says 'no thermal radiation', so it's safe. This is outrageous!!! I want these dirty polluting health wrecking devices off of my home and a return to safe analog meters nationwide. No one deserves to suffer like this. Even those that do not notice the effects are still getting a cumulative exposure that will eventually cause damage. 12 Before smart meters, I had worked in an office full of computers and wi-fi and had no electrical sensitivities. I had not even heard of electrical sensitivities, and had no concerns about smart meters. Both my wife and myself began to develop mysterious symptoms that we never had before, and then more than a week after the symptoms began, we discovered that smart meters had been installed before we first developed the symptoms. Because of smart meter exposure I am now extremely electrically sensitive and can no longer safely live in our San Francisco home. I went from being a perfectly healthy 35 year old to being electrically sensitive in a matter of weeks. The limitations of this condition are extraordinary. I do not know how much longer I will be able to work at my financial services firm. Nor do I know how much longer I will be able to live in a city or town with a cell phone tower. Once a person becomes sensitized to microwave radiation, life becomes completely different, and difficult. I have constant headaches, unless I am in nature. My ears ring if I am within miles of a cell tower. I have fatigue if I am around wi-fi for too long. Using a cell phone for calls or internet functions has become impossible. I used all of the above technology just 15 short months ago with no problems. I had no idea such technology could be harmful. Now my wife and I search for a safe place to live and I look back fondly on the days I could use a computer without symptoms. I know that many, many others are going through similar situations - all since
65 installation of smart meters. Something must be done. 15 In January 2012, during our absence while boondocking near Bouse, Arizona, thirteen smartmeters were installed within 2.5 metres from our townhouse's outside wall, in BC Hydro's Electrical Room. My wife and I have felt the negative effects ever since our return on the 29th of February, each with different symptoms. She is 71 and I am 70. Note that we do not have a smartmeter for our own townhouse unit, as this is still an analog meter, located in between the smartmeters. We call it the "Lone Ranger" and have asked BC Hydro several times to remove the thirteen smartmeters, without any response. Our initial request not to have a smartmeter was granted by BC Hydro. We are afraid that they will come one of these days and replace it anyway. Our townhouse is listed "For Sale" with a realtor. The natural gas company (FortisBC) now wants to install four AMS devices on the outside wall of our townhouse. This will aggravate the situation and decrease the "relatively safe living space" in our townhouse. We have not even been in our living room for the past half a year! One additional thing: After our return from Arizona, we started to use another car that we had bought in December 2011. This is a 2003 GMC Tracker - with more internal electronics than our former car, a 1997 Nissan Altima. While driving, my lower legs hurt in this vehicle, and never did before. Our other vehicle is a 1993 GMC Sierra 1-ton diesel truck, used to pull our 5th wheel trailer with solar panels and a small inverter. In a few weeks, we hope to test our health again by escaping our townhouse. This past summer, we went to Alberta for three weeks and our health condition improved in the trailer. 17 The side effects got worse neurologically for me it took months for me to recover after the smart meters were removed from my neighbors homes. I did not have a meter on my home. I called FPL and begged them to remove the meters that I was very ill they declined and I had a seizure and was rushed by EMS to the ER. 20 Since the smart meter GRID was placed in my community, I cannot sleep. I opted out but two of my immediate neighbors didn't. Worse, the electric poles with big new transformers are right outside my house and I experiencing an electric pulse under me all night long. I can't sleep. My CPUC complaint was ignored (I got a boiler plate response back), and I have done tons of remediation in my house to isolate the problem, and am sure it is due to the smart meters and smart meter grid. I am selling my house and moving to off grid Dominica. My survival is at stake. 22 Ability to work or find a place to work, visit friends, go to the post office, go grocery shopping, etc be active in my community or play has become impossible. I need to move again and it is getting increasingly more difficult to find a community where I can live. This is depressing enough but I worry about the depression that can set in when I'm inadvertently exposed as more and more territory around me is being installed. Now i have become so sensitized that driving through areas is incredibly uncomfortable. It sucks when you have to decide where to live based on the electric company you will be paying for service. I moved to FL for the sun and sand not expecting to get burnt and now I can't live on any stretch of coast line due to the metering. I sure as heck didn't
66 expect to get burnt. What has happened to right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? 23 I have never felt the range of symptoms that I did with the meters. Never had one on my home but got very ill. Only after nearest neighbor's was removed did I see any improvement. Could be life threatening if forced to have on my home, or nearest neighbor. 25 I have never lived close to a SM until Nov 1. I moved into a new house with a SM. I started having dizzy spells often right away. I own a Gauss meter and after a few weeks, thought to use it. It pegs everytime I am dizzy. The level on the Gauss meter is low (under .1 mG) when the SM is not transmitting. I am going to buy a Hf 35C reader this week to measure. There are no other strong signals, including no cell towers within 2 miles. I live 3 blks from the Governor's house, so maybe this area is relatively protected. I have some metallic material that helps somewhat. I have been wearing it on my head. Unfortunately, I have very little money right now to spend on stuff. I went to our PUC meeting a week ago and gave a statement about my health. I am writing the PUC, NV Electric, and my congressmen today. 26 I had lived in my apartment in San Francisco for 20 years. In October of 2011 Smartmeters were installed in my building. I was not aware they had been installed, and did not become aware that they were there until January of 2012. Within weeks I couldn’t breathe normally, concentrate or think. I developed hives all over my face in November 2011. I couldn’t eat or sleep. In December I started to get heart palpitations and shortness of breath. This was unusual for me because I am a dancer and bike rider and have always been in good shape. I was no longer able to work in my home. In January 2012 I finally discovered the presence of the smart meters; I had been having symptoms from them for about three months without knowing they were present. On Jan. 29, 2012 I moved out of my apartment: on that day I lost my home, my job and livelihood and the desire to live. I had been on the verge of a nervous breakdown when my friend Eleanor Gomez picked me up and took me to her home that did not have a Smartmeter. My symptoms began to diminish immediately. A few days later I went to the country and my symptoms disappeared completely within a week. To avoid Smartmeters, on March 3, 2012 I moved to Lancaster, PA, the town I grew up in, to start my life over again. Lancaster, Pennsylvania does not have Smartmeters yet and I am now fully recovered, although I still develop symptoms when exposed to EMF from computers and some other electronic devices. I have started my business and am fully functional and able to work and support myself once again. 27 In 1998, installed RF meters. My son, who was an infant screamed in his crib. The RF meter, was -ONE FOOT from his head. My symptoms started later when the gas company installed the 2nd meter. With tingling, burning and muscle weakness , eyes hurt, ears ring, Daily nausea and dizziness. My kids got food allergies and MCS. My kids cannot tolerate wi-fi. My daughter gets migraines and vomiting. I got a doctors note and had them all removed in 2011. We still get RF readings in our home/ I don't know if it's my neighbor's A T & T Uverse wireless system. A neighbor on each side of us has A T & T Uverse. . We are
67 ready to move, as soon as we can afford to. Smart meters are making people sick and should be banned. 30 Great survey. Smart meters have ruined my ability to interact socially and go in public safely. I must avoid cell phones, cell towers, wifi, and these are everywhere. Am very upset about this. Can't travel at all, and it is progressive. Worse gradually. Smart meters still all over my neighborhood, in close proximity, even though I have opted out. 35 I am a retired police/corrections officer, with training in objective accurate observation and reporting. I trained at the State of Washington Officers Training Academy, where I placed first in my class of about 150 to 175 Officers. The questions I answered above were a description of my initital smart meter exposure, which was at my Mother's house, to a single Sensus smart meter in Benton County PUD, in Prosser WA. I had not found out that a smart meter was present until about 3 weeks after my initial exposure. Where I live now most of the time is in the city of Orange in Orange County CA, in Southern California Edison territory. I have approximately 72 Itron AMI smart meters near me in my townhome complex (I am the president of my Casitas Santiago Residents' Association). I hear a constant buzzing that is driving me crazy. It keeps me awake and makes it hard to think. I am not sure if it is an actual sound, or if it is being generated inside my head, because when I put my fingers or earplugs in my ears I still hear it. A low tone buzzing is constant, 24/7. In addition, at about every 15 or 20 minutes, a more intense whine is added that lasts for about 12- 15 seconds, that hurts and gives me a mild headache which stops when the whine stops. Then in addition, between 3 and 4 AM a yet louder high-pitched whine is layered on top of the buzzing that wakes me up, giving me an instant migraine-like headache that lasts for the about 22 seconds that the louder whine lasts. Most of my neighbors were on a delay for installation and most couldn't afford any opt-out fee with the economy the way it is. My symptoms have gotten much worse since most of the neighborhood as been deployed with smart meters. For the first time I have a racing heart beat. But when I go out into the state and regional parks around me where there are NO smart meters for miles, I no longer hear the buzzing and my heart doesn't race. This is also true for my mother and for a friend that also can hear the buzzing of the smart meters. The HAN further increased my symptoms since it has been deployed. 36 Racing heart has increased severely since the installation of smart meters. I have been hospitalized several times as a result. My blood pressure has gone up and I have had a mini-stroke since the smart meter was put in. I've had to take more medications. When my daughter took me to a park area without any smart meters my symptoms totally disappeared even though I was hiking and my heart rate should have gone up. Within 1 hour of returning to an area with smart meters my irregular/racing heart rate began again. 38 The noise I have in my head since smart meters is almost unbearable, sleep is at times impossible because it is so loud. The noise only goes away or lessens when I get out of town and away from power lines, etc. My only choice seems to be to move away from town and live without any electricity at all, but am unable to at this time due to finances. I feel like a "rat in a cage!" I used to laugh
68 people who told me that had electrical sensitivity and could sometimes hear electricity, and now I have become one of them. 40 The smart meter was installed against my wishes while I was out. As soon as I got home and got on the porch, before the door was even open, my face and arms started burning as if I had a bad sunburn, it intensified as I got inside. I went to see if the smart meter had been installed, and it had. It was removed about 2hrs. later, and the symptoms from it stopped almost immediately. It was also causing a lot of tension in my body, which I marked as agitation, since there wasn't anything quite like it to check. I'm not sure I could've stayed in the house the entire night with it on. I still get some problems as the powerline still pulses, though the meter is out. They are all around the valley. The fully wireless ones I expect will be far worse here. I can barely stand being here, or in town with all the EMF, 4G now. The new meters are terrible. This is a crime against humanity, with the amounts of people being affected and expected to rise to 50% of pop. in the next few years! 41 I took no notice when smart meters were attached to my house in January 2010, without notification by my utility, nor my express permission. I didn’t notice that one by one, smart meters were being installed on homes to either side of mine, and all around my neighborhood. I didn’t notice that slowly but surely, my entire city was being outfitted with smart meters… until one day in October 2011 I wondered why I awoke each morning feeling dizzy, with nosebleeds, blurred vision, ringing in my ears, and migraine headaches. I wondered why when I was just sitting and watching TV or reading, my heart would often skip a beat, and bizarre muscle tremors would inexplicably spasm muscles on my face, arms, legs, and all over my body as if I’d just been given an invisible electric shock. When I spent ten days away from my home and away from smart meters in Maui, I was amazed at how much better I felt. Gone were all the symptoms which I’d been thinking might have been signs of sudden aging. When I returned home, all the aforementioned symptoms returned, and I wondered what could be causing them. In January 2012, a couple of months later, I caught strep throat and felt sicker than I’d ever been in my life. Unable to feel comfortable anywhere in the house, due to feelings of pain in my head, eyes, ears, heart, and all over my body I slept on the living room floor, and turned my full attention to the question of what, exactly, was making me feel so terribly sick. I saw online my symptoms matched microwave sickness. I’ve never owned or used any kind of cell phone, but have had WiFi inhouse for years. 43 I can't think clearly, or find words when speaking; my body feels like it is vibrating, I can't figure out what I am feeling - then I know i have to get out my house for at least the day, or leave for a few days. I can't tell what I'm feeling...in overwhelm. 50 I am and always have been an EXTREMELY healthy, fit and active individual. I did not for one moment expect that I would be effected by EMF exposure because of the level of both physical and emotional health that I enjoy. I have consciously chosen to avoid EMF exposure in my home as much as possible, for my own benefit and ESPECIALLY for my 10 year old child and his long term heath. My immediate concern about the 'wireless smart meters' was primarily the
69 fire hazard. I have stood firm in this, and to date I do not have a meter on MY half of the duplex I live in. I discovered the new meter had been installed on my neighbor's half of the home, 2 weeks after the installation. It is 5 feet from my livingroom couch, and less than 20 feet from my bed. I have never, ever, ever in my life suffered from sleeplessness, insomnia, or headaches. I experienced my first sleepless night the same night the meter was installed. (When I discovered the meter - 2 weeks later - I had a discussion with my neighbor and the installation date was Exactly the first night I couldn't sleep.) It has been 6 weeks now since the meter was installed, I have NOT had a full & deep nights sleep since then. There is a constant mild pressure type headache in my head. I have extreme difficulty concentrating on business tasks, which is not good as I work from home! The meter on my building is one, and there are 2 others in close proximity, my neighbor on the other side, and the house directly behind mine. ***Note the survey system forced me to pick a 'state'. I live in Canada, Not Alaska :-) 54 My whole life is changed because of smart meters. I did not receive proper information about smart meters and the possible health hazards they may cause before consenting to the device being installed. Now I have been stuck with the devices not only on my house, but on my neighbors' houses for 4 months. I am positive (as a healthcare professional) that I am now "electrosensitive" and that my exposure to the radiofrequencies from the smart meters have caused this condition. I have called the utilities numerous times, testified before and submitted comments and complaints to the PUC, and notified my local and state government representatives and media about my health concerns related to this device. Still, after 4 months, my 2 year old daughter and myself are subjected to these obviously unhealthy levels of radiofrequencies whenever we are at home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is clearly unethical. Apparently the PUC and NV Energy have finally drafted an opt out program where we will be able to receive a "non communicating" meter at an additional cost. But I am unsure of when this will actually occur and appalled that my and others' health conditions due to this device have basically been ignored this whole time. This is a huge public health concern. The scientific evidence is growing that there are indeed non-thermal biological/cellular changes produced by low level RF, especially the type of "pulsed" RF that the smart meters emit. I hope that Maine and other states do the safe thing for the public and call for moratoriums on these devices until the appropriate amount of data can be gathered to make further decisions. Until then I live in fear of what these devices are doing to myself, my child, and everyone else. 57 since smart meter installed I've become progressively more EMF sensitive; this summer I visited a friend in a WiFi city (Mpls, MN) and now I have symptoms when I'm in the kitchen (meter on outside kitchen wall) after 10- 15 minutes. #20 dizziness decreases within minutes but blood pressure can stay high for hours after a significant exposure. #39 I greatly limit my time in public bldgs. eg. My local Costco installed WiFi in the last month or so and I didn't know there had been a change until I recognized the symptoms of dizziness and disorientation after a half hour of shopping. 58 we were able to get the smart meter off within 15 months of it's placement
70 because it caused interference with our garage doors (caused them to open and close at all times of day and night) That's how we discovered for sure it was the sm that caused the insomonia and headaches. 69 I became electrically sensitive almost immediately upon smart meter installation. My ears buzz, hum, and click constantly, pressure in the head and ears, racing heart, and pressure on the chest, agitation and irritability all since the electric PLC smart meter was placed on my home. Idaho Power and the Public Utilities Commission have denied my requests to allow me to use an analog meter, and now gas and water are installing their meters.. There are hundreds of antennas/transmitters which have recently been installed around town to go along with the meters. This makes it impossible for me to enjoy walking my dogs in my nieghborhood or garden. The songbirds have even left. I can no longer attend church or go about my daily bsuiness without being negatively affected by these new devices. I was able to vacation recently where there was no smart meter installed and it felt as if a vice had been loosened from around my head, The buzzing in my ears stopped after a few days. It was life on earth as it used to be, but then I had to return to this new reality and be tortured again. And to add to this torture, I haven't found a local doctor who understands ES, and most people think it's just all in our heads because they don't "feel" it. 73 SMs have changed my life. I have been sick in my home for over two years, unable to attend concerts/shows/museum exhibits or go to restaurants/malls/stores at will. My work has been attenuated to a minimum; my income has been slashed considerably. I continue to experience intense pressure in my head and ringing in my ears. My home of 35 years is no longer a sanctuary for me. I worry constantly, especially for the young people whose bodies are developing in the presence of unbridled wireless technology. 75 I contacted the Electric Co-op after learning of the smart meter and conducting my own research on SM's. I expressed my health concerns to them. They were unsympathetic and stated they have spent a large sum of money to install them and removing them would not happen. I also received a letter from their eng. dept. stating they did their research, found the type of smart meter used to have NO side effects and to keep in mind that they also have families they are concerned about as well and would do nothing to jeopardize them such as placing SM's on their homes and affecting their families. I have been searching for a measurement meter to actually measure the output of these smart meters but so far have found nothing that will perform this task. I also spoke to one of the managers at the Coop about SM's, his comment was: We've spent too much money to even consider removing them. 85 I first noticed the Smart Meter problems because the meter caused havoc on the electricity in my house--flame came out of one socket and other sockets became totally unusable. I had that meter replaced with another Smart Meter--I had asked for the analog back and thought they had put me back on analog but I discovered that they had covered the Smart Meter lettering with a sticker saying something else. The health symptoms manifest GRADUALLY so it would be easy to not notice or to say it is just old age. That is why this technology is so dangerous--it is eating away at the health of everyone because our brain and
71 entire nervous system are electro-magnetic. This technology is dumbing down the entire population. 87 I could not sleep for more than 4 hours at a time. Since moving to a home in a smart meter neighborhood (APS) with an analog my arms legs and forehead go numb. My 14 year old son has the same problem only when visiting. 90 Living in fear of a fire. Having many electric items fail and malfunction. I listed all of them with the Michigan Public service Commision but nobody cares. My health was very run down due to trying to inform 50 of my neighbors last January 2012. Not one person knew anything about these deadly meters! 91 the sleeping issues are out of hand. My brain feels like it is flipping inside my head when I lay down, I am dizzy when I get in to that half of my bedroom to the point of having to hold on to things and I am so restless it is not funny. I wake up constantly, and my back is always extra stiff. I know about the dates because a man came to "check the meter" on our gated property when we were leaving, It was a couple of days later afyer the symptoms started that I went and saw that I had a new meter outside my bedroom, which I only checked because I could not understand the dizziness, which is scary. I actually thought I had a brain tumor all of a sudden. I can sleep anywhere else with no problems, ie: car, work, and I experience no dizziness or "brain flipping" anywhere else. This is very disturbing. 92 All symptoms except the tiniitus (buzzing in my ears) have gone away since the removal of the smart meter 93 I have constant head ringing (not tinnitus - ear ringing). Feels as if I am drugged all the time with this high pitched frequencies overlay on my awareness. Low attention span, poor memory, fatigue, and attitude affected. Some days worse than others. Looking for place to move - extremely difficult in Southern Calif where is high density, w/o moving far away from my place of work. 97 The smart meter killed my father and our family cat, and we almost lost our daughter. It gave my mother instant dementia because it was mounted on the wall behind her reading chair where she sat each day. I can't work and now I am a care giver for my mother. One hydro executive told me the meter transmitted every 4 hours. Another executive said it transmitted every 2-3 hours. The CEO told me it transmitted every hour. In fact it was continually transmitting. They also said the meter company was financially sound and made the best meters. I later found out the Sensus meter company was millions in debt in 2008, 2009, and Mar 31 2010 their indebtedness was $465.9 million dollars. Their own engineer said the Flex Net icon meters are dangerous and had 20 times the defective issues and were never safety tested. Peco Energy in Pennsylvania have recently removed 186,000 Sensus meters for starting house fires. Peco hired 3 independent companies to run safety tests and the meters failed. The metering manager at hydro said the meters are volatile and can explode if dropped. They also had solder & flux problems. These issues were identified by the Sensus engineer & he was fired. The meter robbed my daughter of her career. She graduated from university on the Dean's Honours List and was going for her masters when the meter was installed. She became so sick and it prevented her from entering the program because she couldn't think straight or concentrate, let
72 alone use a laptop in school anymore. The smart meter has caused nothing but death and destruction in my family but nobody will listen to us. The city won't listen to our health issues because they own hydro and have the most to lose. 98 Making me lose enough sleep and feel sick enough during the day that I cannot wait to get outside away from these that are in buildings as well as my own home, and making me unable to consider taking a job which I NEED to get because I feel so ill/weak around them. 101 It is not uncommon for me to receive a piercing pain by my temple and have bouts of nausea all day lasting 2-3 min. I have documented my EMF sensitivity with my doctors, both of whom have removed smart meters from their offices in response to numerous patient complaints. I have a masters degree in psychology and have studied enough to know that I am being affected by something external. Perhaps I'm particularly sensitive, but should extra-sensitive humans be summarily dismissed just because the majority of the populace seems unaffected? I think not. 102 I really wish my ears would stop ringing 103 The Smart Meters , six of them were placed on our one Bedroom Quadraplex's unknown to us living there. The Harbor Springs, Mich. utility company put them on in February 2010. I reported to my doctor that I was waking up suddenly for some reason about every hour. I was tired all of the time , increased body temperature. Almost like I was having hot flashes...So she sent me in for a Sleep Apnea testing and they said for some autonomic reason I was waking up and going into REM or DREAM sleep. That cost my insurance $ 5,000 for the test plus the doctors were $750 and I had to have it done again with the C-Pap machine cost $1500, plus ordering equipment every month. I complied with it the program wore it every night but I was still waking up, according to my print out...but the machine was also giving off EMF's I think...It wasn't until I went to put my rakes away in the room where the water Smart Meter was with the manager of our complex and saw the square black box....I said to John what is that? He said it some new meter that the city put on last February. I looked at the label on it , took down the ITRON numbers and looked them up on the Internet...I called them many times and spoke with sales people, warehouse man, security officer, who described the lab where they are made that they line it with Copper in the lab so they don't get ilil from the EMF's when they test them....he then gave me the salesman whom I spoke for several hours with He and Harbor Springs City manager kept saying they were safe according to W.H.O. The City Commissioners were very snotty. 104 I was exposed to three digital utility meters, 2- AMR and 1-digital which the utility co. claimed, had no antenna. All of these meters made me sick. In 2007, I first developed heart symptoms at our weekend home, where the AMR meter was 150 feet away from our house, connected by underground wiring. I had my heart checked. Doc found no heart problem. Everything got worse after the utility co. installed an AMR meter at our full time home. In 2010, I was able to convince them to remove that meter but they replaced it with another digital electric meter which they claimed had no antenna and no RF. Still I was so ill, I thought I was going to die. They finally removed all digital meters and replaced
73 them with analog meters and the worst of the symptoms have never come back. Now the utility companies in New York are refusing to remove any more meters, including on homes where doctors letters have been presented. I also had to present a doctors letter which I found to be disgusting. What right does a utility company have to my medical information? 105 Smart meters have directly effected my life, making it nearly impossible for me to live in society as we know it. I am unable to sleep in places that are near these meters, cannot work near them or be near them at all. I also cannot drive past them sometimes without getting hit with their pulses. They have made my life hellish. 106 I filled out my survey for out family cottage property, because before smart meters all my es symptoms would disappear within 24 hours of arrival. I have suffered from worsening rf exposure-induced tinnitus over the last 6 years, and it was wonderful to have it disappear completely at the cottage. My well-being would also increase markedly whenever I was up north. Once smart meters went in, my tinnitus got worse when I was in the cottage - very high-pitched and loud. If I managed to spend the day away (canoeing or hiking) it would go away, but come back overnight - very clearly caused by the smart meter. It is very sad to have a refuge of sorts ruined by smart meter technology. We have measured a series of rf spikes from the meter about every 2 hours on our Cornet - the highest ones just over a milliwatt, more often in the hundreds of microwatts. But my es was probably initiated by living about 400 meters from cell towers for a dozen years. (I have never used any wireless technology and never had even a microwave oven in my home.) (i have given my Toronto address. Cottage property is 66 Suter Drive, Kawartha Lakes, Ontario - don't know the postal code.) 107 I no longer stay with family and friends who have smartmeters on their homes and I avoid businesses where the meter is near to where I would have to be. When I travel I request a room that is furthest from the meters. My main symptom is that I cannot sleep when I get in a high EMF/RF environment. 108 The smart meters on and near my home cause me to have sporadic irregular heart beats which stop as soon as I move away. I also experience respiratory problems when in close contact with the meters, usuallt when I am working out as the area is just below where the meter is mounted on my home and just 15 feet from my neighbour's. 112 The EM1000 is transmitting information along the power lines and the radiation is being fed back into our house wiring. Since the metres have been installed I get extreme electrical fields throughout our home, throughout ceiling and power points there is 1,000 volts/metre. My tinnitus screams all night as the metres are turned ON from 11PM and continue all through the night. I am continually restless and I can't do anything about it.. My symptoms I judged as "ten out of ten" 119 Since Smart Meters went into our neighborhood, my insomnia, memory problems, inability to focus (ADD?) and daily massive fatigue have reduced my ability to do productive work to almost nil. 124 I want to move but don't know where to go because of smart meters. My house
74 does not currently have a SM although I had a digital and it blurred my vision instantly. It took 2 years to figure out what the problem was (I'd never heard of EHS). I'm most sensitive to WiFi/high level EMR, so cannot attend community events where WiFi is installed or everyone carries a cell phone, including hospital, university, schools, community centre/pool, coffee shops, public transportation, many restaurants. I get nauseated, dizzy and early Alzheimer's- type symptoms depending on strength of signals and duration of exposure. 45 minutes is about my limit, although I react instantly on a low-cloud-ceiling dry day. Can no longer volunteer with Operation Red Nose or folk festivals, or join social clubs that meet in WiFi environments. Can't visit my family because they have wireless stuff everywhere, smart meters, and telecom antennas nearby. Very lonely and frustrating. Met an EHS friend outside Starbucks one dry, low- ceiling day, and felt an energy cloud as I got out of my car, like opening a sauna door and the heat blasts out. Wifi'd grocery store is opposite Starbucks across parking lot, so I waited in the middle; when she arrived, we left ASAP. I itched instantly and would have been "sick and stupid" if I stayed. She's much more reactive than I am, so I'm very lucky so far. Phone me if you need higher level permission; I want to think about it. 125 My own smart meter is not yet transmitting due to hilly area. Had exposure at medical clinic which made me start reacting to my cordless mouse. Changed to corded model & covered in foil to aleviate symptoms. 126 I have lost my sense of overall peace, contentment and security in my own home. My house used to be a place of comforting refuge and relaxation. Now, it is a place I must reside, knowing I am radiated throughout the day with a toxin that probably will cause me cancer. In addition, the first two months after the meter was installed, my dog frantically pawed me throughout the day as if there was a fire in the house and she wanted to get out. 127 From the day the SM was installed, my whole family developed very strange symptoms. Severe ear ringing me and my 9 year old son) and dizziness (me), migraine (my husband), anxiety attacks and heart racing (my son), flue symptoms (whole family). Our 8 year Scottie dog developed bladder infection, didn't come out under the dresser and died 6 weeks later on kidney failure. The reason why we know for sure that all those things must have been triggered by the SM was that we only found out that we have a SM after one month of the symptoms above occurring. We didn't know why we had them until we made the connection. We immediately started to eliminate every additional EMR exposure by hard wiring our computer and phones, covering the SM and the walls behind it with Mylar sheets, started to detox and take additional antioxidants act. The symptoms got better within a couple of month. Unfortunately it was too late for our dog! 129 Have had three years of Nursing. Seem to be getting worse with the MCS. It is hard to avoid everything. Chemicals toxins-pesticides-fragerances food-paints- I feel the smart meters have added to my symptoms & we should not be charged to change. 130 Before the electric meter went in I had MCS, several years back. I did not notice any microwave/electrical sensitivity until after the smart meter was in. Another
75 factor was exposure to alternative test using machine (Vegga) with small current. After that, electrical (computer) symptoms noticable. Since exposure to pulsed microwaves is cumulative, the gas and electric meters (before I was aware of any problem) were exposing me 24/7. After I got headaches using a cell phone once in a while, and nerve/muscle stimulation/joint stiffening in WiFi, I figured out I should avoid these exposures. So, I fought installation of the 3rd smart meter for water. I opted out in 2010. But when my neighborhood all got them the environment became really bad in my home, too. (see form for symptoms) Recently after wireless county-wide broadband went in our home readings for ambient (non-smart meter) levels went from 6-8 µW/m2 to 50-120+ constant levels on every floor and outside. Now I cannot sleep without muscle/nerve stimulations. Must take sleeping pills and they do not help enough. I want you to also know that in Sept. 2012 when 4G phones rolled out in our area my home has become even worse as neighbors got them. These emissions paralyze my nervous system on top of stiffening my chestwall, etc. IN MY OWN HOUSE depending upon who is using these devices nearby. Our house acts like an antenna, and I can read emissions (including broadband pulse) ON OUR WIRING. Where can we move in Wisconsin? THey love wireless broadband and plan for it. People love the new phones. Would a forest protect me enough? We have to smart meter OPT OUT in the state, though I have been trying to get one. 133 The exposure/reactions noted were experienced at a small apt-building that I own at 115 Linda Lane, Palm Beach Shores, FL 33404. Four other apt- buildings East/West/NEast & NWest have 17-meters facing a common property line. I used to live there and now rent the property. If I lived there now I don't think I could survive. My greatest personal physical fear is that the bloody mucus that comes from my nose after a day of exposure indicates that capillaries in my brain are vulnerable. When I did major fixes of the apt recently, I had to budget my own exposure and take days off or take breaks at the 'safer' end of the property. I used every energy routine I knew to help maintain resilience on an hourly basis. I became irritated and literally screamed reactively to frustrations at home - these outbursts were so unusual and disconcerting to me. I thank God that I didn't have to sleep there. My handyman-helper experienced either headaches or major respiratory problems repeatedly after working in the yard near the meters. We moved his work area. PLEASE NOTE: the original 5 meters on my apt building were the GE AMI/SSN type. I had them removed by FPL within days of the first time I went to the building and felt them (immediately). But the 17 others closeby on neighbor's buildings are these GE AMI/SSNs. The replacements now on MY building are 4-Itron Watthour Meters with under the bar code: 1NS310047965UWSS and 1-Landis & Gyr code NXL092225647UWLL. I spoke up at a town meeting recently. I know via my ES-journey with uninformed doctors that it is easy to be misdiagnosed/fall into a vicious cycle of erroneous causes & effects...all costly financially and to one's health, confidence and quality of life. 134 If I do to somebody else's house or even to Loblaws for a few hours I do not have heart palpitations, nor seizures, nor high blood pressure nor do I get dizzy. After a few hours my body is relaxed. 135 During the week I had a smart meter on my home I was unable to relax enough
76 to sleep. I could not focus on any project long enough to complete any task during the entire week. I am electrically sensitive, but during the week we had the smart meter, I found that I was unable to use a computer, cook on our electric stove, watch tv, or use any other electrical device. It seemed to me that the smart meter was causing a "dirty power" current on the wiring inside our house. 141 Smart meters and the Tropos used for transmission to the Utility have dramatically impacted my life. I am never feeling well in the City in which I live. I drive much further for all services to be out of Naperville. I cannot sleep at night, have pains in my chest, have headaches, have respirator trouble, have increased allergic reactions to foods and the environment, I have coughing fits that make me feel as if I will not survive, my memory which was unusually sharp is now failing, my hearing is getting worse. These last two symptoms effects my career as I am regularly interviewed on the radio and do phone consultations. I cannot even leave the house to walk down the driveway to the mailbox without suffering symptoms which sometimes cause me to have to go to bed for a few hours. I cannot sit on my porch or work in the yard because of he neighbors smart meters. I hesitate to invite people over to my house as they suffer from headaches, pressure in their chests, and pains in the neck and shoulder area. I no longer invite friends to stay over as they suffer symptoms and cannot sleep. 143 My cat has also developed a horrible case of ES (on the farms it is called "stray voltage") and she has as many or more symptoms as I do. She is the proverbial "canary in the coalmine." The smart meter is on the north side of the house and she used to love to sit in the window on that side of the house, looking out the backyard. Now she spends all of her time in the room on the south side of the house, as far from the smart meter as she can get. This is absolutely NOT a coincidence. I have tried for 2 years to get Xcel to remove the smart meter and install an analog meter, but they insist the meters are safe. The Wi PSC has been worse than useless and continues to parrot the company line. 144 I can't tolerate wireless & have to leave any area with it. If a smart meter were put at my home I'd be forced to leave or be without any electric service as it makes me that sick. And in Tucson heat above 100 that is also impossible. Smart meters are deadly for people like me & I don't want my life destroyed by them. I must have an opt out. Also our nation needs to realise what all this wireless does to young children & wildlife & our pets who can't even speak for themselves.We already have too much wireless in our cities as it is with cell phones & wifi that are already affecting many & most don't realize that is the cause of why they don't feel well. To add in any more is absurd & the bad repercussions won't be known until afterwards. 148 I feel the SM's have added way too much to the EMF in our homes through long range transmitters. Everyday short range ones never bothered me. When the SM was installed I noticed many health problems arise. 151 All I can say is Thank GOD I don't have a smart meter at work from the way I feel at home or I'd lose my job! Being 'brain dead' at home is one thing, being that way at work would make me unable to function. The effects of the smart meter follow me for hours before I feel better though, and the brain fog isn't 'clearin up' it is staying with me.
77 153 I had the Smart Meters installed in my home and by the next morning I had severe nausua and headaches. I suffered for three months; went to the doctor several times; trying to figure out what was going on. After reading an article in the paper regarding someone else experiencing dizziness when they walked near the Smart Meter, I had them removed. I immediately felt better, no nausua. Had them installed again hoping to avoid the extra charges, and immediately got sick again. I object to the charges to opt out and the monthly charges....I have read the meters in my two family for over 40 years and I am now being charged by CMP to read them when I still have to read them myself....what a scam!! They really pulled the wool over the Public Utility Commission!!! 156 Exposure to smart meters in a new apartment tipped me into severe EHS within two weeks- at 30 days I was convulsing, and my cat died, too. I fled to my sister's where the local PUD tried to help me by replacing the old house meter (leaking dirty electricity) with a smart meter. I almost died from dropping into a coma-like state, but they returned a better analog; within seconds I came out of the fugue. But 25% of my hair immediate fell out. I had to quit my work, my Masters program, quit my rare Italian cheese importing business. Now I go to school on a disability program in order to finish my very important Master's thesis, but with entirely 'at home' study. My life has been ruined by smart meters. I can not find housing- my sister lives in a smart meter free community where the local PUD protects me from other meter exposure. I am homeless and miserable, hoping to find a farmhouse on a well and with septic with no meters. 162 I have known I am sensitive to wireless RF for over 10 years. Using a mobile or a wireless internet cause only minor irritation when used for a short duration. Going to shopping centers and Airports were not problematic. Even flying did not give me any apparent health issues. However after smart meters were installed in our street (in a meshed network) I suffered serious headaches. They have sensitized me to things that I was not sensitive to before. I get allergic reactions to my deodorant which has never happened before. I now get serious headaches when going to Shopping Centers and Airports or where there are crowds of people. I suspect this is from the wireless networks and/or mobile phones that are being used. Even after flying on commercial airline flights for 2 hours I get a serious headache that lasts for days. Every trip I make the recovery period appears to be getting longer and longer. I can no longer sleep in my bedroom or work in my home office (both located at the front of the house). I have had to relocate myself to the back of the house (lounge room) to escape the smart meter effects. It is criminal that power companies can install smart meters with wireless near peoples bedrooms that cause deleterious health effects. The burden of proof is on the power companies to provide evidence that wireless emissions from their meters are not harmful. Unfortunately here in Australia they deny responsibility and are not being held accountable by the local government. 164 I have answered these questions on behalf of my 5 year old who i believe has suffered anxiety, nightmares, skin eruptions have worsened since being exposed to the smart meter. 170 Smart meters have changes my life so severely it is hard to know where to start.
78 I am very sick, unable to move or sell my home, cannot afgir shielding, finding it more and more difficult to function in an environment where they are now everywhere. Sensitized now to Wi Fi and cell towers. Insomnia, severe headaches, vision changes, dizziness, fatigue, inability to concentrate, huge hum and pressure in ears. Concerned I will have an accident, fall, driving or otherwise because of symptoms. Attempting to keep things as 'normal' as possible for ten year old daughter, I have explained as an allergy. I no longer sleep in Master Bedroom, most of the house is now unusable to me. Meter is on bedroom wall, I have had it logged and measured and exposure is dangerous by building biology standards. Effects of neighboring meters can be felt in various parts of the house. Walking down the street, I am affected by meters even across the road. I am desperate to have the meter removed and have a safe place in my home. I have no other option now but to move to a rural area off grid, but as a single parent I am locked into my current job and mortgage. Very concerned about young daughter who is so far asymptomatic. Very concerned I am accruing permanent damage with continued exposure, and very concerned I will become so sick I will be unable to work and support her. It's been a year now, I am amazed at my strength in continuing on, but fear I cannot keep going much longer. Need support from medical profession which has been very inconsistent. This is a global health and environmental issue. I hope the information you gather in this survey helps. 172 Smart meters are horrible devices They cost us so much more they were ment to save us money but they cost us so much more Money and our health 173 No. 41 (other autoimmune): vasculitis, peripheral neuropathy, Raynaud's, allergic rhinitis, reactive gastritis No. 4/29: can use only 10-year-old laptop No. 20-22: symptoms lasted 2 months after initial exposure, finally alleviated with ginkgo biloba. New exposure causes same symptoms in minutes, gone in couple hours after removed from exposure. No. 27: meter removed only after urgent pleading with utility, which is still aggressively insisting on reinstalling it No. 38: Already self-employed, from home, before smart meter exposure. No. 39: effectively disabled, but SSA won't recognize it, due to lack of hard evidence acceptable to them. 179 I have been in a guinea pig study with AMR's in our town. Here unbeknown to me i had a smart meter on my home for 22 years....continuing to have worsening symptoms each year. This was a study done in our town....must have been the before we do it nation wide campaign. I have spent nearly 50.0O0 dollars out of pocket in the last 2 years on my health. It was not until we were trying to determine cause that we found out the harrisonburg electric company had all my dwellings from 1990 on with an AMR device. When I moved to Eversole Road in Buckingham county I worsened and became ES and disabled. finally we fled the home in 2010 and I lived in a tent for months. We have y- shielded our home, but due to chemical sensitivity we are having difficulty getting back to the home for use...i live now in a trailer outside and come in to cook 181 I have MCS and the smart meters most definitely made it worse. My husband has brain cancer that has been attributed "more likely than not" to his cell phone use. We opted out (after having it on for nearly a year without even knowing
79 they had done so, other than with ill effects) and have to pay. That is disgraceful. We have a small lot and our neighbor's smart meter is near our master bedroom. We are unvoluntarily being subjected to this non ionizing radiation that could kill my husband and cause serious ailments for me. The opt out is not sufficient for the health and welfare of Americans. We need our old meters back as the idea was a huge mistake and will cost more in health costs than it would supposedly save. 183 Originally there were two smart meters installed on my property which were outside my bedroom wall. Immediately after smart meter instalaltion I suffered from severe ringing in the ears each night. I think it was worse when the electric water unit started to heat up. I blacked out and now have permanent damage to my face - metal plates inserted. Powercor come up to inspect the installed smart meters and removed one of these. I also had my electric water meter removed at the same time and replaced with a gas water unit. Since this time I have not experienced any medical problems. 188 Severe headaches, gushing nosebleeds for the first time ever, flu like symptoms. They all went away when the meter was removed. 192 I was super healthy, worked for 20 years in the health care field, attended yoga class 3 times a week and hiked every weekend. Since the Smart Meters were installed and my body began to break down, I have lost my home and closed my business because of Smart Meters at my office. I run the risk of losing my marriage, too. I have cost far more in health care in one year than I had in the previous forty years, plus I am not earning, spending and paying taxes. I moved to one of the few towns without AMI meters, yet I am now 300 yards from a cell phone tower and can not recover from the AMI meters here. I have to move again and do not know where to get away from the radiation to recover. I was not notified of the installation of these dangerous meters and not informed of the location of the cell phone tower (when I first looked at the house mid-day the tower was not in peak usage.) How can stop these dangerous meters we find a safe place to live and ? People are already committing suicide because the radiation is unbearable. Everyone I have talked to with this condition can understand why. Our country will be crippled with health care costs and unemployment if some states do not take a stand and stop these installations. Maine could do very well to protect the health of it's people, protect itself from climbing health care costs and set the country back on course. The State might also attract many gifted people to flourish once more. I have many well educated family members who are teaching in universities there, I would like to see them again, too. Thank you, Beth 193 We slept in our van on the street for six months whilst trying to get the smart meter removed. We went through the ombudsman, have a medical letter from my doctor and begged for the smart meter to be removed. We were left homeless for over a year, sleeping in our van. Even a couple of hours at the house made us so sick that we couldn't stand it. We have moved interstate away from family and friends as Victoria is now full of smart meters. We gave away and sold nearly everything we owned just to get away from smart meters. One symptom you didn't mention was nausea. I got severe nausea every time I was
80 exposed to smart meters. We sold our home $40,000 lower than the asking price just to get away. I lived there for 22 years without these symptoms prior to the smart meter. Over a year later we still have ringing in our ears which began with the smart meter. We don't know if we can recover fully, but are cautiously optimistic. We are hoping smart meters will not be installed in our new home, but the government is pushing for them. If they are installed here we will get 10 of them as we are in a block of units. We would most likely have to move again. Other residents wi-Fi is effecting us now. It is a nightmare. 195 Before my smart meter was installed I very occasionally experienced a light ringing in only one ear for a short amount of time (a few seconds). One month after my smart meter was installed I developed quite a loud ringing & buzzing in both ears that is present constantly and most noticeable when I'm lying in bed in the morning and at night when it is quiet. It is now always present and is still present when I am not around smart meters. 196 Prior to smart meters i was free to go for walks every day, and go out for dinner with friends, and drive around freely. I am now confined to my house and only leave to buy groceries or visit people and only with appropriate head shield protection (from head to base of neck.) I get a headache from driving past a transmitting smart meter (at 60klm p/h). 197 my smart meter was a trial version and a 'stripped down' version according to the electricity company - thus unlikely to be a health concern. I didn't know that they'd installed a smart meter and so my health issues - which started around that time - weren't connected until I'd realised that a smart meter had been installed. The 'guts' of the smart meter have now been removed to the point where a human meter reader is again required. Ringing in the ears has all but stopped and the dizzy spells are decreasing. I make the obvious connection where my power provider does not. 199 I suffered for 7 months with hives, pin pricks and crawling sensation. I lost all feeling in my hands and feet. Most of that time it was 24/7. It was sheer torture. Some days I felt that I could not get through the next hour. I had to take a leave of absence at work, move out of my home. I slept in my car in local parking lots. At some point, I made the connection that I was worse in my bed which is only a few feet away from the meter. After sleeping on the couch for many months, my body started to heal. DTE switched the AMI meter to the AMR meter in June 2012; however, the same symptoms occur again if I sleep in my room but it just takes longer than with the AMI. I suffer from migraines and pain in my head upon exposure. My memory is affected, too. I have become sensitive to electricity. It can cause pain in my head and skin problems as with the AMI only not as severe. I have family and friends who have endured the same torture. One had a nervous breakdown and was hospitalized. The other wanted to commit suicide. I worked desperately to stop her from doing so. She sat in front of 5 (Yes, five) smart meters in her office building. The meters were just on the outside wall beyond her desk. She was tortured beyond belief and to this day is extremely hypersenstive to electricity. I am so thankful you are doing this survey and I hope and pray for success. We need help. These companies are killing us. And they have the money to continue to persuade our legislators that they have a
81 right to kill us slowly but surely. 201 Initially, I had to leave my home until shielding was carried out in my home. With shielding at home, I can live in it, but am not totally symptom free. When in a place without smart meters my symptoms resolve and my ES lessens considerably. 202 "Smart Meters" involvement with other longer-term effects than I've listed (though kinesiological observation does point to it) is harder to verify experientially -- e.g. loss of metabolic balance (muscle/fat balance etc) could take a great many honest nights'-sleeps to begin to recover. I haven't yet gotten time enough sleeping away from home, to demonstrate it; I don't know of an electropeaceful place to sleep, near enough to commute to regularly (even if I could afford it, in time or money). 208 Astounding impact. Lying in bed have uncontrollable jelly-like quivering throughout whole body, as if being electrified. Can feel when transmission begins - it wakes me up. Continues in waves of half hour or so.... Mainly affects me when muscles are at rest. Really concerned ... something has to be done... I have moved to the back of the house to sleep and it still has a huge impact, not as bad, but still awakens me in the same way. Worried I am now going to get sick. Have had on occasion a sense that my glands in my neck are aggravated/swelling. Please help us - Victoria has a compulsory roll-out of these things - I WANT mine reversed. This is the next ASBESTOS! 209 The few symptoms that happened first left faster - still have some memory effect - even after 7 months - And now totally unable to brave antenna - WIFI... 211 My story - http://rockfest.blogspot.com/2012/06/how-smart-meters-destroyed- my-life.html 215 It does not take a MD to diagnose that pulsing radiation from multiple smart meter installations has had immediate adverse effects on my health and well being. It is sad that there is not where to escape to for those that know that they are electrically and chemically sensitive and no one seems to care. To know that EMF has had adverse effects on my melatonin levels and made my already compromised sympathetic nervous system worse. Then to have ones eyes to change, now have floaters in left eye and new additional cataracts in both eyes that developed rapidly after the deployment of the smart meters. These being short term effects, no telling what the long term associated effects might be! 216 nerves in my leg and lips started jumping at night in bed--felt like a piece of bacon in a hot skillet. Unable to sleep do to constant zzzzz throughout home. My heart several times felt as if it somersaulted--impossible, but felt like it. 217 for tingling it began as sparadic after smart meter and while smart meter remained on my home it increased to severe and constant.Symptomatically feeling like I was holding onto electrical feed shocking down my left arm constantly & into both legs and feet randomly .Headaches were severe every day needing pain relief. After 3 months of this I opted out and had meter removed. Ringing in ears was frequently experienced.I also developed skin rashes which was totally new seems to have decreased since smart meter removed.Smart meter was less than 5 ft from my bedroom.My MD sent me to cardiologist for arhthymia & my dentist refused to do dental work due to
82 heartrate told me I would have to go to ER. I learned enough in 3 months that I refuse to go in public places worrying about my health and I also will not visit peoples homes due to my symptoms I had experienced from this technology.It was all new to me and I am a fast learner who knows my health well enough to know it changed when my meter was changed.It wasn't until I researched this technology that I realized I had the same serious reactions to those who are suffering needlessly.This is a time when Science is uninformed and the people are bringing in the proof of this dangerous health threat Lets hope we will be the change Thank You 218 When they installed the smart meter on our house, my mind became totally unable to focus on anything. The company would not replace it with an analogue meter, so I camped out for a summer. Eventually we hired an electrician to move the meter to the nearest phone pole 100 feet from the house. That alleviated many symptoms, but I think many remain at a lower level due to the background microwave radiation of many homes transmitting in the area. 227 I now have a problem standing up. Called neurally mediated hypotension. I listed two of my cats (I have 3) in the "persons" section because they have both gotten very ill since the SM. One of them almost died. The other is very agitated now most of the time. 228 The wireless smart meter is illegal as applied. 231 after the first day i was getting blood nooses and not understanding it was from that im a carer so i work at home which has increased the impact , i cant use any fluro lights any mobiles , or wifi after 12 months , hair falling out serious loss of weight and ear ringing like at a rock concert , my rf tests read .0007 with 9420 spikes with in 24 hours spikes highest point read .3568 and theres no turn off period . 234 Although I have already commented in answer to previous questions, I would like to reiterate that I became aware of ringing in my head/tinnitus worsening considerably in the months since the roll out of smart meters in our area, particularly after they were installed in the two residences close to, and on either side of, ours. I have suffered increased depression, mental fog, agitation, anxiety and stress. Also a general lack of motivation, increased negativity and decrease in 'wellbeing' since exposure. Both neighbouring meters are situated close to our main bedroom. I feel they are also contributing to disturbed sleep, extreme wakefulness in the middle of the night and inability to go back to sleep once awake. Added to my symptoms. My husband also has tinnitus often, but is highly sceptical it has anything to do with the meters as he is trusting of the technology and doesn't believe in EM sensitivity, etc. Also, our dog is depressed and has suffered itching and eye problems in the past few years since the smart meter roll out commenced. He is 'getting on' in years, so I am not sure if this is sensitivity to EM exposure, or if it is just old age. However, he is not at all the happy and active and playful dog he was before smart meters were installed. 235 I have lived in this house for twenty-one years. It was first my parents house and then in November 2011, my partner bought the house. We looked for a house to purchase, but due to the MCS were unsuccessful. My parents graciously sold their house to my partner, so that I had a safe palce to live. The SM was
83 installed after my partner bought the house and that is when all the EMS became difficult and TOO MANY times completely incapacitating. I have to limit my computer exposure to a few times per week to a few hours per day on those few days. It has made my job very difficult to perform. I also have increased anxiety during computer exposure and in general. Beyond the anxiety, the headaches and impaired ability to breath makes it impossible to just suffer through. If I can't breath I can't live much less try to write a dissertation! I had no idea what was causing all of this, but the timing of the EMS issues coincides with the SM connection to what was my very safe home. Do I have any legal recourse in removing the SM? My mom fought Duke for years to prevent them from hooking-up a SM to the house. My partner, Dr. Andrew Millar, did not know that a SM was an issue. Do we have any legal recourse? 239 I'm on medical leave due to a tumor I developed after the installation of the smart meter and the worsening of my electrical sensitivity. 240 Since smart meters were installed in my neighborhood in December 2010, I have averaged about four hours of light, disturbed sleep per night. I am too tired to cope with the demands of my life. My car is in disrepair and my quality of life is deteriorating. 244 My symptoms are nothing compared to those experienced by neighbors and friends on my street. My biggest issue is that of the basic civil liberty to choose what EMF devices I expose myself to, and utility companies mandating these smart meters and then charging outrageous opt-out fees sounds like fascism. I am also not convinced that my privacy is adequately protected. And then I look at my neighbor Rebecca who had horrible headaches and skin rashes when the smart grid went up on our street. I have found that her demographic (women ~60) are the most sensitive (at least in our area). 248 My health has been so affected that I am having to sell my home and move to a safer home without a smart meter. My whole life has been impacted financially, socially, emotionally, and physically. It has limited my ability to go places, to visit friends, and has disabled me to the point where I cannot work. My life has been extremely difficult and disabling for the last 1 1/2 years since these were installed,. 251 I stay part-time in Carson City, NV with my mother where there is a Smart Meter (SM) within 4' of my bed & 8' from my art/work space. No longer able to sleep or do art/work near SM due to pain surges, like electrical zaps, in my brain, which I never had before SM. Intense buzzing/ringing in ears now. Minor intermittant ringing in right ear before, hardly noticable. Foggy/groggy brain intensifies rapidly upon entering room. Irritability and aggitation occurs if in room more than 30 mins. My life force is drained out of me if near SM. Severe insomnia. I now sleep at farthest point away from Smart Meter on floor, for I could not sleep at all after 2 or 3 nights in room after SM installed. Toes and bottom of feet started tingling dramatically at night when in room near SM = 4 or 5 feet away from SM. This has happened before Smart Meter but on occasion and mildly, not as severe as it did when sleeping near SM. Heart started fluttering the 2nd night I slept near SM & only happens when I am in room near SM too long. I get more sensitive the more I am exposed to SM, I feel brain and
84 ear symptoms within minutes of being in proximity. I think I feel it more strongly when it pulses out information because my head gets pulsing zaps of pain for a few seconds to a minute with pauses before more start and my ears start to buzz and shriek with different pitches of tones. These symptoms are new and have not happened before exposure to SM and do not happen when I am more than 25' from SM on other side of several walls. 253 was cofined to w/c within 1 year of moving into this bldng due to extreme dizziness/vertigo...app. 2oo4. also suffered all stated symptoms ...all symptoms dramatically worsened or returned upon installation of smart meters in nov. 2010.... 267 I really just want my old analog meter back. 274 Ringing in my ears non-stop 24/7. Never had it before. 276 Smeters made me homeless for 17 months. I have lost my home of 24 years and my city of 24 years. Most of my state is off-limits for me due to the fact that the meters are installed in most of the state. I can currently function in areas without meters. This includes Los Angeles city (LA DWP territory) and Pasadena (Pasadena Water and Power). I am an 8th generation American, with ancestors who arrived pre- American Revolution. They soldiered in that war and in others to protect their descendants' right to live freely in this country. The deployment of Smeters have taken away this right from me. I have sustained many losses, including my sense of place (home), safe shelter (especially difficult as a disabled person), my possessions, my normal routine, access to the familiar, access to my support system, access to things that made my life good and happy. I have lived out of my car since August 2011 and have only just recently managed to find housing. I have Section 8 assistance and my search for housing has been further complicated by the lack of units. I am exhausted, depleted, and scared by this turn of events. I have told my elected officials in City Council meetings about what has happened to me. I have told the board of my utility company (Burbank Water and Power) and was told by one member to just move from the city; another said there was a problem in the minds of people who react to the meters. I set up a small website: smartmeterhealthalert.org. 7 out of 8 of my neighbors in my former residence in Burbank began to experience health-related effects when the meters were installed. 283 In Aug. 2011 digital electric meters went on neighboring houses. I experienced rashes which I had never had before. It was several weeks before I learned about the meters. In Nov. 2011 a meter went on my house. Symptoms worsened in the first 30 days. I then experienced dizziness and nausea to the point I could not work. I am an artist and I have been unable to do creative work for the past year. Had I not retired because of MCS, I would have to have then. A host of other symptoms also occurred. Painful joints, ringing in the ears, thyroid disease symptoms worsened, libido vanished, headaches, unable to concentrate, memory problems, lack of energy, highly reactive to chemical exposures so unable to leave the house. For the first time highly reactive to plants so unable to garden. The meter was removed in July 2012. In one week I began to feel better. After 30 days the dizziness and nausea was gone except when I was in public buildings. Other symptoms persist such as being highly
85 reactive, rashes, insomnia, lack of energy, lack of libido, poor concentration. I have concluded that the exposure from neighboring houses is still a major problem. I now notice when I am being exposed to wifi or curly light bulbs because I feel worse. I have gotten rid of floresent bulbs, and cordless phones. I stopped using a cell phone (I never used it much anyway). I installed electric filters. My house is nearly EMF free now. However, I am still ill. Smart meters have made me a prisoner in my own home. 287 I have 12 SM within 20 ft. of my immediate living quarters. I live in an apartment complex. I've been here for just over 1 yr. The main issue I notice is a constant buzzing in my head. I had some ringing previously but the symptoms have worsened since moving here. 303 I have suffered from chronic fatigue for many years but after years of treatments from a naturopath (supplements, etc.) I was feeling great and feeling like I would like to return to work full-time (I work part-time). The day of installation of the SM I was home sick and recovering nicely. About the 2nd day I began to feel dizzy and experience headaches (which I never get) and very tired. Once I began to suspect the SM I tried on many occasions to leave my home and stay out (at a friend's place, for example - without SM) and I would get better. Over the past year I have learned to leave my home when I can to the point that I was sleeping in my car in the warm months because of bad heart palpitations. At the moment I have been experiencing more neurological symptoms including a lot of twitching of my face and constant numbness in my hands accompanied by dizziness. There is no doubt that the SM is responsible for these neurological symptoms and my worsening CF, which has returned with a vengeance. It has also affected my husband who has been experiencing a lot of unexplained skin rashes (covering most of his body), mood swings, dizziness and chronic tiredness. Unfortunately, he loves his technology and doesn't seem to believe me or do anything about the problem. 306 The electric company has installed and replaced our smart meter twice, because of fires started by the meters. I have chronic sinus allegergies and post nasal drip. I am also narcoleptic. 307 I have had to move my office at work to a building without WiFi because of the EMF symptoms. It is accumulative not something that comes and goes. 310 Note, I was able to stop a Smart Meter going on my residence, but my neighbours all got one. Immediately (by the next day), I had health effects from the closest one (20 ft away from the SM), so I moved my bed to the other side of my house (40 ft away from the SM). In 2 months, my health was decreasing, so I put a few layers of shielding on my neighbour's SM. I could still measure radiation through the shielding from the SM, but it was much less. 2 more months later and the shielding was not enough. My health was starting to noticably be affected again. Fortunately, my neighbour's SM's antenna was able to be unplugged. What a relief! I felt SO much better! My health was still being affected by other neighbours' SM's 80 ft away, though, so I spoke with those neighbours and I was able to shield some and other's had their SM antennas unplugged. So, the reason I have answered in this survey that SM's have not disabled me or affected my work is because I was able to disable the SM's;
86 however, this is only a temporary measure until the power authority finishes their install and then "fixes" the disabled SM's (if the power authority is not stopped by legal action). ...also, I said my computer is not bothering me ONLY because I have shielding around it AND because the computer is specially chosen. The SM's have directly heightened my friends' arthritis changing their bodies from active to inactive, SM's have caused seizures in another person, and doubled and tripled the length of time that people used to normally have the flu. 318 Until I vacationed in Maui, I had gradually worse symptoms. After 2 weeks in Maui, I was better until I returned, and overnight, the symptoms also returned with a vengeance. Entering the symptoms into a search engine, EMF exposure came up and I acted, which is fortunate, because the lessened exposure has allowed me to sleep again, and soon I hope to hardwire the computer so as to eliminate WIFI. 328 We paid to have the bedroom furniture moved from the closest to the most distant room but no help until we had the smart meter replaced. Now we must buy power in advance at the store and no longer have "time of day" rates which costs us more money in addition to giving up our automatic pay which we had. Fortunately we have much space between us and the closest neighbor so if they have smart meters they apparently are not a problem. 329 There is no smart meter on my house but I still suffer the effects from smart meters on nearby houses. A City wide Wi Fi system was installed at the same time as the smart meters. I become exhausted fairly quickly when exposed to microwave radiation but not when I am at a safer location. 336 I have filed the very first personal injury lawsuit in Federal Court due to catastrophic injury/loss from smart meter radiation. Although I opted out, I still cannot tolerate living in my home because of ambient radiation from hundreds of smart meters. The Smart Grid killed my cat and gave my domestic partner a heart condition. (Did I mention that my domestic partner is a world champion athlete?) I do not use Western medicine because of my religious beliefs. I use only natural healing. I hold the belief "Do no harm" I do not believe that the profit motive belongs in any bona fide system of health care. I believe that electrical sensitivity and sensitivity in general is a blessing, not an illness. Sensitivity is intelligence. Stupidity is an illness and a curse. There is no such thing as "hypersensitivity". It is impossible to be overly intelligent! I am in perfect health. When I am exposed to toxins, my body reacts appropriately. When I am in nature, with no radiation or toxicity, I feel great! Although I am completely incapacitated when I am forcibly radiated, I am perfectly capable of anything and everything when I am not being radiated or poisoned. I believe that we should abolish radiation, rather than declaring people to be sick and disabled just because they are subjected to harmful radiation. Having said that, I may have to apply for disablity income if I cannot find a safe place to live and work. 346 My life has been destroyed. The meter ruined my health with intense onset of EHS. We fled our home. I had to stop working. We have been on the run for 3 years looking for a place to live. We lost our adoption window after finally making progress with a lawyer after years of infertility. My friends & family think I am crazy. My marriage is falling apart. as we have become complete nomads
87 and my husband cannot feel what I feel, though I believe it is affecting him as his memory has slipped, he has sleeping problems, has gained weight and is irritable. I cannot be in most public places and cannot find a place to live where I feel normal & healthy. We have spent upwards of $40K trying to cope with this problem and moving around. I am sad and angry beyond belief. 348 Nosebleeds, nausea, dizziness, blood pressure low enough that I fall down if I do not lie down, ringing ears, and intermittent strong agitation have caused me to pay a great deal of attention to my environment. When I am away from wireless devices the symptoms subside and I begin to function well once again. Smart meters are pervasive and invasive. I definitely feel like a canary in a coal mine. 349 My house is awash with a low frequency noise caused by the RF broadcast over the powerlines, PLC/BPL. I first became aware of something "wrong" when I began to hear a low frequency hum/buzzing everywhere in my house. After ruling everything else out, and given my symptoms started around the same time TWACS was implemented in my area, all my symptoms fit what happens when sensitive people are exposed to TWACs. The Utilities claim TWACS is only used briefly one or two times a day but they are LYING, I hear it 24/7 and after researching the technology, it is clear they DO use it 24/7 for load-balancing and detection of outages. THe noise is very disturbing but the worst part is the severe headaches and the tingling/pin and needles in my head and shoulders. It feels like my brain is burning, it is a feeling unlike any I have had before. 352 suspect link between installation 6/12 and surgery for subdural hematoma (brain bleed) 10/12 354 It's unconscionable that these are being forced upon people and that we had to fight for months to have the right to remove ours, and then had to pay. The utilities should pay US for the permanent damage to my hearing caused by their stupid "smart" meter. 356 Had it not been for the severe nose bleeds I'm not sure I would have ever found out what was causing all of my health problems. 358 Smart Meters have runied our lives. We still have symptoms even though we opted out and ours has been removed because all our neighbors still have them and they are 10' away from our house. We are currently sleeping in our living room because it's the furthest away from our neighbor's Smart meters. We don't understand why they couldn't have used fiber optic cable so we would be safe in our own homes....we just don't get it why nobody cares and just keep adding more wireless to our environment. 362 This is the first note I ever took on my (and my girlfriend at the time's) symptoms, about 5-6 months after first noticing the initial symptoms I had. She moved in with me about 2 months before this. I have many more notes to share on other symptoms and my hypothesis on how they were occurring, etc. Feel free to call me about them. 3/7/2011 Early AM: Almost nightly 3-5 nights out of the week we notice the same oscillating tone(s): 1 HF drone (Very high…upwards of 15k, probably ~16,820 Hz.) & 1 Lower (estimated at 8kHz using Logic Pro's Test Oscillator plug-in), I was able to cancel the tone out when I matched it, but still with a phase sort of effect. It fades during day but still slightly noticeable in the house. I never hear it at school but hear it very often at the house even after
88 shutting off all electronic devices and power from electrical box on house). The ringing gets so loud it can be unbearable and hurt like a stabbing sensation, other times its not painful and just annoying. My girlfriend gets the same exact ringing and can match my descrip everytime (as I wrote this the lower pitch freq. got lower to around 480-501.30 Hz range). She experiences vertigo, itchy skin, nausea. She is losing short term memory more often, and doesn't do drugs or drink. She also gets spotty vision. I experimented with 2 test oscillator plugins simultaneously generating 16,820 and 491 Hz and my Girlfriend said the HF tone cancelled out and slowly faded back in after I stopped. It affected the waveform when I tried different frequencies and made it "bounce", like effect heard tuning a guitar when dissonant waveforms are clashing. I also noticed this. 374 We got permission to remove the meter for $75 + $10/month month fee. The daily headaches disappeared. The constant headaches made my ability to concentrate and work was very disruptive to my life, and greatly limited the amount of time I could devote to the business and to teach which in turn, directly affect income and quality of life. I still have numbness but not as severe, and low thyroid--boderline. 376 Every now and then, I get symptoms associated with the Smart Meters. Even though I opted out and the electric and gas analog meters re-installed (hope they indeed are analogs), I believe that, when I get headaches and heaviness in my head and ringing in my ears, it's because both my neighbors on both sides of my house still have the Smart Meters. My bedroom is 15 feet away from a neighbors meter, and I don't sleep every night in my bedroom. I alternate by sleeping in my living room sofa, which is a little farther from my neighbor's meter. 378 Has caused me extreme anxiety and stress. 379 Smart Meters almost killed me. The night I began reacting to one that was on a neighbor's house, I blacked out and awoke with burning in my right nostril and on the right side of my brain. My Lyme doctor said I probably had a transient ischemic attack, but I can't confirm because I'm too electromagnetically hypersensitive to get an MRI or CT scan. Within 4 days after this reaction, my skin kept turning bright red and I persistently had a temperature of 103 F. After 4 days of this, I had to get completely out of range of Smart Meters & their associated 20 mile-range, 5.6 GHz repeaters on the power lines. Eventually, shortly before Maine was completely covered in Smart Meters, I had to move to another state where they aren't supposed to be installed for another couple of years. The severity of my symptoms has made it impossible for me to find a place to work. Also, I can barely eat, sleep or exercise anymore. I'm also having a lot more seizures, choking episodes, chronic fevers, chronic, bone-deep, body-wide pain, and more breathing problems than I ever used to before my Smart Meter exposure (which occurred in March, 2011). 380 The SmartMeter on our home was already installed when we moved in 2 years ago. At this time, we were already aware of our EHS symptoms. For the first 2 months after moving in, we only noticed mild symptoms in comparison to our previous residence near power lines that we experienced severe symptoms. Soon after 2 months our symptoms progressed and we didn't realize the symptoms were caused from the SmartMeter located outside of our garage. It
89 wasn't until about 6 months later when we conducted research about SmartMeters that we realized the cause. There was no Opt-Out program in place for its removal. My husband and I suffered severe effects until its removal 7 months ago. We further continued with milder symptoms from our neighbors meters on each side of us and were able to convince those neighbors to also remove them. Immediately one of those neighbors suffering from insomnia noticed the symptom completely disappeared and thanked us for the insight on the issue. We finally have peace within our home now and can deal with very mild symptoms from limited exposure to other devices such as computer, cable modem for internet and kid's X-Box 360 with built in Wi-Fi. We just shut down/unplug everything when not in use! 381 I moved into my apartment almost 3 years ago, and have been trying to figure out the cause of my symptoms almost as long. There are 7 smart meters located in the building across from mine. Anytime I spend time away, my symptoms diminish. Whenever I return home they start up again. All 5 people in my residence seem to be affected, as well as our elderly neighbor and their cat passed away (which I think is related). 384 Beofore I moved to where I was close to a smart meter I could eat what ever food I liked. Even when my life was bad I knew that I could always count on good health because I took good care of my body. Since I have had exposure to the smart meter my digestion has been getting progressivlely worse. Now there is very little food that I can eat and what I do eat hurts me to digest. My stomach muscles are weak because of this. When I first moved in I would wake up during the night and my skin would feel like it was on fire. I thought that I had bed bugs. I also have bad ringing in my ears. If I eat any cooked food I will have intense pain in my stomach for a week later and I will have blood in my food as well as sometimes throw up blood. I am working on getting the smart meter removed. The owner of the house is losing her eyesight and I think that this may have to do with the smart meter. I have tested with a gauss meter and microwave radiation spikes up to a high level in my bedroom. If you would like to use this information in regulatory or legal proceedings please feel free to contact me. 385 I was living in Sonoma, CA at the time the Smart Meters were installed on our house. My symptoms would completely disappear when I went to stay with my daughter in Marin County, which had put a moritorium on installation of Smart Meters thus making it a Smart Meter-free area. As soon as I got back to my house in Sonoma, the symptoms would come on again. I moved to live with my daughter in Asheville, NC which doesn't have Smart Meters, and have only minimal discomfort from my computer. 387 I am no longer comfortable in my home, and only recently realized there is a gas meter module sending wireless information through the basement into the entire house, possibly to the AMI electric meter on the opposite side of the house. We are within 20+ feet of neighbors' homes. So our home also receives signals from neighbors' devices (including wireless). We no longer use WIFI in our home. Our cell phones are in use less than 1/2 hour per day (3 phones). We do not own a microwave. I have done what I can do with respect to
90 contacting the utility with no satisfactory response from them. My next step will be to hire an electrician to obtain objective information about what is happening (radio frequency waves amplified throughout copper pipes???). 396 Previous to realizing we had our (4) analog meters replaced with smart meters on the 1st of December, I knew something was 'off'. I began experienced fatigue, feeling cold, slight insomnia, and other significant changes in my sleep which included heart arrhythmia, and swelling in my extremities (fingers/feet). In the last few weeks, I have a constant dull pressure in my head and pain in my right ear throughout the day. I've also experienced occasional numbness in my extremities during the day. I do have mitral valve prolapse, but only ever experience heart palpitations nearing the end of my pregnancies (which I joked with my husband that maybe I was, considering my other sudden symptoms.) The heart palpitations have alarmed me the most. Our children have suffered from earaches with drainage during their Christmas vacation. I stay at home with our youngest, and the two of us have suffered the worst of the symptoms. I hope to have at least two of the meters removed by the end of this month, our house was previously a duplex. I'm anxious to see if this will result in some relief. Unfortunately, these meters are located opposite the wall in our living room. We would welcome any suggestions on deflecting these emissions and safeguarding our home. In the meantime, I'll continue my online crash-course education on emf emissions. Lisa 407 After the Smart Meters were installed at close neighbours homes here in Victoria Australia I got headaches very soon. I do not suffer headaches normally when out of range of Microwave Smart Meters or these Microwave Towers now proliferating all over Australia and much of this world's countries. Please do all you can to rid all of Planet Earth of now proving to be Type 2B Carcinogen causing Smart Meters and Microwave Towers and also deadly Mobile Phones and Wi-Fi in schools and any sort of education centre and private homes. All of these machines are deadly to Humans and Animals and Insects including the much needed Honey Bee and all of God's Creatures Great and Small. These Money Hungry Chief Executive Officers of these Electric Power Companies Worldwide and their Ilk are steadily ruining peoples' lives with the actually ILLEGAL forced installation of these Microwave Smart Meters which are actually Illegal Telephone Tapping Devices which need a Judges Court Order. These so-called Smart Meters are not "Smart" in any way at all, but are damaging peoples' Health with such ongoing problems as chronic insomnia, and or nose bleeds and or extreme shortness of breath to aching hands and or pains in arms and or some, or many body joints etc. These Microwave Smart Meters are also damaging peoples' 'fridges and computers and printers and washing machines and clothes dryers etc here in Victoria Australia and in other parts of the World. Please do what you can to ban this dangerous technology which only panders to Corporate Monetary Greed and does not care about all the Health damage it is doing to Humans and all forms of LIFE. 411 I was not aware of any heart or health problems until the smart meter was installed. About a week less than 3 mos. after, I awoke one night and my heart was racing, I felt faint and frightened. My blood pressure soared, and is usually low. I was having trouble breathing. My husband called 9/11, I went to the
91 emergency room, but it stopped within 5 hours. I returned home, but it happened again about 13 days later. Went to E/R again and also saw a cardiologist who put me on meds. I could not tolerate the medications, so had to have a pacemaker installed. I left the state and went to Arizona for about 7 weeks, had no problems, they did not have smart meters. I came home and went into A/Fib within a day. I have never gone into A/fib when I am away from a smart meter. 415 In June, at home, myself, my partner and the dog started having disrupted sleep patterns but did not understand why. We had opted out of the smart meter program so didn't consider that could be the reason. After a while we began comparing our meter to others but it was still unclear if we had a smart meter. Finally we called CMP and they said we did in fact have one since October, even though they had promised not to install one. We immediately requested it be removed. We still did not suspect that the SM was the cause of the sleep problems. One morning we awoke and realized we had all slept incredibly well and the dog didn't get us up in the night and have trouble sleeping. I then asked Jo-Ann if the SM had been replaced and she said it had been done yesterday. We suddenly realized that it was the SM that had been causing disrupted sleep for months, but we didn't realize it. The correlation with the removal of the SM and sudden marked improvement in sleep is impossible to ignore, especially since I was not aware that it had been removed until the next day. 416 I went from living a very healthy life working as a secondary teacher with a demanding work load. I salsa danced 3 times a week, gardened, bush walked and had no problem sleeping. Within days of my meter being installed I simply stopped sleeping. I felt wired, agitated as if I'd had 10 coffee's before bedtime. I slept 1-2 very light hours a night and within a week was taking sleeping tablets. 3 months later I was hospitalised 3 times including 3 days in coronary care with Ventricular Tachicardias (the most dangerous and potentially lethal heart rhythms that you never want to have). I had surgery to try and burn the cells in my heart that were producing the faulty electrical current. It didn't work. I continued to have hundreds of incidents of up to 1 minute VT's. I refused to go back for more surgery. I had my house metered and discovered that the smart meters were producing 1000 - 8000 microwatts per square meter every 30 seconds or so. I slept wrapped in a metal fabric to try and protect myself. Within 7 months of the smart meter being installed I'd had 12 weeks of sick leave, so I left my job in 2012. I went on a 1 month camping trip where I worked on organic farms & discovered that I could be well & sleep well away from all wifi devices. I had now become sensitive to cordless phones, wireless modems, mobile phone towers & smart meters. So I sold my house in Melbourne after living there for 14 years, moved away to a smaller city & shielded the bedroom to sleep. However I am now contemplating leaving, going bush, looking for completely wifi free environments & communities. I feel like a social refugee! 418 The impact the AMR Meters had on my life has been devastating. I was forced to abandon my home that I owned because the SCE&G/SCANA refused to make an accommodation for me and refused to remove the meters they had installed without my consent or knowledge. My history: in February of 2010 I became very sick. I had a fever and my body ached all over. Then all the joints
92 in my body became swollen and incredibly painful: my fingers, hands, wrists, feet, and even my head was swollen. I was in excruciating pain. I lay in bed for six months crying. I had a rash all over my torso and arms. Due to the lack of strength in my hands, I could not drive or even peel an apple. I had the worst headache of my life. It took a year and a half for the pain and swelling in my joints to subside. I was constantly sick with colds and the flu. I had horrible nausea and fatigue. My eyes hurt and were often very red. My throat was always sore. I developed a sensitivity to sound that persists today Six months after I became so sick in February 2010, my intolerance to chemicals exploded. I developed intolerances to things that had NEVER bothered me before like commercial printing ink, chlorine, synthetic fabrics. In the summer of 2010 I began to have problems when I worked on my computer. At first it started with my face getting red and my head getting very hot after I had been working on my computer for 40 minutes or more. Then it got worse. I would experience horrible intestinal cramping, nausea and fatigue from working on the computer. The problems I experienced when using my computer led me to learn more about EMF radiation. I had all the dimmer switches in my home removed. I stopped using my wireless router, microwave oven and hair dryer. I even reluctantly gave up my cell phone! But I was still sick and I was always sick at home. If I took a long car ride, I felt better. But, as soon as I returned home my symptoms returned: excruciating headaches, muscle cramping, extreme fatigue, nausea, problems with my eyes, sweating all over, difficulty breathing and irregular heartbeats. It felt like my brain was burning. I had dry chapped lips, I was waking up in the middle of the night for no reason. I went into early menopause. On February 23, 2012, I called my utility company which was SCE&G/SCANA and asked if they had installed any Smart Meters on my home. An SCE&G customer service representative told me that yes they had! Without my consent or knowledge, SCE&G had removed the analog meters from my home in Charleston, SC and put a wireless automated meter reader (AMR) on the gas meter in December of 2009 and another AMR on the electric meter of my home in January of 2010. I was stunned to realize that the installation of these devices coincided with my becoming so very sick. I asked 3 times for them to remove these devices and they refused each time. In August of 2012, I was diagnosed with Toxic Encephalopathy (349.8) and Neurologic EMF Related Encephalopathy (348.30; E926.0). I have become Electrically Sensitive and am symptomatic around most electronic devices when they are turned on. 420 I knew I had symtoms from electrical appliances, cell phones, & cell towers but I did not know it was called electrical sensitivity. We have put up metal screens and metal sheets to shield at home. It is very hard to travel anywhere overnight because I can't be near a smart meter & never know where there will be one at overnight accommodations. All the exposure to wireless & EMS is cumulative, making life harder & harder. Smart meters are the most difficult of all the exposures because we have no choice with them. They are being put on our property against our will so there's no escape from them, & there seems nowhere we can move to get away from them either. 421 Within a few days of the smart meter being installed, I noticed ringing in my ears which I had never previously had. This ringing would disappear over the course
93 of a few hours when I went away from our home, but would return within minutes of re-entering the home. As time went on, the ringing would take longer to leave; now it is a constant problem. I would occasionally get leg cramps prior to the installation of the smart meter; these would disappear within a few seconds. Since the installation of the meter, I have experienced intense cramping which would cause severe pain and would last for several minutes. Magnesium oil rubbed on my legs daily has helped to keep these symptoms in check. Balance problems have worsened since installation of the smart meter, resulting in several falls. Brain fog has worsened considerably, I am unable to find words for particular objects, and have difficulty remembering names. 422 I am contemplating vacating my own home because I can't live like this any longer! If I could afford to sell my home and purchase a home in an area without Smart Meters...I would move tomorrow! This meter is ruining my life and MUST be removed. I am telling everyone I can about how dangerous these meters are!!! 429 Unable to sleep in main bedrm. Have a professional who has helped lots with filters and will be removing meter from house wall soon. All at my own cost which is expensive but has helped me. 434 I have tonic/clonic epilepsy with a growth on my hippocampus (where electro magnetic radiation loves to hit). As yet, we do not have a Smart meter, but our governments (state and federal ) and power company (Power Cor) are pushing us to have one installed. I am keeping a diary of the side- effects I have when I go into houses and businesses that have wi-fi and smart meters. 435 My husband & I never had any health issues until moving into our home here in Grays Harbor County. We were baffled as to what was causing all of our symptoms. The smart meter was already on our home when we bought it, but it was a little over a year before we realized it was there. We did not know what was going on with us, since neither one of us had ever experienced a lot of the issues we were having. i just know that over time it has gotten progressively worse. Now we know: constant exposure from sleeping for years with our heads right next to the smart meter. We are extremely upset! How do we get the Pud to remove it? 436 My wife and i have never had any health issues until moving into our home, in 2009. Turns out the smart meter had been there when we moved in, but we didn't find out for over a year. Very, Very, upset that we have been exposed to this for so long!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now afraid of the long term effects. We want the so called smart meter removed from our home! 437 Following smart meter installation (which we did not find out about until months later) a large number of symptoms appeared that we had never experienced before in our lives. Our suffering increased as days, weeks, and months passed. I suffered insomnia and rapid heartbeat while in bed. If I slept at all, I awoke to a crushing feeling in my chest gasping for air. I experienced internal shaking and vibrating throughout my whole body. My skull felt as though it was being split open on the upper left side of my head. Chronic headaches occurred, the back of my skull felt electrified, as did the back of my tongue at times. I woke with bumps on my forehead, red bumps and rashes on my face, and eventually both
94 of my eyelids slit open horizontally. My memory became poor and I was unable to articulate well. I experienced electric shocks through my eyes, legs, and feet. Our emotions became unstable we had to leave our home to feel normal. When we returned our symptoms returned. No relief was in sight. Our health had deteriorated rapidly so we fled to California. Making the trip, electric shocks ran through my legs while passing cell towers. I began to notice painful inflammation, unbearable tones and pressure in my ears when exposed to cell phones in use. In CA I was able to find work immediately, but I felt like I had brain damage and I was not able to express myself well. The office was filled with wireless devices and with my sensitivity to wireless, electrical and magnetic fields, I found I could not hold a job in the normal workplace anymore. I do not have the ability to do meaningful or gainful work from home. Because of the mandated deployment of untested smart meters, even communicating via PLC as ours was, I have lost my home, health and ability to earn a living. This is no longer America. 438 There are 14 Smart Meters on the wall of our apartment building, all lined up in rows. Since moving in here, I have nearly constant throbbing and pressure in my head, near my ears. It's very uncomfortable, and I do not experience it in places where there are no Smart Meters (for example, the town where my boyfriend lives doesn't have Smart Meters, and my boss had his removed, and uses an EMF protection screen to keep the radiation from his neighbor's Smart Meter out of his home).
95 Pie Chart Summary Report CPU, Wi-Fi, Cell; Before & After - Feb 1, 2013 Survey: Smart Meter Health Effects Survey (Live Dec. 4, 2012)
4. Before smart meters, were you using a computer?
No for another reason 1.0%
Yes, and it caused symptoms 20.5%
Yes, without it causing any symptoms 78.6%
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes, without it causing any symptoms 165 78.6% Total Responses 210 Yes, and it caused symptoms 43 20.5% Skipped 0 No because it had caused symptoms in the past 0 0.0% Unanswered 0 No for another reason 2 1.0%
29. Are you presently able to use a computer?
Have not tried 1.4% No because of symptoms 2.4%
Yes without symptoms 39.0%
Yes with symptoms 57.1%
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes without symptoms 82 39.1% Total Responses 210 Yes with symptoms 120 57.1% Skipped 0 No because of symptoms 5 2.4% Unanswered 0 Have not tried 3 1.4%
96 5. Before smart meters, were you using Wi-Fi?
No for another reason 31.4%
Yes, without symptoms 40.0%
No because it had caused symptoms in the past 17.1%
Yes, with symptoms 11.4%
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes, without symptoms 84 40.0% Total Responses 210 Yes, with symptoms 24 11.4% Skipped 0 No because it had caused symptoms in the past 36 17.1% Unanswered 0 No for another reason 66 31.4%
30. Are you presently able to use Wi-Fi?
Have not tried 12.9% Yes without symptoms 17.6%
Yes with symptoms 28.1% No because of symptoms 41.4%
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes without symptoms 37 17.6% Total Responses 210 Yes with symptoms 59 28.1% Skipped 0 No because of symptoms 87 41.4% Unanswered 0 Have not tried 27 12.9%
97 6. Before smart meters, were you using a cell phone?
No for another reason 18.1%
No because it had caused symptoms in the past 14.3% Yes, without symptoms 50.0%
Yes, with symptoms 17.6%
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes, without symptoms 105 50.0% Total Responses 210 Yes, with symptoms 37 17.6% Skipped 0 No because it had caused symptoms in the past 30 14.3% Unanswered 0 No for another reason 38 18.1%
31. Are you presently able to use a cell phone?
Have not tried 11.4%
Yes without symptoms 23.8%
No because of symptoms 26.2%
Yes with symptoms 38.6%
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes without symptoms 50 23.8% Total Responses 210 Yes with symptoms 81 38.6% Skipped 0 No because of symptoms 55 26.2% Unanswered 0 Have not tried 24 11.4%
98 Pie Chart Summary Report. Q 2 vs Q 32, electrical sensitivity BEFORE SM? vs ES AFTER SM? - Feb 1, 2013 Survey: Smart Meter Health Effects Survey (Live Dec. 4, 2012)
2 Before smart meters, did you have any electrical sensitivity that you were aware of?
Unsure 8.6%
Yes 32.9%
No 58.6%
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 69 32.9% Total Responses 210 No 123 58.6% Skipped 0 Unsure 18 8.6% Unanswered 0
32 Do you presently have ES (Electrical Sensitivity)?
Unsure 25.2%
No 7.1%
Yes 67.6%
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 142 67.6% Total Responses 210 No 15 7.1% Skipped 0 Unsure 53 25.2% Unanswered 0
99 Smart Meter Health Effects Survey (Live Dec. 4, 2012)
Page 1 of 4: Before Smart Meters, Smart Meter Info
IF YOU WILL BE FILLING OUT A HARD COPY OF THIS SURVEY BY HAND, here is A TIP to make it easier for you: when you get to Question 15, you could overlap the page containing GROUP B on top of the right side of the page containing GROUP A, with the symptom rows lined up. This way you can mark answers in both GROUP A and GROUP B across the same symptom row before moving on to the next symptom. (This is the way it would look if you were taking the survey on line, where Group A and Group B are side-by-side.)
If you do not have anyone to enter your survey answers into the online survey website for you, you can mail your marked hard copy to:
Maine Coalition to Stop Smart Meters P.O. Box 43 Richmond, ME 04357
If you have questions, you can call Ed Freidman in Maine at 207-666-3372, or Richard Conrad in Hawaii at 808-695-1128 10am to 4pm Hawaii time.
Welcome to your survey!
If you have symptoms or health effects from smart meters please complete this questionnaire. We need your input! It will take about 15 minutes and will document your experiences in a way that could be very helpful to many people. We hope to present the results as testimony in the ongoing Maine Public Utilities Commission investigation into the safety of smart meters, so please submit your completed questionnaire before January 15, 2013. (If you do not experience health effects from smart meters please do not fill out this survey, because it is about health effects only and is
100 not a prevalence survey.)
OVERVIEW
Page 1: Before Smart Meters, Smart Meter Info Page 2: Your Symptoms, Other Possible Factors Page 3: Smart Meter Removed? Moved? Present Sensitivities, Consequences Page 4: Personal Data, Optional Comments, Permissions
Abbreviations and Definitions n/a: not applicable.
Smart Meter: any type of wireless or wired smart meter or digital device that meters electricity, gas or water
EMF: Electromagnetic Fields (generally equivalent to the term EMR or Electromagnetic Radiation; RFR or Radio Frequency Radiation is a subset of EMF)
ES: Electrical Sensitivity (sensitivity to EMF; ES is also known as EHS or EMS)
Symptoms: adverse health effects: uncomfortable, painful or debilitating physiological effects correlated with proximity to smart meter(s), taking seconds to months to occur. A symptom could be either completely new (never experienced before), or an intensification of a symptom experienced previously from any cause.
HELPFUL TIPS: You can click on the answer button or on the text of the answer. If a question does not apply to you, please select "Don't know or n/a" instead of leaving it unanswered. Please don't rush, take your time, and if you need a long break while completing the survey, click on the "Save and continue later" text always present in the dark blue border at the very bottom of your screen (on pages 2, 3 and 4 only).
A CAUTION ABOUT DROP-DOWN MENU QUESTIONS: After you select your answer, please double-check to be sure the answer that shows in the box is the one you meant to select.
Before Smart Meters
1. Before smart meters, what was the general state of your health? *
Excellent (and no Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia or known autoimmune disease)
Good
Fair
101 Poor
2. Before smart meters, did you have any electrical sensitivity that you were aware of? *
Yes
No
Unsure
Before smart meters, did you consider yourself to have ES (Electrical Sensitivity)? *
Yes
No
Unsure
Before smart meters, had you ever heard of electrical sensitivity? *
Yes
No
3. Before smart meters, did you have any concerns about EMF (Electromagnetic Fields) from smart meters? *
Yes
No
4. Before smart meters, were you using a computer? *
Yes, without it causing any symptoms
Yes, and it caused symptoms
No because it had caused symptoms in the past
No for another reason
5. Before smart meters, were you using Wi-Fi? *
102 Yes, without symptoms
Yes, with symptoms
No because it had caused symptoms in the past
No for another reason
6. Before smart meters, were you using a cell phone? *
Yes, without symptoms
Yes, with symptoms
No because it had caused symptoms in the past
No for another reason
If you were using a cell phone, how would you characterize your cell phone usage? *
Less than 1/2 hour/day
1/2 to 2 hours/day
More than 2 hours/day
n/a
Smart Meter Information
If the smart meter(s) around you were installed or activated at very different times from each other, please choose the installation/exposure that most affected you, and consistently base your answers on only that. (You can use the comments section at the end of this survey to elaborate further if you wish).
7. Roughly what was the total number of smart meters within about a 50 foot radius around your residence, including those (if any) on your residence? (Please review your selection to be sure it is correct.) *
Zero
1 to 2
3 to 5
6 to 9
103 10 to 29
30 to 99
More than 100
Don't know or n/a
8. How many of these smart meters were on your residence (or on your building and relatively close to you)? (Select "Zero" if none). *
Number of Smart Meters
Electric
Water
Gas
9. Concerning only the smart meter(s) that most affected you, about how long after smart meter installation or after beginning of exposure, did you discover that the smart meter was present (by actually seeing it or being told about it)? (Please read the answer that remains in the dropdown menu box after you make your selection, to be sure it is correct). *
At the time of installation/start of exposure
Less than one hour after installation/start of exposure
Later on the day of installation/start of exposure
The day after installation/start of exposure
2 to 3 days after installation/start of exposure
4 to 6 days after installation/start of exposure
7 to 13 days after installation/start of exposure
14 to 28 days after installation/start of exposure
1 to 2 months after installation/start of exposure
2+ to 3 months after installation/start of exposure
More than 3 months after installation/start of exposure
Don't remember or n/a
104 10. What was the Brand/Manufacturer of the closest Electric smart meter? *
ABB
Centron (Itron)
Elster
GE
Itron
Landis+Gyr
OpenWay (Itron)
Schlumberger (Centron)
Sensus
Siemens
Tantalus
Westinghouse
Other Brand
Don't know or n/a
If known, what was the "Other Brand" of the closest Electric smart meter?
11. What was the TYPE of the closest Electric smart meter?? AMI = Advanced Metering Infrastructure type of meter (data automatically sent to utility), AMR = Automated Meter Reading type of meter (data read remotely by reader from vehicle or on foot) *
AMI
AMR
Other
Don't know or n/a
What was the TYPE of the closest Electric smart meter if "Other" than AMI or AMR?
105 12. Optional: for the closest Electric smart meter, please enter the FCC ID number, usually found under one of the bar codes on the face or side of the meter; it usually begins with "FCC ID" (this identifies brand and model and transmitter info and is not unique to your particular meter):
FCC ID
13. Please enter the name of your Electric Utility Co. *
Electric Utility *
Don't know or n/a
14. Which method of data reporting to the Utility did the Electric smart meter use? *
Wireless
PLC-Power Line Carrier/Broadband over Power Line
Phone line
Fiber optics
Don't know or n/a
If wireless, were the transmitters supposedly turned off? *
Yes
No
Don't know or n/a
Page 2 of 4: Your Symptoms, Other Possible Factors
Your Symptoms
KEY TO SYMPTOM INTENSITY AFTER SMART METER EXPOSURE
MILD: mildly uncomfortable MODERATE: quite uncomfortable; tolerable but barely SEVERE: extremely uncomfortable, painful or debilitating
106 Definitions
New: symptoms you never experienced before, not even once in your entire life, that began in correlation with your exposure to smart meters.
Worsened: symptoms experienced before smart meters that worsened in correlation with your exposure to smart meters. Worsened in either intensity and/or frequency.
Smart meters: used here to signify either one or more smart meters
Here is a list of Possible Symptoms with 3 text boxes at the end you can use to type in additional symptoms.
FOR EACH OF YOUR SYMPTOMS THAT WERE INITIATED OR WORSENED BY EXPOSURE TO SMART METERS: (the smart meter(s) that most affected you)
SELECT ONE PARAMETER FROM GROUP A, AND ONE FROM GROUP B.
If you make a mistake or change your mind, re-click a box again to remove its checkmark
IMPORTANT: leave only one checkmark in each Group . Leave the whole symptom row blank for all symptoms NOT initiated or worsened by smart meters.
If you want to type additional symptoms into the textboxes at the end of the list, please be sure to type the description of each symptom twice, once in the textbox in Group A, and again in the textbox in Group B.
15. GROUP A: Symptom Intensity AFTER smart meters; click only one box: *
MILD MODERATE SEVERE Agitation Difficulty concentrating/ attention deficits Digestive problems Dizziness
MILD MODERATE SEVERE Eye/vision problems Fatigue Flu-like symptoms Headaches
MILD MODERATE SEVERE Heart racing, arrhythmia or palpitations
107 High blood pressure Insomnia Involuntary muscle contractions
MILD MODERATE SEVERE Low blood pressure Memory problems Nosebleeds Numbness in hands or feet
MILD MODERATE SEVERE Pressure in head Respiratory problems Ringing, buzzing or tone in ears/tinnitus Tingling, burning or itching skin
MILD MODERATE SEVERE Tingling, burning or itching internally
GROUP B: Symptom Category; click only one box: *
New Worsened Agitation Difficulty concentrating/ attention deficits Digestive problems Dizziness New Worsened Eye/vision problems Fatigue
108 Flu-like symptoms Headaches New Worsened Heart racing, arrhythmia or palpitations High blood pressure Insomnia Involuntary muscle contractions New Worsened Low blood pressure Memory problems Nosebleeds Numbness in hands or feet New Worsened Pressure in head Respiratory problems Ringing, buzzing or tone in ears/tinnitus Tingling, burning or itching skin New Worsened Tingling, burning or itching internally
16. Approximately how long after smart meter installation or the start of exposure (concerning only the smart meter(s) that most affected you) did new symptoms begin and/or previous symptoms worsen? (Please read the answer that appears in the dropdown menu box after you make your selection, to be sure it is correct). *
Within a few minutes after installation/start of exposure
109 Less than one hour after installation/start of exposure
Later on the day of installation/start of exposure
The day after installation/start of exposure
2 to 3 days after installation/start of exposure
4 to 6 days after installation/start of exposure
7 to 13 days after installation/start of exposure
14 to 28 days after installation/start of exposure
1 to 2 months after installation/start of exposure
2+ to 3 months after installation/start of exposure
More than 3 months after installation/start of exposure
Don't remember, don't know or n/a
17. Did your new/worsened symptoms (that you correlate with smart meter exposure) begin or worsen BEFORE, or AFTER you first DISCOVERED the presence of a smart meter? (the smart meter(s) that most affected you) (After you select your answer, please double-check to be sure that the answer that shows in the box is the one you meant to select). *
Symptoms months BEFORE discovered smart meter
Symptoms weeks before
Symptoms days before
Symptoms hours before
Symptoms minutes BEFORE
Symptoms minutes AFTER discovered smart meter
Symptoms hours after
Symptoms days after
Symptoms weeks after
Symptoms months after
Don't remember or n/a
18. How sure are you that your new/worsened symptoms correlated to smart meter exposure? *
110 Unsure
Fairly sure
Very sure
19. What is (or was) the approximate distance (through the wall in a straight-line measurement) between the closest smart meter and the location closest to the smart meter where you spent the most time (for example, the head of your bed)? *
Less than 3 feet
4 to 9 feet
10 to 19 feet
20 to 50 feet
50 to 100 feet
More than 100 feet
Don't know or n/a
20. Did your symptoms lessen when you went further away from smart meter(s)? *
Yes in seconds
Yes in minutes
Yes in hours
Yes in days
Yes in weeks
Yes in a month or longer
No
Don't know or n/a
21. Did your symptoms worsen when you went closer to smart meter(s)? *
Yes in seconds
Yes in minutes
Yes in hours
111 Yes in days
Yes in weeks
Yes in a month or longer
No
Don't know or n/a
22. How many times did you conduct the inadvertent (or conscious) "experiment" described by the previous two questions? *
Never
A few times
More than a dozen times
Don't remember or n/a
23. How many people in your household were affected by smart meters, including yourself? *
1 (only myself)
2 (myself + one other)
3 (myself + two others)
4
5
6
More than 6
Please encourage the other person(s) in your household who were affected by smart meters to fill out their own survey, or fill one out for them. Be sure that you and they enter full name and street address when asked for it in the Personal Data section near the end of each survey, so we can link your surveys.
24. What was the total number of persons living in your household at the time of smart meter exposure, including yourself? *
1 (only myself)
112 2
3
4
5
6
More than 6
Other Possible Factors
25. Was there any new electronic device in your home that was first turned on at around the time of smart meter installation/start of exposure, such as a: baby monitor, DECT cordless phone, large screen TV, computer/monitor, internet connection, Wi-Fi device, high-efficiency light bulbs such as compact fluorescents (CFLs) or LEDs, induction-type stove top, generator, welder, large charger or 12 volt DC to 120 volt AC inverter such as for a solar system? *
Yes
No
Don't know or n/a
If "Yes" a new device was turned on at the time, is it possible that your new/unusual or intensified symptoms were associated with this new device and not at all to the smart meter? *
Yes it is possible
No
Don't know or n/a
26. Was there a new antenna/transmitter newly activated near your home around the time of smart meter installation/start of exposure that was not part of the Smart Meter Mesh system (such as a new cell tower or emergency police/fire communication system, either an antenna, or a microwave dish/drum pointed at you at your elevation)? *
Yes
No
Don't know or n/a
113 If "Yes" a new antenna/transmitter was activated, is it possible your new/unusual or intensified symptoms were associated with this transmitter and not at all to the smart meter? *
Yes it is possible
No
Don't know or n/a
Page 3 of 4: Smart Meter Removed? Moved? Present Sensitivities, Consequences
Smart Meter Removed? Moved?
27. If one or more smart meter(s) were installed on your residence, have all of them been removed? *
Yes
No
n/a
If "Yes" all smart meters were removed, did removal decrease your symptoms? *
Yes fewer or weaker symptoms
Yes all symptoms disappeared
No
n/a
28. Have you moved? *
Yes to another residence
Yes moved out and currently homeless
Want to move because of smart meters but can't
No
n/a
114 If you moved, did you move primarily because of smart meter(s)? *
Yes
No
n/a
If you need to express anything about locations to live, you can do this in the Comments section at the end of this questionnaire.
Present Sensitivities
29. Are you presently able to use a computer? *
Yes without symptoms
Yes with symptoms
No because of symptoms
Have not tried
30. Are you presently able to use Wi-Fi? *
Yes without symptoms
Yes with symptoms
No because of symptoms
Have not tried
31. Are you presently able to use a cell phone? *
Yes without symptoms
Yes with symptoms
No because of symptoms
Have not tried
32. Do you presently have ES (Electrical Sensitivity)? *
115 Yes
No
Unsure
Your answers to the following 3 optional questions could be helpful to many other people:
33. What, if anything, has made your symptoms worse (aside from exposure)?
34. What, if anything, has diminished your symptoms (aside from avoidance) - any supplements, treatments, etc?
35. If you had a blood or other test that revealed an abnormal level which seemed to correlate with ES or smart meter exposure, what was that parameter and was it above or below its normal level?
Consequences
Was your exposure to smart meters responsible for initiating your ES? *
Yes
No
n/a, or unsure/don't know
36. If you already had ES before smart meters, did your exposure to smart meters make your ES worse? *
Yes, slightly worse
Yes, considerably worse
Yes, much worse
No
116 n/a, or unsure/don't know
37. Have your symptoms from smart meter(s) significantly limited your capacity to work? *
Yes
No
n/a
38. If you had a job, did your symptoms from smart meter(s) force you to leave it? *
Yes
No
n/a
39. Have your symptoms from smart meter(s) caused you to have a disability that needs (or needed) accommodation? (Check all boxes that apply; you can check more than one. ) *
Yes, at home/housing
Yes, at work
Yes, in public buildings
No
n/a
40. Have you been diagnosed by a M.D. to have any of the following conditions, and if Yes, diagnosed when? [SM = your exposure to Smart Meter(s)] *
No or Yes, Yes, after n/a before SM SM Cardiac arrhythmia Other heart condition MCS CFIDS
117 Fibromyalgia Lupus MS Other autoimmune
Were any of these diagnosed conditions worsened by SM or initiated by SM? [SM = your exposure to Smart Meter(s)] *
No or Yes, Worsened Yes, Initiated n/a by SM by SM Cardiac arrhythmia Other heart condition MCS CFIDS Fibromyalgia Lupus MS Other autoimmune
41. If you clicked "Other autoimmune condition diagnosed by a M.D." in the question above, please type the name of the condition here (and if there is more than this one other diagnosed autoimmune condition, please list it/them in the comments section at the end of this survey, along with if diagnosed before or after SM, and if worsened or initiated by SM):
n/a by default, or enter "Other autoimmune condition" here
Page 4 of 4: Personal Data, Optional Comments, Permissions
Personal Data
Your personally identifiable data will be kept confidential. The manner in which they may be used depends on the level of permission you give in your answers to the last two questions on this page (in Permissions section)
118 This survey is being conducted via SurveyGizmo. SurveyGizmo has HIPAA personal information protection certification. HIPPA is a US federal law that establishes standards for the privacy and security of health information.
SurveyGizmo also has Safe Harbor certification. Safe Harbor is program for compliance with European Union privacy laws.
. First Name * Last Name
Street Address
City * County if a USA address (note, this is not CountRy)
State if a USA address (pease review your selection to be sure it is correct). If not a USA address, enter your equivalent to State in the "(Provence)" textbox, also enter your equivalent of Zip code and enter your Country, and then ignore the reminder "You skipped this question" that pops up over County and State when you click "Submit Survey". Just scroll down to the bottom of the page again and click "Submit Survey" a second time.
(Province)
Zip * Country *
Email If you enter an email we will be able to send you our Thank You email, which contains a PDF of your completed survey, a PDF of a blank survey to give to people who cannot use a computer, an optional affidavit, and a link to access survey results.
119 Phone Number
42. Sex *
Female
Male
43. Please Select Your Age Range *
under 18
18 to 29
30 to 44
45 to 59
60+
44. Highest degree achieved: (Please review your answer after you select it to be sure it is correct). *
n/a
GED
High School
BS or BA
MS or MA
Ph.D.
M.D.
RN
DDS
Other medical
120 45. Profession/Occupation:
Comments Section (optional)
46. You can enter additional heath-related comments in the space provided below, including if you wish, a short summary of the impacts smart meters have had on your life. (Your entry is limited to 300 words).
Permissions
In order to make use of the answers you supplied, we need your permission for:
47. Anonymous Use: Do you give us permission to incorporate your answers and comments given in this questionnaire: into a research database to be used in our analysis and report which may eventually be presented, as anonymous data only, in legal proceedings, at conferences and/or published, including permission for us to quote some of your comments anonymously?
[Your personally identifiable information - last name, street address, email and phone number - will remain in a secure SurveyGizmo computer database. Neither SurveyGizmo nor the author of this survey will share any of your personally identifiable information with anyone. The author will use your phone number to contact you only if there is a problem with your survey.] *
Yes
No
Did you really intend to answer "No" to the question above about anonymous permission? If you let a "No" answer stand, then when you press "Submit Survey" all of the data you have entered in this questionnaire will be permanently erased, because you have not given us permission to use it.
48. Limited Confidential Disclosure: Anonymous data carry very little weight in regulatory or legal proceedings. Therefore in order for your data to be convincing in such proceedings, it must include at least your full name and street address. If you answered "Yes" to the previous question concerning permission to use anonymously, do you give us further permission to use all (except
121 email and phone) of your answers and comments given in this questionnaire, including full name and street address, subject to confidentiality restrictions (i.e., disclosable only to parties to proceedings who are bound by sworn confidentiality obligations not to disclose any personal information), in regulatory/legal proceedings concerning smart meters, including in the pending investigation of smart meters by the Maine Public Utilities Commission? (Your email and phone will not be revealed under any conditions. If you did not supply your last name, street address, email and phone number where requested in previous questions, please reconsider doing so.)
[Aside from this limited and confidential disclosure, your personally identifiable information (last name, street address, email and phone number) will remain in a secure SurveyGizmo computer database, accessible only to the author of this survey via a secure password. All surveys and data reside on SurveyGizmo's servers, which use Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256 bit encryption, the method used by banks and by the US National Security Agency for classified top secret information. There are multiple layers of proactive security, and data are never exported, sold, rented or used in any way by SurveyGizmo.]
Yes
No
Thank you for answering Yes to the last question, giving us permission for limited confidential disclosure of your full name and full address along with your survey data. Please scroll up to the top of this page and check to make sure that you did enter these in the blanks provided at the beginning of the Personal Data section (they are not required responses, and so you may have omitted them). Without full name and address, your survey responses would be less useful in regulatory or legal proceedings. THANK YOU!
Survey ID *
[survey("response id")]
Thank You!
Thank you very much for completing your questionnaire!
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Attached to this email is a PDF file of your completed survey containing your answers for your records, and a link to a summary report of all surveys received. Most importantly, it includes information on how to mail us an optional AFFIDAVIT together with a hard copy of your completed survey. The affidavit will greatly magnify the influence of your survey data in legal proceedings. Click here to download the affidavit form with instructions, or just download it from the email we have sent you.
122 This email also contains a link to forward to others interested in taking this survey, and a PDF of a blank survey. You can print a hard copy of the blank survey to give or mail to people who have been affected by smart meters and cannot use a computer.
123 This article is protected by copyright. To share or copy this article, please visit copyright.com. Use ISSN#1078-6791. To subscribe, visit alternative-therapies.com
REVIEW ARTICLE Self-Reporting of Symptom Development From Exposure to Radiofrequency Fields of Wireless Smart Meters in Victoria, Australia: A Case Series Federica Lamech, MBBS
ABSTRACT Context • In 2006, the government in the state of Victoria, Outcome Measures • The author used her medical Australia, mandated the rollout of smart meters in experience and judgment to group symptoms into Victoria, which effectively removed a whole population’s clinically relevant clusters (eg, pain in the head was ability to avoid exposure to human-made high-frequency grouped with headache, tinnitus was grouped with ringing nonionizing radiation. This issue appears to constitute an in the ears). The author stayed quite close to the wording unprecedented public health challenge for Victoria. By used in the original entries. She then calculated total August 2013, 142 people had reported adverse health numbers and percentages for each symptom cluster. effects from wireless smart meters by submitting Percentages were rounded to the nearest whole number. information on an Australian public Web site using its Results • The most frequently reported symptoms from health and legal registers. exposure to smart meters were (1) insomnia, (2) headaches, Objective • The study evaluated the information in the (3) tinnitus, (4) fatigue, (5) cognitive disturbances, registers to determine the types of symptoms that (6) dysesthesias (abnormal sensation), and (7) dizziness. Victorian residents were developing from exposure to The effects of these symptoms on people’s lives were wireless smart meters. significant. Design • In this case series, the registers’ managers Conclusions • Review of some key studies, both recent eliminated those cases that did not clearly identify the and old (1971), reveals that the participants’ symptoms people providing information by name, surname, postal were the same as those reported by people exposed to address, and/or e-mail to make sure that they were radiofrequency fields emitted by devices other than smart genuine registrants. Then they obtained consent from meters. Interestingly, the vast majority of Victorian cases participants to have their deidentified data used to compile did not state that they had been sufferers of electromagnetic the data for the case series. The author later removed any hypersensitivity syndrome (EHS) prior to exposure to the individual from outside of Victoria. wireless meters, which points to the possibility that smart Participants • The study included 92 residents of Victoria, meters may have unique characteristics that lower people’s Australia. threshold for symptom development. (Altern Ther Health Med. 2014;20(6):28-39.)
Federica Lamech, MBBS, is a medical practitioner in he Victorian Auditor-General’s November 2009 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. report1 criticized the rollout of smart meters, which had commenced in 2009 under a previous government’sT mandate from 2006. As a result, a freshly elected Victorian Premier announced in 2010 that his Corresponding author: Federica Lamech, MBBS government would review the program. Following a number E-mail address: [email protected] of reports, including those by Deloitte,2 EMC Technologies,3 and Lockstep Consulting,4 the new Victorian government announced on December 14, 2011, that it would continue with the program. Although the program would result in an overall net cost to consumers of $319 million dollars (NPV at
28 ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES, NOV/DEC 2014 VOL. 20, 6 Lamech—Symptoms From Radiofrequency Exposure in Victoria, Australia This article is protected by copyright. To share or copy this article, please visit copyright.com. Use ISSN#1078-6791. To subscribe, visit alternative-therapies.com
2008 values), Deloitte’s analysis of the costs and benefits of which involves transmission from each meter directly to a the program had concluded that it made economic sense to collection tower in a star-like configuration.6,9 continue given that a large portion of the costs had already Smart meters do not have to be wireless. Italy has been sunk into the project.2 The rollout was scheduled to completed the largest smart meter rollout to date. Their smart conclude by the end of 2013, but the deadline has been meters are hard-wired and communicate over the existing extended because of delays caused by technical difficulties, power lines.10 Other options have been proposed, such as inaccessible sites, and customer refusals. communication via telephone lines, whereas fiber optic cabling has already been successfully deployed in other parts of the Issues Surrounding Rollout world.11 Claims have been made that all types of electronic After installation of wireless smart meters began, meters, including wired smart meters, can introduce dirty anecdotes of people developing symptoms started to be electricity (ie, high-frequency voltage transients and reported in mainstream media. For example, an article in the harmonics) along the wiring of a house, because of their Herald Sun in Melbourne reported that Marc and Maureen switching-mode power supply, as well as back into the main Florio and their 4 children had left their home, claiming that powerline.12 The function of the switching-mode power supply they had been experiencing constant headaches and sleep is to convert alternating current (AC) coming in from the deprivation since a neighbor’s smart meter had been power lines to direct current (DC), which is required to run installed 3 weeks earlier.5 the electronic meter. This process creates high frequency Public concerns over a number of issues with the voltage spikes, which are emitted constantly, 24/7, and which compulsory rollout of smart meters have since intensified travel along building wires and radiate outward from them. and multiplied. They have included (1) adverse health effects; Critics claim that this dirty electricity can lead to short- and (2) safety issues, such as a possible increased risk of house long-term, adverse health effects.12,13 fires; (3) the incompatibility of the smart meter with existing wiring and appliances, possibly causing damage to electrical Sources of Radiation devices in the home; (4) privacy issues surrounding the Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) is a broad term that collection and on-selling of vast amounts of data that reveal encompasses both natural and human-made sources of customers’ energy usage patterns; (5) security issues, such as radiation. The electromagnetic spectrum describes the those inherent in any type of wireless communication (ie, a continuum of different frequencies put together with the vulnerability to hacking and to cyber-attacks); (6) cost associated wavelength of each frequency.14,15 The frequency is concerns; and (7) a perceived lack of democratic process the number of oscillations or cycles per second, whereas because of the way in which the rollout had proceeded.6 In wavelength describes the distance between successive peaks response to these concerns, Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) of a wave.16 As a result, wavelength and frequency are released a report in July 2012, “Safety of Advanced Metering inseparably intertwined: The higher the frequency, the Infrastructure in Victoria,” which stated that “smart meters shorter the wavelength is.14 The electromagnetic spectrum is are safe,”7 notwithstanding the fact that ESV had mentioned divided into 2 main types: (1) ionizing radiation, which in their draft in May 2012 that the issue of possible health comprises cosmic and gamma rays, X-rays, and ultraviolet effects was “beyond the detailed scope” of the report.8 rays; and (2) nonionizing radiation.14,15,17 Victoria’s smart meters are electronic meters that are Ionizing radiation has so much energy per quantum that capable of measuring electricity consumption in 30-minute it is able to break chemical bonds between molecules.14 The intervals and have a transmitter/antenna that is able to negative effect on health of ionizing radiation is well broadcast the collected data wirelessly to the base.6 Victoria’s recognized.17 In this report, however, the term radiation will smart meters also have a second internal antenna for the be used to describe nonionizing radiation, which does not Home Area Network (HAN) radio, which can be turned on carry sufficient energy to break molecular bonds.14 when requested by the customer.3 The electronic meter is all Nonionizing radiation includes (1) extremely low- that is needed to implement time-of-use tariffs (ie, charging frequency fields, such as those emitted by electrical appliances different rates for electricity at different times); however, the and power lines; (2) intermediate-frequency fields, such as remote-reading function means that meter readers are no those used in some antitheft and security systems; and longer required and that the power companies can disconnect (3) high-frequency radiation, which includes radiofrequency and reconnect power remotely.6 In effect, a smart grid, as fields, such as those produced by mobile telephones, television opposed to deployment of electronic meters, constitutes the and radio transmitters, and radar, as well as microwaves, a power companies’ communication system. The bulk of subset of radiofrequency radiation, which have frequencies Victoria’s power distributors use wireless mesh networks that in the 300 MHz to 300 GHz range.16 The last are used in rely on the smart meters to act as relay stations, with microwave ovens and for wireless Internet.14,15 households’ data hopping unpredictably from meter to These definitions are arbitrary but represent a useful way meter, thus forming a mesh.6 Any reflective surface can cause of describing different parts of the nonionizing component a deviation in the transmission route of the radiofrequency of the spectrum. Discussions of and research on the effects of signal. One distributor has deployed a WiMax network, nonionizing radiation revolve around thermal and
Lamech—Symptoms From Radiofrequency Exposure in Victoria, Australia ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES, NOV/DEC 2014 VOL. 20, 6 29 This article is protected by copyright. To share or copy this article, please visit copyright.com. Use ISSN#1078-6791. To subscribe, visit alternative-therapies.com
nonthermal effects.17 According to the main regulatory state the symptoms from which they were suffering that they agencies in Australia and the United States, only thermal believed had resulted from exposure to electromagnetic effects are capable of affecting human health17; however, this radiation (EMR) that had been emitted from smart meters. article will deal exclusively with the nonthermal, or biological, The information could be submitted online or the form could effects on humans of nonionizing radiation. For this reason, be printed and filled in by hand, then sent to a designated the author has used the terms radiation, radiofrequency, and postal address. Neither form of registration posed direct microwaves interchangeably in this article. questions about types of symptoms or offered any form of As societies industrialize, an unprecedented increase in tick-a-box questionnaire, thereby avoiding the suggestion of the number and diversity of EMF sources occurs.18 These various symptoms, and both steered clear of a recruitment- sources include (1) video display units (VDUs) associated style approach to the collection of information. with computers and mobile phones and their base stations,18 The author subsequently approached the managers of (2) wireless Internet, (3) digital television and radio, and— the Web site and the registers, and based on her status as a more recently—(4) wireless utility meters and their medical practitioner, she received permission to view people’s associated infrastructure. For some time, individuals have deidentified data in both registers in hard-copy form. It was reported a variety of health problems that they relate to immediately apparent to the author that people from exposure to EMF.18 disparate parts of Victoria were listing the same or similar symptoms from exposure to smart meters. The majority of Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity Syndrome people could not possibly have known each other, and they Electromagnetic hypersensitivity syndrome (EHS) is certainly had no access to information that had been characterized by a variety of nonspecific symptoms. The registered by others, as data sent to the registers had been most common ones include dermatological symptoms— kept strictly private and confidential. Because the information redness, tingling, and burning sensations—as well as appeared to point to a new and ongoing public health neurasthenic and vegetative symptoms—fatigue, tiredness, problem for Victoria, the author decided that a case series concentration difficulties, dizziness, nausea, heart report, based on the cases in the registers, was warranted. palpitations, and digestive disturbances.18 This syndrome was first described by Russian researchers in the 1950s, who METHODOLOGY called it microwave sickness.17 The author began by enlisting the agreement and Although the range of estimates of the EHS prevalence cooperation of the managers of the public Web site and in the general population is broad, a survey of self-help registers and by instructing them on her planned methodology. groups has indicated that approximately 10% of reported The managers were given the task of selecting appropriate cases have been considered severe.18 The World Health cases from both their health register and legal register. The Organization (WHO) has expressed a willingness to consider cases were included when the managers could clearly identify professional and public input on evidence supporting the the person by name, surname, postal address, and/or e-mail inclusion of EHS into the 11th version of the International address to make sure that they were genuine registrants. In the Classification of Diseases (ICD), to be released in 2015.15 case of children, name and surname, together with postal Various national governments have also recognized EHS as address and/or e-mail address of at least 1 parent, were an emerging public problem. Sweden classifies EHS as a considered sufficient for identification of the child. functional impairment,15 whereas the Council of Europe The managers then proceeded to print or photocopy Resolution 1815 calls for particular attention to be paid to each qualifying individual’s entry and to deidentify each case, the needs of electrosensitive people and for the introduction providing the author with each person’s gender, date of birth, of special measures to protect them, including the creation of and the name of his or her residential suburb. The author wave-free areas not covered by the wireless network.19 considered these details important for statistical purposes. In May 2013, the author of the current study became Children’s symptoms were reported by their parents. E-mail aware that people were registering adverse health effects addresses and phone numbers were hidden by the registers’ from smart meters on a public Web site. Two ways existed for managers, and the author made no attempt to contact any people to register: (1) a health register and (2) a legal register. person to obtain additional details or ask for clarification(s). The health register requested that people send their data to a This practice was judged by the author to be appropriate, not specific e-mail address if they believed that their health had only for the maintenance of anonymity but also because any been affected following installation of smart meters, asking 2 further questioning would have had the potential to introduce questions: (1) “Are you hypersensitive to electromagnetic biases in reporting and interfere with its spontaneous and radiation from sources such as smart meters and mobile unsolicited nature. What was not written or written clearly phones?” and (2) “Has your health been affected following was simply omitted from the report. This fact must be kept in the installation of smart meters?” The legal register mind when reading the case series. contained 1 similarly worded open-ended question: “Do you The Web site’s managers then proceeded to seek signed believe your health has been affected by the installation of written consent to use people’s deidentified data to compile a smart meters?” If the answer was “yes,” people were asked to report. This request was done by sending a letter to each
30 ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES, NOV/DEC 2014 VOL. 20, 6 Lamech—Symptoms From Radiofrequency Exposure in Victoria, Australia This article is protected by copyright. To share or copy this article, please visit copyright.com. Use ISSN#1078-6791. To subscribe, visit alternative-therapies.com
individual, mainly via post, but in a few cases in which postal Figure 1. Map of Victoria and Places of Residence of the addresses were not available, via e-mail. In the case of People in the Study’s Cases children, consent had to be signed by 1 of the parents. One case was drawn directly from the public side of the earlier- mentioned Web site, and for this reason, consent was not sought for that case because it was already available in the public domain. The Web site contained a significant number of publicly available cases of symptoms from smart meters; however, the chosen case was included because it was the only one that provided fully identifiable details: name, surname, residential address, and phone number. The author subsequently removed 1 case from outside the state of Victoria and 1 from a resident of New Zealand. Of 142 fully identifiable cases before this removal, 91 consented, with the 1 additional case being in the public domain and not requiring consent. Therefore, the sample size was 92, and the author received all deidentified submissions in hard-copy form only. They were stored in her home office meters had aggravated their conditions. The place of under lock and key. The author intends to keep all documents residence of the person representing each case study was for a period of 5 years after publication of this article. At the important, because the locations illustrate that individuals end of this period, the documents will be destroyed. reporting symptoms were not concentrated in 1 geographical For the results, the author has used her medical area but were from different and varied parts of metropolitan experience and judgment to group symptoms into clinically and rural Victoria. Figure 1 shows the residential locations of relevant clusters (eg, pain in the head was grouped with the current study’s cases marked with red dots; 67% of the headache; tinnitus was grouped with ringing in the ears). The Victorians in this study lived within Melbourne’s metropolitan author has stayed quite close to the wording used in the area (ie, Melbourne’s suburbs), which is shaded a darker original entries. Total numbers and percentages were green on the map. This correlates almost perfectly with calculated for each symptom cluster. Percentage values were current demographics for the state, which show more than rounded to the nearest whole number. 70% of all Victorians living in Melbourne’s suburbs. As Figure 2 shows, the most common symptoms were RESULTS (1) insomnia, sleep disturbance, or sleep disruption—44 Of the 92 participants reporting symptoms from exposure people (48%); (2) headaches, head pain, or dull head—41 to wireless smart meters, 87 were adults and 5 were children. people (45%); (3) tinnitus, ringing in the ears, or Of the adults, the youngest person was 23 years of age and the buzzing/noises in the ears—30 people (33%); (4) tiredness, oldest was 74; 55 (63%) were female and 32 (37%) were male. lethargy, or fatigue, including chronic fatigue, exhaustion, or The children were aged 6, 10, and 14 years, with the ages of the weakness—29 people (32%); and (5) cognitive disturbances, remaining 2 children unknown. The children’s group was inability to concentrate or think, disorientation, or memory composed of 2 females and 3 males. Therefore, for the total loss—28 people (30%). Table 1 identifies the symptoms that group, 57 (62%) were female and 35 (38%) were male. were experienced by participants, other than the 5 most Of all the individuals, 39 (42%) did not specify whether common, with their incidence. their symptoms were caused by their neighbors’ or their own smart meters. This lack of information was not surprising, Figure 2. Five Most Common Symptoms because that kind of information was not sought in either the 60% health or the legal registers. Therefore, it is of note that a total 50% 48% of 53 people (58%) volunteered this data: (1) 27 (29%) 45% claimed that their symptoms were from exposure to their 40% neighbors’ smart meters, (2) 20 (22%) thought the adverse 33% 32% 30% health effects were from a smart meter at their own homes, 30% and (3) 2 wrote that their symptoms were from both their neighbors’ and their own smart meters. It is also interesting 20% that 3 people stated that they experienced symptoms when 10% visiting friends or relatives who had a smart meter, and 1 person became ill after exposure to a smart meter at work. 0% Only 7 people (8%) stated that they considered Insomnia Headaches Tinnitus Lethargy Cognitive themselves to have been suffering from EHS prior to smart Disturbance meter exposure. Of these, 2 felt that radiation from smart
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Table 1. Other Symptoms
Symptom/Symptom Cluster n (%) Dysesthesias, including nerve pain, neuropathy, burning sensations, tremors, cold extremities, and 20 (22%) poor circulation Dizziness/loss of balance 19 (21%) Heart palpitations 16 (17%) Nausea 15 (16%) Onset of EHS 14 (15%) Pain (in joints, bones, muscles, other and including arthritic changes) 13 (14%) Pressure/heat/weird feeling in or on head 12 (13%) Anxiety/agitation/irritability/restlessness 12 (13%) Adverse health effects not otherwise specified 11 (12%) Problems with eyes or eyesight/blurred vision 10 (11%) Chest pain/pain in the heart 9 (10%) Rashes/skin irritation/skin discoloration/dry skin 7 (8%) Aggravation of pre-existing medical condition 6 (7%) Digestive problems/bowel irritability/stomach pain 5 (5%) Muscle spasms/cramps/twitches 5 (5%) Nose bleeds 4 (4%) Ear problems (ear pain, loss of hearing) 3 (3%) Depression/loss of motivation 3 (3%) Increased rate of infections/colds 3 (3%) Allergies/food sensitivities 3 (3%) Aggravation of EHS 2 (2%) Sinus problems 2 (2%) Lump in throat/sore throat 2 (2%) Weight loss/loss of appetite 2 (2%) Swollen face/lips 2 (2%) Bladder infections/strains 2 (2%) Flu-like symptoms 1 (1%) Dehydration/thirst 1 (1%) Weight gain 1 (1%) Inability to talk 1 (1%) Loss of motor skills 1 (1%) Loss of feeling and movement from waist down 1 (1%)
Abbreviations: EHS = electromagnetic hypersensitivity syndrome.
It is concerning that 40% of all participants reported 4 or symptom—chronic, severe nerve pain—and had to go on a more symptoms, as this finding is very likely to be predictive disability pension as a result. of a greater level of disability (Figure 3). Eleven percent had It may reasonably be expected that a random sample of developed only 3 symptoms, 20% only 2 symptoms, and 29% the population would also report a number of symptoms at only 1 symptom. Note that the author counted “adverse any one time, but the difference in these cases is that all health effect(s) not otherwise specified” as 1 symptom. She is people in this study self-reported symptoms that they of the opinion that even 1 symptom, depending on its type attributed directly to smart meters. Because EHS is a self- and severity, could result in significant disruption for an reported syndrome and given the current absence of a individual. An example of this result is the experience of the reliable assessment tool for identifying EHS in individuals, person in Case 82, an adult male who developed only 1 Eltiti et al20 concluded that researchers have to rely on the
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Figure 3. Number of Symptoms per Person Table 2. Effect on People’s Lives
Effect 1. Having to go on a disability pension 2. Not being able to use part of one’s house 3. Restricting freedom of movement 4 or more 4. Spending a lot of money on shielding products symptoms, 40% 1 symptom, 29% 5. Causing financial problems 6. Causing relationship problems 7. Having to undergo otherwise unnecessary medical investigations 8. Needing to see a psychologist and doctors 9. Producing general deterioration in quality of life 2 symptoms, 20% 10. Needing to restrict time spent using a computer 11. Needing to avoid all EMR-emitting devices 12. Being unable to drive 3 symptoms, 13. Causing secondary stress 11% 14. Having to temporarily move out of one’s home while it was being shielded 15. Developing concerns about long-term effects of individual’s self-diagnosis of their symptoms as caused by exposure exposure to EMF. The researchers proposed an EHS screening 16. Relocating bedroom tool that is centered on the fact that an individual explicitly 17. Decreased performance at work attributes his or her symptoms to exposure to EMF-producing 18. Being unable to work object(s).20 19. Being able to feel normal only when away from home Similarly, a survey conducted by the Dutch 20. Causing several issues, such as lethargy or cognitive Electrohypersensitivity Foundation in 2007 argues that EMF- impairment, secondary to sleep disturbances affected individuals simply know, often by experimentation, 21. Needing to move into a caravan 25 km out of town that certain pieces of electrical equipment, installations, or 22. Sleeping in a van for 6 months facilities make them sick and that most of the problems are 23. Relocating to another state solved when these items are switched off or the EMF exposure is lowered by shielding or increasing the distance Abbreviation: EMR = electromagnetic radiation. from a device.21 This statement mirrors the experience of the majority of the Victorian cohort, who were specific in their Figure 1 shows that people in this study were from description of their health problems as being directly related disparate parts of the state of Victoria. They were from to smart meter exposure. A chronological relationship metropolitan as well as regional and rural areas and were not existed between the onset of exposure and symptom concentrated in any geographical area, which makes possible development. causes of symptoms related to a specific location unlikely A chronological relationship between length of exposure (eg, proximity to airports, wind farms, open-cut coal mines, and an increase in the number or severity of symptoms, or chemicals used in agriculture). It is also unlikely for the however, did not necessarily exist. This finding suggested a reported symptoms to be associated with any seasonal factor possible all-or-nothing mechanism, whereby smart meter (eg, extremes of temperatures, degree of humidity, bushfire exposure leads people to reach a personal threshold beyond smoke, or a high pollen count), because the reporting period which adverse health effects are consciously perceived. More stretched between September 2012 and August 2013, which than one-half (58%) of all the current participants also meant that symptoms were reported during all 4 seasons. volunteered a statement with regard to the location of the Smart meters represent an ubiquitous presence throughout smart meter(s) that they had identified as causing their the state of Victoria, having been rolled out across the entire symptom(s) and described clear alleviation of symptom(s) state. Their presence is not subject to seasonal variation. when they moved away from the smart meter(s) or when Therefore, they are a credible possible cause of the symptoms shielded from the smart meter(s). reported in this study, although a case series cannot prove As a consequence, a large number of people self-helped causality. It can and does, however, offer a new hypothesis, one either by using shielding measures or by putting distance that will have to be tested by further research. between themselves and the smart meter(s), which meant More than one-half (55) of all the cases did not state either relocating their bedrooms, moving to another what effect the symptoms had had on their lives. This lack is residence, ceasing employment, restricting their movement possibly caused by the fact that the registration of their in general, or moving out of the state of Victoria (Table 2). symptoms occurred in an open-ended style that did not
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directly ask questions other than whether they thought that changes and/or pyramidal tract lesions as mentioned in the smart meters had affected their health. Moreover, participants 1971 report; and (15) loss of motor skills or loss of feeling and had consented for their deidentified data to be used to movement from the waist down, which are both consistent compile a report at a time after their initial submission to the with pyramidal tract lesions and effects on locomotor nerves Web site’s registers. This situation had the benefit of that are listed in the NMRI paper. In looking at these eliminating the likelihood of a real or perceived secondary symptoms that were not obviously listed in the NMRI report, gain for registrants but also led to the writing of short, simple it is important to keep in mind that the language of that report statements that did not elaborate on how the symptoms had was more technical and clinical compared with the current affected their lives. Table 2 provides details about the effect case series, in which the author has purposely stayed true to on the lives of the 37 people who made a statement about the wording and terms used by participants and which is, those effects.. therefore, less technical and less interpretive. In 1990, a study was commissioned in response to a DISCUSSION petition that had been signed by a group of residents in Biological Effects of Radiation Schwarzenburg, Switzerland, who claimed to be experiencing ill With regard to the reported symptomatology related to health from a shortwave-radio transmitter present in their small wireless smart meters, it is interesting to look back at a town. The Federal Office of Energy was charged with setting up research report by Dr Zorach R. Glaser for the Naval Medical a study group, which was chaired by Dr J. Cattin, head of the Research Institute (NMRI) in the United States, completed in Section Energy Management, and which included the University 1971 and revised in 1972.22 The report lists in excess of 2300 of Berne and Swiss Telecom, among others.23 The study was references on the biological responses to radiofrequency and criticized, particularly because of Swiss Telecom’s involvement microwave radiation in its bibliography. What is immediately and because of its 5-year duration, which was too short a time apparent is the fact that most of the symptoms reported in the for any conclusive findings on long-term health effects, including current case series were also present in the NMRI report. This cancer, to emerge.24 It nevertheless revealed some impressive fact indicates that biological effects from nonionizing radiation understandings on short-term effects from exposure to are the same irrespective of the device that emits them— radiofrequency fields. The most important of these effects was accounting for frequency, intensity, and duration—and that that of sleep disruption, which was very common, affecting 55% such biological effects were already known and reported to the of those older than 45 years, and which was directly associated public in 1971. In fact, Glaser mentions 2 even earlier studies with the electromagnetic-field strength of the transmitter.23 that were both published in 1969.22 The value of Glaser’s report Other symptoms reported by residents included headaches, lies particularly in its lack of bias and conflict of interest tiredness, general weakness, irritability, nervousness, limb pain, because the sponsoring department was the Bureau of lower-back pain, and palpitations. Most important, personality Medicine and Surgery (Navy) in Washington, DC. studies were carried out that showed that symptoms were not In terms of the biological symptoms listed, an almost related to a health-worrying personality but displayed a dose- complete overlap exists with symptoms reported in the current response relationship with logistic regression. The strong case series. All commonly reported symptoms in the current correlation between the type of symptoms experienced by the case series, such as insomnia, headaches, tinnitus (described as Victorian cohort and by the residents of Schwarzenburg, buzzing about the ears in the NMRI document), fatigue, together with the shared high prevalence of sleep disruptions in cognitive disturbances, memory problems, dizziness, buzzing both groups, should further inform assessment of the significance in the head, heart rate problems, eye problems, chest pain, of the findings of the current case series. dysesthesias, anxiety, and restlessness are very clearly biological A consensus paper of the Austrian Medical Association’s symptoms that were listed in Glaser’s report,22 together with EMF Working Group, adopted on March 3, 2012, in Vienna and less common symptoms, such as heat/weird feeling in/on the titled “Guideline of the Austrian Medical Association for the head, skin problems, digestive problems, muscle cramps, sinus Diagnosis and Treatment of EMF-related Health Problems and problems, depression, loss of appetite, and dehydration.22 Illnesses (EMF Syndrome),” mentions a survey carried out in The symptoms reported by Victorians but not mentioned Switzerland in 2001.25 In it, 394 respondents attributed specific in the 1971 report are (1) nausea; (2) pressure in the head; health problems to EMF exposure. The following symptoms (3) pain other than head or chest pain, although the pain could were reported: (1) sleep problems (58%), (2) headaches (41%), be caused by changes in oxidative processes in tissues as listed (3) nervousness (19%), (4) fatigue (18%), and (5) difficulty by Glaser, and consequent tissue inflammation; (4) shortness of concentrating (16%). It is apparent at first glance that the first 2 breath; (5) ear problems—pain and decreased hearing; symptoms are of the same order of frequency as for the (6) allergies and food sensitivities; (7) nose bleeds; (8) increased Victorians in the current case series (Figure 4). A very similar rate of infections/colds; (9) bladder infections/strains (10) flu- percentage of people complained of headaches in both the like symptoms; (11) lumps in the throat (the NMRI report current study (45%) and the Swiss one (41%). A similar, albeit instead mentions a peculiar metallic taste in the mouth); slightly lower, number of participants reported sleep problems, (12) swollen face or swollen lips; (13) weight gain; (14) inability such as insomnia and frequent waking, in Victoria (48%) versus to talk, which could be caused by electroencephalogram (EEG) those reported in the Swiss study (58%). All 5 symptoms
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Figure 4. Victorian Cohort Versus Swiss Study Table 3. Summary of Biological Effects of Nonionizing 70% Radiation 58% 60% Effects 1. Pathological leakage of the blood-brain barrier, which 50% 48% 45% allows toxins into brain tissues 41% 40% 2. Pathological leakage of the blood-gut barrier 32% 3. Altered immune function, including increased allergic 30% 30% and inflammatory responses 4. Cardiovascular effects, particularly on blood pressure 18% 19% 20% 16% 13% and heart rate 10% 5. Disregulation of circadian rhythms and reduced melatonin production, which may account for 0% insomnia Sleep Headaches Fatigue Difficulty Nervousness 6. Nervous system effects, which include altered Problems Concentrating brainwave activity, changes in neuronal functioning Victorian cohort Swiss study and changes in autonomic nervous system electrophysiology reported in the Swiss survey corresponded to symptoms 7. Desynchronization of neural activity that regulates experienced by the Victorian cohort, with fatigue (32%) and critical functions in brain, gut, and heart difficulty concentrating (30%) being more common in 8. Lipid peroxidation of cell membranes Victoria and nervousness (anxiety/agitation) (13%) being 9. Elevated intracellular calcium with consequent less common. disruption of cell metabolism The Austrian Guidelines also list a number of what their 10. Poorly functioning mitochondria authors consider to be EMF-related symptoms: sleep 11. Production of stress proteins as a result of the direct problems, fatigue, exhaustion, lack of energy, restlessness, interaction of EMF with the DNA molecule, whereby heart palpitations, muscle and joint pain, headaches, DNA acts as a fractal antenna (because of its coiled-coil depression, difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, anxiety, configuration) urinary urgency, anomia, dizziness, tinnitus, and a sensation 12. Altered biochemical functions and production of of pressure in the head and the ears.25 All listed symptoms hormones were experienced by Victorians in the current study, if the 13. Increased production of free radicals and deficiencies reader accepts that anomia corresponds with inability to talk of antioxidants such as glutathione and melatonin and urinary urgency to bladder infections/strains. leading to oxidative stress Short-term effects from exposure to radiofrequency fields are also mentioned in another recent publication, the Abbreviation: EMF = electromagnetic field. BioInitiative 2012 report prepared by 29 independent scientists and health experts from around the world. It conditions) from chronic exposure to nonionizing radiation, documents bioeffects (ie, adverse health effects) and public which include genotoxicity and DNA breakages among health conclusions about effects of nonionizing radiation, others.26 It is not strictly within the scope of this case series to including radiofrequency microwave fields. It replaces the explain the biophysical mechanisms that may account for BioInitiative 2007 report.26 These effects involve cognition; acute symptoms or effects or to discuss the long-term serious memory and learning; behavior; reaction time; attention and health endpoints associated with radiofrequency radiation; concentration; and altered brainwave activity (altered EEG), however, a summary of the nonthermal biological effects of as well as insomnia; discomfort; loss of well-being; sleep nonionizing radiation is contained in Table 3. It is distilled disruption; aberrant immune, allergic, and inflammatory from the BioInitiative report and intends to be a basic guide responses in tissues; interference with normal cardiac for clinicians. function; alteration of circadian rhythms; and It also needs to be mentioned that in 2011, the desynchronization of neural activity that regulates critical International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which functions in the brain, gut, and heart. Radiofrequencies can is part of the WHO, classified radiofrequency fields as a act as disrupters of synchronized neural activity. Group 2B Possible Human Carcinogen, based on an increased The BioInitiative report offers a detailed explanation on risk of glioma after 10 years or longer of cell phone use.27 The how environmental exposures to artificial EMFs can interact IARC clarified that the evidence for carcinogenicity applies with fundamental biological processes in the human body.26 to exposures to radiofrequency radiation from all sources, This finding should not be unexpected because “human beings not only cell phones (ie, it is not device-specific).28 This are bioelectrical systems.”26 In addition to short-term effects, finding has implications for the continued massive rollout of the report dwells on the long-term sequelae (pathological wireless technologies, in particular the wireless smart utility
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meter, which was described in a recent statement to the UK Again, this statement correlates with the conclusion in Parliament as having triggered thousands of complaints of ill the Austrian Guidelines that “multiple exposures to different health and disabling symptoms worldwide.29 EMF sources must be taken into account.”25 Dr Namkung’s conclusion that “... governmental agencies are the only Mandated, Involuntary Exposure defense against such involuntary exposure” to mandated With regard to smart meters, 2 unique features should smart meters’ nonionizing radiation emissions31 applies in a be considered: (1) exposure may be involuntary and (2) particularly relevant way to the Victorian experience. exposure can be universal. In Victoria, smart meters were A similar view is also shared by Dr David O. Carpenter mandated, thereby removing the individual’s choice to avoid and 53 other scientists and doctors, who, in an article exposure in his or her own home, and involuntary exposure published in 2012, outline some of the effects of EMF also occurred to meters in neighboring homes. Each smart exposure with the intent to correct some of the gross meter in the mesh networks transmits an unknown and misinformation regarding wireless smart meters and variable number of burst transmissions per day, which advocate for the application of a precautionary principle, typically reach into many thousands in number.30 Meters on such as using wired meters.32 the WiMax network,9 although not communicating with Although some of the studies discussed in this report each other and deploying only bidirectional communication offer recommendations regarding wireless smart meter between a meter and the base station, nevertheless send deployment (Table 4), virtually no published studies are hourly time synchronization signals in addition to their daily available with respect to smart meters and human health, session transmissions.3 and no long-term studies exist because of the newness of A submission by the Public Utilities Commission of the technology. California shows that only 45.3 seconds of transmissions per Notably, an early voice of concern on this issue was that day (<0.1% duty cycle) still equates to 9600 transmissions.30 of Don Maisch, PhD, from Tasmania, who posed the question Exposures are likely to be physiologically additive in of whether smart meters would end up creating a public nature.25,26,31 Moreover, belief is increasing in the concept that health nightmare in an article published in September 2012.33 intermittent pulses of radiofrequencies, such as those used in In it, he explained how current exposure standards are the smart grid, are more biologically significant compared outdated and no longer relevant and warned that, given the with constant-type exposures, even when the time-averaged sheer number of people exposed, simply dismissing anecdotal exposure is miniscule.26,31 This kind of signal is biologically evidence of symptoms from smart meters as a nocebo active and not invisible to the human body and its proper (harmless) effect without a serious research effort would be biological functioning, because the unpredictable pulses inexcusable. disrupt the synchronized biological oscillations within cells.26 The Austrian Medical Association recommends that such Incidence of Effects periodic signals should be critically evaluated, whereas This article has discussed the fact that people from nonperiodic signals may be considered more leniently.25 various regional and metropolitan areas in the state of In a 2012 memorandum titled “Health Risks Associated Victoria, of all ages and during all seasons, have reported with SmartMeters,” Dr Poki Namkung, public health officer symptoms from exposure to the radiofrequency fields of of the County of Santa Cruz (CA, USA) stated that no wireless smart meters as well as the onset or aggravation of scientific literature exists on the health risks of smart meters EHS and the aggravation of pre-existing medical conditions because they are a new technology.31 This statement parallels after installation of the meters. Interestingly, only 8% of the the Austrian EMF Working Group’s statement that “new participants in the current study stated that they had suffered technologies and applications have been introduced without from EHS prior to exposure to smart meters, which suggests certainty about their health effects.”25 Dr Namkung also that the threshold for symptom development appears to be explains that research on the potential health risks from significantly lower when it comes to wireless meters compared radiofrequencies has been funded largely by industry because with that for other wireless devices. little funding is available for basic scientific research.31 Of an initial 142 people who had formally registered The report indicates: their adverse health effects from smart meters related to the current study, 92 consented to participation. The author ... exposure is additive and consumers may have already considers this number to be significant and most likely to increased their exposures to radiofrequency radiation in represent the tip of the iceberg in terms of total numbers. the home through the voluntary use of wireless devices Underestimation could be caused by the fact that people do such as cell and cordless phones, personal digital assistants not associate their symptoms with smart meter exposure (PDAs), routers for internet access, home security systems, wireless baby surveillance monitors (baby when the symptoms are not severe or do not occur monitors), and other emerging devices. It would be concurrently. In addition, this underdiagnosis may be caused impossible to know how close a consumer might be to his by a lack of knowledge about the effects of wireless or her limit, making safety a uncertainty if SmartMeters technologies on the part of the general population and the are mandatorily installed.31 majority of the medical fraternity. The ongoing campaign of
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Table 4. Summary of Scientific Reports Subject Matter and Title Author(s) Country Year Findings Recommendations “Bibliography of Reported Glaser22 United 1971 Provides more than 2000 No specific recommendation; Biological Phenomena and Clinical States references on the prepared for the Naval Medical Manifestations Attributed to biological responses to Research Institute, Bethesda, Microwave and Radio-frequency radiofrequency radiation Maryland; approved for unlimited Radiation” public release “Study on Health Effects of the Altpeter, Switzerland 1995 Notes marked No urgent protection measures; Shortwave Transmitter Station of Krebs, Pfluger, deterioration of sleep review of current exposure Schwarzenburg, Berne, Switzerland” et al23 quality in persons guidelines; further research exposed to radio transmitter “Guideline of the Austrian Medical Austrian Austria 2012 Discusses EMF-related Primary method of treatment of Association for the Diagnosis and Medical problems and outlines EMF-related health problems to Treatment of EMF-related Health Association’s clinical-management consist of prevention or reduction of Problems and Illnesses (EMF EMF Working approach EMF exposure Syndrome)” Group25 “BioInitiative 2012–A Rationale for Prepared by 29 Experts 2012 Reviews more than 1800 New, biologically based public- Biologically-based Exposure experts, edited from more new scientific studies exposure standard; precautionary Standards for Low-Intensity by Sage & than 10 added to the BioInitiative approach to RF exposure levels Electromagnetic Radiation” Carpenter26 countries Report 2007, which cited 2000 studies on adverse health effects from extremely low frequencies and radiofrequencies “Health Risks Associated with Namkung31 United 2012 Indicates objective All available, peer-reviewed research SmartMeters” States evidence supports EHS data on EMF applicable to smart diagnosis; no scientific meters; governmental agencies to literature on health risks protect public health from of smart meters involuntary exposure “Smart Meters: Correcting the Carpenter et Authors 2012 Summarizes long-term Application of Precautionary Gross Misinformation” al32 from a and short-term health Principle, such as using wired meters number of effects of EMF exposure, countries; in particular from smart published in meters Canada “Electromagnetic and Dean, Rea, United 2012 Discusses different types Immediate caution on smart-meter Radiofrequency Fields Effect on Smith, Barrier States of radiation and effect of installation; further research on Human Health” (American the increasing use of effects of EMF and RF exposure; use Academy of wireless technology on of safer technology, including for Environmental human health smart meters Medicine)17
Abbreviations: EMF = electromagnetic field; RF = radiofrequency; EHS = electromagnetic hypersensitivity syndrome.
the state government and power distributors to portray Another limitation, which is specific to this type of smart meters as safe has also contributed to this lack of noninterventional analysis of existing nonidentifiable data, is knowledge. Even when people believe that their new that the author was not able to contact individual case studies symptom(s) are caused by smart meters, some are not able to and was therefore unable to clarify or add to the information report or register their symptoms because they have no given by them. For the same reason, the author was also Internet access, and of those who do, not all are aware of Web unable to follow up these cases longitudinally, which is sites or ways to make reports. something that could have potentially yielded valuable information. Limitations of Current Study The main limitation of the current study is that, being a CONCLUSIONS case series, it is a descriptive, retrospective study that does This case series has discussed the most commonly not have a control arm and can therefore help formulate a reported symptoms from wireless smart meters. Although new hypothesis, but can only make limited statements on the some of these symptoms are also reported in relationship to causality of correlations observed. other environmental exposures, such as proximity to airports
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5. Hosking W. Family forced to move out after suffering health problems. Herald or wind turbines, Victorians in this report claimed a direct Sun. November 1, 2011. www.heraldsun.com.au/archive/news/smart-meter- chronological association between exposure to wireless smart shock-forces-family-out/story-fn7x8me2-1226181915461. Accessed February 27, 2014. meters and symptom development. A look at the place of 6. Smith J. Smart meters in Victoria: information and concerns. http:// residence of people reporting symptoms does not suggest a stopsmartmetersau.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/smart-meters-in-victoria_ information-and-concerns_version_3.pdf. Published March 29, 2013. Accessed link to any possible environmental factors that are February 27, 2014. geographically specific. Seasonal factors are also excluded, 7. Energy Safe Victoria. Safety of Advanced Metering Infrastructure in Victoria. http://www.esv.vic.gov.au/Portals/0/About%20ESV/Files/whats%20new/ because the reporting period stretched over all 4 seasons. The FINAL%20ESV%20smart%20meter%20safety%20report%2031%207%2012.pdf. effect of these symptoms on people’s lives is far-ranging, from Published July 31, 2012. Accessed February 27, 2014. 8. Energy Safe Victoria. Safety of Advanced Metering Infrastructure in Victoria stress, financial problems, and unnecessary investigations to [draft report]. http://www.esv.vic.gov.au/Portals/0/Consumers/Files/Safety%20 needing to move out of one’s home and even to another state. of%20advanced%20metering%20infrastructure%20in%20Victoria%20%20 170512.pdf. Published May 17, 2012. Accessed February 27, 2014. The author of the current study offers the hypothesis 9. SP AusNet communications network. SP AusNet Web site. http://www. that some people can develop symptoms from exposure to sp-ausnet.com.au/?id=1010100C36913FCE7EB6037CA2579D1001C8D91. Accessed February 27, 2014. the radiofrequency fields of wireless smart meters. This 10. International Confederation of Energy Regulators. Report on experiences on the hypothesis cannot be disproven without further assessment regulatory approaches to the implementation of smart meters, annex 4: case study, smart meters in Italy. http://www.icer-regulators.net/portal/page/portal/ of the affected individuals and the electromagnetic fields in ICER_HOME/publications_press/ICER_Reports_2009_2012/Reports_Annexes/ which they live. An evidence-based approach, such as the Annex%204%20-%20Case%20study%20from%20Italy. ICER report 12-C&A-08- 01. Published April 2012. Accessed February 27, 2014. one used in all other areas of medicine, must be applied, 11. Smart alternatives. In: Jamieson I. Smart Meters-Smarter Practices: Solving which would mean the establishment of a postrollout Emerging Problems. Leicestershire, UK: EM-Radiation Research Trust; 2012:24- 32. http://www.radiationresearch.org/component/content/article/10- surveillance study and funding for further research into the uncategorised/173-smart-meters-smarter-practices-document. Accessed particular effects of wireless smart meters, in conjunction February 27, 2014. 12. Brangan MB, Heddle J. New critical problem with ‘smart’ meters: the Switching- with research into the short-term and long-term Mode Power Supply (SMPS). eon3EMFblog.net Web site. http://eon3emfblog. consequences of EMR exposure. Until more knowledge is net/?p=2180. Published March 30, 2011. Accessed February 27, 2014. 13. Havas M. Electromagnetic hypersensitivity: biological effects of dirty electricity accumulated and until this type of wireless technology can with emphasis on diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Electromagn Biol Med. be proven safe, the author believes that communities should 2006;25(4):259-268. 14. Electromagnetic fields (EMF): what are electromagnetic fields? World Health use a cautionary approach, asking for a moratorium on Organization Web site. http://www.who.int/peh-emf/about/WhatisEMF/en/. deployment of wireless smart meters and smart grids and for Accessed March 11, 2014. 15. Genuis SJ, Lipp CT. Electromagnetic hypersensitivity: fact or fiction? Sci Total the use of safer technologies for smart meters, such as hard- Environ. January 2012;414:103-112. wiring, fiber optics, or other nonharmful methods of data 16. Exposure data. In: Non-ionizing Radiation, II: Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2013:37-38. transmission, including reading of meters by meter readers. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans; vol 102. Living in a wireless smart grid makes the Austrian Medical http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/ Monographs/vol102/mono102-001.pdf. Accessed March 11, 2014. Association’s recommendation to “take all reasonable 17. Dean AL, Rea WJ, Smith CW, Barrier AL. Electromagnetic and radiofrequency measures to reduce exposure to electromagnetic fields” fields effect on human health. American Academy of Environmental Medicine Web site. http://aaemonline.org/emf_rf_position.html. Accessed February 28, impossible to implement. 2014. Dr Maisch’s article title, “Smart Meter Health Concerns: 18. World Health Organization. Electromagnetic fields and public health: fact sheet 296. http://www.who.int/peh-emf/publications/facts/fs296/en/. Published Just a Nocebo (Harmless) Effect or an Emerging Public December 2005. Accessed February 28, 2014. Health Nightmare?”, resonates strongly with the Victorian 19. The potential dangers of electromagnetic fields and their effect on the environment. Resolution 1815, Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly. experience so far. This question is very pertinent and one Adopted May 27, 2011. http://www.assembly.coe.int/Documents/AdoptedText/ that must be urgently answered. ta11/ERES1815.htm. Accessed March 11, 2014. 20. Eltiti S, Wallace D, Zougkou K, et al. Development and evaluation of the electromagnetic hypersensitivity questionnaire. Bioelectromagnetics. 2007;28(2):137-151. 21. Schooneveld H, Kuiper J; Dutch Electrohypersensitivity (EHS) Foundation. Electrohypersensitivity (EHS) in the Netherlands—a questionnaire survey. AUTHOR DISCLOSURE STATEMENT http://www.electroallergie.org/downloads/EHS_in_the_Netherlands.pdf. The author did not receive any outside funding for this research. She self-funded it and Published December 2007. Accessed March 11, 2014. conducted the research independently. 22. Glaser ZR. Bibliography of Reported Biological Phenomena (‘Effects’) and Clinical Manifestations Attributed to Microwave and Radio-frequency Radiation. Bethesda, MD: Naval Medical Research Institute; 1972. Research REFERENCES report MF 12.524.015-0004B. 1. Pearson DD; Victorian Auditor-General. Towards a ‘smart grid’ – the rollout of 23. Altpeter ES, Krebs T, Pfluger DH, et al. Study on Health Effects of the Shortwave Advanced Metering Infrastructure. http://www.audit.vic.gov.au/ Transmitter Station of Schwarzenburg, Berne, Switzerland. Berne, Switzerland: publications/2009-10/111109-AMI-Full-Report.pdf. Published November 2009. Federal Office of Energy; 1995. Study 55. Accessed February 27, 2014. 24. Jakob HV. The Schwarzenbourg (Switzerland) short-wave transmitter: the 2. Deloitte; WorleyParsons; Victoria Department of Treasury and Finance. Advanced scandal continues! Franz Weber J. July/August/September 1997;(41). Metering Infrastructure cost benefit analysis report. http://www.smartmeters.vic. 25. Austrian Medical Association’s EMF Working Group. Guideline of the Austrian gov.au/resources/reports-and-consultations/advanced-metering-infrastructure- Medical Association for the diagnosis and treatment of EMF-related health cost-benefit-analysis. Published August 2, 2011. Accessed February 27, 2014. problems and illnesses (EMF syndrome): consensus paper of the Austrian 3. EMC Technologies. AMI meter electromagnetic field survey. http://www. Medical Association’s EMF Working Group. http://magdahavas.com/wordpress/ smartmeters.vic.gov.au/resources/reports-and-consultations/ami-meter-em- wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Austrian-EMF-Guidelines-2012.pdf. Adopted field-survey-repor. Published October 20, 2011. Accessed February 27, 2014. March 3, 2012. Accessed February 27, 2014. 4. Lockstep Consulting. Privacy impact assessment report: Advanced Metering 26. Carpenter D, Sage C, eds; BioInitiative Working Group 2012. BioInitiative 2012: Infrastructure (AMI). http://www.smartmeters.vic.gov.au/resources/reports- a rationale for biologically-based exposure standards for low-intensity and-consultations/lockstep-dpi-ami-pia-report. Published August 2011. electromagnetic radiation. http://www.bioinitiative.org/report/wp-content/ Accessed February 27, 2014. uploads/pdfs/BioInitiativeReport2012.pdf. Published December 31, 2012. Accessed February 27, 2014.
38 ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES, NOV/DEC 2014 VOL. 20, 6 Lamech—Symptoms From Radiofrequency Exposure in Victoria, Australia AdBoard_AltTherapies_Layout 1 2/19/14 1:28 PM Page 1
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27. IARC classifies radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans [press release]. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer; May 31, 2011. http://www.iarc.fr/en/media- centre/pr/2011/pdfs/pr208_E.pdf. Accessed February 27, 2014. 28. General remarks. In: Non-ionizing Radiation, II: Are You Offering Your Patients Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2013:33- 34. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of The Most Advanced Food Sensitivity Test Available? Carcinogenic Risks to Humans; vol 102. http:// monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/ Monographs/vol102/ mono102-F07.pdf. Accessed February 27, 2014. 29. Written evidence submitted by Stop Smart Meters! (SMR 124). Energy and Climate Change Committee, We are. UK Parliament. http://www.publications.parliament. uk/pa/cm201314/ cmselect/cmenergy/161/161vw107. htm. Published May 2013. Accessed March 11, 2014. 30. Kim AH, Nwamu CJ; Pacific Gas and Electric “For ten years I have used the Alcat test in my practice - no other Company. Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s test is as useful.” - Fred Pescatore, M.D., M.P.H., Medical Director, Partners in Response To Administrative Law Judge’s October 18, 2011 Ruling Directing it to File Clarifying Radio Integrative Medicine, New York, NY Frequency Information. Public Utilities Commission of the State of California. http://emfsafetynetwork.org/ wp-content/uploads/2011/11/PGERFDataOpt- outalternatives_11-1-11-3pm.pdf. Filed November 1, “In my professional opinion 2011. Accessed March 11, 2014. 31. Namkung PS. Health risks associated with SmartMeters the Alcat test can be [memorandum]. Santa Cruz, CA: County of Santa Cruz Health Services Agency; January 13, 2012. http:// successfully utilized in a sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/bds/Govstream/ broad spectrum of disease BDSvData/non_legacy/agendas/ 2012/20120124/ PDF/041.pdf. Accessed February 28, 2014. conditions cost-effectively.” 32. Carpenter DO, Adlkofer F, Al Salameh MS, et al. Smart “I have found that Meters: correcting the gross misinformation. Maison du - David J. Blyweiss, M.D., Director with the elimination 21e Siècle. July 12, 2012. http://maisonsaine.ca/smart- of Functional Medicine, Maximum meters-correcting-the-gross-misinformation/. Accessed of food sensitivities February 28, 2014. Wellness Centers, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33. Maisch D. Smart meter health concerns: just a nocebo through the Alcat effect or an emerging public health nightmare? Australasian Coll Nutr Environ Med J. 2012;31(2):15-19. test, I am able to “Most of my patients who take the Alcat obtain better and test have marked improvements of their more dramatic symptoms.” - Donald Dennis, M.D., F.A.C.S., Medical results.” - Juan Director, Atlanta Center for ENT, Atlanta, GA Remos, M.D., M.B.A., Wellness Director, Wellness Institute of the Americas, Miami, FL
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To: Carla A. Reid General Manager and CEO Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Laurel, Maryland Email: [email protected]
CC: Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Officials
WSSC Board of Commissioners, c/o Sheila R. Finlayson, Esq., WSSC Corporate Secretary WSSC Legal Counsel, Amanda Stakem Conn, Esq., c/o Sheila R. Finlayson, Esq., WSSC Corporate Secretary WSSC Board of Ethics, c/o Latonya Allen, Administrative Assistant to the Board WSSC Office of the Inspector General, Arthur A. Elkins, Jr., J.D., CFE, CBA
Officials of Maryland counties served by WSSC
Montgomery County Executive, Marc Elrich Montgomery County Council Members Prince George's County Executive, Angela D. Alsobrooks Prince George's County Council Members
From: Ronald M. Powell, Ph.D. Retired U.S. Government career scientist (Ph.D. Applied Physics, Harvard University_ (Short biography appended on page 19.) Email: [email protected]
Subject: Wireless smart meters harm human health.
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) is, indeed, a vital component of our community. As a subdivision of the Maryland Government, WSSC provides water and sewer services to 475,000 customer accounts that serve 1.8 million residents of Montgomery County and Prince George's County in Maryland.
The issue
WSSC's web site indicates that it is planning to replace its current water meters with wireless smart meters. And WSSC's Capital Improvement Program for 2021-2026 suggests that the cost will be about $100 million.
Reference: https://www.wsscwater.com/AMI
Reference: WSSC FY 2021 - 2026 Capital Budget: Capital Improvements Program Commission Meeting July 17, 2019, page 27 of introductory viewgraphs. http://bit.ly/WSSC_Capital_Improvements_Program_2021- 2026
Wireless smart meters communicate regularly using radiofrequency radiation, and radiofrequency radiation is harmful to human health. Further, the wireless smart meters that WSSC is contemplating, according to the first Page 1 of 19 web site above, are wireless AMI smart meters, where AMI stands for the "Advanced Metering Infrastructure". Wireless AMI smart meters are highly active. They expose everyone in their vicinity to radiofrequency radiation every day of the year. There is no simple or affordable way to shield oneself from such exposure, nor should anyone have to do so.
As a WSSC customer, and as a scientist, I urge WSSC to consider the adverse health effects of wireless AMI smart meters and to abandon plans to implement them. This document explains why and raises questions that merit answering whenever any form of wireless metering technology is contemplated. This document is focused on health effects and does not address other concerns about wireless smart meters, such as invasion of privacy, cyber insecurity, and disregard of property rights.
Public concern about the harm caused by radiofrequency radiation is greatest for the sources of radiation with these characteristics:
Their installation is mandated. Under pressure from wealthy wireless industries, each level of government is forcing lower levels of government to comply. And lower levels of government are forcing the public to comply. Their installation is permanent, with no prospect that they are ever going away. They are placed close to people, where they live, sleep, work, or play, and where the radiation levels they produce are the highest. They radiate every day, even at night, throughout the year. They are beyond control by the individuals who are irradiated by them.
Wireless AMI smart meters have all of the above characteristics. And they are being introduced at a time when aware members of the public are already concerned about other sources of radiofrequency radiation placed close to them. The primary examples are these:
The mandatory irradiation of everyone by wireless smart meters for measuring electricity, which are located inside, on, or adjacent to homes, apartment buildings, and businesses. The mandatory irradiation of the entire populace by emerging 5G cell towers, located right in front of homes and businesses. The mandatory irradiation of our children in the schools by Wi-Fi systems and by cell towers on school grounds.
Especially puzzling about WSSC's interest in wireless AMI smart meters is the timing. That interest comes as three developments are occurring simultaneously:
Personal stories of those harmed by radiofrequency radiation from wireless utility meters and other wireless devices continue to accumulate. Scientific evidence of harm from radiofrequency radiation has been growing for decades and has become overwhelming. Public awareness of harm from radiofrequency radiation is growing and is finding expression at local, state, national, and international levels.
I document these three developments below. But first, I provide an Overview that describes, in general terms, the health challenges posed by radiofrequency radiation. The Overview provides a context for the documentation of harm that follows the Overview.
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Overview of the health challenges posed by radiofrequency radiation
What is meant by "radiofrequency radiation"?
"Radiofrequency radiation" refers to waves of electromagnetic energy that travel through our atmosphere at virtually the speed of light. The frequencies called “radiofrequency radiation” are variously defined, but generally extend from a low frequency of 3 kilohertz (3 thousand hertz) to a high frequency of 300 gigahertz (300 billion hertz). "Microwave radiation" falls within this definition of radiofrequency radiation and is generally considered to cover frequencies from 1 gigahertz (1 billion hertz) to 30 gigahertz (30 billion hertz).
The frequencies within this broad range that are most important for the discussion here are those used for wireless smart meters, cellular technology, and Wi-Fi. Those frequencies lie primarily in the range of 300 megahertz (300 million hertz) to 6 gigahertz (6 billion hertz). But higher frequencies, perhaps extending up to 60 gigahertz (60 billion hertz), may come into use for a new version of cellular technology called 5G, which stands for "Fifth Generation".
Why does radiofrequency radiation threaten human health?
All living things are bioelectrical in nature. That is why electrocardiograms and electroencephalograms work. They, of course, measure the tiny electrical signals that operate the heart and the brain. The critical tasks performed by these tiny electrical signals, and so many other electrical signals in all living things, can be disrupted by radiofrequency radiation. Thus, it is not surprising that radiofrequency radiation affects human health. It would be more surprising if radiofrequency radiation did not affect human health.
The levels of radiofrequency radiation that we ourselves have generated in our environment are increasing exponentially and already vastly exceed the levels in which all life on Earth evolved. Simply stated, we are drowning in a rising sea of radiofrequency radiation that is of our own making.
The radiofrequency radiation that we have inflicted upon ourselves comes from many sources, not just from wireless smart meters, but also from cell phones, Wi-Fi, and other sources. But the radiation from wireless smart meters is a key contributor. Not only can that radiation cause harm on its own, but also it can raise our sensitivity to the radiation from the other sources.
The form of radiofrequency radiation that is most disruptive to biological entities is digitally modulated radiofrequency radiation. Unfortunately, this is the type of radiation used in nearly all modern communications applications, including wireless smart meters. It is very effective for successful communications. But it is harmful to life. It is characterized by rapid, sharp changes in signal level, and those rapid changes have proven highly disruptive to biological systems.
Why is convincing the public of the risk of radiofrequency radiation so challenging?
Radiofrequency radiation is invisible to the human eye. That invisibility leaves the public and the decision- makers unaware of the rising levels of radiation around them. If we could see that radiation, we would be stunned by its presence everywhere.
The genuine usefulness and convenience of the wireless devices that use radiofrequency radiation promotes denial of the risks.
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The intense advertising, the economic power, and the political power of profitable wireless industries enable them to dominate the public dialogue and to hold sway over government regulators and legislators.
Current Federal guidelines for limiting the exposure of the public to radiofrequency radiation are outdated and overly permissive. Those guidelines come from the Federal Communications Commission and are commonly called the Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) Limits for the General Population. Those guidelines were put in place in 1996, 24 years ago, before most of the modern digital devices we use today were even created. Further, those guidelines are described by the FCC as "generally based" on even older publications from 1986 and 1992. And those guidelines have not been updated since, despite requests from many sources, including my own Montgomery County Government.
Reference: Evaluating Compliance with FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields, FCC OET Bulletin 65, Edition 97-01, pages 65-66 (August 1997). https://www.fcc.gov/bureaus/oet/info/documents/bulletins/oet65/oet65.pdf
Those guidelines provide a measure of protection against adverse health effects that are based on thermal heating. But those guidelines do not protect against a host of other adverse health effects that occur at much lower levels of radiation, called "non-thermal levels", leaving the public inadequately protected.
Widespread misunderstanding of the risks of exposure to radiofrequency radiation has led the Federal Government, and some state and municipal governments, to advocate virtually unlimited expansion of wireless technology. In some cases they have even co-funded that expansion and have mandated the acceptance of wireless technology by the public. These actions reflect a lack of knowledge of, or even willful blindness to, the underlying science and its consequences for public health.
Who is vulnerable to harm from radiofrequency radiation?
Everyone is vulnerable to harm from radiofrequency radiation. But some are more vulnerable than others. Of special concern are pregnant women, children, men of reproductive age, individuals with compromised immune systems or other health conditions, and seniors.
Different individuals experience different symptoms from exposure to radiofrequency radiation. Some individuals will experience a single symptom, but most will experience multiple symptoms, from dozens of known possibilities. Insomnia, headaches, and ringing in the ears are frequent examples.
Some of the more serious consequences of exposure to radiofrequency radiation give no symptoms as early warning signs. Examples include reproductive harm, DNA damage, and cancer.
Other health effects are currently under study to see if radiofrequency radiation plays a role in causing or worsening them, including autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and Alzheimer's disease.
Some people evidence harm very quickly when exposed to radiofrequency radiation, even in minutes. Other people may not evidence harm for months or even years.
Some people evidence harm at much lower levels of exposure to radiofrequency radiation than others, so setting uniform exposure limits that protect the entire population must accommodate the most sensitive of us.
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The consequences of exposure appear to be cumulative, so the longer that people are exposed, the greater the probability that they will become symptomatic. Some will become so sensitive to radiofrequency radiation that they can no longer function in an environment with even a relatively low level of radiofrequency radiation. They are deemed to have "Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity Syndrome (EHS)", which historically has been called "microwave radiation sickness".
Why is the harm from radiofrequency radiation so difficult to diagnose and treat?
The absence of routine training of physicians in the biological effects of radiofrequency radiation makes it difficult for them to identify the causes and to provide responsive guidance.
Many of the symptoms of overexposure can have multiple causes, making it difficult to determine whether radiofrequency radiation is the actual cause.
Diagnostic aids for identifying harm from radiofrequency radiation are still in the earliest stages of development.
Because of these difficulties, it is highly likely that many individuals afflicted by overexposure to radiofrequency radiation do not know the cause; and even fewer individuals know what to do about it.
Recovery from overexposure to radiofrequency radiation invariably requires reducing exposure to a very low level. Such a reduction is difficult to achieve in our current highly irradiated environment. Often affected individuals must leave their current jobs or must move to areas of very low exposure to recover, and such areas are increasingly difficult to find.
Even individuals aware of the hazards of radiofrequency radiation cannot control their exposure in an environment shared with others, because the radiation around them, much like second-hand smoke, is forced on them by unaware individuals.
Conclusion: Only governments can fully solve this problem, but they are currently part of the problem. For now the public will have to protect itself, best it can; and that will require continued public education and action.
Personal stories of those harmed by radiofrequency radiation from wireless utility meters and other wireless devices continue to accumulate.
Nothing brings home the seriousness of the harm caused by radiofrequency radiation quite like the personal stories of those affected. They speak so that the rest of us may learn.
Three surveys link health problems to exposure from wireless utility meters.
In 2011, 2013, and 2014, three surveys were conducted of the health impact of wireless utility meters. Those meters were used for metering electricity, natural gas, or water. Respondents came from three countries: the USA, Canada, and Australia. All three surveys found multiple adverse health effects after exposure to the radiofrequency radiation emitted by wireless utility meters. Among the symptoms most widely reported were: insomnia; headaches; ringing in the ears; cognitive disturbances, such as problems with concentration, memory, or learning; dizziness or loss of balance; cardiac disturbances, such as heart palpitations and arrhythmia; and fatigue or weakness. Page 5 of 19
I attach a "Summary of Symptoms after Exposure to Wireless Utility Meters". The summary enables a quick comparison of the symptoms experienced by individuals after such exposure. After that summary, I attach the full analyses of the findings of all three surveys for more extensive examination. The three surveys are these:
Survey in 2011: Ed Halteman, Ph.D. (statistics), Wireless Utility Meter Safety Impacts Survey, Final Results Summary, September 13, 2011. The survey instrument was developed by the EMF Safety Network (http://emfsafetynetwork.org), and the data were analyzed by Dr. Halteman.
Survey in 2013: Richard H. Conrad, Ph.D. (biochemistry), and Ed Friedman, B.S. (environmental science), Smart Meter Health Effects, Survey and Report, 2013. Both the development of the survey instrument and the analysis of the data were conducted by Dr. Conrad and Mr. Friedman. The analysis of the survey results was accepted as legal testimony before the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
Included in this survey are the narrative descriptions offered by 139 of the survey respondents, describing the impact on their lives of wireless smart meters. They tell, in their own words, how life changed for them after exposure to the radiofrequency radiation from wireless smart meters. They indicate what it meant to be unable to sleep, to be in constant pain, to see their health and the health of their children deteriorate, to be unable to continue on their jobs, or to be forced to move. The narrative descriptions appear in Appendix 6 on pages 64 to 95.
Survey in 2014: Federica Lamech, MBBS (physician), Self-Reporting of Symptom Development from Exposure to Radiofrequency Fields of Wireless Smart Meters in Victoria, Australia: A Case Series. Alternative Therapies, Nov/Dec 2014, Vol. 20, No. 6, pages 28-38, and NIH PMID 25478801. The data were obtained from the health and legal registers on an Australian public web site and were analyzed by Federica Lamech as a case series.
Individuals harmed by exposure to radiofrequency radiation tell their stories in videos.
Individuals tell their stories of being harmed by the radiofrequency radiation from wireless smart meters, and other wireless devices, in a video format.
Reference: Garic Schoen of Gaithersburg, Maryland, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, describes his experience after installation of a wireless smart meter on his home (March 7, 2013). This video was filmed by Maryland Smart Meter Awareness. Video (3 minutes): http://marylandsmartmeterawareness.org/smart-meter-news/maryland-ms-resident-testimony-to- economic-matters-committee-re-hb1038-on-march-14-2013/
Reference: A young woman in Maryland describes her experience after moving into a condo with a bank of 26 smart meters outside its kitchen wall. Because of the deeply personal nature of the impact on her health, her statement is presented anonymously (January 21, 2015). This video was filmed by Maryland Smart Meter Awareness. Video (3 minutes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9QZuWPw6Y0&feature=youtu.be
Reference: A former Silicon-valley engineer, Jeromy Johnson, presents his TEDx Talk, called "Wireless Wake-up Call" (2016). He describes the threat of wireless technologies -- including wireless smart meters, cell phones, and Wi-Fi -- to human health, especially for children. He shares how his own high sensitivity to radiofrequency radiation was triggered by exposure to a bank of wireless smart meters where he lived. Video (17 minutes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0NEaPTu9oI
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Reference: Attorney Jimmy Gonzales describes his experience with cellular radiation to his local government officials in Pembroke, Florida, in "Cell Phones Cause Cancer" (October 17, 2012). Damage from that radiation ultimately took his life, but he left this video as a warning for the rest of us. Video (9 minutes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIlOVJd0lA8
Reference: The plight of individuals with high sensitivity to the radiofrequency radiation from wireless devices search for, or endeavor to create, safe electromagnetic environments in which to sleep or live, in "Searching for a Golden Cage" (May 8, 2014). Produced by Nadav Neuhaus. Video (13 minutes): http://time.com/golden-cage/
Reference: The web site "We Are The Evidence" continues to assemble the stories of individuals harmed by exposure to radiofrequency radiation. This site was founded by attorney, Dafna Tachover, MBA, who told her own story in "Searching for a Golden Cage" above. Multiple video and audio clips: https://wearetheevidence.org/harmed-by-wireless/
Scientific evidence of harm from radiofrequency radiation has been growing for decades and has become overwhelming.
The scientific documentation of the adverse health effects of radiofrequency radiation is extensive, based on thousands of peer-reviewed biomedical articles published over many decades. Clearly, such a mass of evidence cannot be presented in a document like this one. So, I have selected key examples for mention below, each supported by on-line references.
The NIH National Toxicology Program finds "clear evidence" that radiofrequency radiation causes cancer.
In 2018 the National Toxicology Program (NTP) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) published the results of the largest study it has ever undertaken of any toxin: radiofrequency radiation (RFR). The study cost $30 million and was conducted over 10 years. That study exposed test animals to digitally modulated cellular radiofrequency radiation at a frequency of 900 megahertz. The NIH study found the following, and I quote:
"Clear evidence of tumors in the hearts of male rats. The tumors were malignant schwannomas." "Some evidence of tumors in the brains of male rats. The tumors were malignant gliomas." "Some evidence of tumors in the adrenal glands of male rats. The tumors were benign, malignant, or complex combined pheochromocytoma."
"Clear evidence" is the highest classification that NIH has for risk.
Why is this finding especially important for wireless smart meters, too? Wireless smart meters commonly employ digitally modulated radiofrequency radiation at the same frequency of 900 megahertz.
In a further analysis of the test results, NIH noted the following, and, again, I quote:
"NTP scientists found that RFR exposure was associated with an increase in DNA damage. Specifically, they found RFR exposure was linked with significant increases in DNA damage in:
the frontal cortex of the brain in male mice, Page 7 of 19
the blood cells of female mice, and the hippocampus of male rats."
Reference: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/whatwestudy/topics/cellphones/index.html
The World Health Organization classifies radiofrequency radiation as a Group 2B human carcinogen.
In 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization (WHO) classified radiofrequency radiation as a Group 2B human carcinogen (a "possible human carcinogen"), naming explicitly the "increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer". [That is the same type of cancer for which NIH found "some evidence" in the study described above.]
Reference: https://www.iarc.fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/pr208_E.pdf
The IARC is now planning a review, beginning in 2020, of the latest research findings to determine if the risk classification of radiofrequency radiation should be raised to either Group 2A ("probable human carcinogen") or Group 1 ("known human carcinogen") which is its highest risk classification.
Reference: https://www.saferemr.com/2019/11/IARC-RFR-cancerrisk.html
253 of the world's EMF scientists appeal to the UN and the WHO to protect the public from harm from radiofrequency radiation, including the radiation from smart meters.
As of April 30, 2020, 253 scientists, representing 44 nations, have signed the "International EMF Scientist Appeal". The Appeal is addressed to the United Nations and the World Health Organization. These are scientists who study the health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF), which include radiofrequency radiation.
Reference: https://www.emfscientist.org/.
The Appeal focuses on the health effects of multiple wireless devices, including smart meters as shown in this quotation:
"We are scientists engaged in the study of biological and health effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (EMF). Based upon peer-reviewed, published research, we have serious concerns regarding the ubiquitous and increasing exposure to EMF generated by electric and wireless devices. These include–but are not limited to–radiofrequency radiation (RFR) emitting devices, such as cellular and cordless phones and their base stations, Wi-Fi, broadcast antennas, smart meters, and baby monitors as well as electric devices and infra-structures used in the delivery of electricity that generate extremely-low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF EMF)."
The Appeal makes nine requests, including the following four, which are quoted here:
"children and pregnant women must be protected" "guidelines and regulatory standards must be strengthened" "the public be fully informed about the potential health risks from electromagnetic energy and taught harm reduction strategies" "white-zones (radiation-free areas) be established." Page 8 of 19
Reference: https://emfscientist.org/index.php/emf-scientist-appeal
Review papers document the scientific evidence of harm from radiofrequency radiation.
Multiple scientific review papers have been published over the years, warning of the harm caused by exposure to radiofrequency radiation. These review papers assemble and analyze the scientific evidence published in the biomedical research journals of the world. Here are several examples of such papers:
Reference: Igor Belyaev, Amy Dean, Horst Eger, Gerhard Hubmann, Reinhold Jandrisovits, Markus Kern, Michael Kundi, Hanns Moshammer, Piero Lercher, Kurt Müller, Gerd Oberfeld, Peter Ohnsorge, Peter Pelzmann,Claus Scheingraber, and Roby Thilland, EUROPAEM EMF Guideline 2016 for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of EMF-related health problems and illnesses, Reviews on Environmental Health, volume 31(3), pages 363-397 (2016). This review paper cites 308 references from the biomedical research literature.
This paper reviews the adverse health effects of electromagnetic fields, including radiofrequency radiation. It recommends "precautionary guidance values" for exposure to radiofrequency radiation, in Table 3 on page 381, that are far lower (much more protective) than the Maximum Permitted Exposure (MPE) Limits of the Federal Communications Commission.
Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27454111 Full article: https://www.degruyter.com/downloadpdf/j/reveh.2016.31.issue-3/reveh-2016- 0011/reveh-2016-0011.pdf
Reference: Dominique Belpomme, Lennart Hardell, Igor Belyaev, Ernesto Burgio, and David O. Carpenter, Thermal and non-thermal health effects of low intensity non-ionizing radiation: An international perspective, Environmental Pollution, volume 242, pages 643-658 (2018). This review paper cites 229 references from the biomedical research literature. It documents human vulnerability to a host of conditions caused by exposure to radiofrequency radiation, and contains, on page 647, this special warning about the vulnerability of children:
"Children, and especially fetuses, are more vulnerable than adults for most environmental exposures (Sly and Carpenter, 2012). This is because their cells are rapidly dividing and their organ systems are not mature. As a result, events that perturb cellular function early in life can result [in] abnormalities that last. There is a building body of evidence indicating that exposure to RF-EMFs has adverse effects on cognition and neurobehavior, especially in children and adolescents."
Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30025338 Full article: https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/12103008105187/nonionizing%20radiation%20international%20perspecti ve%20Belpomme%20Hardell%20Carpenter%202018.pdf
Reference: Martin Pall, Ph.D., 5G Risk - The Scientific Perspective.
Dr. Pall reviews the adverse health effects applicable to multiple wireless technologies, including wireless smart meters, and describes the evidence for disruption of human health, at the cellular level, by the radiofrequency radiation that those technologies employ. This review paper cites 139 references from the biomedical research literature.
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Full article: http://www.stopsmartmetersbc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/5G-Risk-The- Scientific-Perspective-by-Martin-L.-Pall-The-5G-Summit-2019.pdf
Reference: BioInitiative Working Group, Cindy Sage, M.A. and David O. Carpenter, M.D., Editors, BioInitiative Report: A Rationale for Biologically-based Public Exposure Standards for Electromagnetic Radiation, December 31, 2012.
The BioInitiative Report of 2012 provides a massive review of the biomedical research literature. It considered about 1800 publications issued in the five years since the publication of a previous report, The BioInitiative Report of 2007. The 2012 Report was prepared by an international body of 29 experts, heavy in Ph.D.s and M.D.s, from ten countries, including the USA which contributed the largest contingent of experts (ten). The Report documents the broad range of biological effects caused by radiofrequency radiation and makes the case for much more restrictive radiation exposure standards to protect the public.
Website: http://www.bioinitiative.org
Reference: Biological and Health Effects of Microwave Radio Frequency Transmissions, A Review of the Research Literature, A Report to the Staff and Directors of the Eugene Water and Electric Board, June 4, 2013.
A group of six doctors in Oregon, led by Paul Dart, M.D., released, in June 2013, a review of 279 biomedical research publications. This 74-page review makes the health case against smart meters and other wireless technologies. The review notes that “The current levels of exposure need to be reduced rather than increased further. The FCC must especially protect vulnerable groups in the population including children and teenagers, pregnant women, men of reproductive age, individuals with compromised immune systems, seniors, and workers.” This review is posted on the website of the Federal Communications Commission.
Full article: https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/7520940898.pdf
Books document the harm from radiofrequency radiation.
Entire books have been written to assemble the scientific evidence about the harmful effects of radiofrequency radiation. Here are just three examples:
Reference: Devra Lee Davis, Ph.D., MPH, Disconnect: The Truth About Cell Phone Radiation, What the Industry Is Doing to Hide It, and How to Protect Your Family (Writers House LLC, 2013). Dr. Davis reviews the health concerns produced by our exposure to radiofrequency radiation and describes the forces that continue to promote increases in that exposure despite our growing knowledge of its harm. She notes, on page 9, the disconnect between "what scientists have come to learn" and "the miraculous, unquestioned, benign aura of today's smart phones." https://ehtrust.org/publications/disconnect-dr-devra-davis/
Reference: Katie Singer, An Electronic Silent Spring: Facing the Dangers and Creating Safe Limits (Portal Books, 2014). Ms. Singer describes how rising levels of human-made radiofrequency radiation are affecting not only humans but also other living entities, including plants, birds, and bees. Hundreds of footnotes cite references in the biomedical research literature. http://www.electronicsilentspring.com/
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Reference: Arthur Firstenberg, The Invisible Rainbow: A History of Electricity and Life (AGB Press, 2017). Mr. Firstenberg traces the history of our sensitivity to electricity and electromagnetic fields, including radiofrequency radiation. His bibliography cites more than 2000 references from the biomedical research literature and other sources. https://www.chelseagreen.com/product/the-invisible-rainbow/
Public awareness of harm from radiofrequency radiation is growing and is finding expression at local, state, national, and international levels.
Public awareness of harm from sources of radiofrequency radiation is on the rise, especially for those sources placed close to the public on a mandatory basis. Here are some of the indications of growing awareness of harm from wireless AMI smart meters, cellular technology (especially 5G), and Wi-Fi in schools.
40,369 Maryland ratepayers have "opted out" of wireless smart meters for electricity.
Wireless AMI smart meters are always installed close to people. Wireless smart meters for metering electricity, in particular, are installed inside, on, or near to homes, apartment buildings, and office buildings. Often, they are placed on the other side of a wall against which people sit, work, play, or sleep. Installers give no special consideration to the location of the smart meters; the meters are placed without regard to whether they are on the other side of a wall from a baby's crib or from a pregnant mother's bed.
This proximity is a major factor explaining why so many residents of Maryland have opted out of the installation of wireless smart meters for metering electricity. Opting out was permitted by a decision of the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) in response to public demand. As of November 15, 2019, the PSC reported that 40,369 Maryland ratepayers had opted out of a wireless smart meter from three of the electric power companies serving Maryland: Delmarva Power and Light (Delmarva), Potomac Electric Power Company (Pepco), and Baltimore Gas and Electric (BG&E). Assuming an average family size of 2.5 persons per household means that about 100,922 persons benefited. The vast majority these customers are located in the service area of Baltimore Gas and Electric (BG&E) where a public awareness campaign was conducted and where the location of some of the electric utility meters inside residences may have increased public resistance to wireless smart meters.
Reference: The online database of the Maryland Public Service Commission located at https://www.psc.state.md.us/. Case number 9207 addresses Delmarva and Pepco. Case Number 9208 addresses BG&E.
Choosing to opt out is no small decision for homeowners because it is so expensive. The Maryland PSC permits the three electric power companies, just cited, to charge their opt-out customers a one-time fee of $75 and monthly fees of $17, $14, and $5.50 respectively, forever, for the “privilege” of not being irradiated by wireless smart meters. The monthly fee for BG&E was originally $11, but was cut in half to $5.50 by the Maryland PSC because so many BG&E customers opted out that the $11 monthly cost of servicing them seemed no longer justified. Note that the one-time fee of $75 is large enough to purchase three newly refurbished analog mechanical meters that emit no radiofrequency radiation. And the two higher fees, of the three monthly fees just cited, are large enough to buy a newly refurbished analog mechanical meter every two months.
Reference: Hialeah Meter (https://www.hialeahmeter.com/spwm.html)
All opt-out customers in Maryland must also pay "their share" of the costs of the wireless smart meter system, built into their rates; so they are required to pay both "to have", and "not to have", wireless smart meters at the Page 11 of 19 same time. This odd form of extortion has been repeatedly endorsed by inaction from the two cognizant committees of the Maryland General Assembly. But new bills are submitted regularly by other Maryland Delegates and Senators in an effort to counter this regrettable practice.
Whatever the ethics of the opt-out fees, the opt out has helped to lower the radiofrequency radiation levels for those customers who can afford the fees, but it does nothing to protect them from the radiation from their neighbors' wireless smart meters. And the opt out does nothing at all to help customers who cannot afford the opt-out fees.
297,823 individuals and organizations have signed the "International Appeal to Stop 5G on Earth and in Space".
Opposition by members of the public to sources of radiofrequency radiation placed close to them has been accelerated by the efforts of the telecommunications companies to install 5G cell towers right in front of homes and businesses. That opposition is based primarily on the adverse health effects; but other factors, such as the degradation of environmental aesthetics, are also playing a role.
The intensity of public concern was reflected most recently by the "International Appeal to Stop 5G on Earth and in Space". This appeal, just issued in 2019, is addressed to the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the European Union, the Council of Europe, and the governments of all nations. As of August 17, 2020, the appeal had been signed by 297,823 individuals and organizations, from 219 nations, including thousands of scientists, thousands of engineers, thousands of physicians, thousands of nurses, and many other aware individuals from multiple professions and walks of life. A copy of the International Appeal may be read on the web page cited below, and a list of all signatories may be found by clicking on "Signatories" at the top of that web page. The signatories are arranged by country, then by profession, and then by name. The Appeal is administered by Arthur Firstenberg, author of the book "The Invisible Rainbow" mentioned above.
Reference to the Appeal and its Signatories: https://www.5gspaceappeal.org/the-appeal/
The intensity of public concern about 5G has been expressed locally as well, right here in Montgomery County, by residents testifying at a Public Hearing on 5G, held by the Montgomery County Council of Maryland on November 19, 2019. The purpose of the event was to hear public comments on a zoning ordinance that would permit and govern the roll out of 5G in the County.
Reference: https://youtu.be/Lpabr5GpJj8
217,000 individuals have signed up for the "5G Summit".
The increasing awareness of the public about the risks of sources of radiofrequency radiation placed close to them was evident this past August of 2019. Beginning then and continuing, 217,000 individuals have signed up to hear an on-line educational program called "The 5G Summit: 5G Crisis, Awareness & Accountability". 42 interviews were presented over a period of 7 days, addressing every aspect of 5G cellular technology imaginable. As a result of The Summit, participants have sent 210,000 email messages to their elected representatives, notifying them of the harm and the liability inherent in 5G.
Among the many topics addressed at The Summit were these:
technology of 5G
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health impact of the radiofrequency radiation used in 5G o specific biological effects of radiofrequency radiation o mechanisms by which radiofrequency radiation causes harm o special vulnerability of children to harm o evidence for causing cancer legal issues surrounding 5G local government and community action
The following reference lists all speakers at The Summit and provides the titles of the topics that they discussed with the Summit host and organizer, Josh del Sol. (Scroll down the web page to see the speakers and topics.)
Reference: https://the5gsummit.com/
Multiple Jurisdictions in Switzerland implement a moratorium on 5G because of health concerns.
Multiple jurisdictions in Switzerland have implemented a three-year moratorium on 5G while the health concerns caused by 5G’s radiofrequency radiation are further examined.
Reference: https://ehtrust.org/three-year-moratorium-on-4g-5g-in-geneva-switzerland/
Sharyl Attkisson announced this moratorium on her television program, Full Measure, which is broadcast in many parts of the USA. Here in the metropolitan Washington, DC area, this program was aired on Sunday, August 30, 2020 at 10:00 am on WJLA (broadcast channel 7).
A replay of this program can be viewed on the Internet at any time at the URL below. The announcement of the moratorium in Switzerland begins at time marker 21:50.
Reference: http://fullmeasure.news/coming-up/full-measure-august-30-2020-cover-story-glen-beck
Public Television programs raise public awareness about the risks of exposure to radiofrequency radiation.
Public awareness of the risks of exposure to radiofrequency radiation has also been advanced by public television. In June, 2019 public television stations throughout the USA, including Maryland Public Television, broadcast two half-hour programs that introduced the health risks of radiofrequency radiation. The programs are episodes of the series "Travels and Traditions" with host Burt Wolf. The programs present the conundrum faced by users of wireless technologies, as they begin to weigh the convenience and the services provided by wireless technologies against the harm that they are causing. The two programs are available for continued viewing on the Internet:
Reference: "A Short Guide to Cell Phone Safety". Produced by Burt Wolf in his Season 18. Click on the picture of a giant rotary telephone dial. Video: (24 minutes): https://ehtrust.org/pbs-burt-wolfs-travels- and-traditions-investigates-cell-phone-and-wireless-radiation/ Reference: "Travel and the Danger of Radiofrequency Radiation". Produced by Burt Wolf in his Season 18. Click on the picture of cell-tower antennas. Video (24 minutes: https://ehtrust.org/pbs-burt-wolfs-travels- and-traditions-investigates-cell-phone-and-wireless-radiation/
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Video documentaries bring discussions of the risks of radiofrequency radiation to the public.
Full-length video documentaries, available worldwide, have raised public awareness of the risks of radiofrequency radiation. In the examples below, the first documentary focuses on wireless smart meters, the second focuses on cellular communications, and the third addresses multiple sources of radiofrequency radiation including wireless smart meters.
Reference: Take Back Your Power, an award-winning documentary film by Josh del Sol, latest release, 2017. Video (83 minutes): https://www.takebackyourpower.net/watch-take-back-your-power-2017/ Reference: Microwaves Science & Lies: When business leads research, can we still trust science? A documentary film my Jean Heches and Nancy de Meritens of France, September 2014. Trailer free; full documentary, $5.00 fee. Video (92 minutes): https://vimeo.com/ondemand/17755 Reference: Generation Zapped, an award-winning documentary film by Sabine El Gemayel, 2017. Click on "Watch the Film" to find multiple ways of viewing it, including a free way (with inserted commercials) through Vudu (https://www.vudu.com/). Video (74 minutes): https://generationzapped.com/
U.S. Supreme Court upholds "Right to Know" ordinance about cellular radiation risk.
In May 2015, the City Council of Sacramento, California unanimously adopted an ordinance giving its public a "Right to Know" about cellular radiation risk. The ordinance required phone retailers to provide the following notification to prospective customers of cell phones:
“To assure safety, the Federal Government requires that cell phones meet radiofrequency (RF) exposure guidelines. If you carry or use your phone in a pants or shirt pocket or tucked into a bra when the phone is ON and connected to a wireless network, you may exceed the federal guidelines for exposure to RF radiation. Refer to the instructions in your phone or user manual for information about how to use your phone safely.”
The wireless industry, represented by the "CTIA - The Wireless Association", went to court to overturn this ordinance as unconstitutional. After an adjustment to the wording of the notification, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the ordinance in April, 2016. The wireless industry carried its appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, which, in December, 2019, denied the industry's appeal and referred the issue back to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for any further consideration, effectively upholding the ordinance.
Reference: https://www.saferemr.com/2014/11/berkeley-cell-phone-right-to-know.html Reference: https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/19- 439.html
Children's Advisory Council to the Governor of Maryland recommends phasing Wi-Fi out of Maryland's schools.
The Maryland Children's Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council advises the Governor of Maryland on the health of the environment in the state's schools. Members of the Council include physicians, scientists, and other individuals knowledgeable about the school environment. Under Maryland Law, the mission of the Council is the following:
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"Gather and disseminate information to the public, including the research and medical communities, community–based organizations, schools, and State agencies, on how to reduce, treat, and eliminate children’s exposures to environmental hazards to further the public’s understanding of the environmental hazards that may potentially affect children;"
"Recommend uniform guidelines for State agencies to follow to help reduce and eliminate children’s exposure to environmental hazards, especially in areas reasonably accessible to children..."
In 2016, the Council reviewed parental concerns about the exposure of children to the radiofrequency radiation produced by Wi-Fi systems in the State's schools, ordered a review of the biomedical research literature, and considered submitted testimony from outside experts on the biological effects of radiofrequency radiation. In response, on December 13, 2016, the Council recommended that Wi-Fi be phased out of Maryland's schools in favor of safe wired connectivity that operates "without any microwave electromagnetic field exposure." And in the interim, the Council recommended that several specific steps be taken to reduce the exposure of children to radiation sources in the schools.
Reference: Maryland Children’s Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council, Wifi Radiation in Schools in Maryland, Final Report, pages 3 and 8-9 (December 13, 2016). Report: https://phpa.health.maryland.gov/OEHFP/EH/Shared%20Documents/CEHPAC/MD_CEHPAC_SchoolWiFi_02 2017_final.pdf Council: https://phpa.health.maryland.gov/OEHFP/EH/Pages/children-environmental-health.aspx
Hundreds of organizations and individuals throughout the USA are actively opposing wireless smart meters.
Organizations and individuals, representing nearly all of the states in the USA, are actively opposing wireless smart meters. Some states even have multiple organizations engaged in this opposition, particularly in those states that were among the first to receive wireless smart meters. There are so many of these organizations that it would be difficult to catalog them all, but even a partial listing, like that cited below, is informative.
Reference: StopSmartMeters.org https://stopsmartmeters.org/frequently-asked-questions/contacts-database/
Informative websites provide public information about wireless technologies that give rise to health effects.
A seemingly endless number of websites have been created throughout the nation and the world to provide information about wireless smart meters and other wireless technologies. Here are just a few outstanding examples, in addition to those already cited elsewhere in this document:
Reference: Smart Grid Awareness (https://smartgridawareness.org/) Reference: Environmental Health Trust (https://ehtrust.org/) Reference: Electromagnetic Radiation Safety (https://www.saferemr.com/) Reference: What are 5G and the Internet of Things? (https://whatis5g.info/) Reference: Electrosensitivity UK (http://www.es-uk.info/)
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Radiofrequency meters, accessible to consumers, make radiofrequency radiation "visible".
New products, in the form of radiofrequency (RF) meters, make it harder for the advocates of endless expansion of wireless technologies to continue to count on the invisibility of radiofrequency radiation to foster public acceptance. Instrument manufacturers have responded to increased public awareness of the health risks of radiofrequency radiation by providing a broad array of RF meters that can measure that radiation. In effect, these meters make invisible radiofrequency radiation visible, while also measuring its level. With these meters, people can do the following:
They can assess the level of radiation in their environment. They can identify the devices in their environment that are emitting that radiation, including wireless smart meters. They can measure their progress as they work toward reducing that radiation.
Candidate meters can be readily found by simply searching the Internet for "RF meters". While these meters are increasingly affordable, with prices ranging from about $100 to $400, their cost may still be prohibitive for many individuals and families. But their costs remain far lower than the costs caused when even a single family member becomes ill from overexposure to radiofrequency radiation, let alone an entire family.
What questions are worth considering?
Plans to implement wireless smart meters raise a number of important questions. The answers may already have been pursued by WSSC. If WSSC would like to honor its stated ethical principal on "transparency", the answers would be of great interest to the public, including me.
Questions about assurances of safety
When WSSC was first investigating the possibility of implementing wireless AMI smart meters, did WSSC receive assurances about the safety of the radiation that they emit? If so --
What documentation did WSSC rely upon for assurance that the radiofrequency radiation from wireless AMI smart meters posed no health risk to its customers? Has that documentation already been made available to the public for inspection, or will it be made available soon? Was that documentation from impartial and knowledgeable sources, or from sources with a vested interest, such as vendors of wireless smart meters anticipating millions of dollars of sales? Was that documentation from the Federal Communications Commission which has been captured by the wireless industries and has been acting as a promoter of wireless technologies, not just as a regulator?
Reference: Norm Alster, Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, Harvard University, Captured Agency: How the Federal Communications Commission is Dominated by the Industries it Presumably Regulates. https://ethics.harvard.edu/files/center-for-ethics/files/capturedagency_alster.pdf
Questions about the technology
Has the WSSC answered the basic technical questions about the wireless AMI smart meters that it is considering, and have those answers been made available to the public? Page 16 of 19
What are the make, model, optional features, and Federal Communications Commission's Identification Number (FCC ID) of the wireless AMI smart meters that WSSC is contemplating employing? At what frequency, in megahertz (MHz), will the radiofrequency transmitters in the wireless smart meters operate? What is the peak radiofrequency power output, in milliwatts (mW), of the radiofrequency transmitters in the wireless smart meters? Where will the transmitters of the wireless smart meters be installed? o In the ground, but uncovered, in the yards of customers? o In the ground, but uncovered, in the rights of way adjacent to customers' properties? o On the sides of homes and buildings? o Or elsewhere? What is the approximate range, or maximum distance, over which the radiofrequency radiation from the wireless smart meters remains effective in serving their communications purposes? WSSC indicates that each wireless smart meter will “communicate water usage information as needed, only four to six times per day” (Reference: https://www.wsscwater.com/AMI). Will the total number of transmissions per day equal or exceed these numbers. If so, why and what will be the total number of transmissions per day? Will the data that WSSC's wireless smart meters transmit 4 times per day (about every 6 hours) to 6 times per day (about every 4 hours) be more highly time resolved than that? That is, will each transmission contain water consumption data within each 6-hour interval or within each 4-hour interval, respectively? How will the wireless smart meters be powered? If a battery is to be employed, what is the anticipated lifetime of that battery? If WSSC felt that a wireless technology for metering water consumption was absolutely necessary, were "wake-up" meters considered? To my knowledge, they generate the least amount of radiofrequency radiation of any wireless metering technology. They transmit only in response to a triggering signal from a passing utility vehicle, which, for water measurement, would require a burst of radiation only once each quarter of the year under current revenue metering practices.
Questions about liability and insurance
How does WSSC plan to address the liability and insurance issues raised by wireless smart meters?
Does WSSC, as a government entity, plan to be self-insured? o That is, does WSSC plan to pay successful liability claims for harm caused by, or contributed to by, the radiofrequency radiation from its wireless smart meters? o If so, will WSSC then recover those costs through additional rate or tax increases paid by its customers? That is, does WSSC plan to have the customers pay for their own liability claims, one way or the other?
Or does WSSC plan to obtain outside insurance against the health risks posed by wireless smart meters? o If so, does WSSC realize that major insurance underwriters, like Lloyds of London, will not underwrite insurance policies that protect against health claims from wireless technologies, presumably because the associated risk is so high?
Reference: https://www.jrseco.com/lloyds-insurance-company-does-not-cover-health-damage- caused-by-electromagnetic-radiation/
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Or does WSSC plan to transfer claims of liability to the providers of wireless smart metering equipment or services? o If so, is WSSC writing liability responsibilities into any contracts it is contemplating with the providers? o And will WSSC require the providers to present evidence of insurance in advance of installation, so that the providers cannot simply declare bankruptcy to avoid paying claims?
Questions about public notification and disclosure
Will WSSC provide advanced written notification to all its customers of any plan it may be contemplating to mandate the acceptance of wireless AMI smart meters for their homes and buildings? If so --
Will that notification be provided in the form of an insert with the customers' quarterly bills? o Or does WSSC consider the brief web page already posted on its web site as sufficient notification of its plan? Reference: https://www.wsscwater.com/AMI o Or does WSSC consider mention of wireless smart meters at WSSC's open meetings as sufficient notification of its plan? Will that notification spell out the radiation exposure anticipated from its wireless smart meters, by providing answers to the questions in the section above entitled: "Questions about the technology"? Will that notification explain why a less risky wireless technology, such as a "wake-up" metering technology, was not chosen? Will that notification explain whether WSSC will offer an "Opt-Out" provision for those who do not want radiation exposure from wireless smart meters? If so -- o Will that notification indicate what the "Opt Out" will cost its customers to gain the privilege of not being irradiated? o Will that notification explain that, even if a customer elects to "Opt Out", so doing will not protect that customer against the radiation from the neighbors' wireless smart meters because the signals from all wireless smart meters travel considerable distances? o Will the fact that about 40,000 Maryland residents have already paid to Opt Out of the radiation from the wireless smart meters of the electric power companies have a bearing on the availability of an Opt Out from WSSC's wireless smart meters? Or will the reduction in radiation exposure paid for by those Opting Out of the smart meters for electricity simply be undone by WSSC's wireless smart meters? Will that notification warn WSSC customers to keep away from WSSC's wireless smart meters because radiation levels rise steeply with proximity to the meters. For example -- o Will WSSC suggest that customers not sit, work, play, or sleep on the other side of a wall where a wireless smart meter is located, or where a bank of wireless smart meters is located? o Will the wireless smart meters that WSSC is contemplating contain highly visible signs to warn customers not to approach the meters because of the radiofrequency radiation they emit? o Will WSSC suggest that customers take additional precautions to protect those especially vulnerable to harm from wireless smart meter radiation, such as pregnant mothers and children. For example -- . Will WSSC suggest that children not sit or play in yards where wireless smart meters are installed nearby, even if that yard is their own? . Will WSSC warn parents that children should not mistake the cap of a ground-based transmitter of a wireless smart meter as a place to sit?
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The ethical choice facing WSSC
The unhappy news delivered by the surveys of customers' experiences with wireless smart meters, and by the findings of the international biomedical research community, is that radiofrequency radiation, including the radiation emitted by wireless AMI smart meters, is harmful to human health. And the public is slowly, but steadily, awakening to this reality, despite conflicting messages from the wireless industries.
But there is a positive dimension to the present situation for WSSC that is hugely important:
No customer has yet been harmed by WSSC's plan to install wireless AMI smart meters, and there is still time to ensure that no customer will be harmed.
But to protect its customers, WSSC will need to rethink its use of metering technologies that expose its customers to radiofrequency radiation. As one of those customers, and as a scientist, I urge WSSC to consider especially the adverse health effects of wireless AMI smart meters, and to abandon plans to implement them.
Is WSSC up to such a challenge? And can WSSC live up to its own admirable ethical values, quoted below? I hope so, and I believe so.
"We are responsible employees who act ethically, are accountable, and conduct ourselves with integrity and transparency." "We continuously enhance and protect natural resources and the environment for the health of future generations."
Reference: https://www.wsscwater.com/about-us/overview.html
Thank you for reading this document. I am very grateful for your attention.
Who am I?
I am a retired U.S. Government career scientist (Ph.D., Applied Physics, Harvard University, 1975). During my Government career, I worked for the Executive Office of the President of the United States, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. For those organizations, respectively, I addressed Federal research and development program evaluation, energy policy research, and measurement development in support of the electronics and electrical-equipment industries and the biomedical research community. I currently interact with other scientists, with physicians, and with other informed individuals around the world about the impact of electromagnetic fields, including radiofrequency radiation, on human health.
I have been a resident of Montgomery County since 1979.
Regards,
Ronald M. Powell, Ph.D. 20316 Highland Hall Drive Montgomery Village, MD 20886-4007 E-mail: [email protected] Tel: (301) 926-7568
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 42D02A9C-0600-4423-89FE-E64E5D1E7475
August 26, 2020
Dear Elected Official:
As part of our ongoing efforts to expand customer outreach and share information on the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission’s (WSSC Water’s) projects and services, we invite you to the following public hearings on WSSC Water’s Staff Draft Proposed Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for fiscal years (FYs) 2022 - 2027, which begins July 1, 2021.
IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY Wednesday, September 2, 2020 Thursday, September 3, 2020 7:30 PM 7:30 PM Virtual Meeting Virtual Meeting https://www.wsscwater.com/contents/events/publi https://www.wsscwater.com/contents/events/publi c-meetings/finance/montgomery-county---public- c-meetings/finance/prince-georges-county---public- heari.html 3.html
For your reference, a list of projects in your election district is enclosed should you choose to attend a hearing or provide written comments. The draft FYs 2022 - 2027 CIP document is available on our web site at www.wsscwater.com/fin. Our Adopted FYs 2021 - 2026 CIP is also available on-line. By providing electronic versions of our documents, we offer more communication choices to our customers while reducing printing and mailing costs. For additional information or printed copies, please call our Intergovernmental Relations Office at 301-206-8228.
Written testimony for the public hearing record will be accepted through noon on September 14, 2020 and should be sent to Mrs. Letitia Carolina-Powell, Budget Division Manager, WSSC, 14501 Sweitzer Lane, Laurel, MD 20707 or emailed to [email protected]
Thank you for your interest and support.
Sincerely,
Carla A. Reid General Manager/CEO
Enclosures
DocuSign Envelope ID: 42D02A9C-0600-4423-89FE-E64E5D1E7475
ELECTED OFFICIALS AUGUST 26, 2020 PAGE 2
August 26, 2020
bcc: Commissioners Corporate Secretary (Montes De Oca - Acting) Deputy General Manager for Administration (Beach) Deputy General Manager for Operations (Price) Deputy General Manager for Strategic Partnerships (Johnson) Executive Administrative Assistant - GM (Sullivan) Chief of Engineering & Construction (Harmer) Chief of Utility Services (Lampley) Chief Financial Officer (Colihan) General Counsel (Conn) Intergovernmental Relations Director (Riley) Director Communications and Community Relations (Brown) Budget Division Manager (Carolina-Powell)
DRAFT Proposed Capital Improvements Program Fiscal Years 2022 - 2027
Projects listing prepared for: The Honorable Marc Elrich District M-99 The following projects are in your district: Project Number: Project Name Page Number
W-90.04 Brink Zone Reliability Improvements 29 W-46.24 Clarksburg Area Stage 3 Water Main, Part 4 29 W-46.25 Clarksburg Area Stage 3 Water Main, Part 5 29 S-84.68 Clarksburg Wastewater Pumping Station 29 S-94.13 Damascus Town Center WWPS Replacement 2-6 W-139.02 Duckett & Brighton Dam Upgrades 29 W-161.01 Large Diameter Water Pipe & Large Valve Rehabilitation Program 3-7 S-84.67 Milestone Center Sewer Main 2-3 W-46.26 Pleasant's Property Water Main Extension 1-3 W-73.33 Potomac WFP Consent Decree Program 3-6 W-73.32 Potomac WFP Main Zone Pipeline 3-5 W-73.22 Potomac WFP Pre-Filter Chlorination & Air Scour Improvements 3-3 W-73.30 Potomac WFP Submerged Channel Intake 3-4 W-175.05 Regional Water Supply Resiliency 3-10 S-170.08 Septage Discharge Facility Planning & Implementation 4-12 S-85.22 Shady Grove Neighborhood Center 2-5 S-85.21 Shady Grove Station Sewer Augmentation 2-4 S-94.14 Spring Gardens WWPS Replacement 2-7
Budget Division (301) 206-8110 www.wsscwater.com DRAFT Proposed Capital Improvements Program Fiscal Years 2022 - 2027
Projects listing prepared for: The Honorable Marc Elrich District M-99 The following projects are in your district: Project Number: Project Name Page Number
S-170.09 Trunk Sewer Reconstruction Program 4-13 S-118.09 Viva White Oak Sewer Main 2-8 W-113.21 Viva White Oak Water Main 1-5 W-113.20 White Oak Water Mains Augmentation 1-4
The following projects are not in your district, but may be of interest to you: Project Number: Project Name Page Number
S-89.24 Anacostia #2 WWPS Upgrades 4-9 S-22.07 Blue Plains WWTP: Biosolids Management, Part 2 4-5 S-22.10 Blue Plains WWTP: Enhanced Nutrient Removal 4-7 S-22.06 Blue Plains WWTP: Liquid Train Projects, Part 2 4-4 S-22.09 Blue Plains WWTP: Plant-wide Projects 4-6 S-22.11 Blue Plains: Pipelines & Appurtenances 4-8 W-172.07 Patuxent Raw Water Pipeline 3-9 W-12.02 Prince George's County HG415 Zone Water Main 5-2
Budget Division (301) 206-8110 www.wsscwater.com
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
WSSC Water will hold two virtual public hearings on the Proposed Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for Fiscal Years 2022 through 2027, which commences July 1, 2021. The six-year CIP proposes planning, design and construction expenditures for major water and sewer projects. The hearing dates and times are as follows:
Wednesday, September 2, 2020 - 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 3, 2020 - 7:30 p.m.
For instructions on how to view or participate virtually in the hearings, visit: wsscwater.com/fin
Please contact WSSC Water as soon as possible at 301-206-8200 if your attendance at a meeting will require an accommodation under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
After public comment, the CIP will be transmitted to the County Executives and County Councils by October 1, 2020.
Copies of the preliminary draft of the FY2022-2027 CIP will be available on the WSSC Water website at wsscwater.com/fin, or by phone at: 301-206-8100 by August 21,2020.
Please submit any comments for consideration by September 14, 2020. Written comments can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to WSSC Water Budget Division at 14501 Sweitzer Lane, Laurel, MD 20707.
EXHIBITS From: BudgetGroup To: Houston, John; Brackett, Mark; Halloran, Brian Subject: FW: Oral Testimony to WSSC Water Budget Division CIP Public Hearing September 2, 2010 7:30 PM Date: Thursday, September 3, 2020 9:13:35 AM
From: Anna R. Pritchard
EXTERNAL EMAIL! Oral Testimony to WSSC Water Budget Division CIP Public Hearing September 2, 2010 7:30 PM
September 2, 2020
To: WSSC Commissioners and Budget Team By Email
I attest and affirm that the following statements are true, accurate, and within my personal knowledge. My name is Anna Pritchard and I reside in Silver Spring, Maryland.
I implore you to not move forward with the proposal to procure the AMI Smart Meter project and please remove it from the CIP budget for the following reasons:
There is not a common consensus among water utility companies that AMI smart meters are cost effective. At least five states, including Virginia, rejected utility Smart Meter proposals due to exorbitant costs and lack of consumer benefit. Virginia’s “Fairfax Water” determined that implementing AMI was not cost effective, resulting in Fairfax, Virginia keeping their customers’ rates low. The increased cost of our water bills will be needless and very difficult for many WSSC customers to pay.
Smart Meters are dangerous and should not be used. As a medical professional I am strongly opposed to Smart Meter usage. Not only have I read widely about the harms from Smart Meters, but I have first-hand experience when three weeks after Pepco installed a Smart Meter on my house my beloved cat had a detached retina leading to permanent loss of vision in one eye due to highly increased blood pressure of 230. She could have had a fatal stroke, heart attack, or blindness in both eyes. She was put on blood pressure medication and when the Smart Meter was removed and replaced with an analog meter, her blood pressure decreased dramatically and she could have her medicine greatly reduced. I believe that the cause of her increased blood pressure was the Smart Meter on my house.
There are other health harms resulting from Smart Meters. In her article, How Dangerous is your Smart Meter?, Dr. Amy Myers, MD wrote that symptoms from wireless smart meter radiation are: headaches, dizziness, short term memory loss, fuzzy-headedness, irritability, itchiness, aches, sleep disturbances, digestive problems, and heart rate changes. Other reported effects are ear pain, palpitations, anxiety, and negative effects on the immune system, etc.
On July 23, 2019 there was a report from Public Utilities Commission Hearings in several municipalities in California entitled “Reports on Smart Meter Problems.” To summarize some of the contents of this report, it states that, “Investigation and admissions by the industry since 2012 continue to substantiate these serious problems… The report is evidence for assessing accountability and liability for the excessive harm caused to the public.” Some of the problems noted were: electrical fires, health problems, interference with medical devices, vulnerability to electromagnetic pulses, excessive costs that exceed benefit, hacking and cybersecurity, etc.
There are alternatives to AMI Smart Meters for water usage readings. Wired, as opposed to wireless connectivity it is a safe alternative for all of the above reasons, as is fixing the problems with existing AMR meters and replacing aging meters with new improved AMR meters.
To summarize, I am opposed to paying approximately $100 million for AMI that harms people, animals, the environment, and invades my privacy, and is not safe.
I have presented no matter of mere ‘concern’ or any other non-substantive matter, but solely matters of substance, of fact and law.
Anna R. Pritchard, RN, (Registered Nurse) BSN, CNC (Certified Nutritional Consultant), Doctor of Naturopathy Silver Spring, MD. 301-758-8169
CAUTION This email originated from outside WSSC Water. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. This page intentionally left blank From: BudgetGroup To: Halloran, Brian; Houston, John; Brackett, Mark Subject: FW: Opposition to Smart Meters. Date: Thursday, September 3, 2020 6:00:39 PM
From: Cyndie Baughman
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
WSSC -
Please consider the below information and my prior submissions (also listed below) to WSSC at your budget meeting as you consider the health, safety, privacy, and disparate application of meters to communities.
Those of us concerned about this topic have not seen one public comment from dozens of rate- payers opposing this project in the August 19, 2020 AMI Project Update. I have received no responses on my comments, questions and concerns other than to acknowledge they are received despite various follow-ups on particular areas of concern such as if WSSC is considering an “opt out” provision like PEPCO does with its smart meters or to acknowledge the discriminatory treatment of placing meters within homes near living spaces vs. outside homes far from living spaces. I specifically asked if you have a water meter located outside of a bedroom, if WSSC would move it to a safer location. I received no response.
Additionally, WSSC undertook to study the health risks associated with RF emissions but seemed to disregard any science that was not associated with a public agency. Additionally, the person tasked with reviewing the health risks on RF emissions (Professor Leeka Kheifets) from smart meters appears to have ties to utility companies and I wonder if WSSC has considered any conflicts of interest for Professor Kheifets.
Some of Professor Kheifets’ studies supported by utilities include:
“Race/ethnicity and the risk childhood leukemia: a case-control study in California states, “This project was supported by a research contract from the Electric Power Research Institute to UCLA” The study Magnetic fields exposure from high-voltage power lines and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in two Italian populations states, “Dr. received funding from EPRI (Electric Power Research Institute) for other research activity and not for the present study. All the remaining authors declare no conflict of interest.” Residential magnetic fields exposure and childhood leukemia: a population-based case–control study in California funded by EPRI The study Race/ethnicity and the risk childhood leukemia: a case-control study in California states, “This project was supported by a research contract from the Electric Power Research Institute to UCLA” Leeka Kheifets was an expert consultant to SDG&E on the health effects of smart meters. “PG&E flew Leeka Kheifets, a University of California Los Angeles professor and epidemiology authority, to the event to address health concerns.”
Thank you for your consideration. Cyndie Baughman Potomac, Maryland 20854
From: Cyndie Baughman
I understand there is a meeting next week on this topic. I have a conflict with work so I will be unable to attend this meeting scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday Aug. 19th. My family and I STRONGLY oppose the addition of a smart meter to our home by WSSC.
I would like to reiterate again the below points from an earlier email on this topic. Additionally, I would like to add the following points:
1. The “health study” was disappointing as it ignored many of the high profile agencies who have weighed in on negative health effects relating to RF radiation. The American Cancer Society has recently updated its materials on RF and cell phones and detrimental effects. 2. At an absolute minimum, if you are going to mandate smart meters be applied to our homes, please provide an opt-out provision for those that do not want this. 3. WSSC should consider if spending money on this project is cost effective given that we are in the middle of a pandemic. I understand that Fairfax Water has rejected AMI at this time due to expense. 4. Other water utilities DO offer opt-outs. Pepco offers opt-outs. I would expect WSSC, as a health agency, to do the same. 5. As we are seeing in the COVID-19 pandemic, science matters. Some people choose to wear a mask and protect others and themselves while others ignore this. At least gives those concerned with health and privacy the ability to wear a mask (i.e, to “opt out”) of) the smart meter program. It is unfair and irresponsible for a utility to make a health choice for a community without considering science – unless the science was issued by a “PUBLIC AGENCY” as your report notes.
PLEASE RECONSIDER ANY MANDATORY APPLICATION OF SMART METERS TO HOMES. PLEASE CONSIDER THE SCIENCE AND THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITIES AND CHILDREN.
From: Cyndie Baughman
WSSC Commissioners –
It was very disappointed to receive the February 14, 2020 email from the AMI Project about the February 19th meeting and attached health study (“Report”) conducted by WSSC. It was also very disappointing to receive a note from the AMI Project about how the study was conducted. This e-mail preceding the February 19th seems to say that since a public agency has not found RF harmful to human health, you will take no action. The WHO has classified RF as a Class 2B Human Carcinogen and there have been discussions of increasing this to a Class 1 at the urging of scientists over the past few years. Calls to the American Cancer Society indicate that they may be revisiting their review of RF and I am not sure they would weigh in on other health effects than cancer.
I do not understand why the limit on public agency and why the conclusion of no harm to human health given the WHO classification and the NTP study.
Additionally, the following organizations have studied RF safety: • World Health Organization; • American Cancer Society; • National Toxicology Project (National Institutes of Health); and • International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Because of these studies, no public agency has identified RF as harmful to human health.
1. As far as the Report, it notes that smart meters should clearly fall below the FCC guidance for RF. However, the FCC standard for measuring the health effects of electromagnetic radiation is based on whether the exposure, on average, will heat human tissue over short periods (six minutes for occupational work and 30 minutes for public exposure). That standard was adopted in 1996 and was based on data from the 1980s to so hear that smart meters will fall below this is no comfort. The standard also does not assume 24/7 exposure.
2. Page 17 of the Report states that “About 60% of WSSC water meters are located inside the basements of homes. Whereas, 40% are located outside the home at the property line…The distance from the front door to the property line can vary much with minimum distances of about 5-10 feet… Therefore, in general, meters are located away from the area where people spend time.”
My water meter is located directly on my home – on the wall opposite a basement office where my children study. This means it would be within 5 feet of them. My home is not unusual in my community of 85 homes in Potomac MD. I am unaware of any home in my community where a meter is at the property line and not affixed directly to the home.
3. Further, p. 18 of the Report states that “No exposure assessment studies focused on water smart meters have been identified, however several studies have looked at electric smart meters. Given that exposure from electric meters is likely to be higher than that of water meters they are reviewed below as representative of an upper bound.”
If there is no study then how can the conclusion be made that these are “better” than a PEPCO smart meter (which allows for OPT OUT to its customers) and that they are safe?
4. In regard to the studies cited in the Report, why are so many based a small sampling of residences located outside the U.S. and not subject to U.S. standards? Studies like the bioiniative report are not included in your Report.
Why? Please refer to the case filed by Montgomery County, Maryland that cites to a variety of health reports on RF. Why were those reports NOT considered by you? See June 10, 2019 filing – page 11 and page 55 discuss current research on RF health effects and the non-thermal health effects raised by RF. https://www.khlaw.com/Files/39783_Montgomery_County_Brief.pdg.
5. Was the researcher who prepared your Report an independent third party? Many concerned citizens raised this issue with you prior to the undertaking of this report and I assume, like myself, did not receive a response on who was to conduct the Report and what materials would be considered and if the WSSC commissioners would be open to hearing from scientists. General research indicates that he author may not be an independent third party and this is very concerning. Did you invite any members of the scientific community to speak with you or was it solely this one author and this short Report?
See link below regarding Dr. Kheifets.
https://smartmeterharm.org/2017/02/19/industry-scientist-paid-14681-for-testimony- on-smart-meters/
The Report references the Itron meter. Attached below is an excerpt from Itron’s most recent shareholder report filed on Form 10-K with the SEC. It notes that “we may face adverse publicity, consumer or political opposition, or liability associated with our products.”
The safety and security of the power grid and natural gas and water supply systems, the accuracy and protection of the data collected by meters and transmitted via the smart grid, concerns about the safety and perceived health risks of using radio frequency communications, and privacy concerns of monitoring home appliance energy usage have been the focus of recent adverse publicity. Unfavorable publicity and consumer opposition may cause utilities or their regulators to delay or modify planned smart grid initiatives. Smart grid projects may be, or may be perceived as, unsuccessful….. We may be subject to claims that there are adverse health effects from the radio frequencies utilized in connection with our products. If these claims prevail, our customers could suspend implementation or purchase substitute products, which could cause a loss of sales. https://www.sec.gov/ix? doc=/Archives/edgar/data/780571/000078057119000007/itri10k12312018.htm
I hope the WSSC Commissioners will consider the following prior to implementing any smart meter roll-out?
1. Did WSSC ask for any current pending or settled actions or claims from companies such as Itron on health, privacy or similar issues as they have disclosed above?
2. Did WSSC consider that not every customer’s meter falls within the 60/40 categorization noted in the Report.
3. Will WSSC provide for an opt-out like PEPCO does (with a fee or no fee)?
4. Will WSSC guarantee the number of times per day the meter will transmit? There are reports that transmissions vary widely from a few times a day to a few times a minute. How will WSSC guarantee this? How many times will WSSC test its meter to ensure they are only transmitting infrequently as the Report states? Will it have drivers that will come to our homes and measure this and provide us this information on our quarterly WSSC bills? If so, how frequently?
5. Will WSSC consider customer re-location of water meters that back to a bedroom or another room that is frequently used? The Report assumes that the meters are “conveniently located” in unused portions of one’s home.
6. Will WSSC guarantee the safety RF level of the meters or seek a guarantee from Itron or the meter provider it uses? Will this guarantee be made publicly available? Will WSSC require the meter provider to (or will WSSC employees) test the RF levels of the meter and on what type of periodic basis will this be done? Will the test results be made public?
I am unable to personally attend this meeting. I hope the Commissioners will take seriously their review of this report and complete their due diligence on this topic and, at an absolute minimum, provide an opt out for those who do not wish to have these meters attached to their homes.
Thank you, Cyndie Baughman Potomac, MD
CAUTION This email originated from outside WSSC Water. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. This page intentionally left blank From: BudgetGroup To: Halloran, Brian; Brackett, Mark; Houston, John Subject: FW: Opposition to deployment of smart meters Date: Thursday, September 3, 2020 9:12:43 AM
From: Deborah Vollmer
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
To: WSSC and Montgomery County Council:
I am opposed to the deployment of smart meters by the WSSC for financial and economic reasons. I am also opposed, because I believe that the accumulated exposure to the radiation emitted by smart meters may be dangerous to our health, and I am concerned that the meticulous tracking of water use by smart meters has serious implications for our personal privacy.
Please DO NOT proceed with plans to deploy smart meters! Thank you.
Deborah Vollmer Montgomery County Resident and Community Activist 7202 44th Street, Chevy Chase, Maryland, 20815
Telephone: 301- 652-5762
Virus-free. www.avg.com
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September 3, 2020
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Budget Division 14501 Sweitzer Lane Laurel, MD 20707 via email to [email protected]
Re: CIP Testimony
Thank you for allowing me to submit comments on WSSC Water’s proposed six-year (Fiscal Years 2022-2027) Capital Improvements Program (CIP).
I ask commissioners to carefully evaluate the proposed $100M Advanced Metering Infrastructure project also known as smart meters. I am not referring to potential health, privacy or jobs impacts but specifically the financial impacts of smart meters.
Regarding the financial impacts of smart meters, there are unanswered questions that commissioners need to resolve: 1) Do the benefits of smart meters outweigh the costs? 2) Will implementation of smart meters result in higher or lower water bills? 3) What are the risks? Implementation of smart meters will put WSSC Water into the business of collecting massive amounts of customer data. Is this WSSC Water’s core competency? Is there a potential for IT cost overruns as occurred on the billing system replacement?
I also believe that commissioners need to seek out objective, unbiased information about smart meters.
Smart meters were first approved in the CIP in 2012 under a different General Manager. Their justification and cost estimate is based on a study that was performed in 2011 and has not been updated since other than adjusting for inflation. September 3, 2020 Delegate Al Carr’s comments on WSSC Water’s CIP Page 2
I hope you will also consider the experiences of nearby utilities. When I reached out to the General Manager of Fairfax Water in December 2018, he told me that Fairfax Water had rejected AMI smart meters as too costly. For many customers, Fairfax Water’s rates are half of WSSC Water’s rates.
I also hope that commissioners will ask staff to present you with a range of options to improve meter reading. AMI is currently presented as an all-or-nothing, but there are other options. The City of Rockville was able to obtain many of the promised benefits of AMI smart meters but at a lower cost by using a system of drive by AMR meters. With AMR, Rockville was able to reduce labor costs and eliminate estimated readings but without the expense of a wireless data network and extensive IT infrastructure required by AMI. Another feature of Rockville’s AMR system is that an opt out policy is not applicable because drive-by AMR meters configured for “wake up” operation do not continuously capture and transmit detailed customer usage information and lack the consumer privacy and health concerns raised by AMI that drive some customers to seek opt outs. Rockville has addressed unbilled water concerns by focusing on replacing older and wrongly-sized large meters.
If you decide to move forward with AMI smart meters, please adopt an opt out policy. That is the policy of the State of Maryland as established by the Maryland Public Service Commission when they approved AMI smart meters for most of the investor- owned electric utilities.
Speaking of the PSC, there is testimony on their record about how some promised benefits of AMI smart meters did not materialize at electric utilities.
I appreciate your efforts to provide safe and reliable water, life’s most precious resource, and return clean water to our environment, all in an ethical, sustainable, and financially responsible manner.
Sincerely,
Delegate Al Carr Maryland’s 18th Legislative District This page intentionally left blank From: Super Java
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
Hello,
I am in the military and just moved to the area at 5112 Belgreen St. in Suitland. The seller for this home did not disclose an ancient septic. I learned the permit costs are $14,500. My neighbor who has been here said it used to be about $7,000. Why is the permit to go to sewer so high now? What all does that even include, just the go ahead to convert? The plumber labor costs are already so high. The city charges for sewer in the WSSC bill anyways which covers a lot of area fees. This area has a lot of improvement underway. Sewer homes will be more desirable for new transplants to the area such as myself. The permit at this time seems overwhelming to me. I'd like to know why.
Elisa C. Mercado 919-698-6012
CAUTION This email originated from outside WSSC Water. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. This page intentionally left blank From: BudgetGroup To: Halloran, Brian; Houston, John; Brackett, Mark Subject: FW: AMI Water Meter Date: Friday, September 4, 2020 10:48:58 AM
LETITIA CAROLINA-POWELL Budget Division Manager Finance Department
301.206.8379 (O) [email protected]
-----Original Message----- From: Heather Eatmon
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
Hello,
Please strike the AMI “smart” water meters. I have young young children and would not be comfortable with the increased radiation Between dealing with impact of the virus, school closures, and reduced work hours, we have had enough challenges to deal with. Please allow for more long term third party safety studies and examine the impact on the environment and humans.
Thank you for looking out for our welfare.
Best,
Heather Eatmon.
Sent from my iPhone
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This page intentionally left blank From: BudgetGroup To: Brackett, Mark; Houston, John; Halloran, Brian Subject: FW: No to “smart” meters! Date: Tuesday, September 8, 2020 9:57:40 AM
LETITIA CAROLINA-POWELL Budget Division Manager Finance Department
301.206.8379 (O) [email protected]
-----Original Message----- From: Jenya Art
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
Hello there!
I am a well-educated resident of Montgomery County, Maryland and I have done a thorough research on the negative biological effects of electro-magnetic fields and continuous exposure to non-ionizing radiation. Based on that extensive research I came to a conclusion that I DO NOT want an EMF-emitting device on my house. They can call it “smart” meter, “genius” meter or “lifesaving” meter - it will not change the fact that this is a highly dangerous radiation-emitting device which causes DNA damage, cancer and autoimmune disease on human beings. This fact is supported by numerous published scientific studies. Maybe you don’t see it yet, but we’ve been down this road before with DDT, asbestos, mercury fillings and even those “convenient” portable X-ray machines that were used casually at many shoe stores in the 60s to scan customers feet in order to select the best fitting shoe. How did all that turn out for us?
Those who don’t know their history are doomed to repeat it. Please don’t put your customers (and your own families) in grave danger - educate yourself on the biological effects of “smart” meters. I promise: you will NOT want them anywhere near your family!
Thank you,
-Jena Art
Sent from planet Earth
CAUTION This email originated from outside WSSC Water. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. This page intentionally left blank From: BudgetGroup To: Halloran, Brian; Brackett, Mark; Houston, John Subject: FW: Smart meter replacement 18701 Little Star Lane, Germantown MD Date: Friday, September 4, 2020 10:49:35 AM Attachments: image001.png
LETITIA CAROLINA-POWELL Budget Division Manager Finance Department
301.206.8379 (O) [email protected]
From: Katerina Goldfarb
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
Hello there, Please don’t place any smart meters near our property. And we would like to replace/remove our smart meter. Address is 18701 Little Star Lane Germantown MD 20874. Thank you, Katerina Goldfarb 215-495-5977
CAUTION This email originated from outside WSSC Water. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. This page intentionally left blank From: BudgetGroup To: Halloran, Brian; Brackett, Mark; Houston, John Subject: FW: I Oppose AMI Smart Meters Date: Friday, September 4, 2020 10:48:21 AM Attachments: image001.png
LETITIA CAROLINA-POWELL Budget Division Manager Finance Department
301.206.8379 (O) [email protected]
From: kthktzn
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
Dear WSSC Commissioners and Budget Team:
I oppose AMI smart meters. Do not move forward with the proposal to procure the AMI smart meter project.
I attest and affirm that the following statements are true, accurate, and within my personal knowledge.
There is no consensus that AMI smart meters make economic sense. The economics of WSSC's AMI smart meter proposal are based on a 2011 study that has not been updated. There is a risk that the cost will be much greater than the estimated $100M.
There is no evidence that implementation of AMI smart meters will reduce water rates. In fact the opposite is true, they will increase water rates. Between 2018 and 2019 several states, including Virginia, rejected smart meter proposals due to exorbitant costs and lack of customer benefit. Virginia's Fairfax Water determined that implementing AMI was not cost effective, resulting in Fairfax keeping their customer's rates low, half of what WSSC’s rates are. In today’s uncertain economic times, rate increases will be a burden on families that are already struggling to pay their utilities with job and income loss due to COVID- 19.
The immense cost of converting to AMI smart meters will also likely result in the laying off of nearly all WSSC staff who read meters. At this time our country and Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties are experiencing extreme rates of unemployment. According to the latest numbers available from the Maryland Department of Labor, unemployment rates as of June 2020 in Montgomery County were 8.1 percent, and in Prince Georges County were 9.9 percent (up from 2.9 and 3.6, respectively, in February 2020). (Retrieved 8/19/20 from https://www.dllr.state.md.us/lmi/laus)
Smart meters will put WSSC into the business of collecting massive amounts of customer data. This is not WSSC's core competency.
AMI smart meter deployment is bad for the environment. It will result in tens of thousands of working meters entering the waste stream. In addition, digital meters, which need to be changed every 8 years or less, do not last as long as the mechanical ones, which lasted decades. AMI is an e-waste nightmare.
The Maryland Public Service Commission has established a statewide policy that customers may opt out of AMI smart meters. So why are you considering REMOVING our right to OPT Out?
We depend on WSSC staff to provide unbiased information so commissioners can make fair decisions. Staff has instead provided misleading information about AMI smart meters. The health consultant WSSC is relying on, Dr. Leeka Kheifet, is not only paid by wireless companies to testify in their defense, but has also been a longtime consultant for Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). This is a violation of your mission to be ethical and transparent.
Why is staff presenting AMI smart meters as the only solution to improve WSSC's meter reading operations? There are alternatives available, such as maintaining the current analog metering infrastructure, that are more cost effective and avoid the health and privacy concerns of AMI smart meters.
In closing, I am opposed to paying approximately $100 million for AMI that harms people, harms the environment, and invades my privacy.
I have presented no matter of mere "concern" or any other non-substantive matter, but solely matters of substance, of fact, and law.
Sincerely,
Katherine Katzin 7008 Aspen Ave. Takoma Park, MD 20912
Sent with ProtonMail Secure Email.
CAUTION This email originated from outside WSSC Water. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. This page intentionally left blank From: BudgetGroup To: Brackett, Mark; Halloran, Brian; Houston, John Subject: FW: PLEASE Strike AMI Smart meters from the WSSC Budget! Date: Wednesday, September 2, 2020 3:52:58 PM
From: L B
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
Dear Commissioners,
I'm writing today because I'm deeply concerned about the proposed switch to smart meters. I know this seems to make sense from a technology perspective, but there are health concerns yet to be addressed. I bought a home in Montgomery County so that I can have some control over my home and raise my children in a healthy environment. There is now clear evidence from NIH that RF radiation though invisible is linked to tumors and cancer among other health issues. CEHPAC (The Children’s Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council) after a thorough review of the science put out recommendations that RF is a health hazard and should be minimized to protect the health of children. We are increasingly becoming a nation of unwell and adding another layer of radiation at this time that cannot be turned off, even if it makes sense financially, is quite a burden to put on the people you serve. There should be full disclosure to the public that this is an environmental hazard especially for children and a thorough review of the science before this moves forward.
I look forward to hearing from you soon about this matter.
Regards,
Laura Simon 11104 Hurdle Hill Drive Potomac, MD 20854
CAUTION This email originated from outside WSSC Water. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. This page intentionally left blank From: BudgetGroup To: Halloran, Brian; Brackett, Mark; Houston, John Subject: FW: WSSC Public Testimony: AMI Opposition Date: Thursday, September 3, 2020 9:12:20 AM
From: Lisa Cline
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
Dear Councilmembers,
I have been following WSSC’s Advanced Meter Infrastructure project for years. My family is one that prefers to take advantage of Opt Out clauses, such as Pepco’s smart meter program.
There are two reasons we opt out: our right to data privacy and inconclusive studies regarding the health effects of RF radiation exposure, particularly in aggregate.
I have spoken with WSSC commissioners and staff in the past about my concerns about a smart meter mandate. Here they are in summary, along with some requests for information I feel is lacking.
1. Commissioners have dated information. Here is the most ‘recent’ cost analysis of the project: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17QNvwP- g77hw70LE1TBqjMXRxqorx8Xo/view. It is ten years old.
2. No cost comparison. WSSC, to my knowledge, has not compared the cost of replacing outdated handheld meter reading devices and re-training staff VS. scrapping everything and building a new platform (AMI). This calculation is foundational to any decision. As you may know, Virginia’s Dominion Energy where the Virginia State Corporation Commission stated, “we know that smart meters are not cost effective and exploit the captive ratepayer.” This decision saved Fairfax ratepayers $72 million.
3. Then there are the environmental costs. A conversion to smart meters will produce a magnificent waste steam of operational, analog meters, and will nullify the “Environmental Stewardship” claim WSSC makes in its Mission Statement: “We continuously enhance and protect natural resources and the environment for the health of future generations.”
4. Public Input. Not one public comment from dozens of ratepayers opposing the project is represented in the August 19, 2020 AMI Project Update. Many traveled great distances and took time off from work and family to invest in this process. Yet there is no mention of the educated testimony from those opposed in the publicly posted summary.
This failure makes the emails I receive stating, “Public Input Welcome” something of a farce. In fact, they have proven not welcome public input.
5. Job loss. Maryland, like the rest of the world, struggles with sudden, unexpected unemployment due to pandemic-related layoffs. The AMI project will dismiss WSSC workers in droves. This sends a message to the people of Maryland that WSSC values automation over job protection and creation.
Today I ask you to request the information I myself have not been able to obtain from WSSC: an updated cost analysis, a detailed comparison, an independent review of how smart meter programs nationwide are or are not saving rate-payers money, and a detailed job lost summary.
Thank you for your time and further inquiries on behalf of ratepayers, Council.
Lisa Cline 420 Upshire Circle Gaithersburg, MD 20878 (301) 978-9789
CAUTION This email originated from outside WSSC Water. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. August 15, 2020
Dear Commissioners,
As a ratepayer and stakeholder of the proposed Advanced Meter Infrastructure project, I am incited by the partial picture painted by the AMI project team in their latest presentation. It is incomplete, biased and makes a sham of WSSCWater’s mission statement.
1. Public Input. Not one public comment from dozens of ratepayers opposing the project is represented in the August 19, 2020 AMI Project Update. Many traveled great distances and took time off from work and family to invest in this process. Yet there is no mention — not even on the Lessons Learned slide — of the educated testimony about the possible health1 effects and data privacy2 infringements AMI presents.
This failure makes a farce of the emails I receive stating, “Public Input Welcome.” In fact, it is not.
This action nullifies the sincerity of your Mission Statement,3 which promises:
• “…employees who act ethically, are accountable, and conduct ourselves with integrity and transparency.” These attributes are falsified by the lack of incorporating public comments.
• “We achieve the highest level of quality, safety, productivity, and cost-effectiveness, demonstrating world class service to everyone.” Safety and cost-effectiveness (see below) will not be upheld with a shift to AMI. You should also strike “everyone.” Thousands of your customers oppose AMI.
2. Costs. As a ratepayer, I insist on seeing a cost comparison: replacing handheld meter reading devices and training staff VS. scrapping everything and building a new platform (AMI). This calculation is conspicuously absent in the narrative. As per the Dominion case in Virginia,4 we know that smart meters are not cost effective and exploit the “captive” ratepayer.
Then there are the environmental costs. A conversion to smart meters produces an avoidable waste steam of junked, yet operational, analog meters. This will necessitate the removal of your “Environmental Stewardship” claim in the Mission Statement: “We continuously enhance and protect natural resources and the environment for the health of future generations.”
3. Job loss. As you know, the state of Maryland and the global workforce struggle with sudden, unexpected unemployment due to pandemic-related layoffs. The AMI project will dismiss WSSC workers in droves. This is more than unfortunate. It sends a message to the people of Maryland that WSSC values automation over job protection and creation.
I now realize that the hours I have spent researching and writing this testimony is time wasted. You are not listening. At least I know I tried, and that I spoke up for thousands of residents and over 1,800 employees, including those out of the road this very day who are supporting their families, while you work safely from the comfort of your homes. Will you feel as safe there with a smart meter pulsing all day long just outside your, or your child’s bedroom window? Listen to yourself, if not me.
Lisa Cline 420 Upshire Circle Gaithersburg, MD 20878
1 https://www.sej.org/publications/tipsheet/many-are-claiming-health-problems-caused-smart-meters
2 “Are Smart Meters A Waste of Money?” KCET.ORG, December, 2012 — “Data to be collected by the smart meters, including intimate personal details of citizens' lives, is not necessary to the basic purpose of the smart grid -- supply/demand balancing, demand response (DR), dynamic pricing, renewable integration, or local generation and storage -- as promoters of the meters, and uninformed parties, routinely claim. Instead, the meter data is serving to create an extraneous market for consumer data mining and advertising (i.e., "big data" analytics). Even those critical of smart meter deployments often seem to uncritically accept the myth that the meters somehow help manage electricity supply and demand.”
“ In April 2013 the first reports were issued: the most striking fact to emerge, was that the San Diego Gas & Electric company had disclosed, pursuant to legal process, the records of 4,062 customers. It's not clear, from the report, who asked for and received those records, and why. Aside from governmental monitoring, energy data harvesting, or hacking by third parties could also be possible,” https://www.forbes.com/sites/federicoguerrini/2014/06/01/smart-meters-friends-or-foes-between- economic-benefits-and-privacy-concerns/#1ea2c79563a6
3 https://www.wsscwater.com/about-us/overview.html
4 https://www.nbc12.com/2020/05/04/regulators-refuse-reconsider-denial-dominions-smart-meter-plan/
This page intentionally left blank From: BudgetGroup To: Brackett, Mark; Houston, John; Halloran, Brian Subject: FW: Sept. 3 WSSC CIP Testimony of Mary Rooker Date: Tuesday, September 8, 2020 9:58:20 AM Attachments: image001.png
LETITIA CAROLINA-POWELL Budget Division Manager Finance Department
301.206.8379 (O) [email protected]
From: Mary Rooker
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
Also for the record, below is my formal, written testimony opposing AMI meters; it's longer and more detailed than the oral testimony I presented at the hearing.
Thanks! Mary September 3, 2020
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Budget Division 14501 Sweitzer Lane Laurel, MD 20707 via email to [email protected] I ask that you use the AMR drive-by meter system because, unlike the AMI, AMR protects privacy, health, and the environment.
Regional water utilities are finding that AMI is not cost effective and is a bad investment. Other utilities (like PEPCO) who deployed "smart" meters ended up RAISING rates after putting in smartmeters. Fairfax Water rejected AMI smart meters as too costly back in December 2018. Their rates are half of WSSC's rates. Deployment of AMI smart meters is a risky proposition. WSSC has a poor record of containing costs of IT projects.
The states of New Mexico (2018), Massachusetts (2018), Kentucky (2018) and Virginia (2019) have all listed that their official reasons for rejecting smart meter proposals have been exorbitant costs and lack of customer benefit. Please represent the interests of WSSC and your customers, not the AMI smart meter sales representatives. If you decide to ignore the science and your own best financial interests and proceed with AMI smart meters anyway, you must provide a no-cost opt-out policy for those customers who do not wish to have a smart meter for health, privacy, or other reasons. Don’t be misled by industry sales tactics that would have you believe opt-out isn’t the norm. This pitch ignores the fact that opt out only applies to AMI smart meters, not AMR meters that do not have the same health or privacy concerns. The Maryland Public Service Commission has established a statewide policy that customers may opt out of AMI smart meters. Your staff has counseled you to ignore state policy.
Forcing a penalty fee on those desiring to protect their family’s health violates WSSC’s ethical mission—it’s an act of environmental racism. This penalty is especially burdensome to those of us who can least afford it. We are already paying extra fees to opt out of other meters. I ask for your leadership to be an example to other utilities rather than repeating their mistakes. It’s great that WSSC already has a self-read program for many indoor meters, which could easily be applied to opt-out customers.
Proponents claim that AMI smart meters are good for the environment by reducing the carbon footprint of the current system, which requires meter readers to drive through Montgomery and Prince George's counties. Yet this aspect could be resolved by upgrading to electric vehicles or switching to quarterly readings.
Also, AMI smart meters will waste about 40% of the existing meters that are in perfect working order. Further waste is created in replacing the iron meter space tops, as iron interferes with radio frequency (RF). The batteries AMI smart meters require will also add to the waste stream. Smart meters appear to have a short shelf-life; for example, the District of Columbia has had two wholesale meter replacements in the past ten years.
They also damage the environment due to their health impacts on pollinators and wildlife.
The industry is aware of the human health and safety risks—that's why they had Congress exempt the entire industry from federal regulation for wireless structures. I specifically request:
1. a formal health impact assessment;
2. a formal Environmental Impact Statement;
3. an update and Council review of the now-outdated 2011 consultant’s report;
4. at a bare minimum, the ability to opt out at no charge, preceded by written warnings and full disclosure to all WSSC customers, with public hearings to inform customers of all possible risks.
I ask that you either use the AMR drive-by system or, if you must use AMI metering, provide opt outs at no charge. Any AMI deployment should be preceded by written health, privacy, and cybersecurity warnings and full disclosure to all WSSC customers. Public hearings should be held to inform customers of all possible risks and federal safety regulations on required distance from these microwave meters.
I believe that this approach is the only one that meets the WSSC mission of providing water in an “ethical, sustainable, and financially responsible manner.”
Thank you.
Mary Rooker WSSC Customer 804 Larch Ave. Takoma Park, MD 20912-5828 Testimony of Mary Rooker WSSC Public Hearing, CIP Budget, 3 Sept. 2020
My name is Mary Rooker, WSSC customer. I ask that you use the AMR drive-by meter system because, unlike the AMI, AMR protects privacy, health, and the environment.
Four states and our own regional water utilities have found that AMI is not cost effective and is a bad investment, citing exorbitant costs and lack of customer benefit. Other utilities who deployed "smart" meters ended up RAISING rates. Fairfax Water rejected AMI smart meters as too costly back in December 2018. Their rates are half of WSSC's rates.
If you proceed with AMI smart meters despite the science and your own best financial interests, you must provide a no-cost opt-out. Your staff has counseled you to ignore the statewide opt-out policy of the Maryland Public Service Commission.
Forcing a penalty fee on those desiring to protect their family’s health violates WSSC’s ethical mission—it’s an act of environmental racism. This penalty is especially burdensome to those of us who can least afford it. I ask for your leadership to be an example to other utilities rather than repeating their mistakes. The industry says that AMI smart meters are good for the environment because meter readers would not need to drive through the service area. Yet this aspect could be resolved by upgrading to electric vehicles or switching to quarterly readings. Also, AMI smart meters will waste about 40% of the existing meters that are in perfect working order. Further waste is created in replacing the iron meter space tops, as iron interferes with radio frequency. AMI batteries appear to have a short shelf-life: the District of Columbia has had two wholesale meter replacements in the past ten years. AMI meters also damage the environment due to their health impacts on pollinators and wildlife. The industry is aware of the human health and safety risks—that's why they had Congress exempt the entire industry from federal regulation for wireless structures.
I specifically request:
1. a formal health impact assessment; 2. a formal Environmental Impact Statement; and 3. an update and Council review of the now-outdated 2011 consultant’s report. Full disclosure: I’m also a member of the Montgomery County Green Party. Please either use the AMR drive-by system or, if you must use AMI metering, provide opt outs at no charge. Thank you. Mary Rooker WSSC Customer 804 Larch Ave. Takoma Park, MD 20912-5828
This page intentionally left blank From: BudgetGroup To: Halloran, Brian; Houston, John; Brackett, Mark Subject: FW: AMI Water Meters Are A Bad Idea: Strike AMI from the Budget Date: Thursday, September 3, 2020 8:41:39 PM Attachments: image001.png
LETITIA CAROLINA-POWELL Budget Division Manager Finance Department
301.206.8379 (O) [email protected]
From: Maya Simon
EXTERNAL EMAIL! Hello,
I am a citizen of Montgomery County asking for AMI Smart Meters to be removed from the budget. These meters are a proven health and environmental hazard.
Thank you.
CAUTION This email originated from outside WSSC Water. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. This page intentionally left blank From: BudgetGroup To: Brackett, Mark; Halloran, Brian; Houston, John Subject: FW: Strike AMI "Smart"meters from the WSSC Budget Date: Thursday, September 3, 2020 6:01:02 PM
From: Michelle
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
Dear all,
I oppose this project. I don't want to pay for it. We don't need it. The environment doesn't need it. Our health doesn't need it. Our privacy doesn't need it.
Strike AMI "Smart"meters from the WSSC Budget.
Thanks,
Michelle Bailey Silver Spring, MD
CAUTION This email originated from outside WSSC Water. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. This page intentionally left blank From: BudgetGroup To: Halloran, Brian; Brackett, Mark; Houston, John Subject: FW: AMI Smart Meters Date: Thursday, September 3, 2020 8:41:10 PM Attachments: image001.png
LETITIA CAROLINA-POWELL Budget Division Manager Finance Department
301.206.8379 (O) [email protected]
From: Sandi Weiss Lancaster
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
Hi - My family and I live in Germantown and we are WSSC customers. We do not want AMI Smart Meters and I know many other local families who do not want them either. We respectfully request that you please terminate any plans for smart meters.
Thanks!
-Sandi
CAUTION This email originated from outside WSSC Water. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. This page intentionally left blank
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
Dear WSSC Water Damion Lampley and WSSC Commissioners,
Please see my questions below to the WSSC. I sincerely hope each is answered before the September 16, 2020 Commissioner Meeting. Please number your answers for each question so we can ensure full clarity in communication. I would expect WSSC Commissioners could not move forward with any action on AMI until these questions are answered.
Question 1: What does the research show about how many pulses a minute smart meters emit, including mesh network message management [transmissions]? I am not talking about transmissions from meters talking to the cell tower or to the collection meter but simply the total pulses of radiation each day. Please answer the question as to exactly how many times a smart water meter emits pulses of radiation a day.
WSSC heard testimony from their expert, who is a known industry consultant, that “Smart meters emit like a 2 minute cell phone call.” In actuality, Smart water meters, like smart electric meters, are continuously broadcasting RF waves. For example, the smart water meter Neptune E-coder R900i transmits data to the utility every 14 seconds! Neptune has 1 watt pulses (for AMI) every 7 1/2 minutes, and 100 mW pulses (for AMR) every 14 seconds. They are factory set.
See the Specsheet for the “smart” water meter here clearly showing pulses every 14 seconds https://smartmeterharm.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/neptune-r900-unit-spec-sheet-18- 001848-ps-r900-miu-02.18.pdf
As another example, a Department of California study found smart meters had emissions averaging 60 times a minute. That would be about one pulse a minute. PG&E, a California utility, publicly stated in all its materials that its meters transmit only 6 times a day. However, when the court ordered it to submit data on the actual number of transmissions, the utility had to admit that its smart meters transmit 9,600 to 190,000 times per day! See it here https://www.smartmetereducationnetwork.com/uploads/health/PGE%209,600%20bursts.pdf
Please see what PG&E submitted to the court here and an image from the report here:
Question 2. I am repeatedly reading that the industry says smart meters will be part of the internet of things (IoT) and collaborating with the 5G ecosystem. It is unclear why Leeka Kheifets, WSSC’s health expert, said they are not connected. Is it correct that these smart meters can be used later, whether intended to at this point in time or not, for the 5G “ecosystem”?
Multiple documents talk about smart meters and 5G.
Please see the October 2019 article entitled LoRaWAN Will Co-exist with the 5G Ecosystem as a De Facto Unlicensed LPWAN Standard. It states, “LoRaWAN may be rolled-out on a water meter, smart city or smart building project where cellular IoT can be deployed for an electricity smart grid project requiring high throughput and frequent data transmission to feed analytics into the cloud….LoRa Alliance, supported by its members and the other partnering Alliances, already seamlessly interconnects with cellular IoT at the data management level (application layer) and will continue to look openly at the best options to interconnect and collaborate with 5G ecosystem.”
Please see How 5G Enables Advanced Metering Infrastructure which states, “While smart metering currently features cross-network connection capability for 2G, 3G, and 4G LTE, the coming impact of 5G for IoT solutions in enabling new applications across AMI and smart utility functionality will be felt across the globe.”
Please see The Importance of 5G for Utilities by Jeffery Torrance in electric energy online.
Please see the published paper Smart Grid: a demanding use case for 5G technologies
Please see Future Generation 5GWireless Networks for Smart Grid: A Comprehensive Review
3. Is it WSSC’s expert opinion that smart meters are safe for humans after long term exposure? Is it WSSC’s expert opinion that smart meters are safe for bees, birds and trees after long term exposure? Please answer yes or no. Then provide documentation for both the actual study showing long term safety for humans and for bees, birds and trees.
4. Have any health studies been done on smart meters that have followed people for over ten years to understand if there are health impacts? If so, please share documentation.
5. According to the WSSC Commissioner Meeting on August 19, 2020 at 3:02: 22 “there are some impacts of the RF to humans and what she determined was that they are minimal and low and equivalent to a cup of coffee.” My question related to this statement is: What are the health impacts, specifically, that you are referring to in that sentence?
6. Regarding the word “minimal” stated at 2:58:30 “According to the expert there seem to be minimal impacts on health.” What do you mean by “minimal”? Please specify the percentage of exact numbers that leads you to say this word so it is clear what you mean. Do you mean 1% or 2% or more?
And please provide the data and numbers in relation to what health endpoint for each. The report by the expert does not provide this information. For example, if cancer is an impact, what is the “minimal” impact in terms of exact numbers and provide documentation as to how you got such numbers?
7. At the last Commission meeting in August, the WSSC stated that, “Experts that have weighed in on the health impacts” . What experts are you referring to? I only have heard from one. Please share the names of the others.
8. How much money was spent on the consultant brought in to talk about health? Is there an ongoing contract?
9. Please attach scope of work for the consultant.
10. To date, $1.1 million towards the AMI project has been spent. Would you detail that $1.1 million expenditure?
11. As I understand it, there was 8.6 million dollars awarded to a consulting firm to guide WSSC through the AMI process. What is the name of the consulting firm? What is the scope of work for the awarded contract?
12. How are you publicising the virtual public hearings for AMI smart meters? In addition to social media which gets little attention from ratepayers, will you be informing ratepayers with a notice of the 100 million dollar project hearing?
10. There seems to be some confusion regarding if the Commission or WSSC ever did vote for AMI or not. A WSSC Commissioner stated at 3:39:40, “It is my understanding that this was put in the budget in 2011... And it has been carried forward in the budget...” However I do not se a vote by Commissioners with an understanding of the details of AMI, for example with information shared with the Commission that smart meters would emit radiation? Am I correct that commissioners never actually voted on implementation of “smart” radiofrequency emitting meters?
12. WSSC has been putting videos on their social media promoting the AMI program. See it here https://twitter.com/WSSCWaterNews/status/1296537604184301569. I cannot believe it is legal or ethical for the WSSC - paid for my tax dollars - to promote a project that customers have not been a part of deciding. Why is only one side of the story showcased, as several customers testified against AMI meters in this meeting? If public input is welcomed, why not share the inclusive events of the meeting? Please explain why testimony against AMI meters from ratepayers was not posted on your social media.
13. At 3:37: 40 The issue of the county council and their opinion was raised in the August 19, 2020 meeting. It seemed there was an assumption that the Council approved this in some way. Can you specify when there was a discussion on smart meters with the Council?
14. Residential meters are located on or in our property. In my case, I have the meter in my basement and the place where the “smart” meter would be is directly outside my basement door. This is where my family congregates outside.. Once a transmitting meter is set up, WSSC cannot control how it is used. Is it your opinion that smart meters are safe? I am not asking if you think harm is established but rather if you are sure it is safe for my children who will be standing near the meter and having outdoor meals near the meter.
15. What is the process by which ratepayers will file their need for medical accommodations related to radio frequency emitting devices? My daughter has a letter from her doctor stating that electromagnetic fields should be reduced. Clearly we should not have to pay for not having a device we cannot have. Who do we send these to?
Thank you so much, Theodora Scarato I pay 3 WSSC Bills, two in Montgomery County (home and family business) one in Prince Georges in home we have not sold yet but lived in for 6 years.
From: Brackett, Mark To: Halloran, Brian Subject: FW: Our Lawsuit Against the FCC Re Wireless Radiation. EHT v. The FCC Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2020 9:09:26 AM Attachments: image001.png image003.png
More testimony.
MARK BRACKETT Capital Budget Section Manager
301.206.8179 (O) 240.204.0812 (C) [email protected]
From: BudgetGroup
LETITIA CAROLINA-POWELL Budget Division Manager Finance Department
301.206.8379 (O) [email protected]
From: Theodora Scarato
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
Please see our lawsuit against the FCC. I especially recommend reading the Brief of the Natural Resources Defense Council on environmental impacts and the lack of environmental review in light of the published research. Many thanks, Theodora Scarato
Download Briefs and Amicus Briefs
EHT'S LEGAL ACTION IS MOVING FORWARD Important Amicus Briefs have been filed.
EHT v. FCC: FCC Violated NEPA and APA Press Conference 7/30/2020
Washington, DC, — Environmental Health Trust (EHT), the scientific think tank headed by Devra Davis PhD, MPH, filed its principal brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia on July 31, 2020 in a landmark case against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The appeal is aimed at getting the FCC to reconsider, revise, and update its 24-year old exposure limits for radio-frequency radiation (RFR) from cellphones, cell towers, Wi-FI networks, smart meters, and other wireless communication devices and facilities.
Since the opening brief was filed, Amicus Briefs have been filed by the Natural Resources Defense Council, Attorney Joe Sandri, Catherine Kleiber and the Building Biology Institute. We have provided links to Amicus Briefs below. The FCC opened an Inquiry into the adequacy of its exposure limits in 2013 after the Government Accountability Office issued a report in 2012 stating that the limits may not reflect current science and need to be reviewed. In response, hundreds of scientists and medical professionals submitted a wealth of peer- reviewed studies showing the consensus of the scientific community is that RFR is deeply harmful to people and the environment and is linked to cancer, reproductive harm, and other biological ills to humans, animals, and plants.
Notwithstanding the extremely well-documented record of these negative impacts from RFR, the FCC released an order in December 2019 deciding that nothing needed to be done and maintaining that the existing, antiquated exposure limits are adequate now and for the future.
In large measure, the FCC simply ignored the vast amount of evidence in the record showing an urgent need for action to protect the public and the environment. EHT contends that the FCC ignored the recommendations of hundreds of medical experts and public health experts who called for updated regulations that protect against biological impacts and for the development of policies to immediately reduce public exposure.
The brief contends the FCC has violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) because its order is arbitrary and capricious, and not evidence-based; violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) because the FCC did not take a hard look on the environmental impacts of its decision; and violated the 1996 Telecommunications Act (TCA) because the FCC failed, as required by the TCA, to consider the impact of its decision on the public health and safety.
Next steps are the FCC will file a reply in mid September and we will file a reply to the FCC reply mid October. Oral arguments are expected to be scheduled after Spring 2021.
“We submitted numerous studies clearly documenting adverse effects at radiofrequency levels allowed by the FCC. Our published research sent to the FCC concludes that radiofrequency radiation is an established human carcinogen. Cell phones held close to the head will substantially increase the risk of a type of brain cancer—glioblastoma. Yet FCC limits do not protect against cancer nor any other disease,” stated Dr. Anthony B. Miller, Professor Emeritus at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto and former Director of the Epidemiology Unit of the National Cancer Institute of Canada. “FCC limits only protect against overheating living tissue. The FCC’s so called ‘safety’ limits are based on decades old science that only investigated short-term effects. Those limits are based on the proven false and erroneous assumption that heat is the only harm from radiofrequency microwave radiation.”
“Environmental Health Trust has worked for a decade to protect the public from environmental pollutants,” said Devra Davis PhD, MPH. “Our children deserve safe technology and there is no negotiating with their future. As the legacy of lead, asbestos, and tobacco teaches us, this issue deserves the immediate attention of our federal government in order to protect our children’s healthy future.”
“The FCC entirely ignored the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics, hundreds of scientists and over 30 medical and public health organizations. Wireless emission limits should protect children who will have a lifetime of exposure,” stated Theodora Scarato, Executive Director of Environmental Health Trust. Scarato pointed out that the FCC “saw no reason to take steps to protect children” despite voluminous scientific evidence on the record showing that children are uniquely vulnerable due to their developing brains and bodies.
“Equally shocking is how the FCC could state that the existing limits which were developed in 1996 are protective without even addressing the impact of the existing limits on the natural environment. In this regard, there was a noticeable absence of on-the-record comments by the EPA. In fact, the EPA recently stated that it has no funded mandate to even review research on RFR. Yet there is a great deal of evidence in the FCC proceeding showing that radiofrequency radiation is harmful to birds, bees and trees.”
Last year, the FCC revisited its wireless safety standards and found that the current regulations did not need to be changed. But according to the lawsuit, prolonged exposure can impair development in children, lead to radiation sickness, cancer and is also associated with negative environmental impacts, such as impacts to trees, bees and birds.
The petitioners are represented by Edward B. Myers W. of the Law Office of Edward B. Myers; and W. Scott McCollough of the McCollough Law Firm P.C. The FCC is represented in-house by William J. Scher, Ashley Stocks Boizelle, Jacob M. Lewis and Richard Kiser Welch.
Video of Press Conference Opening Brief EHT Submissions to 13-84
Amicus of NRDC: Natural Resources Defense Council Amicus of Attorney Joe Sandri including declaration of Dr. Linda Birnbaum, former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Amicus of Catherine Kleiber. Amicus of the Building Biology Institute.
News Reports on the Case
TR Daily News: FCC Ignored Health Impacts of Inadequate RF Limits, July. 30, 2020Â Law 360: FCC Ignoring Evidence Of Wireless Tech Harms, DC Circ. Told, July 31, 2020 Consumer Electronics Daily, RF Safety Group Says FCC Rules Are Based on Old Science; Asks Court to Order Update, July 31, 2020
Stay updated by regularly checking in to EHTs webpage on the Lawsuit HERE.
Your generosity has made this possible. A win against the FCC is critical to halting the deployment of 5G. The FCC wants to apply its outdated limits to 5G’s higher frequencies — without any concern for the biological health effects of wireless radiation. Our legal appeal forces the FCC to review the science and update its limits.
View as Webpage
-- Theodora Scarato Executive Director Environmental Health Trust EHTrust.org
Our Mission To safeguard human health and the environment by empowering people with state-of-the- art information.
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CAUTION This email originated from outside WSSC Water. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. This page intentionally left blank From: BudgetGroup To: Brackett, Mark; Halloran, Brian; Houston, John Subject: FW: WSSC"s wireless smart meters will harm human health and must be stopped. Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2020 3:23:31 PM Attachments: Wireless smart meters harm human health.pdf Summary of Symptoms after Exposure to Wireless Utility Meters.pdf Survey in 2010 by Ed Halteman.pdf Survey in 2013 by Conrad and Friedman.pdf Survey in 2014 by Federica Lamech.pdf image001.png
LETITIA CAROLINA-POWELL Budget Division Manager Finance Department
From: Ronald M. Powell, Ph.D.
EXTERNAL EMAIL!
September 3, 2020
To: Carla A. Reid General Manager and CEO Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Laurel, Maryland Email: [email protected]
CC: Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Officials WSSC Corporate Secretary, Sheila Finlayson, Esq. WSSC Board of Commissioners (copies sent separately) WSSC Legal Counsel, Amanda Stakem Conn, Esq. WSSC Board of Ethics, c/o Latonya Allen, Administrative Assistant to the Board WSSC Office of the Inspector General, Arthur A. Elkins, Jr., J.D., CFE, CBA
Officials of Maryland counties served by WSSC
Montgomery County Executive, Marc Elrich Montgomery County Council Members Prince George's County Executive, Angela D. Alsobrooks Prince George's County Council Members From: Ronald M. Powell, Ph.D. Retired U.S. Government career scientist (short biography appended) Email: [email protected] Subject: WSSC's wireless smart meters will harm human health and must be stopped.
As a retired U.S. Government scientist, I urge you to stop WSSC from making its biggest mistake ever: the conversion of its metering system to wireless smart meters. They will increase the exposure of the public to harmful radiofrequency radiation every day and every night for the indefinite future.
In this era of COVID-19, we do not need another assault on the health of the public, especially in the two counties served by WSSC. They have the highest cumulative numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths of any counties in Maryland.
My understanding of WSSC's Plan, in Brief
WSSC plans to provide wireless smart meters for all of its customer accounts, which number 475,000 in the two Maryland counties that WSSC serves: Montgomery County and Prince George's County. If I understand correctly, each of these smart meters will likely have a peak radiofrequency (RF) power output between 1 and 2 watts. Thus, altogether, WSSC is planning to add 475,000 to 950,000 watts of peak RF power output capability, distributed throughout the two counties. And WSSC apparently wants us to believe that this capability will have no adverse health effects on any county residents.
The Health Argument Against Wireless Smart Meters
To be judged "safe", those wireless smart meters must cause NO HARM TO ANYONE, even though these meters will be communicating with WSSC every day and every night, indefinitely. However, to date, WSSC seems to be showing very limited interest in safety. In fact, to those of us outside of WSSC, even that limited interest seems to have surfaced only AFTER WSSC Management had already decided to implement wireless smart meters. That limited interest took the form of a presentation, and a related document, from a consultant hired by WSSC Management to speak to the WSSC Commission at its meeting on February 19, 2020. That consultant made an earnest effort to make the case for safety, but had insufficient evidence to assure NO HARM TO ANYONE. That is not surprising because evidence of the harm caused by radiofrequency radiation continues to accumulate and is overwhelming. To date, thousands of peer-reviewed biomedical research publications have examined and highlighted the many adverse health effects of radiofrequency radiation.
For an overview of the harm caused by radiofrequency radiation, including the radiation emitted by wireless smart meters specifically, please see the first attached document, entitled "Wireless smart meters harm human health." This document was first presented to WSSC Management on January 19, 2020 and has been just been updated. To date, no response has been received from WSSC. This document cites many references and is further supported by five additional attached documents.
For a quick look at what is covered in the first attached document, here are several of the section titles: o Personal stories of those harmed by radiofrequency radiation from wireless utility meters and other wireless devices continue to accumulate. o Three surveys link health problems to exposure from wireless utility meters. o Individuals harmed by exposure to radiofrequency radiation tell their stories in videos. o Scientific evidence of harm from radiofrequency radiation has been growing for decades and has become overwhelming. o The NIH National Toxicology Program finds "clear evidence" that radiofrequency radiation causes cancer. o The World Health Organization classifies radiofrequency radiation as a Group 2B human carcinogen. o 253 of the world's EMF scientists appeal to the UN and the WHO to protect the public from harm from radiofrequency radiation, including the radiation from smart meters. o Review papers document the scientific evidence of harm from radiofrequency radiation. o Books document the harm from radiofrequency radiation. o Public awareness of harm from radiofrequency radiation is growing and is finding expression at local, state, national, and international levels. o 40,369 Maryland ratepayers have "opted out" of wireless smart meters for electricity. o 297,823 individuals and organizations have signed the "International Appeal to Stop 5G on Earth and in Space". o 217,000 individuals have signed up for the "5G Summit". o Public Television programs raise public awareness about the risks of exposure to radiofrequency radiation. o Video documentaries bring discussions of the risks of radiofrequency radiation to the public. o U.S. Supreme Court upholds "Right to Know" ordinance about cellular radiation risk. o Children's Advisory Council to the Governor of Maryland recommends phasing Wi-Fi out of Maryland's schools. Other Concerns that WSSC's Plan Raises
While this message focuses on health concerns, there are other important concerns that are stated below but that are not further elaborated in this message or in the attached documents: o Privacy concerns arise from the daily monitoring of customers' behavior through their water consumption (such as when their homes are occupied and when they are not, and when their children arrive home from school).
o Security concerns arise from the need to keep secure an immense database of largely unnecessary information about WSSC's customers, since no organization, not even the Department of Defense, has succeeded in protecting its data from unwanted intrusion.
o Economic concerns arise from the immense cost ($100 million, estimated by WSSC) for the conversion to wireless smart meters, at a time of extreme fiscal stringency. Also of concern is the high uncertainty that these costs can ever be fully recovered without rate increases, as WSSC attempts to maintain technically complex wireless smart meters that will likely have shorter lifetimes than current metering technology.
o While WSSC's representative claims that no meter readers will be fired when wireless smart meters are implemented, employment concerns still arise because the projected cost recovery motivates such firing, when unemployment is already dramatically high in this era of COVID-19. And most of these staff do outdoor jobs that are much safer in this era than most indoor jobs.
o The MANDATED installation of wireless smart meters, as currently contemplated by WSSC, would ignore the rights of property owners to control which equipment is installed on their property, especially in the absence of an unpaid opt-out option. A paid opt-out option, though better than no option, would smack of extortion ("pay or we will irradiate you, forever"). And neither an unpaid, nor a paid, opt-out option would protect the public from the radiation from their neighbors' wireless smart meters. Who am I?
I am a retired U.S. Government career scientist (Ph.D., Applied Physics, Harvard University, 1975). During my Government career, I worked for the Executive Office of the President of the United States, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. For those organizations, respectively, I addressed Federal research and development program evaluation, energy policy research, and measurement development in support of the electronics and electrical-equipment industries and the biomedical research community. I currently interact with other scientists, with physicians, and with other informed individuals around the world about the impact of electromagnetic fields, including radiofrequency radiation, on human health. I have been a resident of Montgomery County since 1979.
Thank you for your attention.
Regards,
Ronald M. Powell, Ph.D. 20316 Highland Hall Drive Montgomery Village, MD 20886-4007 United States of America E-mail: [email protected] Tel: (301) 926-7568
CAUTION This email originated from outside WSSC Water. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. January 9, 2020 Ronald M. Powell, Ph.D.1 Summaries of Symptoms after Exposure to
Wireless Utility Meters
People from coast to coast in the USA, and from one side of the world to the other, are becoming ill after exposure to the radiofrequency radiation emitted by wireless utility meters. Attached are the results from three surveys of symptoms reported in 2011, 2013, and 2014.
The Survey in 2011 included 318 respondents from 28 states in the United States, and from Canada. The Survey in 2013 included 210 respondents from 33 states in the United States, from Canada, and from Australia. The Survey in 2014 included 92 respondents from the other side of the world, Victoria, Australia. Altogether, 620 adults and children were included in the three surveys.
The attached bar graphs show the number of respondents in each survey who experienced new or worsened symptoms after exposure to the radiofrequency radiation from wireless utility meters in the respondents’ environment. Each bar indicates the percentage of respondents who experienced each symptom. Respondents commonly experienced multiple symptoms. Each bar graph is followed by one page of additional information written by the person who analyzed the survey data for the Survey in 2011 and the Survey in 2014, or by me for the Survey in 2013.
The three surveys were conducted independently. They grouped symptoms into somewhat different categories, but many of those categories are similar enough to be comparable. Of the nine most frequently experienced categories of symptoms in each of the three surveys, seven appeared in all three of the surveys: insomnia; headaches; ringing in the ears; cognitive disturbances affecting concentration, memory, or learning; dizziness or loss of balance; cardiac disturbances such as heart palpitations or arrhythmia; and fatigue or weakness. Insomnia was the most frequently experienced symptom in all three of the surveys.
The surveys do not tell us how likely a given individual is to become symptomatic after exposure to the radiofrequency radiation from wireless utility meters. But the surveys do tell us which symptoms a person who does become symptomatic is most likely to experience. The large numbers of symptoms found reflect the many systems of the body that are disrupted by such radiation.
Other health effects may not be as easily sensed by the body as those represented by the symptoms described here. The development of these other health effects may go undetected for years. Examples include reproductive harm, DNA damage, and cancer.
1 Ronald M. Powell is a retired career U.S. Government scientist. He holds a Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Harvard University. During his Government career, he worked for the Executive Office of the President, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Survey in 2011 New or Worsened Symptoms Reported by 318 Individuals after Exposure to Wireless Utility Meters in the USA2
Sleep problems 49%
Stress, anxiety, irritability 43%
Headaches 41%
Ringing in the ears 38%
Concentration, memory, or learning problems 35%
Fatigue, muscle, or physical weakness 34%
Disorientation, dizziness, or balance problems 33%
Eye problems, including eye pain, pressure in eyes 26%
Cardiac symptoms, heart palpitations, heart arrhythmias 26%
Leg cramps, or neuropathy 19%
Arthritis, body pain, sharp, stabbing pains 18%
Nausea, flu-like symptoms 17%
Sinus problems, nose bleeds 15%
Respiratory problems, cough, asthma 14%
Skin rashes, facial flushing 13%
Urinary problems 9%
Endocrine disorders, thyroid problems, diabetes 9%
High blood pressure 7%
Changes in menstrual cycle 5%
Hyperactivity or changes in children's behavior 4%
Seizures 2%
Recurrence of cancer 2%
None of the above 9%
Other 18%
I don’t know 25% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
2 Ed Halteman, Ph.D., statistics, Wireless Utility Meter Safety Impacts Survey: Final Results Summary, September 13, 2011, p. 22 (http://emfsafetynetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Wireless-Utility-Meter-Safety-Impacts-Survey-Results-Final.pdf). 97 percent of respondents to full survey were in the USA, from 28 states, with most in California (78 percent) and New York (16 percent). In the Final Results Summary, the four clusters of symptom’s with the fewest responses (2 to 5 percent each, totaling 13 percent) were included in “Other” but are broken out separately in the above bar graph, reducing the responses listed as ”Other” (from 31 percent to 18 percent).
Survey in 2011 Executive Summary by Ed Halteman, Ph.D. “Wireless Utility Meter Safety Impacts Survey” OBJECTIVES To investigate reported public health and safety complaints about wireless utility meters. To evaluate the impacts on health and safety due to wireless utility meters. To determine whether further study is warranted. METHODS Survey was designed by the EMF Safety Network (Network). The survey was circulated online through various social media outlets including Network’s email list, Facebook, and the California EMF Safety Coalition (a discussion group). The survey was also posted on Network’s website: www.emfsafetynetwork.org where visitors were invited to take the survey. 443 responses were received from 7/13/2011 through 9/2/2011. (318 of the 443 answered the health questions that formed the basis for the bar chart on symptoms. RMPowell) Network commissioned Survey Design and Analysis (SDA) to provide this report of the survey findings. RESPONDENT MAKEUP 93% are over 40 years old and 43% are over 60 years old. 73% are women. 78% are from California. 68% have Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) as their utility provider. 49% are EMF Sensitive. 41% have had a new wireless meter installed in their home; of these . . . o 56% have had it installed for at least six months o 89% have electric meters, 53% gas meters and 10% water meters o 35% saw an increase in their utility bill o 26% have experienced some type of interference o 8% experienced burned out appliances or damaged electronics including TV, stereo, computer, refrigerator and other. 76% indicated they have wireless utility meters installed in their neighborhood, town or city. o 44% near their home o 36% in town TOP HEALTH ISSUES SINCE NEW METERS INSTALLED Sleep problems (mentioned by 49%) Stress, anxiety and irritability (43%) Headaches (40%) (Listed as 41% on symptoms bar graph, rounded up from 40.9%. RMPowell) Ringing in the ears (38%) Heart problems (26%) UTILITY and PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION INTERACTIONS (Title inserted by RMPowell.) 40% (111 people) of those having wireless meters in their homes or community have complained to their utility provider. o 96% of these people were either “Unsatisfied” or “Very Unsatisfied” with the handling of their complaint. 32% (88 people) complained to the utilities commission. o 96% of these people were either “Unsatisfied” or “Very Unsatisfied” with the handling of their complaint 94% of respondents want to retain or restore their analog meters and 92% of these respondents do not think they should have to pay any additional money. STATISTICAL TESTING SHOWS THE TOP HEALTH SYMPTOMS ARE POSITIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH EMF Sensitivity Wireless meters installed in the home Survey in 2013 New or Worsened Symptoms Reported by 210 Individuals after Exposure to Wireless Smart Meters in the USA, Canada, 3 and Australia
Insomnia 80%
Difficulty concentrating/attention deficit 78%
Ringing, buzzing, or tone in ears/tinnitus 77%
Fatigue 75%
Headaches 73%
Agitation 69%
Memory problems 67%
Dizziness 64%
Heart racing, arrhythmia, or palpitations 63%
Pressure in head 62%
Eye/vision problems 60%
Tingling, burning, or itching skin 51%
Digestive problems 51%
Flu-like symptoms 50%
Involuntary muscle contractions 47%
Numbness in hands or feet 46%
Respiratory problems 38%
Tingling, burning, or itching internally 30%
High blood pressure 26%
Nosebleeds 25%
Low blood pressure 15% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
3 Richard H. Conrad, Ph.D. and Ed Friedman, B.S., Exhibit D – Smart Meter Health Effects Survey and Report, 2013, Appendix 5, page 62 (http://www.mainecoalitiontostopsmartmeters.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Exhibit-D-Smart-Meter-Health-Effects-Report-w- AppendicesV3-1-9Reduced-Appendices.pdf). Data normalized to 210 respondents. Additional information, including the qualifications of the first author, Richard H. Conrad, Ph.D., can be found here: Pre-Filed Testimony of Richard Conrad, Ph.D., MPUC Docket No. 2011-00262, February 2013 (http://www.mainecoalitiontostopsmartmeters.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Exhibit-9-Conrad-Web.pdf). Survey in 2013 Abstract of “Smart Meter Health Effects: Survey and Report” by Richard H. Conrad, Ph.D. and Ed Friedman, B.S.4 Purpose of Survey
This survey was designed to discover the health effects experienced by individuals exposed to smart meters, and to test the strength of the correlation between those effects and that exposure. The survey was distributed widely through internet sites and interest groups with this invitation: “If you feel your health has been affected by smart meters, we request your immediate help in studying these effects.” The results of the survey were submitted as legal testimony before the Maine Public Utilities Commission in 2013.
Survey Respondents
Survey data was collected from December 4, 2012 to January 28, 2013. 210 survey documents were completed and used for analysis. About 75 percent of respondents were from the USA, with the rest from Canada and Australia. 73 percent were women. 52 percent were age 45 to 59, while 29 percent were older and 19 percent were younger. The highest academic degrees, and the number of respondents with them, were BS or BA (70), high school (61) or GED (4), MS or MA (42), PhD (9), MD (1), RN (1), DDS (1), and other medical (13).
Exposure of Respondents
83 percent of respondents were exposed to at least 1 smart meter that was 4 to 50 feet from where they spent the most time. Within 50 feet of their residences, 39 percent were exposed to 1 to 2 meters; 32 percent to 3 to 5 meters; 12 percent to 6 to 9 meters; and 11 percent to 10 to 29 meters. Such high exposure may explain why the percentages of new or worsened symptoms in this survey were higher than in the 2011 and 2014 surveys.
Timing of Exposure versus Timing of Symptoms
After smart meter installation or start of exposure, new or worsened symptoms were experienced within minutes for 20 percent of respondents, within hours for 14 percent, within days for 28 percent, and within months for 19 percent. Yet 42 percent did not discover that they had a smart meter until after new or worsened symptoms began. 82 percent of respondents were sure, and 17 percent were fairly sure, that their new or worsened symptoms correlated to smart-meter exposure. 17 percent moved and 37 percent wanted to.
Impact of Exposure on Respondents’ Use of Other Wireless Devices
This survey assessed the impact of exposure to smart meters on the respondents’ ability to use other electronic devices that also emit radiofrequency radiation: computers, Wi-Fi, and cell phones. Exposure to smart meters significantly reduced the respondents’ ability to use those other electronic devices without symptoms.
Computers: The percent of respondents who used computers without symptoms was 79 before exposure and decreased to 39 after exposure. The percent of respondents who experienced symptoms when using computers was 21 before exposure and increased to 57 after exposure. The percent of respondents who did not use computers at all because of symptoms was 0 before exposure and increased to 2.4 after exposure.
Wi-Fi: The percent of respondents who used Wi-Fi without symptoms was 40 before exposure and decreased to 18 after exposure. The percent of respondents who experienced symptoms when using Wi-Fi was 11 before exposure and increased to 28 after exposure. The percent of respondents who did not use Wi-Fi at all because of symptoms was 17 before exposure and increased to 41 after exposure.
Cell Phones: The percent of respondents using cell phones without symptoms was 50 before exposure and decreased to 24 after exposure. The percent of respondents who experience symptoms when using cell phones was 18 before exposure and increased to 39 after exposure. The percent of respondents who did not use cell phones at all because of symptoms was 14 before exposure and increased to 26 after exposure.
4 This abstract was written by RMPowell to accommodate the format of this summary document. Survey in 2014 New or Worsened Symptoms Reported by 92 Individuals after Exposure to Wireless Smart Meters in Australia5
Insomnia, sleep disturbance, or sleep disruption 48% Headaches, head pain, or dull head 45% Tinnitus, ringing or buzzing/noises in ears 33% Lethargy, tiredness, fatigue, exhaustion, or weakness 32% Cognitive disturbance, inability to concentrate or think, disorientation, or memory loss 30% Abnormal sensations, including nerve pain, neuropathy, burning sensations, tremors,… 22% Dizziness/loss of balance 21% Heart palpitations 17% Nausea 16% Onset of Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity Syndrome 15% Pain (in joints, bones, muscles, other and including arthritic changes) 14% Pressure/heat/weird feeling in or on head 13% Anxiety/agitation/irritability/restlessness 13% Problems with eyes or eyesight/blurred vision 11% Chest pain/pain in the heart 10% Rashes/skin irritation/skin discoloration/dry skin 8% Aggravation of pre-existing medical condition 7% Digestive problems/bowel irritability/stomach pain 5% Muscle spasms/cramps/twitches 5% Nose bleeds 4% Ear problems (ear pain, loss of hearing) 3% Depression/loss of motivation 3% Increased rate of infections/colds 3% Allergies/food sensitivities 3% Aggravation of Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity Syndrome 2% Sinus problems 2% Lump in throat/sore throat 2% Weight loss/loss of appetite 2% Swollen face/lips 2% Bladder infections/strains 2% Flu-like symptoms 1% Dehydration/thirst 1% Weight gain 1% Inability to talk 1% Loss of motor skills 1% Loss of feeling and movement from waist down 1% Adverse health effects not otherwise specified 12% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
5 Federica Lamech, MBBS, Self-Reporting of Symptom Development from Exposure to Radiofrequency Fields of Wireless Smart Meters in Victoria, Australia: A Case Series. Alternative Therapies, Nov/Dec 2014, Vol. 20, No. 6, pages 28-38. NIH PMID 25478801 (http://www.alternative-therapies.com and http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25478801). Survey in 2014 Abstract of Dr. Federica Lamech’s Article from the National Institutes of Health PubMed Index Altern Ther Health Med. 2014 Nov-Dec;20(6):28-39.
Self-reporting of symptom development from exposure to radiofrequency fields of wireless smart meters in Victoria, Australia: a case series.
Lamech F.
Abstract
CONTEXT: In 2006, the government in the state of Victoria, Australia, mandated the rollout of smart meters in Victoria, which effectively removed a whole population's ability to avoid exposure to human-made high-frequency nonionizing radiation. This issue appears to constitute an unprecedented public health challenge for Victoria. By August 2013, 142 people had reported adverse health effects from wireless smart meters by submitting information on an Australian public Web site using its health and legal registers.
OBJECTIVE: The study evaluated the information in the registers to determine the types of symptoms that Victorian residents were developing from exposure to wireless smart meters.
DESIGN: In this case series, the registers' managers eliminated those cases that did not clearly identify the people providing information by name, surname, postal address, and/or e-mail to make sure that they were genuine registrants. Then they obtained consent from participants to have their deidentified data used to compile the data for the case series. The author later removed any individual from outside of Victoria.
PARTICIPANTS: The study included 92 residents of Victoria, Australia.
OUTCOME MEASURES: The author used her medical experience and judgment to group symptoms into clinically relevant clusters (eg, pain in the head was grouped with headache, tinnitus was grouped with ringing in the ears). The author stayed quite close to the wording used in the original entries. She then calculated total numbers and percentages for each symptom cluster. Percentages were rounded to the nearest whole number.
RESULTS: The most frequently reported symptoms from exposure to smart meters were (1) insomnia, (2) headaches, (3) tinnitus, (4) fatigue, (5) cognitive disturbances, (6) dysesthesias (abnormal sensation), and (7) dizziness. The effects of these symptoms on people's lives were significant.
CONCLUSIONS: Review of some key studies, both recent and old (1971), reveals that the participants' symptoms were the same as those reported by people exposed to radiofrequency fields emitted by devices other than smart meters. Interestingly, the vast majority of Victorian cases did not state that they had been sufferers of electromagnetic hypersensitivity syndrome (EHS) prior to exposure to the wireless meters, which points to the possibility that smart meters may have unique characteristics that lower people's threshold for symptom development.
PMID: 25478801 Ed Halteman, Ph.D., Consultant! 303.818.3679 ! Objective and Methods Page 3 ! Executive Summary Page 4-6 ! Demographics Page 7-11
! Wireless Meter Installations Page 12-17 ! Wireless Meter Effects Page 18-23
! Complaints to Utility and PUC Page 24-28 ! Factors Associated w/Health Symptoms Page 29-31 ! Verbatim Comments Page 32-34 ! Survey Questions Page 35
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 2 ! To investigate reported public health and safety complaints about wireless utility meters. ! To evaluate the impacts on health and safety due to wireless utility meters. ! To determine whether further study is warranted. METHODS ! Survey was designed by the EMF Safety Network (Network). ! The survey was circulated online through various social media outlets including Networks email list, Facebook, and the California EMF Safety Coalition (a discussion group). The survey was also posted on Networks website: www.emfsafetynetwork.org where visitors were invited to take the survey. ! 443 responses were received from 7/13/2011 through 9/2/2011. ! Network commissioned Survey Design and Analysis (SDA) to provide this report of the survey findings.
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 3 ! Respondent Makeup ! 93% are over 40 years old and 43% are over 60 years old ! 73% are women ! 78% are from California ! 68% have Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) as their utility provider ! 49% are EMF Sensitive ! 41% have had a new wireless meter installed in their home; of these . . . ! 56% have had it installed for at least six months ! 89% have electric meters, 53% gas meters and 10% water meters ! 35% saw an increase in their utility bill ! 26% have experienced some type of interference ! 8% experienced burned out appliances or damaged"electronics including TV,"stereo, computer, refrigerator and other. ! 76% indicated they have wireless utility meters installed in their neighborhood, town or city. ! 44% near their home ! 36% in town
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 4 ! Top health issues since new meters installed ! Sleep problems (mentioned by 49%) ! Stress, anxiety and irritability (43%) ! Headaches (40%) ! Ringing in the ears (38%) ! Heart problems (26%) ! 40% (111 people) of those having wireless meters in their homes or community have complained to their utility provider. ! 96% of these people were either “Unsatisfied” or “Very Unsatisfied” with the handling of their complaint. ! 32% (88 people) complained to the utilities commission. ! 96% of these people were either “Unsatisfied” or “Very Unsatisfied” with the handling of their complaint ! 94% of respondents want to retain or restore their analog meters and 92% of these respondents do not think they should have to pay any additional money.
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 5 ! Statistical testing shows the top health symptoms are positively associated with ! EMF Sensitivity ! Wireless meters installed in the home
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 6 Demographics
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 7 60% 50.3% Female 73% 40.4% 40%
20% Male 27% 6.1% 2.9% 0% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 20-39 40-59 60-79 80 or older
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 8 Please indicate the name of your utility provider(s). N=420
Pacific Gas & Electric 67.6%
Southern California Edison 6.4%
Consolidated Edison 3.1%
San Diego Gas & Electric 2.4%
Edison Electric 1.4%
Central Maine Power 1.4%
Florida Power & Light 1.0%
Progress Energy 0.7%
Other 16.0%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 9 Where do you live? N=439
90% 80% 77.9% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 16.4% 10% 3.7% 2.1% 0% CA NY Canada Other
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 10 Are you, or is a member of your household, EMF sensitive? N=439
60%
50% 48.7%
40.1% 40%
30%
20% 11.2% 10%
0% Yes No I don't know
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 11 Wireless Meter Installations
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 12 Have you had a new wireless utility meter installed on your home? N=409
60% 53.1% 50%
40% 35.0%
30%
20%
10% 5.6% 3.4% 2.2% 0.7% 0% Yes, 1-2 Yes, 3-4 Yes, 5-8 Yes, more No I don't know meters meters meters than 8 meters
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 13 If yes, how long ago was it installed on your home? N=188
35%
28.7% 30% 27.1% 25%
20% 18.6%
15% 12.8%
10% 8.5%
5% 4.3%
0% Within the last One to three Three to six Six months to More than a I don't know month months ago months ago a year ago year ago
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 14 If yes, please indicate the type of new meter installed on your home. (Check all that apply) N=160
Electric 88.9%
Gas 53.3%
Water 10.0%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 15 Do you have new wireless utility meters deployed in your neighborhood, apartment building, area, town or city? N=394
80% 75.6% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 18.0%
10% 6.3% 0% Yes No I don't know
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 16 Please describe the placement of the wireless utility meters in relation to where you live. (Check all that apply. ) N=347
Near my home 44.7% In my town or city 36.0% Repeater, collector or relay in the area 17.3% Outside a garage wall 16.1% On a bedroom wall 16.1% On a living room or office wall 13.8% At my workplace 8.1% Detached from the home 7.2% On a kitchen wall 4.9% On a bathroom wall 1.7% Other 14.7% I don't know 10.1%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 17 Wireless Meter Effects
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 18 How concerned are you about the reported problems with the new wireless Smart Grid utility meters, also known as Smart Meters (AMR, AMI, AED)? Check all that apply. N=425-432
Very concerned Concerned Unsure Unconcerned Loss of meter reader jobs 60% 28% 3% 9%
Waste of functional meters 62% 27% 3% 8%
Fire risk, burned out appliances 60% 29% 3% 8%
Health & environmental impacts 91% 5%1%3%
Interference 63% 30% 2%5%
Security risks 70% 20% 4%7%
Privacy risks 72% 20% 2%6%
Inaccurate utility bills 61% 30% 2%7%
Increased utility rates 60% 30% 2%8%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 19 If yes, have your bills increased, decreased or stayed about the same? N=174
40% 37.9% 35% 30% 24.7% 25% 20% 14.4% 15% 12.6% 10% 8.0%
5% 0.6% 0.6% 1.1% 0% Decreased Decreased by Decreased by Stayed about Increased by Increased by Our bills I don't know by 10% 20% more than the same 10% 20% or more have 20% doubled, tripled, or more
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 20 If yes, have you experienced interference, damaged equipment, or a fire since the new meter(s) has been installed? (Check all that apply) N=194
Interference with radios, cell, or cordless phones 15%
Interference with security systems 11%
Burned out appliances including TV, stereo, and computer 8%
Interference with GFI's or AFCI's 2%
Interference with medical implant device 1%
I don't know 26%
None 54%
0% 20% 40% 60%
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 21 Have you, or anyone in your household, experienced new or worsened health symptoms since the new wireless utility meters have been installed on your home, in your neighborhood, apartment building, area, town or city? (Check all that apply) N=318 Sleep problems 49.1% Stress, anxiety, irritability 43.1% Headaches 40.9% Ringing in the ears 38.1% Concentration, memory or learning problems 34.6% Fatigue, muscle or physical weakness 34.3% Disorientation, dizziness, or balance problems 33.0% Eye problems, including eye pain, pressure in the eyes, 25.8% Cardiac symptoms, heartblurred palpitations, vision heart arrhythmias, 25.8% chest pain Leg cramps, or neuropathy 19.2% Arthritis, body pain, sharp, stabbing pains 18.2% Nausea, flu-like symptoms 17.3% Sinus problems, nose bleeds 14.5% Respiratory problems, cough, asthma 13.8% Skin rashes, facial flushing 12.6% Urinary problems 8.8% Endocrine disorders, thyroid problems, diabetes 8.8% High blood pressure 7.2% None of the above 8.8% Other 30.5% I don't know 24.8%
0% Survey Design20% & Analysis, 40% 60% SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 22 Do you have one or more of the following? (Check all that apply.) N=275
Mercury amalgam dental filings 69.5%
Metal dental crowns or bridges 64.7%
Metal joints or metal plates 11.6%
Dental implants 10.2%
Metal dental braces 4.4%
Medical implant device such as a pace 3.6% maker
Other 7.3%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 23 Complaints to Provider and PUC
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 24 If you have experienced problems with the new wireless utility meter(s), have you complained to… N=195
the utility company? your Public Utilities Commission or similar utility oversight commission?
70% 65.6%
60% 54.3%
50% 45.7%
40% 34.4% 30%
20%
10%
0% Yes No
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 25 How satisfied are you about how they handled your complaint?
The utility company N=164 Your Public Utilities Commission N=103
75.6% 80% 72.8% 70% 60% 50% 40%
30% 24.3% 20.7% 20% 10% 1.2% 1.0% 2.4% 1.9% 0% Very satisfied Satisfied Unsatisfied Very unsatisfied
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 26 Would you prefer to retain or restore the analog (also known as electromechanical meter) utility meters and a meter reader? N=387
100% 94.1% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20%
10% 2.8% 3.1% 0% Yes No I don't know
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 27 If yes, do you think you should pay more for the analog service? N=374
100% 91.7% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20%
10% 2.9% 5.3% 0% Yes No I don't know
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 28 Factors Associated with Health Symptoms
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 29 Have you, or anyone in your household, experienced new or worsened health symptoms since the new wireless utility meters have been installed on your home, in your neighborhood, apartment building, area, town or city? (Check all that apply.) N=298
Sleep Problems No sleep Problems
70% 65.6% 58.6% 60% 50% 41.4% 40% 34.4% 30% 20% 10% 0% No Meters in Home, N=133 Yes Meters in Home, N=147 * The relationship is the same for the top five Health Symptoms sited.
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 30 Have you, or anyone in your household, experienced new or worsened health symptoms since the new wireless utility meters have been installed on your home, in your neighborhood, apartment building, area, town or city? (Check all that apply.) N=298 Sleep problems No Sleep Problems 90% 80% 77% 70% 60% 56% 50% 40% 28% 30% 20% 20% 16%
10% 4% 0% I don't know, N=118 Not EMF Sensitive, N=31 EMF Sensitive, N=149
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 31 ! “We should not have to pay for NO CHANGE in electric service. We don't pay for not getting cable. We don't pay for not getting satellite. We don't pay for gas if we don't use gas appliances. “ ! “I firmly believe that it is ILLEGAL to charge someone for services they are not receiving. I should not have to pay for the "privilege" of retaining my analog utility meter and I should not have my rates increase monthly whether my usage does nor not. That is RIDICULOUS …” ! “I am almost ready to deny gas and electric service rather than pay for an analog or accept a SmartMeter. Then they would have the freezing death of an old lady on their hands and my kids could sue them.“ ! “I am a Doctor of Chiropractic. Several patients have told me they become sick and weak in the presence of wireless devices. They get sicker the closer they are. Some are sensitive even blocks away. These are intelligent, educated, sincere people who ask if I know of anything that can help them mitigate their symptoms, given that such fields are increasingly common.” ! “I see absolutely NO BENEFIT from this expensive, wasteful change-out. I see nothing but trouble ahead, especially once hackers get into the network. I believe that human meter readers are a community benefit and am distressed to see them removed at a time when we need jobs and the extra oversight they provide in our communities.” ! “The electrical companies and investors should be forced to foot the bill on this one and not be allowed to pass the cost on to customers. They deserve to be sued and heavily fined and maybe some people belong in prison over this.”
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 32 ! “The radio transmissions of the meters could very well be affecting the presence of pollinators in our yards. Bees, hummingbirds and butterflies are small and sensitive creatures that are becoming less prevalent and I am certain it is due to the air wave pollution we are inflicting upon them . . .” ! “We should not have smart meters and their mesh network in our community (in any community) due to non-ionizing wireless RF radiation from these devices being classified by the WHO as a Class 2B carcinogen, on par with DDT. … Chronic long-term exposure to this type of radiation is stressful on our cells and associated with increased risk of cancer, according to peer-reviewed health studies. ... This should not be mandatory, especially when the Federal government does not mandate these on our homes. This is a gross violation of our civil liberties, and endangers the privacy, security, public safety, health and lives of ourselves and our loved ones, neighbors, friends and family.” ! “I am so worried about these Smartmeters, that I don't want to leave home because the installers will put them on whether you want them or not. ... I do know many people who are suffering terribly from them.” ! “… it effected the equipment in the emergency medical operating unit. The doctor did not know what was causing this, he had the old back up ways before tech in his head, but maybe others do not have this. He almost lost an animal due to this. So I am very frustrated over all this. … Appliances burned up, blender caught fire, stereo malfunctioned, two shredders burned up, a water fountain no longer works, a popcorn popper caught on fire, ...”
Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 33 ! “In the beginning I called all around, talked to many people about my concern. I was told I had no choice - the meters are going in and I have no say. No one addressed my concerns or called me back to address my concerns as I had left messages and asked. Anyone who I spoke with to address my concerns skated right past them and told me the same thing, I have no choice but to have a SmartMeter installed.” ! “My interaction with PG&E has been entirely focused on keeping them from installing meters on my home. Each time I have called, I get only arguments that they are safe, no way to guarantee that we can opt out. ! “I have been thinking of contacting PG&E, but I dread it knowing that it will increase my already elevated stress levels. I'm feeling very frustrated and stuck. I've thought about taking a sledge hammer to the meter at some points.” ! “SCE basically told us that there was nothing they could do to help us. My husband has emailed every executive at SCE and CPUC and nobody will reply back. I even got a letter from my Dr. about my EMF/RF sensitivities and SCE said that they have no contingency plan for people with EMF/RF sensitivities or health problems that are caused by their Smart Meters.” ! “They do not care about the long-term health of their customers. They are a 100% monopoly, and the CPUC is their lapdog. This situation stinks.” Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 34 ! How concerned are you about the reported problems with the new wireless Smart Grid utility meters, also known as Smart Meters (AMR, AMI, AED)? Check all that apply. ! Do you believe wireless devices can cause health problems? ! Are you, or is a member of your household, EMF sensitive? (EMF sensitivity is also called electrical sensitivity, or electrohypersensitivity) ! Have you had a new wireless utility meter installed on your home? ! If yes, how long ago was it installed on your home? ! If yes, please indicate the type of new meter installed on your home. Check all that apply. ! If yes, have your bills increased, decreased or stayed about the same ? ! If yes, have you experienced interference, damaged equipment, or a fire since the new meter(s) has been installed? Check all that apply. ! Do you have new wireless utility meters deployed in your neighborhood, apartment building, area, town or city? ! Please describe the placement of the wireless utility meters in relation to where you live. Check all that apply. ! Have you, or anyone in your household, experienced new or worsened health symptoms since the new wireless utility meters have been installed on your home, in your neighborhood, apartment building, area, town or city? Check all that apply. ! Do you have one or more of the following? Check all that apply. ! If you have experienced problems with the new wireless utility meter(s), have you complained to the utility company? ! If you complained to the utility company about the new wireless utility meter(s), how satisfied are you about how they handled your complaint? ! If you have experienced problems with the new wireless utility meter(s), have you complained to your Public Utilities Commission or similar utility oversight commission? ! If yes, how satisfied are you with how they handled your complaint? ! Would you prefer to retain or restore the analog (also known as electromechanical meter) utility meters and a meter reader? ! If yes, do you think you should pay more for the analog service? Survey Design & Analysis, SurveyDNA.com 9/13/11 35
Smart Meter Health Effects
Survey and Report
By
Richard H. Conrad, Ph.D. and Ed Friedman, B.S. 2013
Accepted as legal testimony before the Maine Public Utilities Commission, Docket 2011-00262
About the Authors
Richard H. Conrad
Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Johns Hopkins University; postdoctoral research at the Institute of Molecular Biophysics of Florida State University and Department of Biochemistry of Cornell University.
Ed Friedman*
B.S. in Environmental Science, Empire State College, SUNY; research over the years from Antarctica to Arctic; Chair, Friends of Merrymeeting Bay, Maine since 1996 engaged in research, advocacy, education, and land conservation.
*Corresponding author
Smart Meter Health Effects Survey and Report
Nearly 98% of respondents were very sure or fairly sure their new or worsened symptoms correlated to smart meter exposure.
Smart Meter Health Effects Survey: Results, Analysis and Report
This survey was designed to discover if the health effects/symptoms that many persons have recently been attributing to exposures to smart meters, were really caused by those exposures or not. The Survey essentially collected testimonials of their personal experiences with smart meters, broken down into answers to approximately 50 questions, most of them multiple choice. Since all questions required an answer, all respondents answered identical questions via a choice of identical answers. This provided uniformity of the data collected, enabling detailed analysis and comparison of their experiences.
This Survey was written by Richard Conrad, Ph.D, and Ed Friedman. It utilizes SurveyGizmo software and automatic survey collection via the internet and SurveyGizmo, who stores the data securely and provides most of the analysis tools used. The survey was distributed widely via internet sites and interest groups, who directed interested people to this link: http://www.conradbiologic.com/smartmetersurvey.html for an introduction, more information, and a link to actually take the survey. The invitation began : “If you feel your health has been affected by smart meters, we request your immediate help in studying these effects.” Thus this is not a prevalence survey (i.e. its purpose is not to determine the percentage of all ratepayers that had symptoms) but was intended to query persons who already felt that they had “symptoms or health effects from smart meters” (quoted here from the introduction within the Survey itself) to determine whether or not there actually was a correlation.
Near the end of the Survey was a request (Question 46) for free text comments, where most respondents provided a short summary of the impacts smart meters had on their lives. (A list of most of their comments is included in the Appendices.) The last two questions of the Survey concern permission to use their data anonymously (Q47) and with limited confidential disclosure (Q48). Any respondent that answered No to Q47 was automatically disqualified by the SurveyGizmo survey collection software. Thus 100% of the surveys collected and designated as “completed” answered Yes to permission for anonymous use. 90% of these also answered Yes to Q48, limited confidential disclosure (most supplied their personally identifiable information).
The Survey opened for data collection on December 4, 2012, and closed at the end of the day on January 28, 2013 (this said was erroneously dated 2012 in submitted version). The number of completed surveys received and used for analysis was 210.
Approximately 75 % were from the US, and the rest from Canada and Australia.
Of the 210 respondents, 9 were Ph.D.’s, 42 MS or MA, 70 BS or BA, 1 MD, 1 DDS (see Q44).
Look at “Pie Chart Summary Report Q2 vs Q32.” You can clearly see the tremendous increase (more than a doubling) in the blue sector of the pie chart from only 32.9% aware of having some electrical sensitivity before, to 67.6% considering themselves to actually have ES after smart meter exposure.
Before smart meters, 23.3 % (calc. from Q2a) of the 210 respondents considered themselves to have ES (Electrical Sensitivity).
Now, after smart meters, 67.6 % (Q32) of the 210 respondents consider themselves to have ES. Note that 62.7 % (calc. from Q32a) of these feel certain that their exposure to smart meters was responsible for initiating their ES.
Of the 49 persons who already considered themselves to have ES before SM, all 49, or 100 % felt that their exposure to SM made their ES not only worse, but “much worse”.
Cell Phone, Computer and WiFi Use Before and After Smart Meters
In order to ascertain what influence common electronic devices: cell phones, wifi and computers have in relation to smart meter radiation exposure, we looked at device use before and after smart meter installation. We found very clear evidence smart meter exposure adversely affected respondent ability to use other RF devices without incurring harmful symptoms.
In the survey, computer use is addressed in questions 4 and 29, wifi in questions 5 and 30 and cell phones in questions 6 and 31 (Appendix 7).
Computer Use: Before smart meters, nearly 79% of respondents were using computers without symptoms while 21% had previous sensitivities and used computers despite their symptoms. Following smart meter installation and exposure, those able to operate a computer without symptoms dropped to 39% (about one-half of before), while those now showing symptoms from computer use nearly tripled to 57%. 2.4% of respondents could not use computers after smart meters because of adverse symptoms whereas nobody was limited in this way prior to meter installation.
WiFi: The responses were similar with wifi. Before smart meters nearly 40% of respondents were using wifi without symptoms while 11% had previous sensitivities and used wifi to some extent but with symptoms. Following smart meter installation and exposure, those able to use wifi without symptoms dropped to 17% (about one-half of before) while those showing symptoms from wifi nearly tripled to 28%. Those who could not use wifi prior to smart meters because of symptoms were 17%. This rose to 40% after smart meter installation and exposure.
Cell phones: Before smart meters, 50% of respondents were using cell phones without symptoms while 18% had previous sensitivities and used cell phones, but with symptoms. Following smart meter installation and exposure, those able to use cell phones without symptoms dropped to 24% (about one-half of before) while those with symptoms from cell phone use more than doubled to 39%. 14% of respondents could not use cell phones previous to smart meters because of symptoms. This increased to 26% after smart meters.
The inability to use these common tools severely inhibits our respondents in their personal and economic lives. Their ability to live normal lives in the 21st century has been severely compromised. This change in ability to use these devices is directly correlated to smart meter exposure.
Symptoms, New and Worsened, Correlated to Smart Meter Exposure
Our survey asks respondents to identify their symptoms found to be associated with smart meter exposure. Many of these same symptoms have been cited in previous literature on low level RF and for example in the EMF Safety Network Survey (also submitted in our PUC testimony). We also allowed space for respondents to write in other symptoms they felt were associated with smart meters. Specifically we wanted to know both what symptoms (and their intensity: mild, moderate or severe) began (for the first time in their lives) after smart meter installation and, if someone had pre-existing symptoms, did these symptoms worsen (and how much) after smart meter installation.
We found fourteen symptoms that many individuals suffered in common including ear ringing, headaches, difficulty concentrating, insomnia and heart arrhythmias. We highlight the main symptoms in the attached histograms (Appendices 2 & 3). How long can you go without sleep, how well can you respond to workplace and personal situations when having cognitive difficulties, how much pressure in your head must you tolerate? While any of these symptoms by themselves on occasion may be of little consequence, taken in combination and at a severe level is quite enough to force people from their homes and from their work place. There is no 10-30 year latency period as there may be from cell phone exposure to glioma, the devastating results are essentially immediate.
In our histogram showing “severe and new” and “moderate and new”, it is extremely important to note that all of these numbers report only new symptoms, that is, symptoms suffered for the first time in their lives, symptoms they had never experienced before smart meters. The red bars indicate symptoms which respondents suffered from after smart meter installation and which were severe in intensity: insomnia, tinnitus, pressure in the head and difficulty concentrating top the list. The blue bars indicate symptoms that were both new and moderate in intensity. Pressure in the head, difficulty concentrating, tingling/burning skin and vision problems are the most common symptoms in descending order. Taken together, red and blue bars show the total number of victims suffering from severe or moderate intensity of each symptom: pressure in the head, difficulty concentrating and tinnitus being the most common.
Looking at respondents who had suffered some of these same symptoms previously, our blue bar graphs show previous symptoms that worsened from either mild or moderate, to severe following smart meter installation. Fatigue, insomnia, difficulty concentrating and headaches top this list.
It’s important to reiterate, as documented elsewhere in this survey, both that many of our respondents (82%) were in good or excellent health before smart meters were installed and that overall, approximately 42% developed symptoms prior to any knowledge meters were installed.
Some detailed analysis:
Thread 1: a filtered, or “thread” analysis of Q1 and Q3 and Q17: the number of respondents reporting excellent or good health, and who had no prior concerns about EMF from smart meters, and who began to experience their new/worsened symptoms BEFORE they discovered the smart meter, totaled 48, or 22.9 % of the 210 respondents.
Thread 2: another filtered analysis of Q1 and Q3 and Q17: the number of respondents reporting excellent or good health, and who had no prior concerns about EMF from smart meters, and who began to experience their new/worsened symptoms weeks or months AFTER they discovered the smart meter, totaled 20, or 9.5 %.
22.9 % + 9.5 % = 32.4 %, or almost one-third of the initially healthy respondents who had no prior concerns about EMF from smart meters began to experience symptoms at a time (before discovery of SM or well after discovery of SM) that indicates that their symptoms did not develop due to any knowledge or concern about smart meters.
Thread 3: a filtered analysis of Q2a and Q17: the number of respondents who considered themselves ES before smart meters, and who began to experience their new/worsened symptoms BEFORE they discovered the smart meter, totaled 19, or 9 % of the 210 respondents.
Thread 4: another filtered analysis of Q2a and Q17: the number of respondents who considered themselves ES before smart meters, and who began to experience their new/worsened symptoms weeks or months AFTER they discovered the smart meter, totaled 2, or 1 % of respondents.
The ratio of symptoms before to after discovery of SM in threads 3 and 4 is 9.5, whereas in threads 1 and 2 it is only 2.4. This indicates that symptoms developed much, much more rapidly in the persons who had had ES prior to smart meters.
From Q18: A total of 98.6 % of the 210 respondents were sure that their new/worsened symptoms correlated to smart meter exposure (breakdown of this total: 81.9 % very sure and 16.7 % fairly sure).
Q19 shows that for 83 % of the respondents, the smart meter had been between 4 and 50 feet from a location in their home where they spent most of their time (27.6 % were actually between 20 and 50 feet; the table gives the exact breakdown).
Q20 shows that for more than 2/3 of respondents, symptoms lessened when they went further from SM; most in seconds, minutes or hours, with the majority in hours.
Q21 shows that for about 2/3 of respondents, when they went closer to SM, their symptoms worsened, with the majority in seconds.
Q22 shows that 53.8 % of respondents conducted the “experiments” described in Q20 and Q21 “more than a dozen times”.
Q23 shows that 48.1 % were the only ones affected (sometimes because they were the only person in the house, see Q24), and that in the case of 51.9 % of respondents, between 2 to more than 6 others in the house were affected.
Q25, 25a, 26 and 26a show that there were no known other sources of EMF other than the smart meters that corresponded to their symptoms.
Q27a shows that in 91.1 % of the cases where all smart meters were removed, symptoms weakened or disappeared completely.
Q28 and 28a show that 77.1 % of those who moved, did so because of smart meters, and that some of those are currently homeless, and many others want to move because of smart meters but can’t.
Q 37, 38 and 39 are self-explanatory.
Q 40 and 41 show pre-existing MD diagnosed conditions that were worsened by smart meter exposure, and new MD diagnosed conditions that only appeared after exposure to smart meters, i.e., initiated by SM. At the top of the list of new conditions diagnosed by an MD after SM is cardiac arrhythmia and other heart conditions.
The suffering and the social and economic effects of chronic debilitating symptoms that victims have experienced since smart meter exposure simply cannot be ignored, and provide ample evidence that there is something about smart meters that make them extremely harmful to at least some, and possibly eventually all persons. While there is obviously only a portion of our population that consciously realizes and manifests ES/EHS symptoms now (the canaries), we are all being exposed and are all susceptible.
Summary Report, all Q's except Symptoms Q15 and open textbox Q's - Jan 31, 2013 Survey: Smart Meter Health Effects Survey (Live Dec. 4, 2012)
Poor 2.9%
Fair 15.2%
Excellent (and no Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia or known autoimmune disease) 43.3%
Good 38.6%
1. Before smart meters, what was the general state of your health?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Excellent (and no Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, chronic fatigue, Total Responses 210 91 43.3% fibromyalgia or known autoimmune disease) Skipped 0 Good 81 38.6% Unanswered 0 Fair 32 15.2% Poor 6 2.9%
6 Unsure 8.6%
Yes 32.9%
No 58.6%
2. Before smart meters, did you have any electrical sensitivity that you were aware of?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 69 32.9% Total Responses 210 No 123 58.6% Skipped 0 Unsure 18 8.6% Unanswered 0
7 Unsure 7.4%
No 20.6%
Yes 72.1%
Before smart meters, did you consider yourself to have ES (Electrical Sensitivity)?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 49 72.1% Total Responses 68 No 14 20.6% Skipped 0 Unsure 5 7.4% Unanswered 142
8 Yes 36.9%
No 63.1%
Before smart meters, had you ever heard of electrical sensitivity?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 52 36.9% Total Responses 141 No 89 63.1% Skipped 2 Unanswered 69
9 Yes 36.7%
No 63.3%
3. Before smart meters, did you have any concerns about EMF (Electromagnetic Fields) from smart meters?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 77 36.7% Total Responses 210 No 133 63.3% Skipped 0 Unanswered 0
10 No for another reason 1.0%
Yes, and it caused symptoms 20.5%
Yes, without it causing any symptoms 78.6%
4. Before smart meters, were you using a computer?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes, without it causing any symptoms 165 78.6% Total Responses 210 Yes, and it caused symptoms 43 20.5% Skipped 0 No because it had caused symptoms in the past 0 0.0% Unanswered 0 No for another reason 2 1.0%
11 No for another reason 31.4%
Yes, without symptoms 40.0%
No because it had caused symptoms in the past 17.1%
Yes, with symptoms 11.4%
5. Before smart meters, were you using Wi-Fi?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes, without symptoms 84 40.0% Total Responses 210 Yes, with symptoms 24 11.4% Skipped 0 No because it had caused symptoms in the past 36 17.1% Unanswered 0 No for another reason 66 31.4%
12 No for another reason 18.1%
No because it had caused symptoms in the past 14.3% Yes, without symptoms 50.0%
Yes, with symptoms 17.6%
6. Before smart meters, were you using a cell phone?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes, without symptoms 105 50.0% Total Responses 210 Yes, with symptoms 37 17.6% Skipped 0 No because it had caused symptoms in the past 30 14.3% Unanswered 0 No for another reason 38 18.1%
13 n/a 1.4% More than 2 hours/day 5.6%
1/2 to 2 hours/day 26.1%
Less than 1/2 hour/day 66.9%
If you were using a cell phone, how would you characterize your cell phone usage?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Less than 1/2 hour/day 95 66.9% Total Responses 142 1/2 to 2 hours/day 37 26.1% Skipped 0 More than 2 hours/day 8 5.6% Unanswered 68 n/a 2 1.4%
14 Don't know or n/a 2.9% Zero 1.4% More than 100 0.5% 30 to 99 1.4% 10 to 29 11.4%
1 to 2 38.6% 6 to 9 11.9%
3 to 5 31.9%
7. Roughly what was the total number of smart meters within about a 50 foot radius around your residence, including those (if any) on your residence? (Please review your selection to be sure it is correct.)
Value Count Percent % Statistics Zero 3 1.4% Total Responses 210 1 to 2 81 38.6% Skipped 0 3 to 5 67 31.9% Unanswered 0 6 to 9 25 11.9% 10 to 29 24 11.4% 30 to 99 3 1.4% More than 100 1 0.5% Don't know or n/a 6 2.9%
15 8. How many of these smart meters were on your residence (or on your building and relatively close to you)? (Select "Zero" if none). Electric
Number of Smart Meters Total 20.5% 20.5% Zero 43 43 50.5% 50.5% 1 106 106 11.0% 11.0% 2 23 23 2.9% 2.9% 3 6 6 4.8% 4.8% 4 to 5 10 10 3.8% 3.8% 6 to 9 8 8 4.8% 4.8% 10 to 29 10 10 0.5% 0.5% 30 to 99 1 1 1.4% 1.4% Don't know or n/a 3 3 Total 210 210
Water
Number of Smart Meters Total 74.2% 74.2% Zero 155 155 9.1% 9.1% 1 19 19 1.0% 1.0% 2 2 2 1.4% 1.4% 4 to 5 3 3 1.0% 1.0% 6 to 9 2 2 13.4% 13.4% Don't know or n/a 28 28 Total 209 209
Gas
Number of Smart Meters Total 70.3% 70.3% Zero 147 147 16.3% 16.3% 1 34 34 1.0% 1.0% 2 2 2 0.5% 0.5% 3 1 1 1.0% 1.0% 4 to 5 2 2 1.4% 1.4% 6 to 9 3 3 0.5% 0.5% 10 to 29 1 1 9.1% 9.1% Don't know or n/a 19 19 Total 209 209
16 Don't remember or n/a 10.5%
At the time of installation/start of exposure 22.9%
More than 3 months after installation/start of exposure 12.9%
2+ to 3 months after installation/start of Less than one hour after installation/start of exposure 4.8% exposure 6.7%
1 to 2 months after installation/start of exposure 5.2%
Later on the day of installation/start of exposure 8.6% 14 to 28 days after installation/start of exposure 4.8%
7 to 13 days after installation/start of exposure 4.8% The day after installation/start of exposure 6.2% 4 to 6 days after installation/start of exposure 4.8% 2 to 3 days after installation/start of exposure 8.1%
9. Concerning only the smart meter(s) that most affected you, about how long after smart meter installation or after beginning of exposure, did you discover that the smart meter was present (by actually seeing it or being told about it)?(Please read the answer that remains in the dropdown menu box after you make your selection, to be sure it is correct).
Value Count Percent % Statistics At the time of installation/start of exposure 48 22.9% Total Responses 210 Less than one hour after installation/start of exposure 14 6.7% Skipped 0 Later on the day of installation/start of exposure 18 8.6% Unanswered 0 The day after installation/start of exposure 13 6.2% 2 to 3 days after installation/start of exposure 17 8.1% 4 to 6 days after installation/start of exposure 10 4.8% 7 to 13 days after installation/start of exposure 10 4.8% 14 to 28 days after installation/start of exposure 10 4.8% 1 to 2 months after installation/start of exposure 11 5.2% 2+ to 3 months after installation/start of exposure 10 4.8% More than 3 months after installation/start of exposure 27 12.9% Don't remember or n/a 22 10.5%
17 Westinghouse 0.5% Tantalus 0.5% Schlumberger (Centron) 1.0% ABB 1.0% OpenWay (Itron) 2.9% Elster 4.3% Sensus 5.2% Centron (Itron) 5.7% Don't know or n/a 42.4%
GE 7.1%
Other Brand 7.6%
Landis+Gyr 10.5%
Itron 11.4%
10. What was the Brand/Manufacturer of the closest Electric smart meter?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Don't know or n/a 89 42.4% Total Responses 210 Itron 24 11.4% Skipped 0 Landis+Gyr 22 10.5% Unanswered 0 Other Brand 16 7.6% GE 15 7.1% Centron (Itron) 12 5.7% Sensus 11 5.2% Elster 9 4.3% OpenWay (Itron) 6 2.9% ABB 2 1.0% Schlumberger (Centron) 2 1.0% Tantalus 1 0.5% Westinghouse 1 0.5% Siemens 0 0.0%
18 Don't know or n/a 33.8%
AMI 53.8%
Other 2.9%
AMR 9.5%
11. What was the TYPE of the closest Electric smart meter? AMI = Advanced Metering Infrastructure type of meter (data automatically sent to utility), AMR = Automated Meter Reading type of meter (data read remotely by reader from vehicle or on foot)
Value Count Percent % Statistics AMI 113 53.8% Total Responses 210 AMR 20 9.5% Skipped 0 Other 6 2.9% Unanswered 0 Don't know or n/a 71 33.8%
19 Don't know or n/a 29.5%
PLC-Power Line Carrier/Broadband over Power Line 4.8% Wireless 65.7%
14. Which method of data reporting to the Utility did the Electric smart meter use?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Wireless 138 65.7% Total Responses 210 PLC-Power Line Carrier/Broadband over Power Line 10 4.8% Skipped 0 Phone line 0 0.0% Unanswered 0 Fiber optics 0 0.0% Don't know or n/a 62 29.5%
20 Yes 6.5%
Don't know or n/a 36.2%
No 57.2%
If wireless, were the transmitters supposedly turned off?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 9 6.5% Total Responses 138 No 79 57.3% Skipped 0 Don't know or n/a 50 36.2% Unanswered 72
21 Hours 7.1% Within a few minutes after installation/start of exposure 11.4%
Don't remember, don't know or n/a 12.4% Less than one hour after installation/start of exposure 8.1%
More than 3 months after installation/start of exposure 6.7% Later on the day of installation/start of exposure 13.8% 2+ to 3 months after installation/start of exposure 4.3%
The day after installation/start of exposure 1.0% 1 to 2 months after installation/start of exposure 8.1%
2 to 3 days after installation/start of exposure 9.5% 14 to 28 days after installation/start of exposure 7.1% 7 to 13 days after installation/start of exposure 5.2% 4 to 6 days after installation/start of exposure 5.2%
16. Approximately how long after smart meter installation or the start of exposure (concerning only the smart meter(s) that most affected you) did new symptoms begin and/or previous symptoms worsen? (Please read the answer that appears in the dropdown menu box after you make your selection, to be sure it is correct).
Value Count Percent % Statistics Within a few minutes after installation/start of exposure 24 11.4% Total Responses 210 Less than one hour after installation/start of exposure 17 8.1% Skipped 0 Later on the day of installation/start of exposure 29 13.8% Unanswered 0 The day after installation/start of exposure 2 1.0% 2 to 3 days after installation/start of exposure 20 9.5% 4 to 6 days after installation/start of exposure 11 5.2% 7 to 13 days after installation/start of exposure 11 5.2% 14 to 28 days after installation/start of exposure 15 7.1% 1 to 2 months after installation/start of exposure 17 8.1% 2+ to 3 months after installation/start of exposure 9 4.3% More than 3 months after installation/start of exposure 14 6.7% Don't remember, don't know or n/a 26 12.4% Hours 15 7.1%
22 Don't remember or n/a 9.5% Symptoms months BEFORE discovered smart meter 17.1%
Symptoms months after 9.5%
Symptoms weeks before 8.6% Symptoms weeks after 6.7%
Symptoms days before 9.0% Symptoms days after 12.4%
Symptoms hours before 4.3% Symptoms minutes BEFORE 2.9% Symptoms hours after 11.9% Symptoms minutes AFTER discovered smart meter 8.1%
17. Did your new/worsened symptoms (that you correlate with smart meter exposure) begin or worsen BEFORE, or AFTER you first DISCOVERED the presence of a smart meter? (the smart meter(s) that most affected you) (After you select your answer, please double-check to be sure that the answer that shows in the box is the one you meant to select).
Value Count Percent % Statistics Symptoms months BEFORE discovered smart meter 36 17.1% Total Responses 210 Symptoms weeks before 18 8.6% Skipped 0 Symptoms days before 19 9.1% Unanswered 0 Symptoms hours before 9 4.3% Symptoms minutes BEFORE 6 2.9% Symptoms minutes AFTER discovered smart meter 17 8.1% Symptoms hours after 25 11.9% Symptoms days after 26 12.4% Symptoms weeks after 14 6.7% Symptoms months after 20 9.5% Don't remember or n/a 20 9.5%
23 Unsure 1.4%
Fairly sure 16.7%
Very sure 81.9%
18. How sure are you that your new/worsened symptoms correlated to smart meter exposure?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Unsure 3 1.4% Total Responses 210 Fairly sure 35 16.7% Skipped 0 Very sure 172 81.9% Unanswered 0
24 Less than 3 feet 0.5% feet to head of bed 10.5% Don't know or n/a 1.0% More than 100 feet 1.0% 50 to 100 feet 3.8% 4 to 9 feet 27.1%
20 to 50 feet 27.6%
10 to 19 feet 28.6%
19. What is (or was) the approximate distance (through the wall in a straight-line measurement) between the closest smart meter and the location closest to the smart meter where you spent the most time (for example, the head of your bed)?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Less than 3 feet 1 0.5% Total Responses 210 4 to 9 feet 57 27.1% Skipped 0 10 to 19 feet 60 28.6% Unanswered 0 20 to 50 feet 58 27.6% 50 to 100 feet 8 3.8% More than 100 feet 2 1.0% Don't know or n/a 2 1.0% feet to head of bed 22 10.5%
25 Yes in seconds 9.5% Don't know or n/a 14.8%
Yes in minutes 21.9% No 15.7%
Yes in a month or longer 3.8%
Yes in weeks 3.3%
Yes in days 5.7% Yes in hours 25.2%
20. Did your symptoms lessen when you went further away from smart meter(s)?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes in seconds 20 9.5% Total Responses 210 Yes in minutes 46 21.9% Skipped 0 Yes in hours 53 25.2% Unanswered 0 Yes in days 12 5.7% Yes in weeks 7 3.3% Yes in a month or longer 8 3.8% No 33 15.7% Don't know or n/a 31 14.8%
26 Don't know or n/a 22.4%
Yes in seconds 32.4%
No 9.0%
Yes in a month or longer 0.5% Yes in days 1.0%
Yes in hours 7.6%
Yes in minutes 27.1%
21. Did your symptoms worsen when you went closer to smart meter(s)?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes in seconds 68 32.4% Total Responses 210 Yes in minutes 57 27.1% Skipped 0 Yes in hours 16 7.6% Unanswered 0 Yes in days 2 1.0% Yes in weeks 0 0.0% Yes in a month or longer 1 0.5% No 19 9.1% Don't know or n/a 47 22.4%
27 Don't remember or n/a 8.1% Never 13.3%
A few times 24.8%
More than a dozen times 53.8%
22. How many times did you conduct the inadvertent (or conscious) "experiment" described by the previous two questions?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Never 28 13.3% Total Responses 210 A few times 52 24.8% Skipped 0 More than a dozen times 113 53.8% Unanswered 0 Don't remember or n/a 17 8.1%
28 More than 6 1.0% 6 1.0% 5 1.4% 4 4.3% 3 (myself + two others) 12.4%
1 (only myself) 48.1%
2 (myself + one other) 31.9%
23. How many people in your household were affected by smart meters, including yourself?
Value Count Percent % Statistics 1 (only myself) 101 48.1% Total Responses 210 2 (myself + one other) 67 31.9% Skipped 0 3 (myself + two others) 26 12.4% Unanswered 0 4 9 4.3% 5 3 1.4% 6 2 1.0% More than 6 2 1.0%
29 More than 6 0.5% 6 1.0% 5 5.2% 4 8.1% 1 (only myself) 25.7%
3 16.2%
2 43.3%
24. What was the total number of persons living in your household at the time of smart meter exposure, including yourself?
Value Count Percent % Statistics 1 (only myself) 54 25.7% Total Responses 210 2 91 43.3% Skipped 0 3 34 16.2% Unanswered 0 4 17 8.1% 5 11 5.2% 6 2 1.0% More than 6 1 0.5%
30 Don't know or n/a 2.9% Yes 4.8%
No 92.4%
25. Was there any new electronic device in your home that was first turned on at around the time of smart meter installation/start of exposure, such as a: baby monitor, DECT cordless phone, large screen TV, computer/monitor, internet connection, Wi-Fi device, high-efficiency light bulbs such as compact fluorescents (CFLs) or LEDs, induction-type stove top, generator, welder, large charger or 12 volt DC to 120 volt AC inverter such as for a solar system?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 10 4.8% Total Responses 210 No 194 92.4% Skipped 0 Don't know or n/a 6 2.9% Unanswered 0
31 No 100.0%
If "Yes" a new device was turned on at the time, is it possible that your new/unusual or intensified symptoms were associated with this new device and not at all to the smart meter?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes it is possible 0 0.0% Total Responses 11 No 11 100.0% Skipped 1 Don't know or n/a 0 0.0% Unanswered 199
32 Yes 3.8%
Don't know or n/a 24.8%
No 71.4%
26. Was there a new antenna/transmitter newly activated near your home around the time of smart meter installation/start of exposure that was not part of the Smart Meter Mesh system (such as a new cell tower or emergency police/fire communication system, either an antenna, or a microwave dish/drum pointed at you at your elevation)?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 8 3.8% Total Responses 210 No 150 71.4% Skipped 0 Don't know or n/a 52 24.8% Unanswered 0
33 No 100.0%
If "Yes" a new antenna/transmitter was activated, is it possible your new/unusual or intensified symptoms were associated with this transmitter and not at all to the smart meter?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes it is possible 0 0.0% Total Responses 9 No 9 100.0% Skipped 0 Don't know or n/a 0 0.0% Unanswered 201
34 n/a 15.2%
Yes 26.7%
No 58.1%
27. If one or more smart meter(s) were installed on your residence, have all of them been removed?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 56 26.7% Total Responses 210 No 122 58.1% Skipped 0 n/a 32 15.2% Unanswered 0
35 n/a 3.6% No 5.4%
Yes all symptoms disappeared 25.0%
Yes fewer or weaker symptoms 66.1%
If "Yes" all smart meters were removed, did removal decrease your symptoms?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes fewer or weaker symptoms 37 66.1% Total Responses 56 Yes all symptoms disappeared 14 25.0% Skipped 0 No 3 5.4% Unanswered 154 n/a 2 3.6%
36 n/a 1.4% Yes to another residence 11.9%
Yes moved out and currently homeless 4.8%
No 45.2%
Want to move because of smart meters but can't 36.7%
28. Have you moved?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes to another residence 25 11.9% Total Responses 210 Yes moved out and currently homeless 10 4.8% Skipped 0 Want to move because of smart meters but can't 77 36.7% Unanswered 0 No 95 45.2% n/a 3 1.4%
37 n/a 2.9%
No 20.0%
Yes 77.1%
If you moved, did you move primarily because of smart meter(s)?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 27 77.1% Total Responses 35 No 7 20.0% Skipped 0 n/a 1 2.9% Unanswered 175
38 Have not tried 1.4% No because of symptoms 2.4%
Yes without symptoms 39.0%
Yes with symptoms 57.1%
29. Are you presently able to use a computer?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes without symptoms 82 39.1% Total Responses 210 Yes with symptoms 120 57.1% Skipped 0 No because of symptoms 5 2.4% Unanswered 0 Have not tried 3 1.4%
39 Have not tried 12.9% Yes without symptoms 17.6%
Yes with symptoms 28.1% No because of symptoms 41.4%
30. Are you presently able to use Wi-Fi?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes without symptoms 37 17.6% Total Responses 210 Yes with symptoms 59 28.1% Skipped 0 No because of symptoms 87 41.4% Unanswered 0 Have not tried 27 12.9%
40 Have not tried 11.4%
Yes without symptoms 23.8%
No because of symptoms 26.2%
Yes with symptoms 38.6%
31. Are you presently able to use a cell phone?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes without symptoms 50 23.8% Total Responses 210 Yes with symptoms 81 38.6% Skipped 0 No because of symptoms 55 26.2% Unanswered 0 Have not tried 24 11.4%
41 Unsure 25.2%
No 7.1%
Yes 67.6%
32. Do you presently have ES (Electrical Sensitivity)?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 142 67.6% Total Responses 210 No 15 7.1% Skipped 0 Unsure 53 25.2% Unanswered 0
42 n/a, or unsure/don't know 28.2%
Yes 45.6%
No 26.2%
Was your exposure to smart meters responsible for initiating your ES?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 89 45.6% Total Responses 195 No 51 26.2% Skipped 0 n/a, or unsure/don't know 55 28.2% Unanswered 15
43 Yes, slightly worse 6.2%
Yes, considerably worse 14.3%
n/a, or unsure/don't know 52.9%
Yes, much worse 23.3%
No 3.3%
36. If you already had ES before smart meters, did your exposure to smart meters make your ES worse?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes, slightly worse 13 6.2% Total Responses 210 Yes, considerably worse 30 14.3% Skipped 0 Yes, much worse 49 23.3% Unanswered 0 No 7 3.3% n/a, or unsure/don't know 111 52.9%
44 n/a 16.7%
No 19.5%
Yes 63.8%
37. Have your symptoms from smart meter(s) significantly limited your capacity to work?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 134 63.8% Total Responses 210 No 41 19.5% Skipped 0 n/a 35 16.7% Unanswered 0
45 Yes 19.0%
n/a 47.6%
No 33.3%
38. If you had a job, did your symptoms from smart meter(s) force you to leave it?
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 40 19.1% Total Responses 210 No 70 33.3% Skipped 0 n/a 100 47.6% Unanswered 0
46 100
75
48.1% 50
31.9% 30% 24.3% 25 18.1%
0 Yes, at home/housing Yes, at work Yes, in public buildings No n/a
39. Have your symptoms from smart meter(s) caused you to have a disability that needs (or needed) accommodation? (Check all boxes that apply; you can check more than one.)
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes, at home/housing 101 48.1% Total Responses 210 Yes, at work 51 24.3% Skipped 0 Yes, in public buildings 67 31.9% Unanswered 0 No 63 30.0% n/a 38 18.1%
47 40. Have you been diagnosed by a M.D. to have anyof the following conditions, and if Yes, diagnosed when?[SM = your exposure to Smart Meter(s)]
No or n/a Yes, before SM Yes, after SM Responses 77.8% 10.0% 12.2% Cardiac arrhythmia 180 140 18 22 86.3% 8.9% 4.8% Other heart condition 168 145 15 8 75.6% 20.6% 3.9% MCS 180 136 37 7 86.8% 11.4% 1.8% CFIDS 167 145 19 3 80.4% 14.3% 5.4% Fibromyalgia 168 135 24 9 99.4% 0.6% 0.0% Lupus 154 153 1 0 97.5% 2.5% 0.0% MS 157 153 4 0 77.1% 15.4% 7.4% Otherautoimmune 175 135 27 13
48 Were any of these diagnosed conditionsworsened by SM or initiated by SM?[SM = your exposure to Smart Meter(s)]
No or n/a Yes, Worsened by SM Yes, Initiated by SM Responses 31.1% 32.8% 36.1% Cardiac arrhythmia 61 19 20 22 72.3% 12.8% 14.9% Other heart condition 47 34 6 7 43.3% 46.7% 10.0% MCS 60 26 28 6 58.7% 34.8% 6.5% CFIDS 46 27 16 3 43.4% 43.4% 13.2% Fibromyalgia 53 23 23 7 100.0% 0.0% 0.0% Lupus 33 33 0 0 89.2% 10.8% 0.0% MS 37 33 4 0 50.8% 38.1% 11.1% Otherautoimmune 63 32 24 7
49 MO 0.7% MT 0.7% LA 0.7% SC 1.3% OK 1.3% IA 1.3% ID 1.3% AK 1.3% CO 1.3% CA 40.7% OH 1.3% VA 1.3% MD 1.3% PA 1.3% WI 1.3% IL 2.0% NC 2.0% OR 2.7% TX 2.7% GA 2.7% NV 2.7% FL 3.3% ME 4.0% MI 6.0% WA 4.0% AZ 6.0%
State if a USA address (pease review your selection to be sure it is correct). If not a USA address, enter your equivalent to State in the "(Provence)" textbox, also enter your equivalent of Zip code and enter your Country, and then ignore the reminder "You skipped this question" that pops up over County and State when you click "Submit Survey". Just scroll down to the bottom of the page again and click "Submit Survey" a second time.
Value Count Percent % Statistics CA 61 40.7% Total Responses 150 MI 9 6.0% Skipped 60 AZ 9 6.0% Unanswered 60 WA 6 4.0% ME 6 4.0% FL 5 3.3% NV 4 2.7% GA 4 2.7% TX 4 2.7% OR 4 2.7% NC 3 2.0% IL 3 2.0% WI 2 1.3% PA 2 1.3% MD 2 1.3% VA 2 1.3% OH 2 1.3% CO 2 1.3% AK 2 1.3% ID 2 1.3% IA 2 1.3% OK 2 1.3% SC 2 1.3% TN 1 0.7% VT 1 0.7% HI 1 0.7% AL 1 0.7% SD 1 0.7% NY 1 0.7% NH 1 0.7%
50 LA 1 0.7% MT 1 0.7% MO 1 0.7% MP 0 0.0% OH 0 0.0% OK 0 0.0% OR 0 0.0% ND 0 0.0% PW 0 0.0% NJ 0 0.0% NV 0 0.0% NE 0 0.0% NH 0 0.0% PA 0 0.0% NY 0 0.0% NM 0 0.0% NC 0 0.0% SD 0 0.0% WA 0 0.0% VA 0 0.0% WV 0 0.0% WI 0 0.0% MT 0 0.0% WY 0 0.0% VI 0 0.0% VT 0 0.0% SC 0 0.0% RI 0 0.0% TN 0 0.0% TX 0 0.0% UT 0 0.0% PR 0 0.0% GA 0 0.0% DE 0 0.0% CT 0 0.0% DC 0 0.0% FM 0 0.0% GU 0 0.0% FL 0 0.0% CO 0 0.0% CA 0 0.0% AK 0 0.0% AL 0 0.0% AS 0 0.0% AZ 0 0.0% AR 0 0.0% HI 0 0.0% ID 0 0.0% MD 0 0.0% MH 0 0.0% MA 0 0.0%
51 MI 0 0.0% MS 0 0.0% MN 0 0.0% ME 0 0.0% LA 0 0.0% IN 0 0.0% IL 0 0.0% IA 0 0.0% KS 0 0.0% KY 0 0.0% MO 0 0.0%
52 Male 26.8%
Female 73.2%
42. Sex
Value Count Percent % Statistics Female 153 73.2% Total Responses 209 Male 56 26.8% Skipped 1 Unanswered 1
53 18 to 29 2.4%
30 to 44 16.7%
60+ 29.0%
45 to 59 51.9%
43. Please Select Your Age Range
Value Count Percent % Statistics under 18 0 0.0% Total Responses 210 18 to 29 5 2.4% Skipped 0 30 to 44 35 16.7% Unanswered 0 45 to 59 109 51.9% 60+ 61 29.1%
54 RN 0.5% DDS 0.5% M.D. 0.5% GED 1.9% n/a 3.8% Ph.D. 4.3% BS or BA 33.3% Other medical 6.2%
MS or MA 20.0%
High School 29.0%
44. Highest degree achieved: (Please review your answer after you select it to be sure it is correct).
Value Count Percent % Statistics BS or BA 70 33.3% Total Responses 210 High School 61 29.1% Skipped 0 MS or MA 42 20.0% Unanswered 0 Other medical 13 6.2% Ph.D. 9 4.3% n/a 8 3.8% GED 4 1.9% M.D. 1 0.5% DDS 1 0.5% RN 1 0.5%
55 Yes 100.0%
47. Anonymous Use: Do you give us permission to incorporate your answers and comments given in this questionnaire: into a research database to be used in our analysis and report which may eventually be presented, as anonymous data only, in legal proceedings, at conferences and/or published, including permission for us to quote some of your comments anonymously? [Your personally identifiable information - last name, street address, email and phone number - will remain in a secure SurveyGizmo computer database. Neither SurveyGizmo nor the author of this survey will share any of your personally identifiable information with anyone. The author will use your phone number to contact you only if there is a problem with your survey.]
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 210 100.0% Total Responses 210 No 0 0.0% Skipped 0 Unanswered 0
56 No 10.0%
Yes 90.0%
48. Limited Confidential Disclosure: Anonymous data carry very little weight in regulatory or legal proceedings. Therefore in order for your data to be convincing in such proceedings, it must include at least your full name and street address. If you answered "Yes" to the previous question concerning permission to use anonymously, do you give us further permission to use all (except email and phone) of your answers and comments given in this questionnaire, including full name and street address, subject to confidentiality restrictions (i.e., disclosable only to parties to proceedings who are bound by sworn confidentiality obligations not to disclose any personal information), in regulatory/legal proceedings concerning smart meters, including in the pending investigation of smart meters by the Maine Public Utilities Commission? (Your email and phone will not be revealed under any conditions. If you did not supply your last name, street address, email and phone number where requested in previous questions, please reconsider doing so.) [Aside from this limited and confidential disclosure, your personally identifiable information (last name, street address, email and phone number) will remain in a secure SurveyGizmo computer database, accessible only to the author of this survey via a secure password. All surveys and data reside on SurveyGizmo's servers, which use Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256 bit encryption, the method used by banks and by the US National Security Agency for classified top secret information. There are multiple layers of proactive security, and data are never exported, sold, rented or used in any way by SurveyGizmo.]
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 188 90.0% Total Responses 209 No 21 10.1% Skipped 1 Unanswered 1
57 58 Severe & Worsened
Number of respondents who checked both Severe & Worsened
Insomnia 37
Ringing, buzzing/tinnitus 22
Pressure in Head 17
Difficulty concentrating 37
Headaches 33
Heart racing, arrhythmia 18
Memory problems 11
Agitation 26
Dizziness 22
Fatigue 52
SYMPTOMS AFTER SMART METER SYMPTOMS Tingling, burning skin 11
Involuntary muscle contractions 8
Eye/vision problems 12
Numbness 12
25 50 75 Number of Respondents j
59 Severe & New Moderate & New
Number of Respondents
Insomnia 66 16
Ringing, buzzing/tinnitus 61 37
Pressure in Head 53 80
Difficulty concentrating 51 48
Headaches 47 33
Heart racing, arrhythmia 47 32
Memory problems 44 29
Agitation 40 35
Dizziness 40 31
Fatigue 37 27 SYMPTOMS AFTER SMART METER AFTER SMART SYMPTOMS Tingling, burning skin 29 38
Involuntary muscle contractions 28 27
Eye/vision problems 17 38
Numbness 16 23
50 100 150 Number of Respondents
60 Exhibit I: 15. Group A: Symptom Intensity AFTER smart meters; click 1. Group B: Category-click 1.
A. Symptom Intensity AFTER Smart Meter Exposure B. Symptom Category MILD MODERATE SEVERE New Worsened 15.2% 40.0% 44.8% 63.6% 37.1% Agitation 22 58 65 91 53 Difficulty concentrating 10.2% 34.4% 55.4% 54.3% 46.3%
/attention deficits 16 54 87 88 75 21.9% 48.2% 32.5% 51.4% 48.6% Digestive problems 25 55 37 55 52 16.3% 37.8% 45.9% 67.2% 32.8% Dizziness 22 51 62 90 44 19.5% 58.6% 21.9% 57.7% 43.9% Eye/vision problems 25 75 28 71 54 8.3% 34.4% 58.0% 46.2% 53.8% Fatigue 13 54 91 73 85 27.4% 49.1% 23.6% 70.8% 29.2% Flu-like symptoms 29 52 25 75 31 12.2% 34.0% 53.8% 61.4% 38.6% Headaches 19 53 84 94 59 Heart racing, arrhythmia or 12.2% 39.6% 48.2% 69.9% 30.1% palpitations 17 55 67 93 40 33.3% 41.7% 26.7% 68.5% 31.5% High blood pressure 20 25 16 37 17 10.0% 28.8% 61.2% 56.0% 44.6% Insomnia 17 49 104 94 75 27.6% 39.0% 35.2% 73.5% 27.6% Involuntary muscle contractions 29 41 37 72 27 37.8% 44.4% 17.8% 41.9% 58.1% Low blood pressure 17 20 8 13 18 16.2% 43.4% 40.4% 64.3% 35.7% Memory problems 22 59 55 90 50 54.1% 34.4% 11.5% 75.5% 24.5% Nosebleeds 33 21 7 40 13 29.0% 43.0% 29.0% 60.6% 41.5% Numbness in hands or feet 29 43 29 57 39 13.4% 34.3% 53.0% 76.3% 23.7% Pressure in head 18 46 71 100 31 21.1% 50.0% 30.0% 62.0% 38.0% Respiratory problems 19 45 27 49 30 Ringing, buzzing or tone in 11.0% 36.0% 53.0% 67.3% 32.7% ears/tinnitus 18 59 87 109 53 19.1% 45.5% 36.4% 75.5% 25.5% Tingling, burning or itching skin 21 50 40 80 27 Tingling, burning or itching 27.7% 41.5% 30.8% 77.4% 22.6% internally 18 27 20 48 14
61 15. GROUP A: Symptom Intensity AFTER smart meters; click only one box:
Symptom Intensity AFTER Smart Meter Exposure MILD MODERATE SEVERE Total 15.2% 40.0% 44.8% 100% Agitation 22 58 65 145 10.2% 34.4% 55.4% 100% Difficulty concentrating/attention deficits 16 54 87 157 21.9% 48.2% 32.5% 100% Digestive problems 25 55 37 114 16.3% 37.8% 45.9% 100% Dizziness 22 51 62 135 19.5% 58.6% 21.9% 100% Eye/vision problems 25 75 28 128 8.3% 34.4% 58.0% 100% Fatigue 13 54 91 157 27.4% 49.1% 23.6% 100% Flu-like symptoms 29 52 25 106 12.2% 34.0% 53.8% 100% Headaches 19 53 84 156 12.2% 39.6% 48.2% 100% Heart racing, arrhythmia or palpitations 17 55 67 139 33.3% 41.7% 26.7% 100% High blood pressure 20 25 16 60 10.0% 28.8% 61.2% 100% Insomnia 17 49 104 170 27.6% 39.0% 35.2% 100% Involuntary muscle contractions 29 41 37 105 37.8% 44.4% 17.8% 100% Low blood pressure 17 20 8 45 16.2% 43.4% 40.4% 100% Memory problems 22 59 55 136 54.1% 34.4% 11.5% 100% Nosebleeds 33 21 7 61 29.0% 43.0% 29.0% 100% Numbness in hands or feet 29 43 29 100 13.4% 34.3% 53.0% 100% Pressure in head 18 46 71 134 21.1% 50.0% 30.0% 100% Respiratory problems 19 45 27 90 11.0% 36.0% 53.0% 100% Ringing, buzzing or tone in ears/tinnitus 18 59 87 164 19.1% 45.5% 36.4% 100% Tingling, burning or itching skin 21 50 40 110 27.7% 41.5% 30.8% 100% Tingling, burning or itching internally 18 27 20 65
62 15. GROUP B: Symptom Category; click only one box:
Symptom Category New Worsened Total
100% 63.6% 37.1% Agitation 91 53 143 54.3% 46.3% 100% Difficulty concentrating/attention deficits 88 75 162 51.4% 48.6% 100% Digestive problems 55 52 107 67.2% 32.8% 100% Dizziness 90 44 134 57.7% 43.9% 100% Eye/vision problems 71 54 123 46.2% 53.8% 100% Fatigue 73 85 158 70.8% 29.2% 100% Flu-like symptoms 75 31 106 61.4% 38.6% 100% Headaches 94 59 153 69.9% 30.1% 100% Heart racing, arrhythmia or palpitations 93 40 133 68.5% 31.5% 100% High blood pressure 37 17 54 56.0% 44.6% 100% Insomnia 94 75 168 73.5% 27.6% 100% Involuntary muscle contractions 72 27 98 41.9% 58.1% 100% Low blood pressure 13 18 31 64.3% 35.7% 100% Memory problems 90 50 140 75.5% 24.5% 100% Nosebleeds 40 13 53 60.6% 41.5% 100% Numbness in hands or feet 57 39 94 76.3% 23.7% 100% Pressure in head 100 31 131 62.0% 38.0% 100% Respiratory problems 49 30 79 67.3% 32.7% 100% Ringing, buzzing or tone in ears/tinnitus 109 53 162 75.5% 25.5% 100% Tingling, burning or itching skin 80 27 106 77.4% 22.6% Tingling, burning or itching internally 100% 48 14
63 CommentsQ46, Jan30 Survey: Smart Meter Health Effects Survey (Live Dec. 4, 2012)
46. You can enter additional heath-related comments in the space provided below, including if you wish, a short summary of the impacts smart meters have had on your life. (Your entry is limited to 300 words).
ResponseID Response 1 SMs installed 1/24/12. Felt fine until went to bed on 1/24/12, sick all night and woke up 1/25/12 really sick. Discovered SM on neighbor's house outside my bedroom window 25 feet from head of my bed. Called FPL and confirmed meter had been installed on prior afternoon. Haven't had a single good day or decent night's sleep since installation. It was a dramatic change in my health, which has continued to deteriorate. I've had a dramatic change in my behavior/personality, too. I cry at the drop of a hat. I get irritable and argumentative. Restless to the point of pacing. I've developed a cough over the last month not associated with any cold, influenza, etc. I attribute it to worsening health from RF radiation. I have lost roughly 18 years of progress in my treatment of my CFIDS and MCS. My CFIDS had been quite mild, but now is almost as bad as when I first got sick 23 years ago. My MCS has gotten somewhat worse, too. 3 Smart meters have restricted my access to friends, family, public services, and certain neighborhoods. Ban them. 6 my life is over.havent slept in 3 yrs now.my cats are being tortured by the devices as well,and there is no where to go.i have parkinsons like symptoms frequently,all good memories of my life are gone.no one left to call,no where to go,no way to get there.doctor is more harm than good,politicians dont care.billions of bats and frogs thrived here before "deployment.they and all life in the creek are gone forever now.trees are dying a slow death for miles,and if it werent for leaving a kid and 6 feline family members behind ...well...i really see no reason to live.there is no more joy in my life.it is a constant stressfull struggle each and every day with no light at the end of the tunnel.mercury/cadmium/nickel dentistry started my disabilities,and smartmeters zapped what life i had left.hope the dentists and utilities profiting enjoy their beachfront houses.their professions have cost me all hope for a normal life.if there were justice in this world,these people and their poisonous products would be behind bars.my friend has gone from 235lbs to 400+lbs. since this program started,and he will need oxygen tanks soon.his dad died relatively soon after deployment.the cells of every living creature in this state is under constant and consistent stress.god help us all 8 Type A personality, loved to work. Had had chemical sensitivity for years. Big mold toxin exposure made me super MCS and gradually EMF sensitive. Smart meters made me even more EMF sensitive, and now homeless and unable to work for the last 4 years. Biggest loss is the joy of being able to work, and to be productive, not just the financial loss which has been huge. Life for the past 4
64 years has been totally about survival. Had to get out of escrow 7 times, 1/2 from mold and 1/2 from nearby wi-fi. Electrical sensitivity is real and extremely limiting - few safe places to go free of EMF. Family (except for wife, who is also electrically sensitive) don't believe me - that's the worst - because it is an intangible, invisible disability that they have never experienced themselves. 9 I am electrosensitive and have taken measures to limit exposure to EMF/RF. I do not have WiFi in my home. I refused installation of a smart meter by SMUD and have been active in trying to bring awareness to this issue. Recently via a public records request, I found out that SMUD installed a digital meter on my home in 2007 without my permission. According to SMUD, this meter sends out an RF pulse every 30 seconds . This correlates with onset and aggravation of many health related symptoms to myself and my family. My son's bedroom and bed is not far from this meter. He was entering the 4th grade when this meter was installed. In 3rd grade, he was recommended for a special program for advanced and gifted children. In 4th grade, he refused to write or draw saying, "I can't". Later, behavioral problems developed. In 2010, he was evaluated and deemed to have ADD. He continues to struggle and has also complains of ringing in his ears. He is also fatigued and irritable. I also thought it was odd that he never dreams. I believe the digital meter is responsible for this. According to my research, RF/EMF affects the brain and disrupts proteins needed for brain function. This is backed by more than 2300 research studies, many done by the Naval Medical Research Institute and Yale showing repeatable harmful results. How can this be ignored and disregarded because the FCC says 'no thermal radiation', so it's safe. This is outrageous!!! I want these dirty polluting health wrecking devices off of my home and a return to safe analog meters nationwide. No one deserves to suffer like this. Even those that do not notice the effects are still getting a cumulative exposure that will eventually cause damage. 12 Before smart meters, I had worked in an office full of computers and wi-fi and had no electrical sensitivities. I had not even heard of electrical sensitivities, and had no concerns about smart meters. Both my wife and myself began to develop mysterious symptoms that we never had before, and then more than a week after the symptoms began, we discovered that smart meters had been installed before we first developed the symptoms. Because of smart meter exposure I am now extremely electrically sensitive and can no longer safely live in our San Francisco home. I went from being a perfectly healthy 35 year old to being electrically sensitive in a matter of weeks. The limitations of this condition are extraordinary. I do not know how much longer I will be able to work at my financial services firm. Nor do I know how much longer I will be able to live in a city or town with a cell phone tower. Once a person becomes sensitized to microwave radiation, life becomes completely different, and difficult. I have constant headaches, unless I am in nature. My ears ring if I am within miles of a cell tower. I have fatigue if I am around wi-fi for too long. Using a cell phone for calls or internet functions has become impossible. I used all of the above technology just 15 short months ago with no problems. I had no idea such technology could be harmful. Now my wife and I search for a safe place to live and I look back fondly on the days I could use a computer without symptoms. I know that many, many others are going through similar situations - all since
65 installation of smart meters. Something must be done. 15 In January 2012, during our absence while boondocking near Bouse, Arizona, thirteen smartmeters were installed within 2.5 metres from our townhouse's outside wall, in BC Hydro's Electrical Room. My wife and I have felt the negative effects ever since our return on the 29th of February, each with different symptoms. She is 71 and I am 70. Note that we do not have a smartmeter for our own townhouse unit, as this is still an analog meter, located in between the smartmeters. We call it the "Lone Ranger" and have asked BC Hydro several times to remove the thirteen smartmeters, without any response. Our initial request not to have a smartmeter was granted by BC Hydro. We are afraid that they will come one of these days and replace it anyway. Our townhouse is listed "For Sale" with a realtor. The natural gas company (FortisBC) now wants to install four AMS devices on the outside wall of our townhouse. This will aggravate the situation and decrease the "relatively safe living space" in our townhouse. We have not even been in our living room for the past half a year! One additional thing: After our return from Arizona, we started to use another car that we had bought in December 2011. This is a 2003 GMC Tracker - with more internal electronics than our former car, a 1997 Nissan Altima. While driving, my lower legs hurt in this vehicle, and never did before. Our other vehicle is a 1993 GMC Sierra 1-ton diesel truck, used to pull our 5th wheel trailer with solar panels and a small inverter. In a few weeks, we hope to test our health again by escaping our townhouse. This past summer, we went to Alberta for three weeks and our health condition improved in the trailer. 17 The side effects got worse neurologically for me it took months for me to recover after the smart meters were removed from my neighbors homes. I did not have a meter on my home. I called FPL and begged them to remove the meters that I was very ill they declined and I had a seizure and was rushed by EMS to the ER. 20 Since the smart meter GRID was placed in my community, I cannot sleep. I opted out but two of my immediate neighbors didn't. Worse, the electric poles with big new transformers are right outside my house and I experiencing an electric pulse under me all night long. I can't sleep. My CPUC complaint was ignored (I got a boiler plate response back), and I have done tons of remediation in my house to isolate the problem, and am sure it is due to the smart meters and smart meter grid. I am selling my house and moving to off grid Dominica. My survival is at stake. 22 Ability to work or find a place to work, visit friends, go to the post office, go grocery shopping, etc be active in my community or play has become impossible. I need to move again and it is getting increasingly more difficult to find a community where I can live. This is depressing enough but I worry about the depression that can set in when I'm inadvertently exposed as more and more territory around me is being installed. Now i have become so sensitized that driving through areas is incredibly uncomfortable. It sucks when you have to decide where to live based on the electric company you will be paying for service. I moved to FL for the sun and sand not expecting to get burnt and now I can't live on any stretch of coast line due to the metering. I sure as heck didn't
66 expect to get burnt. What has happened to right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? 23 I have never felt the range of symptoms that I did with the meters. Never had one on my home but got very ill. Only after nearest neighbor's was removed did I see any improvement. Could be life threatening if forced to have on my home, or nearest neighbor. 25 I have never lived close to a SM until Nov 1. I moved into a new house with a SM. I started having dizzy spells often right away. I own a Gauss meter and after a few weeks, thought to use it. It pegs everytime I am dizzy. The level on the Gauss meter is low (under .1 mG) when the SM is not transmitting. I am going to buy a Hf 35C reader this week to measure. There are no other strong signals, including no cell towers within 2 miles. I live 3 blks from the Governor's house, so maybe this area is relatively protected. I have some metallic material that helps somewhat. I have been wearing it on my head. Unfortunately, I have very little money right now to spend on stuff. I went to our PUC meeting a week ago and gave a statement about my health. I am writing the PUC, NV Electric, and my congressmen today. 26 I had lived in my apartment in San Francisco for 20 years. In October of 2011 Smartmeters were installed in my building. I was not aware they had been installed, and did not become aware that they were there until January of 2012. Within weeks I couldn’t breathe normally, concentrate or think. I developed hives all over my face in November 2011. I couldn’t eat or sleep. In December I started to get heart palpitations and shortness of breath. This was unusual for me because I am a dancer and bike rider and have always been in good shape. I was no longer able to work in my home. In January 2012 I finally discovered the presence of the smart meters; I had been having symptoms from them for about three months without knowing they were present. On Jan. 29, 2012 I moved out of my apartment: on that day I lost my home, my job and livelihood and the desire to live. I had been on the verge of a nervous breakdown when my friend Eleanor Gomez picked me up and took me to her home that did not have a Smartmeter. My symptoms began to diminish immediately. A few days later I went to the country and my symptoms disappeared completely within a week. To avoid Smartmeters, on March 3, 2012 I moved to Lancaster, PA, the town I grew up in, to start my life over again. Lancaster, Pennsylvania does not have Smartmeters yet and I am now fully recovered, although I still develop symptoms when exposed to EMF from computers and some other electronic devices. I have started my business and am fully functional and able to work and support myself once again. 27 In 1998, installed RF meters. My son, who was an infant screamed in his crib. The RF meter, was -ONE FOOT from his head. My symptoms started later when the gas company installed the 2nd meter. With tingling, burning and muscle weakness , eyes hurt, ears ring, Daily nausea and dizziness. My kids got food allergies and MCS. My kids cannot tolerate wi-fi. My daughter gets migraines and vomiting. I got a doctors note and had them all removed in 2011. We still get RF readings in our home/ I don't know if it's my neighbor's A T & T Uverse wireless system. A neighbor on each side of us has A T & T Uverse. . We are
67 ready to move, as soon as we can afford to. Smart meters are making people sick and should be banned. 30 Great survey. Smart meters have ruined my ability to interact socially and go in public safely. I must avoid cell phones, cell towers, wifi, and these are everywhere. Am very upset about this. Can't travel at all, and it is progressive. Worse gradually. Smart meters still all over my neighborhood, in close proximity, even though I have opted out. 35 I am a retired police/corrections officer, with training in objective accurate observation and reporting. I trained at the State of Washington Officers Training Academy, where I placed first in my class of about 150 to 175 Officers. The questions I answered above were a description of my initital smart meter exposure, which was at my Mother's house, to a single Sensus smart meter in Benton County PUD, in Prosser WA. I had not found out that a smart meter was present until about 3 weeks after my initial exposure. Where I live now most of the time is in the city of Orange in Orange County CA, in Southern California Edison territory. I have approximately 72 Itron AMI smart meters near me in my townhome complex (I am the president of my Casitas Santiago Residents' Association). I hear a constant buzzing that is driving me crazy. It keeps me awake and makes it hard to think. I am not sure if it is an actual sound, or if it is being generated inside my head, because when I put my fingers or earplugs in my ears I still hear it. A low tone buzzing is constant, 24/7. In addition, at about every 15 or 20 minutes, a more intense whine is added that lasts for about 12- 15 seconds, that hurts and gives me a mild headache which stops when the whine stops. Then in addition, between 3 and 4 AM a yet louder high-pitched whine is layered on top of the buzzing that wakes me up, giving me an instant migraine-like headache that lasts for the about 22 seconds that the louder whine lasts. Most of my neighbors were on a delay for installation and most couldn't afford any opt-out fee with the economy the way it is. My symptoms have gotten much worse since most of the neighborhood as been deployed with smart meters. For the first time I have a racing heart beat. But when I go out into the state and regional parks around me where there are NO smart meters for miles, I no longer hear the buzzing and my heart doesn't race. This is also true for my mother and for a friend that also can hear the buzzing of the smart meters. The HAN further increased my symptoms since it has been deployed. 36 Racing heart has increased severely since the installation of smart meters. I have been hospitalized several times as a result. My blood pressure has gone up and I have had a mini-stroke since the smart meter was put in. I've had to take more medications. When my daughter took me to a park area without any smart meters my symptoms totally disappeared even though I was hiking and my heart rate should have gone up. Within 1 hour of returning to an area with smart meters my irregular/racing heart rate began again. 38 The noise I have in my head since smart meters is almost unbearable, sleep is at times impossible because it is so loud. The noise only goes away or lessens when I get out of town and away from power lines, etc. My only choice seems to be to move away from town and live without any electricity at all, but am unable to at this time due to finances. I feel like a "rat in a cage!" I used to laugh
68 people who told me that had electrical sensitivity and could sometimes hear electricity, and now I have become one of them. 40 The smart meter was installed against my wishes while I was out. As soon as I got home and got on the porch, before the door was even open, my face and arms started burning as if I had a bad sunburn, it intensified as I got inside. I went to see if the smart meter had been installed, and it had. It was removed about 2hrs. later, and the symptoms from it stopped almost immediately. It was also causing a lot of tension in my body, which I marked as agitation, since there wasn't anything quite like it to check. I'm not sure I could've stayed in the house the entire night with it on. I still get some problems as the powerline still pulses, though the meter is out. They are all around the valley. The fully wireless ones I expect will be far worse here. I can barely stand being here, or in town with all the EMF, 4G now. The new meters are terrible. This is a crime against humanity, with the amounts of people being affected and expected to rise to 50% of pop. in the next few years! 41 I took no notice when smart meters were attached to my house in January 2010, without notification by my utility, nor my express permission. I didn’t notice that one by one, smart meters were being installed on homes to either side of mine, and all around my neighborhood. I didn’t notice that slowly but surely, my entire city was being outfitted with smart meters… until one day in October 2011 I wondered why I awoke each morning feeling dizzy, with nosebleeds, blurred vision, ringing in my ears, and migraine headaches. I wondered why when I was just sitting and watching TV or reading, my heart would often skip a beat, and bizarre muscle tremors would inexplicably spasm muscles on my face, arms, legs, and all over my body as if I’d just been given an invisible electric shock. When I spent ten days away from my home and away from smart meters in Maui, I was amazed at how much better I felt. Gone were all the symptoms which I’d been thinking might have been signs of sudden aging. When I returned home, all the aforementioned symptoms returned, and I wondered what could be causing them. In January 2012, a couple of months later, I caught strep throat and felt sicker than I’d ever been in my life. Unable to feel comfortable anywhere in the house, due to feelings of pain in my head, eyes, ears, heart, and all over my body I slept on the living room floor, and turned my full attention to the question of what, exactly, was making me feel so terribly sick. I saw online my symptoms matched microwave sickness. I’ve never owned or used any kind of cell phone, but have had WiFi inhouse for years. 43 I can't think clearly, or find words when speaking; my body feels like it is vibrating, I can't figure out what I am feeling - then I know i have to get out my house for at least the day, or leave for a few days. I can't tell what I'm feeling...in overwhelm. 50 I am and always have been an EXTREMELY healthy, fit and active individual. I did not for one moment expect that I would be effected by EMF exposure because of the level of both physical and emotional health that I enjoy. I have consciously chosen to avoid EMF exposure in my home as much as possible, for my own benefit and ESPECIALLY for my 10 year old child and his long term heath. My immediate concern about the 'wireless smart meters' was primarily the
69 fire hazard. I have stood firm in this, and to date I do not have a meter on MY half of the duplex I live in. I discovered the new meter had been installed on my neighbor's half of the home, 2 weeks after the installation. It is 5 feet from my livingroom couch, and less than 20 feet from my bed. I have never, ever, ever in my life suffered from sleeplessness, insomnia, or headaches. I experienced my first sleepless night the same night the meter was installed. (When I discovered the meter - 2 weeks later - I had a discussion with my neighbor and the installation date was Exactly the first night I couldn't sleep.) It has been 6 weeks now since the meter was installed, I have NOT had a full & deep nights sleep since then. There is a constant mild pressure type headache in my head. I have extreme difficulty concentrating on business tasks, which is not good as I work from home! The meter on my building is one, and there are 2 others in close proximity, my neighbor on the other side, and the house directly behind mine. ***Note the survey system forced me to pick a 'state'. I live in Canada, Not Alaska :-) 54 My whole life is changed because of smart meters. I did not receive proper information about smart meters and the possible health hazards they may cause before consenting to the device being installed. Now I have been stuck with the devices not only on my house, but on my neighbors' houses for 4 months. I am positive (as a healthcare professional) that I am now "electrosensitive" and that my exposure to the radiofrequencies from the smart meters have caused this condition. I have called the utilities numerous times, testified before and submitted comments and complaints to the PUC, and notified my local and state government representatives and media about my health concerns related to this device. Still, after 4 months, my 2 year old daughter and myself are subjected to these obviously unhealthy levels of radiofrequencies whenever we are at home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is clearly unethical. Apparently the PUC and NV Energy have finally drafted an opt out program where we will be able to receive a "non communicating" meter at an additional cost. But I am unsure of when this will actually occur and appalled that my and others' health conditions due to this device have basically been ignored this whole time. This is a huge public health concern. The scientific evidence is growing that there are indeed non-thermal biological/cellular changes produced by low level RF, especially the type of "pulsed" RF that the smart meters emit. I hope that Maine and other states do the safe thing for the public and call for moratoriums on these devices until the appropriate amount of data can be gathered to make further decisions. Until then I live in fear of what these devices are doing to myself, my child, and everyone else. 57 since smart meter installed I've become progressively more EMF sensitive; this summer I visited a friend in a WiFi city (Mpls, MN) and now I have symptoms when I'm in the kitchen (meter on outside kitchen wall) after 10- 15 minutes. #20 dizziness decreases within minutes but blood pressure can stay high for hours after a significant exposure. #39 I greatly limit my time in public bldgs. eg. My local Costco installed WiFi in the last month or so and I didn't know there had been a change until I recognized the symptoms of dizziness and disorientation after a half hour of shopping. 58 we were able to get the smart meter off within 15 months of it's placement
70 because it caused interference with our garage doors (caused them to open and close at all times of day and night) That's how we discovered for sure it was the sm that caused the insomonia and headaches. 69 I became electrically sensitive almost immediately upon smart meter installation. My ears buzz, hum, and click constantly, pressure in the head and ears, racing heart, and pressure on the chest, agitation and irritability all since the electric PLC smart meter was placed on my home. Idaho Power and the Public Utilities Commission have denied my requests to allow me to use an analog meter, and now gas and water are installing their meters.. There are hundreds of antennas/transmitters which have recently been installed around town to go along with the meters. This makes it impossible for me to enjoy walking my dogs in my nieghborhood or garden. The songbirds have even left. I can no longer attend church or go about my daily bsuiness without being negatively affected by these new devices. I was able to vacation recently where there was no smart meter installed and it felt as if a vice had been loosened from around my head, The buzzing in my ears stopped after a few days. It was life on earth as it used to be, but then I had to return to this new reality and be tortured again. And to add to this torture, I haven't found a local doctor who understands ES, and most people think it's just all in our heads because they don't "feel" it. 73 SMs have changed my life. I have been sick in my home for over two years, unable to attend concerts/shows/museum exhibits or go to restaurants/malls/stores at will. My work has been attenuated to a minimum; my income has been slashed considerably. I continue to experience intense pressure in my head and ringing in my ears. My home of 35 years is no longer a sanctuary for me. I worry constantly, especially for the young people whose bodies are developing in the presence of unbridled wireless technology. 75 I contacted the Electric Co-op after learning of the smart meter and conducting my own research on SM's. I expressed my health concerns to them. They were unsympathetic and stated they have spent a large sum of money to install them and removing them would not happen. I also received a letter from their eng. dept. stating they did their research, found the type of smart meter used to have NO side effects and to keep in mind that they also have families they are concerned about as well and would do nothing to jeopardize them such as placing SM's on their homes and affecting their families. I have been searching for a measurement meter to actually measure the output of these smart meters but so far have found nothing that will perform this task. I also spoke to one of the managers at the Coop about SM's, his comment was: We've spent too much money to even consider removing them. 85 I first noticed the Smart Meter problems because the meter caused havoc on the electricity in my house--flame came out of one socket and other sockets became totally unusable. I had that meter replaced with another Smart Meter--I had asked for the analog back and thought they had put me back on analog but I discovered that they had covered the Smart Meter lettering with a sticker saying something else. The health symptoms manifest GRADUALLY so it would be easy to not notice or to say it is just old age. That is why this technology is so dangerous--it is eating away at the health of everyone because our brain and
71 entire nervous system are electro-magnetic. This technology is dumbing down the entire population. 87 I could not sleep for more than 4 hours at a time. Since moving to a home in a smart meter neighborhood (APS) with an analog my arms legs and forehead go numb. My 14 year old son has the same problem only when visiting. 90 Living in fear of a fire. Having many electric items fail and malfunction. I listed all of them with the Michigan Public service Commision but nobody cares. My health was very run down due to trying to inform 50 of my neighbors last January 2012. Not one person knew anything about these deadly meters! 91 the sleeping issues are out of hand. My brain feels like it is flipping inside my head when I lay down, I am dizzy when I get in to that half of my bedroom to the point of having to hold on to things and I am so restless it is not funny. I wake up constantly, and my back is always extra stiff. I know about the dates because a man came to "check the meter" on our gated property when we were leaving, It was a couple of days later afyer the symptoms started that I went and saw that I had a new meter outside my bedroom, which I only checked because I could not understand the dizziness, which is scary. I actually thought I had a brain tumor all of a sudden. I can sleep anywhere else with no problems, ie: car, work, and I experience no dizziness or "brain flipping" anywhere else. This is very disturbing. 92 All symptoms except the tiniitus (buzzing in my ears) have gone away since the removal of the smart meter 93 I have constant head ringing (not tinnitus - ear ringing). Feels as if I am drugged all the time with this high pitched frequencies overlay on my awareness. Low attention span, poor memory, fatigue, and attitude affected. Some days worse than others. Looking for place to move - extremely difficult in Southern Calif where is high density, w/o moving far away from my place of work. 97 The smart meter killed my father and our family cat, and we almost lost our daughter. It gave my mother instant dementia because it was mounted on the wall behind her reading chair where she sat each day. I can't work and now I am a care giver for my mother. One hydro executive told me the meter transmitted every 4 hours. Another executive said it transmitted every 2-3 hours. The CEO told me it transmitted every hour. In fact it was continually transmitting. They also said the meter company was financially sound and made the best meters. I later found out the Sensus meter company was millions in debt in 2008, 2009, and Mar 31 2010 their indebtedness was $465.9 million dollars. Their own engineer said the Flex Net icon meters are dangerous and had 20 times the defective issues and were never safety tested. Peco Energy in Pennsylvania have recently removed 186,000 Sensus meters for starting house fires. Peco hired 3 independent companies to run safety tests and the meters failed. The metering manager at hydro said the meters are volatile and can explode if dropped. They also had solder & flux problems. These issues were identified by the Sensus engineer & he was fired. The meter robbed my daughter of her career. She graduated from university on the Dean's Honours List and was going for her masters when the meter was installed. She became so sick and it prevented her from entering the program because she couldn't think straight or concentrate, let
72 alone use a laptop in school anymore. The smart meter has caused nothing but death and destruction in my family but nobody will listen to us. The city won't listen to our health issues because they own hydro and have the most to lose. 98 Making me lose enough sleep and feel sick enough during the day that I cannot wait to get outside away from these that are in buildings as well as my own home, and making me unable to consider taking a job which I NEED to get because I feel so ill/weak around them. 101 It is not uncommon for me to receive a piercing pain by my temple and have bouts of nausea all day lasting 2-3 min. I have documented my EMF sensitivity with my doctors, both of whom have removed smart meters from their offices in response to numerous patient complaints. I have a masters degree in psychology and have studied enough to know that I am being affected by something external. Perhaps I'm particularly sensitive, but should extra-sensitive humans be summarily dismissed just because the majority of the populace seems unaffected? I think not. 102 I really wish my ears would stop ringing 103 The Smart Meters , six of them were placed on our one Bedroom Quadraplex's unknown to us living there. The Harbor Springs, Mich. utility company put them on in February 2010. I reported to my doctor that I was waking up suddenly for some reason about every hour. I was tired all of the time , increased body temperature. Almost like I was having hot flashes...So she sent me in for a Sleep Apnea testing and they said for some autonomic reason I was waking up and going into REM or DREAM sleep. That cost my insurance $ 5,000 for the test plus the doctors were $750 and I had to have it done again with the C-Pap machine cost $1500, plus ordering equipment every month. I complied with it the program wore it every night but I was still waking up, according to my print out...but the machine was also giving off EMF's I think...It wasn't until I went to put my rakes away in the room where the water Smart Meter was with the manager of our complex and saw the square black box....I said to John what is that? He said it some new meter that the city put on last February. I looked at the label on it , took down the ITRON numbers and looked them up on the Internet...I called them many times and spoke with sales people, warehouse man, security officer, who described the lab where they are made that they line it with Copper in the lab so they don't get ilil from the EMF's when they test them....he then gave me the salesman whom I spoke for several hours with He and Harbor Springs City manager kept saying they were safe according to W.H.O. The City Commissioners were very snotty. 104 I was exposed to three digital utility meters, 2- AMR and 1-digital which the utility co. claimed, had no antenna. All of these meters made me sick. In 2007, I first developed heart symptoms at our weekend home, where the AMR meter was 150 feet away from our house, connected by underground wiring. I had my heart checked. Doc found no heart problem. Everything got worse after the utility co. installed an AMR meter at our full time home. In 2010, I was able to convince them to remove that meter but they replaced it with another digital electric meter which they claimed had no antenna and no RF. Still I was so ill, I thought I was going to die. They finally removed all digital meters and replaced
73 them with analog meters and the worst of the symptoms have never come back. Now the utility companies in New York are refusing to remove any more meters, including on homes where doctors letters have been presented. I also had to present a doctors letter which I found to be disgusting. What right does a utility company have to my medical information? 105 Smart meters have directly effected my life, making it nearly impossible for me to live in society as we know it. I am unable to sleep in places that are near these meters, cannot work near them or be near them at all. I also cannot drive past them sometimes without getting hit with their pulses. They have made my life hellish. 106 I filled out my survey for out family cottage property, because before smart meters all my es symptoms would disappear within 24 hours of arrival. I have suffered from worsening rf exposure-induced tinnitus over the last 6 years, and it was wonderful to have it disappear completely at the cottage. My well-being would also increase markedly whenever I was up north. Once smart meters went in, my tinnitus got worse when I was in the cottage - very high-pitched and loud. If I managed to spend the day away (canoeing or hiking) it would go away, but come back overnight - very clearly caused by the smart meter. It is very sad to have a refuge of sorts ruined by smart meter technology. We have measured a series of rf spikes from the meter about every 2 hours on our Cornet - the highest ones just over a milliwatt, more often in the hundreds of microwatts. But my es was probably initiated by living about 400 meters from cell towers for a dozen years. (I have never used any wireless technology and never had even a microwave oven in my home.) (i have given my Toronto address. Cottage property is 66 Suter Drive, Kawartha Lakes, Ontario - don't know the postal code.) 107 I no longer stay with family and friends who have smartmeters on their homes and I avoid businesses where the meter is near to where I would have to be. When I travel I request a room that is furthest from the meters. My main symptom is that I cannot sleep when I get in a high EMF/RF environment. 108 The smart meters on and near my home cause me to have sporadic irregular heart beats which stop as soon as I move away. I also experience respiratory problems when in close contact with the meters, usuallt when I am working out as the area is just below where the meter is mounted on my home and just 15 feet from my neighbour's. 112 The EM1000 is transmitting information along the power lines and the radiation is being fed back into our house wiring. Since the metres have been installed I get extreme electrical fields throughout our home, throughout ceiling and power points there is 1,000 volts/metre. My tinnitus screams all night as the metres are turned ON from 11PM and continue all through the night. I am continually restless and I can't do anything about it.. My symptoms I judged as "ten out of ten" 119 Since Smart Meters went into our neighborhood, my insomnia, memory problems, inability to focus (ADD?) and daily massive fatigue have reduced my ability to do productive work to almost nil. 124 I want to move but don't know where to go because of smart meters. My house
74 does not currently have a SM although I had a digital and it blurred my vision instantly. It took 2 years to figure out what the problem was (I'd never heard of EHS). I'm most sensitive to WiFi/high level EMR, so cannot attend community events where WiFi is installed or everyone carries a cell phone, including hospital, university, schools, community centre/pool, coffee shops, public transportation, many restaurants. I get nauseated, dizzy and early Alzheimer's- type symptoms depending on strength of signals and duration of exposure. 45 minutes is about my limit, although I react instantly on a low-cloud-ceiling dry day. Can no longer volunteer with Operation Red Nose or folk festivals, or join social clubs that meet in WiFi environments. Can't visit my family because they have wireless stuff everywhere, smart meters, and telecom antennas nearby. Very lonely and frustrating. Met an EHS friend outside Starbucks one dry, low- ceiling day, and felt an energy cloud as I got out of my car, like opening a sauna door and the heat blasts out. Wifi'd grocery store is opposite Starbucks across parking lot, so I waited in the middle; when she arrived, we left ASAP. I itched instantly and would have been "sick and stupid" if I stayed. She's much more reactive than I am, so I'm very lucky so far. Phone me if you need higher level permission; I want to think about it. 125 My own smart meter is not yet transmitting due to hilly area. Had exposure at medical clinic which made me start reacting to my cordless mouse. Changed to corded model & covered in foil to aleviate symptoms. 126 I have lost my sense of overall peace, contentment and security in my own home. My house used to be a place of comforting refuge and relaxation. Now, it is a place I must reside, knowing I am radiated throughout the day with a toxin that probably will cause me cancer. In addition, the first two months after the meter was installed, my dog frantically pawed me throughout the day as if there was a fire in the house and she wanted to get out. 127 From the day the SM was installed, my whole family developed very strange symptoms. Severe ear ringing me and my 9 year old son) and dizziness (me), migraine (my husband), anxiety attacks and heart racing (my son), flue symptoms (whole family). Our 8 year Scottie dog developed bladder infection, didn't come out under the dresser and died 6 weeks later on kidney failure. The reason why we know for sure that all those things must have been triggered by the SM was that we only found out that we have a SM after one month of the symptoms above occurring. We didn't know why we had them until we made the connection. We immediately started to eliminate every additional EMR exposure by hard wiring our computer and phones, covering the SM and the walls behind it with Mylar sheets, started to detox and take additional antioxidants act. The symptoms got better within a couple of month. Unfortunately it was too late for our dog! 129 Have had three years of Nursing. Seem to be getting worse with the MCS. It is hard to avoid everything. Chemicals toxins-pesticides-fragerances food-paints- I feel the smart meters have added to my symptoms & we should not be charged to change. 130 Before the electric meter went in I had MCS, several years back. I did not notice any microwave/electrical sensitivity until after the smart meter was in. Another
75 factor was exposure to alternative test using machine (Vegga) with small current. After that, electrical (computer) symptoms noticable. Since exposure to pulsed microwaves is cumulative, the gas and electric meters (before I was aware of any problem) were exposing me 24/7. After I got headaches using a cell phone once in a while, and nerve/muscle stimulation/joint stiffening in WiFi, I figured out I should avoid these exposures. So, I fought installation of the 3rd smart meter for water. I opted out in 2010. But when my neighborhood all got them the environment became really bad in my home, too. (see form for symptoms) Recently after wireless county-wide broadband went in our home readings for ambient (non-smart meter) levels went from 6-8 µW/m2 to 50-120+ constant levels on every floor and outside. Now I cannot sleep without muscle/nerve stimulations. Must take sleeping pills and they do not help enough. I want you to also know that in Sept. 2012 when 4G phones rolled out in our area my home has become even worse as neighbors got them. These emissions paralyze my nervous system on top of stiffening my chestwall, etc. IN MY OWN HOUSE depending upon who is using these devices nearby. Our house acts like an antenna, and I can read emissions (including broadband pulse) ON OUR WIRING. Where can we move in Wisconsin? THey love wireless broadband and plan for it. People love the new phones. Would a forest protect me enough? We have to smart meter OPT OUT in the state, though I have been trying to get one. 133 The exposure/reactions noted were experienced at a small apt-building that I own at 115 Linda Lane, Palm Beach Shores, FL 33404. Four other apt- buildings East/West/NEast & NWest have 17-meters facing a common property line. I used to live there and now rent the property. If I lived there now I don't think I could survive. My greatest personal physical fear is that the bloody mucus that comes from my nose after a day of exposure indicates that capillaries in my brain are vulnerable. When I did major fixes of the apt recently, I had to budget my own exposure and take days off or take breaks at the 'safer' end of the property. I used every energy routine I knew to help maintain resilience on an hourly basis. I became irritated and literally screamed reactively to frustrations at home - these outbursts were so unusual and disconcerting to me. I thank God that I didn't have to sleep there. My handyman-helper experienced either headaches or major respiratory problems repeatedly after working in the yard near the meters. We moved his work area. PLEASE NOTE: the original 5 meters on my apt building were the GE AMI/SSN type. I had them removed by FPL within days of the first time I went to the building and felt them (immediately). But the 17 others closeby on neighbor's buildings are these GE AMI/SSNs. The replacements now on MY building are 4-Itron Watthour Meters with under the bar code: 1NS310047965UWSS and 1-Landis & Gyr code NXL092225647UWLL. I spoke up at a town meeting recently. I know via my ES-journey with uninformed doctors that it is easy to be misdiagnosed/fall into a vicious cycle of erroneous causes & effects...all costly financially and to one's health, confidence and quality of life. 134 If I do to somebody else's house or even to Loblaws for a few hours I do not have heart palpitations, nor seizures, nor high blood pressure nor do I get dizzy. After a few hours my body is relaxed. 135 During the week I had a smart meter on my home I was unable to relax enough
76 to sleep. I could not focus on any project long enough to complete any task during the entire week. I am electrically sensitive, but during the week we had the smart meter, I found that I was unable to use a computer, cook on our electric stove, watch tv, or use any other electrical device. It seemed to me that the smart meter was causing a "dirty power" current on the wiring inside our house. 141 Smart meters and the Tropos used for transmission to the Utility have dramatically impacted my life. I am never feeling well in the City in which I live. I drive much further for all services to be out of Naperville. I cannot sleep at night, have pains in my chest, have headaches, have respirator trouble, have increased allergic reactions to foods and the environment, I have coughing fits that make me feel as if I will not survive, my memory which was unusually sharp is now failing, my hearing is getting worse. These last two symptoms effects my career as I am regularly interviewed on the radio and do phone consultations. I cannot even leave the house to walk down the driveway to the mailbox without suffering symptoms which sometimes cause me to have to go to bed for a few hours. I cannot sit on my porch or work in the yard because of he neighbors smart meters. I hesitate to invite people over to my house as they suffer from headaches, pressure in their chests, and pains in the neck and shoulder area. I no longer invite friends to stay over as they suffer symptoms and cannot sleep. 143 My cat has also developed a horrible case of ES (on the farms it is called "stray voltage") and she has as many or more symptoms as I do. She is the proverbial "canary in the coalmine." The smart meter is on the north side of the house and she used to love to sit in the window on that side of the house, looking out the backyard. Now she spends all of her time in the room on the south side of the house, as far from the smart meter as she can get. This is absolutely NOT a coincidence. I have tried for 2 years to get Xcel to remove the smart meter and install an analog meter, but they insist the meters are safe. The Wi PSC has been worse than useless and continues to parrot the company line. 144 I can't tolerate wireless & have to leave any area with it. If a smart meter were put at my home I'd be forced to leave or be without any electric service as it makes me that sick. And in Tucson heat above 100 that is also impossible. Smart meters are deadly for people like me & I don't want my life destroyed by them. I must have an opt out. Also our nation needs to realise what all this wireless does to young children & wildlife & our pets who can't even speak for themselves.We already have too much wireless in our cities as it is with cell phones & wifi that are already affecting many & most don't realize that is the cause of why they don't feel well. To add in any more is absurd & the bad repercussions won't be known until afterwards. 148 I feel the SM's have added way too much to the EMF in our homes through long range transmitters. Everyday short range ones never bothered me. When the SM was installed I noticed many health problems arise. 151 All I can say is Thank GOD I don't have a smart meter at work from the way I feel at home or I'd lose my job! Being 'brain dead' at home is one thing, being that way at work would make me unable to function. The effects of the smart meter follow me for hours before I feel better though, and the brain fog isn't 'clearin up' it is staying with me.
77 153 I had the Smart Meters installed in my home and by the next morning I had severe nausua and headaches. I suffered for three months; went to the doctor several times; trying to figure out what was going on. After reading an article in the paper regarding someone else experiencing dizziness when they walked near the Smart Meter, I had them removed. I immediately felt better, no nausua. Had them installed again hoping to avoid the extra charges, and immediately got sick again. I object to the charges to opt out and the monthly charges....I have read the meters in my two family for over 40 years and I am now being charged by CMP to read them when I still have to read them myself....what a scam!! They really pulled the wool over the Public Utility Commission!!! 156 Exposure to smart meters in a new apartment tipped me into severe EHS within two weeks- at 30 days I was convulsing, and my cat died, too. I fled to my sister's where the local PUD tried to help me by replacing the old house meter (leaking dirty electricity) with a smart meter. I almost died from dropping into a coma-like state, but they returned a better analog; within seconds I came out of the fugue. But 25% of my hair immediate fell out. I had to quit my work, my Masters program, quit my rare Italian cheese importing business. Now I go to school on a disability program in order to finish my very important Master's thesis, but with entirely 'at home' study. My life has been ruined by smart meters. I can not find housing- my sister lives in a smart meter free community where the local PUD protects me from other meter exposure. I am homeless and miserable, hoping to find a farmhouse on a well and with septic with no meters. 162 I have known I am sensitive to wireless RF for over 10 years. Using a mobile or a wireless internet cause only minor irritation when used for a short duration. Going to shopping centers and Airports were not problematic. Even flying did not give me any apparent health issues. However after smart meters were installed in our street (in a meshed network) I suffered serious headaches. They have sensitized me to things that I was not sensitive to before. I get allergic reactions to my deodorant which has never happened before. I now get serious headaches when going to Shopping Centers and Airports or where there are crowds of people. I suspect this is from the wireless networks and/or mobile phones that are being used. Even after flying on commercial airline flights for 2 hours I get a serious headache that lasts for days. Every trip I make the recovery period appears to be getting longer and longer. I can no longer sleep in my bedroom or work in my home office (both located at the front of the house). I have had to relocate myself to the back of the house (lounge room) to escape the smart meter effects. It is criminal that power companies can install smart meters with wireless near peoples bedrooms that cause deleterious health effects. The burden of proof is on the power companies to provide evidence that wireless emissions from their meters are not harmful. Unfortunately here in Australia they deny responsibility and are not being held accountable by the local government. 164 I have answered these questions on behalf of my 5 year old who i believe has suffered anxiety, nightmares, skin eruptions have worsened since being exposed to the smart meter. 170 Smart meters have changes my life so severely it is hard to know where to start.
78 I am very sick, unable to move or sell my home, cannot afgir shielding, finding it more and more difficult to function in an environment where they are now everywhere. Sensitized now to Wi Fi and cell towers. Insomnia, severe headaches, vision changes, dizziness, fatigue, inability to concentrate, huge hum and pressure in ears. Concerned I will have an accident, fall, driving or otherwise because of symptoms. Attempting to keep things as 'normal' as possible for ten year old daughter, I have explained as an allergy. I no longer sleep in Master Bedroom, most of the house is now unusable to me. Meter is on bedroom wall, I have had it logged and measured and exposure is dangerous by building biology standards. Effects of neighboring meters can be felt in various parts of the house. Walking down the street, I am affected by meters even across the road. I am desperate to have the meter removed and have a safe place in my home. I have no other option now but to move to a rural area off grid, but as a single parent I am locked into my current job and mortgage. Very concerned about young daughter who is so far asymptomatic. Very concerned I am accruing permanent damage with continued exposure, and very concerned I will become so sick I will be unable to work and support her. It's been a year now, I am amazed at my strength in continuing on, but fear I cannot keep going much longer. Need support from medical profession which has been very inconsistent. This is a global health and environmental issue. I hope the information you gather in this survey helps. 172 Smart meters are horrible devices They cost us so much more they were ment to save us money but they cost us so much more Money and our health 173 No. 41 (other autoimmune): vasculitis, peripheral neuropathy, Raynaud's, allergic rhinitis, reactive gastritis No. 4/29: can use only 10-year-old laptop No. 20-22: symptoms lasted 2 months after initial exposure, finally alleviated with ginkgo biloba. New exposure causes same symptoms in minutes, gone in couple hours after removed from exposure. No. 27: meter removed only after urgent pleading with utility, which is still aggressively insisting on reinstalling it No. 38: Already self-employed, from home, before smart meter exposure. No. 39: effectively disabled, but SSA won't recognize it, due to lack of hard evidence acceptable to them. 179 I have been in a guinea pig study with AMR's in our town. Here unbeknown to me i had a smart meter on my home for 22 years....continuing to have worsening symptoms each year. This was a study done in our town....must have been the before we do it nation wide campaign. I have spent nearly 50.0O0 dollars out of pocket in the last 2 years on my health. It was not until we were trying to determine cause that we found out the harrisonburg electric company had all my dwellings from 1990 on with an AMR device. When I moved to Eversole Road in Buckingham county I worsened and became ES and disabled. finally we fled the home in 2010 and I lived in a tent for months. We have y- shielded our home, but due to chemical sensitivity we are having difficulty getting back to the home for use...i live now in a trailer outside and come in to cook 181 I have MCS and the smart meters most definitely made it worse. My husband has brain cancer that has been attributed "more likely than not" to his cell phone use. We opted out (after having it on for nearly a year without even knowing
79 they had done so, other than with ill effects) and have to pay. That is disgraceful. We have a small lot and our neighbor's smart meter is near our master bedroom. We are unvoluntarily being subjected to this non ionizing radiation that could kill my husband and cause serious ailments for me. The opt out is not sufficient for the health and welfare of Americans. We need our old meters back as the idea was a huge mistake and will cost more in health costs than it would supposedly save. 183 Originally there were two smart meters installed on my property which were outside my bedroom wall. Immediately after smart meter instalaltion I suffered from severe ringing in the ears each night. I think it was worse when the electric water unit started to heat up. I blacked out and now have permanent damage to my face - metal plates inserted. Powercor come up to inspect the installed smart meters and removed one of these. I also had my electric water meter removed at the same time and replaced with a gas water unit. Since this time I have not experienced any medical problems. 188 Severe headaches, gushing nosebleeds for the first time ever, flu like symptoms. They all went away when the meter was removed. 192 I was super healthy, worked for 20 years in the health care field, attended yoga class 3 times a week and hiked every weekend. Since the Smart Meters were installed and my body began to break down, I have lost my home and closed my business because of Smart Meters at my office. I run the risk of losing my marriage, too. I have cost far more in health care in one year than I had in the previous forty years, plus I am not earning, spending and paying taxes. I moved to one of the few towns without AMI meters, yet I am now 300 yards from a cell phone tower and can not recover from the AMI meters here. I have to move again and do not know where to get away from the radiation to recover. I was not notified of the installation of these dangerous meters and not informed of the location of the cell phone tower (when I first looked at the house mid-day the tower was not in peak usage.) How can stop these dangerous meters we find a safe place to live and ? People are already committing suicide because the radiation is unbearable. Everyone I have talked to with this condition can understand why. Our country will be crippled with health care costs and unemployment if some states do not take a stand and stop these installations. Maine could do very well to protect the health of it's people, protect itself from climbing health care costs and set the country back on course. The State might also attract many gifted people to flourish once more. I have many well educated family members who are teaching in universities there, I would like to see them again, too. Thank you, Beth 193 We slept in our van on the street for six months whilst trying to get the smart meter removed. We went through the ombudsman, have a medical letter from my doctor and begged for the smart meter to be removed. We were left homeless for over a year, sleeping in our van. Even a couple of hours at the house made us so sick that we couldn't stand it. We have moved interstate away from family and friends as Victoria is now full of smart meters. We gave away and sold nearly everything we owned just to get away from smart meters. One symptom you didn't mention was nausea. I got severe nausea every time I was
80 exposed to smart meters. We sold our home $40,000 lower than the asking price just to get away. I lived there for 22 years without these symptoms prior to the smart meter. Over a year later we still have ringing in our ears which began with the smart meter. We don't know if we can recover fully, but are cautiously optimistic. We are hoping smart meters will not be installed in our new home, but the government is pushing for them. If they are installed here we will get 10 of them as we are in a block of units. We would most likely have to move again. Other residents wi-Fi is effecting us now. It is a nightmare. 195 Before my smart meter was installed I very occasionally experienced a light ringing in only one ear for a short amount of time (a few seconds). One month after my smart meter was installed I developed quite a loud ringing & buzzing in both ears that is present constantly and most noticeable when I'm lying in bed in the morning and at night when it is quiet. It is now always present and is still present when I am not around smart meters. 196 Prior to smart meters i was free to go for walks every day, and go out for dinner with friends, and drive around freely. I am now confined to my house and only leave to buy groceries or visit people and only with appropriate head shield protection (from head to base of neck.) I get a headache from driving past a transmitting smart meter (at 60klm p/h). 197 my smart meter was a trial version and a 'stripped down' version according to the electricity company - thus unlikely to be a health concern. I didn't know that they'd installed a smart meter and so my health issues - which started around that time - weren't connected until I'd realised that a smart meter had been installed. The 'guts' of the smart meter have now been removed to the point where a human meter reader is again required. Ringing in the ears has all but stopped and the dizzy spells are decreasing. I make the obvious connection where my power provider does not. 199 I suffered for 7 months with hives, pin pricks and crawling sensation. I lost all feeling in my hands and feet. Most of that time it was 24/7. It was sheer torture. Some days I felt that I could not get through the next hour. I had to take a leave of absence at work, move out of my home. I slept in my car in local parking lots. At some point, I made the connection that I was worse in my bed which is only a few feet away from the meter. After sleeping on the couch for many months, my body started to heal. DTE switched the AMI meter to the AMR meter in June 2012; however, the same symptoms occur again if I sleep in my room but it just takes longer than with the AMI. I suffer from migraines and pain in my head upon exposure. My memory is affected, too. I have become sensitive to electricity. It can cause pain in my head and skin problems as with the AMI only not as severe. I have family and friends who have endured the same torture. One had a nervous breakdown and was hospitalized. The other wanted to commit suicide. I worked desperately to stop her from doing so. She sat in front of 5 (Yes, five) smart meters in her office building. The meters were just on the outside wall beyond her desk. She was tortured beyond belief and to this day is extremely hypersenstive to electricity. I am so thankful you are doing this survey and I hope and pray for success. We need help. These companies are killing us. And they have the money to continue to persuade our legislators that they have a
81 right to kill us slowly but surely. 201 Initially, I had to leave my home until shielding was carried out in my home. With shielding at home, I can live in it, but am not totally symptom free. When in a place without smart meters my symptoms resolve and my ES lessens considerably. 202 "Smart Meters" involvement with other longer-term effects than I've listed (though kinesiological observation does point to it) is harder to verify experientially -- e.g. loss of metabolic balance (muscle/fat balance etc) could take a great many honest nights'-sleeps to begin to recover. I haven't yet gotten time enough sleeping away from home, to demonstrate it; I don't know of an electropeaceful place to sleep, near enough to commute to regularly (even if I could afford it, in time or money). 208 Astounding impact. Lying in bed have uncontrollable jelly-like quivering throughout whole body, as if being electrified. Can feel when transmission begins - it wakes me up. Continues in waves of half hour or so.... Mainly affects me when muscles are at rest. Really concerned ... something has to be done... I have moved to the back of the house to sleep and it still has a huge impact, not as bad, but still awakens me in the same way. Worried I am now going to get sick. Have had on occasion a sense that my glands in my neck are aggravated/swelling. Please help us - Victoria has a compulsory roll-out of these things - I WANT mine reversed. This is the next ASBESTOS! 209 The few symptoms that happened first left faster - still have some memory effect - even after 7 months - And now totally unable to brave antenna - WIFI... 211 My story - http://rockfest.blogspot.com/2012/06/how-smart-meters-destroyed- my-life.html 215 It does not take a MD to diagnose that pulsing radiation from multiple smart meter installations has had immediate adverse effects on my health and well being. It is sad that there is not where to escape to for those that know that they are electrically and chemically sensitive and no one seems to care. To know that EMF has had adverse effects on my melatonin levels and made my already compromised sympathetic nervous system worse. Then to have ones eyes to change, now have floaters in left eye and new additional cataracts in both eyes that developed rapidly after the deployment of the smart meters. These being short term effects, no telling what the long term associated effects might be! 216 nerves in my leg and lips started jumping at night in bed--felt like a piece of bacon in a hot skillet. Unable to sleep do to constant zzzzz throughout home. My heart several times felt as if it somersaulted--impossible, but felt like it. 217 for tingling it began as sparadic after smart meter and while smart meter remained on my home it increased to severe and constant.Symptomatically feeling like I was holding onto electrical feed shocking down my left arm constantly & into both legs and feet randomly .Headaches were severe every day needing pain relief. After 3 months of this I opted out and had meter removed. Ringing in ears was frequently experienced.I also developed skin rashes which was totally new seems to have decreased since smart meter removed.Smart meter was less than 5 ft from my bedroom.My MD sent me to cardiologist for arhthymia & my dentist refused to do dental work due to
82 heartrate told me I would have to go to ER. I learned enough in 3 months that I refuse to go in public places worrying about my health and I also will not visit peoples homes due to my symptoms I had experienced from this technology.It was all new to me and I am a fast learner who knows my health well enough to know it changed when my meter was changed.It wasn't until I researched this technology that I realized I had the same serious reactions to those who are suffering needlessly.This is a time when Science is uninformed and the people are bringing in the proof of this dangerous health threat Lets hope we will be the change Thank You 218 When they installed the smart meter on our house, my mind became totally unable to focus on anything. The company would not replace it with an analogue meter, so I camped out for a summer. Eventually we hired an electrician to move the meter to the nearest phone pole 100 feet from the house. That alleviated many symptoms, but I think many remain at a lower level due to the background microwave radiation of many homes transmitting in the area. 227 I now have a problem standing up. Called neurally mediated hypotension. I listed two of my cats (I have 3) in the "persons" section because they have both gotten very ill since the SM. One of them almost died. The other is very agitated now most of the time. 228 The wireless smart meter is illegal as applied. 231 after the first day i was getting blood nooses and not understanding it was from that im a carer so i work at home which has increased the impact , i cant use any fluro lights any mobiles , or wifi after 12 months , hair falling out serious loss of weight and ear ringing like at a rock concert , my rf tests read .0007 with 9420 spikes with in 24 hours spikes highest point read .3568 and theres no turn off period . 234 Although I have already commented in answer to previous questions, I would like to reiterate that I became aware of ringing in my head/tinnitus worsening considerably in the months since the roll out of smart meters in our area, particularly after they were installed in the two residences close to, and on either side of, ours. I have suffered increased depression, mental fog, agitation, anxiety and stress. Also a general lack of motivation, increased negativity and decrease in 'wellbeing' since exposure. Both neighbouring meters are situated close to our main bedroom. I feel they are also contributing to disturbed sleep, extreme wakefulness in the middle of the night and inability to go back to sleep once awake. Added to my symptoms. My husband also has tinnitus often, but is highly sceptical it has anything to do with the meters as he is trusting of the technology and doesn't believe in EM sensitivity, etc. Also, our dog is depressed and has suffered itching and eye problems in the past few years since the smart meter roll out commenced. He is 'getting on' in years, so I am not sure if this is sensitivity to EM exposure, or if it is just old age. However, he is not at all the happy and active and playful dog he was before smart meters were installed. 235 I have lived in this house for twenty-one years. It was first my parents house and then in November 2011, my partner bought the house. We looked for a house to purchase, but due to the MCS were unsuccessful. My parents graciously sold their house to my partner, so that I had a safe palce to live. The SM was
83 installed after my partner bought the house and that is when all the EMS became difficult and TOO MANY times completely incapacitating. I have to limit my computer exposure to a few times per week to a few hours per day on those few days. It has made my job very difficult to perform. I also have increased anxiety during computer exposure and in general. Beyond the anxiety, the headaches and impaired ability to breath makes it impossible to just suffer through. If I can't breath I can't live much less try to write a dissertation! I had no idea what was causing all of this, but the timing of the EMS issues coincides with the SM connection to what was my very safe home. Do I have any legal recourse in removing the SM? My mom fought Duke for years to prevent them from hooking-up a SM to the house. My partner, Dr. Andrew Millar, did not know that a SM was an issue. Do we have any legal recourse? 239 I'm on medical leave due to a tumor I developed after the installation of the smart meter and the worsening of my electrical sensitivity. 240 Since smart meters were installed in my neighborhood in December 2010, I have averaged about four hours of light, disturbed sleep per night. I am too tired to cope with the demands of my life. My car is in disrepair and my quality of life is deteriorating. 244 My symptoms are nothing compared to those experienced by neighbors and friends on my street. My biggest issue is that of the basic civil liberty to choose what EMF devices I expose myself to, and utility companies mandating these smart meters and then charging outrageous opt-out fees sounds like fascism. I am also not convinced that my privacy is adequately protected. And then I look at my neighbor Rebecca who had horrible headaches and skin rashes when the smart grid went up on our street. I have found that her demographic (women ~60) are the most sensitive (at least in our area). 248 My health has been so affected that I am having to sell my home and move to a safer home without a smart meter. My whole life has been impacted financially, socially, emotionally, and physically. It has limited my ability to go places, to visit friends, and has disabled me to the point where I cannot work. My life has been extremely difficult and disabling for the last 1 1/2 years since these were installed,. 251 I stay part-time in Carson City, NV with my mother where there is a Smart Meter (SM) within 4' of my bed & 8' from my art/work space. No longer able to sleep or do art/work near SM due to pain surges, like electrical zaps, in my brain, which I never had before SM. Intense buzzing/ringing in ears now. Minor intermittant ringing in right ear before, hardly noticable. Foggy/groggy brain intensifies rapidly upon entering room. Irritability and aggitation occurs if in room more than 30 mins. My life force is drained out of me if near SM. Severe insomnia. I now sleep at farthest point away from Smart Meter on floor, for I could not sleep at all after 2 or 3 nights in room after SM installed. Toes and bottom of feet started tingling dramatically at night when in room near SM = 4 or 5 feet away from SM. This has happened before Smart Meter but on occasion and mildly, not as severe as it did when sleeping near SM. Heart started fluttering the 2nd night I slept near SM & only happens when I am in room near SM too long. I get more sensitive the more I am exposed to SM, I feel brain and
84 ear symptoms within minutes of being in proximity. I think I feel it more strongly when it pulses out information because my head gets pulsing zaps of pain for a few seconds to a minute with pauses before more start and my ears start to buzz and shriek with different pitches of tones. These symptoms are new and have not happened before exposure to SM and do not happen when I am more than 25' from SM on other side of several walls. 253 was cofined to w/c within 1 year of moving into this bldng due to extreme dizziness/vertigo...app. 2oo4. also suffered all stated symptoms ...all symptoms dramatically worsened or returned upon installation of smart meters in nov. 2010.... 267 I really just want my old analog meter back. 274 Ringing in my ears non-stop 24/7. Never had it before. 276 Smeters made me homeless for 17 months. I have lost my home of 24 years and my city of 24 years. Most of my state is off-limits for me due to the fact that the meters are installed in most of the state. I can currently function in areas without meters. This includes Los Angeles city (LA DWP territory) and Pasadena (Pasadena Water and Power). I am an 8th generation American, with ancestors who arrived pre- American Revolution. They soldiered in that war and in others to protect their descendants' right to live freely in this country. The deployment of Smeters have taken away this right from me. I have sustained many losses, including my sense of place (home), safe shelter (especially difficult as a disabled person), my possessions, my normal routine, access to the familiar, access to my support system, access to things that made my life good and happy. I have lived out of my car since August 2011 and have only just recently managed to find housing. I have Section 8 assistance and my search for housing has been further complicated by the lack of units. I am exhausted, depleted, and scared by this turn of events. I have told my elected officials in City Council meetings about what has happened to me. I have told the board of my utility company (Burbank Water and Power) and was told by one member to just move from the city; another said there was a problem in the minds of people who react to the meters. I set up a small website: smartmeterhealthalert.org. 7 out of 8 of my neighbors in my former residence in Burbank began to experience health-related effects when the meters were installed. 283 In Aug. 2011 digital electric meters went on neighboring houses. I experienced rashes which I had never had before. It was several weeks before I learned about the meters. In Nov. 2011 a meter went on my house. Symptoms worsened in the first 30 days. I then experienced dizziness and nausea to the point I could not work. I am an artist and I have been unable to do creative work for the past year. Had I not retired because of MCS, I would have to have then. A host of other symptoms also occurred. Painful joints, ringing in the ears, thyroid disease symptoms worsened, libido vanished, headaches, unable to concentrate, memory problems, lack of energy, highly reactive to chemical exposures so unable to leave the house. For the first time highly reactive to plants so unable to garden. The meter was removed in July 2012. In one week I began to feel better. After 30 days the dizziness and nausea was gone except when I was in public buildings. Other symptoms persist such as being highly
85 reactive, rashes, insomnia, lack of energy, lack of libido, poor concentration. I have concluded that the exposure from neighboring houses is still a major problem. I now notice when I am being exposed to wifi or curly light bulbs because I feel worse. I have gotten rid of floresent bulbs, and cordless phones. I stopped using a cell phone (I never used it much anyway). I installed electric filters. My house is nearly EMF free now. However, I am still ill. Smart meters have made me a prisoner in my own home. 287 I have 12 SM within 20 ft. of my immediate living quarters. I live in an apartment complex. I've been here for just over 1 yr. The main issue I notice is a constant buzzing in my head. I had some ringing previously but the symptoms have worsened since moving here. 303 I have suffered from chronic fatigue for many years but after years of treatments from a naturopath (supplements, etc.) I was feeling great and feeling like I would like to return to work full-time (I work part-time). The day of installation of the SM I was home sick and recovering nicely. About the 2nd day I began to feel dizzy and experience headaches (which I never get) and very tired. Once I began to suspect the SM I tried on many occasions to leave my home and stay out (at a friend's place, for example - without SM) and I would get better. Over the past year I have learned to leave my home when I can to the point that I was sleeping in my car in the warm months because of bad heart palpitations. At the moment I have been experiencing more neurological symptoms including a lot of twitching of my face and constant numbness in my hands accompanied by dizziness. There is no doubt that the SM is responsible for these neurological symptoms and my worsening CF, which has returned with a vengeance. It has also affected my husband who has been experiencing a lot of unexplained skin rashes (covering most of his body), mood swings, dizziness and chronic tiredness. Unfortunately, he loves his technology and doesn't seem to believe me or do anything about the problem. 306 The electric company has installed and replaced our smart meter twice, because of fires started by the meters. I have chronic sinus allegergies and post nasal drip. I am also narcoleptic. 307 I have had to move my office at work to a building without WiFi because of the EMF symptoms. It is accumulative not something that comes and goes. 310 Note, I was able to stop a Smart Meter going on my residence, but my neighbours all got one. Immediately (by the next day), I had health effects from the closest one (20 ft away from the SM), so I moved my bed to the other side of my house (40 ft away from the SM). In 2 months, my health was decreasing, so I put a few layers of shielding on my neighbour's SM. I could still measure radiation through the shielding from the SM, but it was much less. 2 more months later and the shielding was not enough. My health was starting to noticably be affected again. Fortunately, my neighbour's SM's antenna was able to be unplugged. What a relief! I felt SO much better! My health was still being affected by other neighbours' SM's 80 ft away, though, so I spoke with those neighbours and I was able to shield some and other's had their SM antennas unplugged. So, the reason I have answered in this survey that SM's have not disabled me or affected my work is because I was able to disable the SM's;
86 however, this is only a temporary measure until the power authority finishes their install and then "fixes" the disabled SM's (if the power authority is not stopped by legal action). ...also, I said my computer is not bothering me ONLY because I have shielding around it AND because the computer is specially chosen. The SM's have directly heightened my friends' arthritis changing their bodies from active to inactive, SM's have caused seizures in another person, and doubled and tripled the length of time that people used to normally have the flu. 318 Until I vacationed in Maui, I had gradually worse symptoms. After 2 weeks in Maui, I was better until I returned, and overnight, the symptoms also returned with a vengeance. Entering the symptoms into a search engine, EMF exposure came up and I acted, which is fortunate, because the lessened exposure has allowed me to sleep again, and soon I hope to hardwire the computer so as to eliminate WIFI. 328 We paid to have the bedroom furniture moved from the closest to the most distant room but no help until we had the smart meter replaced. Now we must buy power in advance at the store and no longer have "time of day" rates which costs us more money in addition to giving up our automatic pay which we had. Fortunately we have much space between us and the closest neighbor so if they have smart meters they apparently are not a problem. 329 There is no smart meter on my house but I still suffer the effects from smart meters on nearby houses. A City wide Wi Fi system was installed at the same time as the smart meters. I become exhausted fairly quickly when exposed to microwave radiation but not when I am at a safer location. 336 I have filed the very first personal injury lawsuit in Federal Court due to catastrophic injury/loss from smart meter radiation. Although I opted out, I still cannot tolerate living in my home because of ambient radiation from hundreds of smart meters. The Smart Grid killed my cat and gave my domestic partner a heart condition. (Did I mention that my domestic partner is a world champion athlete?) I do not use Western medicine because of my religious beliefs. I use only natural healing. I hold the belief "Do no harm" I do not believe that the profit motive belongs in any bona fide system of health care. I believe that electrical sensitivity and sensitivity in general is a blessing, not an illness. Sensitivity is intelligence. Stupidity is an illness and a curse. There is no such thing as "hypersensitivity". It is impossible to be overly intelligent! I am in perfect health. When I am exposed to toxins, my body reacts appropriately. When I am in nature, with no radiation or toxicity, I feel great! Although I am completely incapacitated when I am forcibly radiated, I am perfectly capable of anything and everything when I am not being radiated or poisoned. I believe that we should abolish radiation, rather than declaring people to be sick and disabled just because they are subjected to harmful radiation. Having said that, I may have to apply for disablity income if I cannot find a safe place to live and work. 346 My life has been destroyed. The meter ruined my health with intense onset of EHS. We fled our home. I had to stop working. We have been on the run for 3 years looking for a place to live. We lost our adoption window after finally making progress with a lawyer after years of infertility. My friends & family think I am crazy. My marriage is falling apart. as we have become complete nomads
87 and my husband cannot feel what I feel, though I believe it is affecting him as his memory has slipped, he has sleeping problems, has gained weight and is irritable. I cannot be in most public places and cannot find a place to live where I feel normal & healthy. We have spent upwards of $40K trying to cope with this problem and moving around. I am sad and angry beyond belief. 348 Nosebleeds, nausea, dizziness, blood pressure low enough that I fall down if I do not lie down, ringing ears, and intermittent strong agitation have caused me to pay a great deal of attention to my environment. When I am away from wireless devices the symptoms subside and I begin to function well once again. Smart meters are pervasive and invasive. I definitely feel like a canary in a coal mine. 349 My house is awash with a low frequency noise caused by the RF broadcast over the powerlines, PLC/BPL. I first became aware of something "wrong" when I began to hear a low frequency hum/buzzing everywhere in my house. After ruling everything else out, and given my symptoms started around the same time TWACS was implemented in my area, all my symptoms fit what happens when sensitive people are exposed to TWACs. The Utilities claim TWACS is only used briefly one or two times a day but they are LYING, I hear it 24/7 and after researching the technology, it is clear they DO use it 24/7 for load-balancing and detection of outages. THe noise is very disturbing but the worst part is the severe headaches and the tingling/pin and needles in my head and shoulders. It feels like my brain is burning, it is a feeling unlike any I have had before. 352 suspect link between installation 6/12 and surgery for subdural hematoma (brain bleed) 10/12 354 It's unconscionable that these are being forced upon people and that we had to fight for months to have the right to remove ours, and then had to pay. The utilities should pay US for the permanent damage to my hearing caused by their stupid "smart" meter. 356 Had it not been for the severe nose bleeds I'm not sure I would have ever found out what was causing all of my health problems. 358 Smart Meters have runied our lives. We still have symptoms even though we opted out and ours has been removed because all our neighbors still have them and they are 10' away from our house. We are currently sleeping in our living room because it's the furthest away from our neighbor's Smart meters. We don't understand why they couldn't have used fiber optic cable so we would be safe in our own homes....we just don't get it why nobody cares and just keep adding more wireless to our environment. 362 This is the first note I ever took on my (and my girlfriend at the time's) symptoms, about 5-6 months after first noticing the initial symptoms I had. She moved in with me about 2 months before this. I have many more notes to share on other symptoms and my hypothesis on how they were occurring, etc. Feel free to call me about them. 3/7/2011 Early AM: Almost nightly 3-5 nights out of the week we notice the same oscillating tone(s): 1 HF drone (Very high…upwards of 15k, probably ~16,820 Hz.) & 1 Lower (estimated at 8kHz using Logic Pro's Test Oscillator plug-in), I was able to cancel the tone out when I matched it, but still with a phase sort of effect. It fades during day but still slightly noticeable in the house. I never hear it at school but hear it very often at the house even after
88 shutting off all electronic devices and power from electrical box on house). The ringing gets so loud it can be unbearable and hurt like a stabbing sensation, other times its not painful and just annoying. My girlfriend gets the same exact ringing and can match my descrip everytime (as I wrote this the lower pitch freq. got lower to around 480-501.30 Hz range). She experiences vertigo, itchy skin, nausea. She is losing short term memory more often, and doesn't do drugs or drink. She also gets spotty vision. I experimented with 2 test oscillator plugins simultaneously generating 16,820 and 491 Hz and my Girlfriend said the HF tone cancelled out and slowly faded back in after I stopped. It affected the waveform when I tried different frequencies and made it "bounce", like effect heard tuning a guitar when dissonant waveforms are clashing. I also noticed this. 374 We got permission to remove the meter for $75 + $10/month month fee. The daily headaches disappeared. The constant headaches made my ability to concentrate and work was very disruptive to my life, and greatly limited the amount of time I could devote to the business and to teach which in turn, directly affect income and quality of life. I still have numbness but not as severe, and low thyroid--boderline. 376 Every now and then, I get symptoms associated with the Smart Meters. Even though I opted out and the electric and gas analog meters re-installed (hope they indeed are analogs), I believe that, when I get headaches and heaviness in my head and ringing in my ears, it's because both my neighbors on both sides of my house still have the Smart Meters. My bedroom is 15 feet away from a neighbors meter, and I don't sleep every night in my bedroom. I alternate by sleeping in my living room sofa, which is a little farther from my neighbor's meter. 378 Has caused me extreme anxiety and stress. 379 Smart Meters almost killed me. The night I began reacting to one that was on a neighbor's house, I blacked out and awoke with burning in my right nostril and on the right side of my brain. My Lyme doctor said I probably had a transient ischemic attack, but I can't confirm because I'm too electromagnetically hypersensitive to get an MRI or CT scan. Within 4 days after this reaction, my skin kept turning bright red and I persistently had a temperature of 103 F. After 4 days of this, I had to get completely out of range of Smart Meters & their associated 20 mile-range, 5.6 GHz repeaters on the power lines. Eventually, shortly before Maine was completely covered in Smart Meters, I had to move to another state where they aren't supposed to be installed for another couple of years. The severity of my symptoms has made it impossible for me to find a place to work. Also, I can barely eat, sleep or exercise anymore. I'm also having a lot more seizures, choking episodes, chronic fevers, chronic, bone-deep, body-wide pain, and more breathing problems than I ever used to before my Smart Meter exposure (which occurred in March, 2011). 380 The SmartMeter on our home was already installed when we moved in 2 years ago. At this time, we were already aware of our EHS symptoms. For the first 2 months after moving in, we only noticed mild symptoms in comparison to our previous residence near power lines that we experienced severe symptoms. Soon after 2 months our symptoms progressed and we didn't realize the symptoms were caused from the SmartMeter located outside of our garage. It
89 wasn't until about 6 months later when we conducted research about SmartMeters that we realized the cause. There was no Opt-Out program in place for its removal. My husband and I suffered severe effects until its removal 7 months ago. We further continued with milder symptoms from our neighbors meters on each side of us and were able to convince those neighbors to also remove them. Immediately one of those neighbors suffering from insomnia noticed the symptom completely disappeared and thanked us for the insight on the issue. We finally have peace within our home now and can deal with very mild symptoms from limited exposure to other devices such as computer, cable modem for internet and kid's X-Box 360 with built in Wi-Fi. We just shut down/unplug everything when not in use! 381 I moved into my apartment almost 3 years ago, and have been trying to figure out the cause of my symptoms almost as long. There are 7 smart meters located in the building across from mine. Anytime I spend time away, my symptoms diminish. Whenever I return home they start up again. All 5 people in my residence seem to be affected, as well as our elderly neighbor and their cat passed away (which I think is related). 384 Beofore I moved to where I was close to a smart meter I could eat what ever food I liked. Even when my life was bad I knew that I could always count on good health because I took good care of my body. Since I have had exposure to the smart meter my digestion has been getting progressivlely worse. Now there is very little food that I can eat and what I do eat hurts me to digest. My stomach muscles are weak because of this. When I first moved in I would wake up during the night and my skin would feel like it was on fire. I thought that I had bed bugs. I also have bad ringing in my ears. If I eat any cooked food I will have intense pain in my stomach for a week later and I will have blood in my food as well as sometimes throw up blood. I am working on getting the smart meter removed. The owner of the house is losing her eyesight and I think that this may have to do with the smart meter. I have tested with a gauss meter and microwave radiation spikes up to a high level in my bedroom. If you would like to use this information in regulatory or legal proceedings please feel free to contact me. 385 I was living in Sonoma, CA at the time the Smart Meters were installed on our house. My symptoms would completely disappear when I went to stay with my daughter in Marin County, which had put a moritorium on installation of Smart Meters thus making it a Smart Meter-free area. As soon as I got back to my house in Sonoma, the symptoms would come on again. I moved to live with my daughter in Asheville, NC which doesn't have Smart Meters, and have only minimal discomfort from my computer. 387 I am no longer comfortable in my home, and only recently realized there is a gas meter module sending wireless information through the basement into the entire house, possibly to the AMI electric meter on the opposite side of the house. We are within 20+ feet of neighbors' homes. So our home also receives signals from neighbors' devices (including wireless). We no longer use WIFI in our home. Our cell phones are in use less than 1/2 hour per day (3 phones). We do not own a microwave. I have done what I can do with respect to
90 contacting the utility with no satisfactory response from them. My next step will be to hire an electrician to obtain objective information about what is happening (radio frequency waves amplified throughout copper pipes???). 396 Previous to realizing we had our (4) analog meters replaced with smart meters on the 1st of December, I knew something was 'off'. I began experienced fatigue, feeling cold, slight insomnia, and other significant changes in my sleep which included heart arrhythmia, and swelling in my extremities (fingers/feet). In the last few weeks, I have a constant dull pressure in my head and pain in my right ear throughout the day. I've also experienced occasional numbness in my extremities during the day. I do have mitral valve prolapse, but only ever experience heart palpitations nearing the end of my pregnancies (which I joked with my husband that maybe I was, considering my other sudden symptoms.) The heart palpitations have alarmed me the most. Our children have suffered from earaches with drainage during their Christmas vacation. I stay at home with our youngest, and the two of us have suffered the worst of the symptoms. I hope to have at least two of the meters removed by the end of this month, our house was previously a duplex. I'm anxious to see if this will result in some relief. Unfortunately, these meters are located opposite the wall in our living room. We would welcome any suggestions on deflecting these emissions and safeguarding our home. In the meantime, I'll continue my online crash-course education on emf emissions. Lisa 407 After the Smart Meters were installed at close neighbours homes here in Victoria Australia I got headaches very soon. I do not suffer headaches normally when out of range of Microwave Smart Meters or these Microwave Towers now proliferating all over Australia and much of this world's countries. Please do all you can to rid all of Planet Earth of now proving to be Type 2B Carcinogen causing Smart Meters and Microwave Towers and also deadly Mobile Phones and Wi-Fi in schools and any sort of education centre and private homes. All of these machines are deadly to Humans and Animals and Insects including the much needed Honey Bee and all of God's Creatures Great and Small. These Money Hungry Chief Executive Officers of these Electric Power Companies Worldwide and their Ilk are steadily ruining peoples' lives with the actually ILLEGAL forced installation of these Microwave Smart Meters which are actually Illegal Telephone Tapping Devices which need a Judges Court Order. These so-called Smart Meters are not "Smart" in any way at all, but are damaging peoples' Health with such ongoing problems as chronic insomnia, and or nose bleeds and or extreme shortness of breath to aching hands and or pains in arms and or some, or many body joints etc. These Microwave Smart Meters are also damaging peoples' 'fridges and computers and printers and washing machines and clothes dryers etc here in Victoria Australia and in other parts of the World. Please do what you can to ban this dangerous technology which only panders to Corporate Monetary Greed and does not care about all the Health damage it is doing to Humans and all forms of LIFE. 411 I was not aware of any heart or health problems until the smart meter was installed. About a week less than 3 mos. after, I awoke one night and my heart was racing, I felt faint and frightened. My blood pressure soared, and is usually low. I was having trouble breathing. My husband called 9/11, I went to the
91 emergency room, but it stopped within 5 hours. I returned home, but it happened again about 13 days later. Went to E/R again and also saw a cardiologist who put me on meds. I could not tolerate the medications, so had to have a pacemaker installed. I left the state and went to Arizona for about 7 weeks, had no problems, they did not have smart meters. I came home and went into A/Fib within a day. I have never gone into A/fib when I am away from a smart meter. 415 In June, at home, myself, my partner and the dog started having disrupted sleep patterns but did not understand why. We had opted out of the smart meter program so didn't consider that could be the reason. After a while we began comparing our meter to others but it was still unclear if we had a smart meter. Finally we called CMP and they said we did in fact have one since October, even though they had promised not to install one. We immediately requested it be removed. We still did not suspect that the SM was the cause of the sleep problems. One morning we awoke and realized we had all slept incredibly well and the dog didn't get us up in the night and have trouble sleeping. I then asked Jo-Ann if the SM had been replaced and she said it had been done yesterday. We suddenly realized that it was the SM that had been causing disrupted sleep for months, but we didn't realize it. The correlation with the removal of the SM and sudden marked improvement in sleep is impossible to ignore, especially since I was not aware that it had been removed until the next day. 416 I went from living a very healthy life working as a secondary teacher with a demanding work load. I salsa danced 3 times a week, gardened, bush walked and had no problem sleeping. Within days of my meter being installed I simply stopped sleeping. I felt wired, agitated as if I'd had 10 coffee's before bedtime. I slept 1-2 very light hours a night and within a week was taking sleeping tablets. 3 months later I was hospitalised 3 times including 3 days in coronary care with Ventricular Tachicardias (the most dangerous and potentially lethal heart rhythms that you never want to have). I had surgery to try and burn the cells in my heart that were producing the faulty electrical current. It didn't work. I continued to have hundreds of incidents of up to 1 minute VT's. I refused to go back for more surgery. I had my house metered and discovered that the smart meters were producing 1000 - 8000 microwatts per square meter every 30 seconds or so. I slept wrapped in a metal fabric to try and protect myself. Within 7 months of the smart meter being installed I'd had 12 weeks of sick leave, so I left my job in 2012. I went on a 1 month camping trip where I worked on organic farms & discovered that I could be well & sleep well away from all wifi devices. I had now become sensitive to cordless phones, wireless modems, mobile phone towers & smart meters. So I sold my house in Melbourne after living there for 14 years, moved away to a smaller city & shielded the bedroom to sleep. However I am now contemplating leaving, going bush, looking for completely wifi free environments & communities. I feel like a social refugee! 418 The impact the AMR Meters had on my life has been devastating. I was forced to abandon my home that I owned because the SCE&G/SCANA refused to make an accommodation for me and refused to remove the meters they had installed without my consent or knowledge. My history: in February of 2010 I became very sick. I had a fever and my body ached all over. Then all the joints
92 in my body became swollen and incredibly painful: my fingers, hands, wrists, feet, and even my head was swollen. I was in excruciating pain. I lay in bed for six months crying. I had a rash all over my torso and arms. Due to the lack of strength in my hands, I could not drive or even peel an apple. I had the worst headache of my life. It took a year and a half for the pain and swelling in my joints to subside. I was constantly sick with colds and the flu. I had horrible nausea and fatigue. My eyes hurt and were often very red. My throat was always sore. I developed a sensitivity to sound that persists today Six months after I became so sick in February 2010, my intolerance to chemicals exploded. I developed intolerances to things that had NEVER bothered me before like commercial printing ink, chlorine, synthetic fabrics. In the summer of 2010 I began to have problems when I worked on my computer. At first it started with my face getting red and my head getting very hot after I had been working on my computer for 40 minutes or more. Then it got worse. I would experience horrible intestinal cramping, nausea and fatigue from working on the computer. The problems I experienced when using my computer led me to learn more about EMF radiation. I had all the dimmer switches in my home removed. I stopped using my wireless router, microwave oven and hair dryer. I even reluctantly gave up my cell phone! But I was still sick and I was always sick at home. If I took a long car ride, I felt better. But, as soon as I returned home my symptoms returned: excruciating headaches, muscle cramping, extreme fatigue, nausea, problems with my eyes, sweating all over, difficulty breathing and irregular heartbeats. It felt like my brain was burning. I had dry chapped lips, I was waking up in the middle of the night for no reason. I went into early menopause. On February 23, 2012, I called my utility company which was SCE&G/SCANA and asked if they had installed any Smart Meters on my home. An SCE&G customer service representative told me that yes they had! Without my consent or knowledge, SCE&G had removed the analog meters from my home in Charleston, SC and put a wireless automated meter reader (AMR) on the gas meter in December of 2009 and another AMR on the electric meter of my home in January of 2010. I was stunned to realize that the installation of these devices coincided with my becoming so very sick. I asked 3 times for them to remove these devices and they refused each time. In August of 2012, I was diagnosed with Toxic Encephalopathy (349.8) and Neurologic EMF Related Encephalopathy (348.30; E926.0). I have become Electrically Sensitive and am symptomatic around most electronic devices when they are turned on. 420 I knew I had symtoms from electrical appliances, cell phones, & cell towers but I did not know it was called electrical sensitivity. We have put up metal screens and metal sheets to shield at home. It is very hard to travel anywhere overnight because I can't be near a smart meter & never know where there will be one at overnight accommodations. All the exposure to wireless & EMS is cumulative, making life harder & harder. Smart meters are the most difficult of all the exposures because we have no choice with them. They are being put on our property against our will so there's no escape from them, & there seems nowhere we can move to get away from them either. 421 Within a few days of the smart meter being installed, I noticed ringing in my ears which I had never previously had. This ringing would disappear over the course
93 of a few hours when I went away from our home, but would return within minutes of re-entering the home. As time went on, the ringing would take longer to leave; now it is a constant problem. I would occasionally get leg cramps prior to the installation of the smart meter; these would disappear within a few seconds. Since the installation of the meter, I have experienced intense cramping which would cause severe pain and would last for several minutes. Magnesium oil rubbed on my legs daily has helped to keep these symptoms in check. Balance problems have worsened since installation of the smart meter, resulting in several falls. Brain fog has worsened considerably, I am unable to find words for particular objects, and have difficulty remembering names. 422 I am contemplating vacating my own home because I can't live like this any longer! If I could afford to sell my home and purchase a home in an area without Smart Meters...I would move tomorrow! This meter is ruining my life and MUST be removed. I am telling everyone I can about how dangerous these meters are!!! 429 Unable to sleep in main bedrm. Have a professional who has helped lots with filters and will be removing meter from house wall soon. All at my own cost which is expensive but has helped me. 434 I have tonic/clonic epilepsy with a growth on my hippocampus (where electro magnetic radiation loves to hit). As yet, we do not have a Smart meter, but our governments (state and federal ) and power company (Power Cor) are pushing us to have one installed. I am keeping a diary of the side- effects I have when I go into houses and businesses that have wi-fi and smart meters. 435 My husband & I never had any health issues until moving into our home here in Grays Harbor County. We were baffled as to what was causing all of our symptoms. The smart meter was already on our home when we bought it, but it was a little over a year before we realized it was there. We did not know what was going on with us, since neither one of us had ever experienced a lot of the issues we were having. i just know that over time it has gotten progressively worse. Now we know: constant exposure from sleeping for years with our heads right next to the smart meter. We are extremely upset! How do we get the Pud to remove it? 436 My wife and i have never had any health issues until moving into our home, in 2009. Turns out the smart meter had been there when we moved in, but we didn't find out for over a year. Very, Very, upset that we have been exposed to this for so long!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now afraid of the long term effects. We want the so called smart meter removed from our home! 437 Following smart meter installation (which we did not find out about until months later) a large number of symptoms appeared that we had never experienced before in our lives. Our suffering increased as days, weeks, and months passed. I suffered insomnia and rapid heartbeat while in bed. If I slept at all, I awoke to a crushing feeling in my chest gasping for air. I experienced internal shaking and vibrating throughout my whole body. My skull felt as though it was being split open on the upper left side of my head. Chronic headaches occurred, the back of my skull felt electrified, as did the back of my tongue at times. I woke with bumps on my forehead, red bumps and rashes on my face, and eventually both
94 of my eyelids slit open horizontally. My memory became poor and I was unable to articulate well. I experienced electric shocks through my eyes, legs, and feet. Our emotions became unstable we had to leave our home to feel normal. When we returned our symptoms returned. No relief was in sight. Our health had deteriorated rapidly so we fled to California. Making the trip, electric shocks ran through my legs while passing cell towers. I began to notice painful inflammation, unbearable tones and pressure in my ears when exposed to cell phones in use. In CA I was able to find work immediately, but I felt like I had brain damage and I was not able to express myself well. The office was filled with wireless devices and with my sensitivity to wireless, electrical and magnetic fields, I found I could not hold a job in the normal workplace anymore. I do not have the ability to do meaningful or gainful work from home. Because of the mandated deployment of untested smart meters, even communicating via PLC as ours was, I have lost my home, health and ability to earn a living. This is no longer America. 438 There are 14 Smart Meters on the wall of our apartment building, all lined up in rows. Since moving in here, I have nearly constant throbbing and pressure in my head, near my ears. It's very uncomfortable, and I do not experience it in places where there are no Smart Meters (for example, the town where my boyfriend lives doesn't have Smart Meters, and my boss had his removed, and uses an EMF protection screen to keep the radiation from his neighbor's Smart Meter out of his home).
95 Pie Chart Summary Report CPU, Wi-Fi, Cell; Before & After - Feb 1, 2013 Survey: Smart Meter Health Effects Survey (Live Dec. 4, 2012)
4. Before smart meters, were you using a computer?
No for another reason 1.0%
Yes, and it caused symptoms 20.5%
Yes, without it causing any symptoms 78.6%
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes, without it causing any symptoms 165 78.6% Total Responses 210 Yes, and it caused symptoms 43 20.5% Skipped 0 No because it had caused symptoms in the past 0 0.0% Unanswered 0 No for another reason 2 1.0%
29. Are you presently able to use a computer?
Have not tried 1.4% No because of symptoms 2.4%
Yes without symptoms 39.0%
Yes with symptoms 57.1%
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes without symptoms 82 39.1% Total Responses 210 Yes with symptoms 120 57.1% Skipped 0 No because of symptoms 5 2.4% Unanswered 0 Have not tried 3 1.4%
96 5. Before smart meters, were you using Wi-Fi?
No for another reason 31.4%
Yes, without symptoms 40.0%
No because it had caused symptoms in the past 17.1%
Yes, with symptoms 11.4%
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes, without symptoms 84 40.0% Total Responses 210 Yes, with symptoms 24 11.4% Skipped 0 No because it had caused symptoms in the past 36 17.1% Unanswered 0 No for another reason 66 31.4%
30. Are you presently able to use Wi-Fi?
Have not tried 12.9% Yes without symptoms 17.6%
Yes with symptoms 28.1% No because of symptoms 41.4%
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes without symptoms 37 17.6% Total Responses 210 Yes with symptoms 59 28.1% Skipped 0 No because of symptoms 87 41.4% Unanswered 0 Have not tried 27 12.9%
97 6. Before smart meters, were you using a cell phone?
No for another reason 18.1%
No because it had caused symptoms in the past 14.3% Yes, without symptoms 50.0%
Yes, with symptoms 17.6%
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes, without symptoms 105 50.0% Total Responses 210 Yes, with symptoms 37 17.6% Skipped 0 No because it had caused symptoms in the past 30 14.3% Unanswered 0 No for another reason 38 18.1%
31. Are you presently able to use a cell phone?
Have not tried 11.4%
Yes without symptoms 23.8%
No because of symptoms 26.2%
Yes with symptoms 38.6%
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes without symptoms 50 23.8% Total Responses 210 Yes with symptoms 81 38.6% Skipped 0 No because of symptoms 55 26.2% Unanswered 0 Have not tried 24 11.4%
98 Pie Chart Summary Report. Q 2 vs Q 32, electrical sensitivity BEFORE SM? vs ES AFTER SM? - Feb 1, 2013 Survey: Smart Meter Health Effects Survey (Live Dec. 4, 2012)
2 Before smart meters, did you have any electrical sensitivity that you were aware of?
Unsure 8.6%
Yes 32.9%
No 58.6%
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 69 32.9% Total Responses 210 No 123 58.6% Skipped 0 Unsure 18 8.6% Unanswered 0
32 Do you presently have ES (Electrical Sensitivity)?
Unsure 25.2%
No 7.1%
Yes 67.6%
Value Count Percent % Statistics Yes 142 67.6% Total Responses 210 No 15 7.1% Skipped 0 Unsure 53 25.2% Unanswered 0
99 Smart Meter Health Effects Survey (Live Dec. 4, 2012)
Page 1 of 4: Before Smart Meters, Smart Meter Info
IF YOU WILL BE FILLING OUT A HARD COPY OF THIS SURVEY BY HAND, here is A TIP to make it easier for you: when you get to Question 15, you could overlap the page containing GROUP B on top of the right side of the page containing GROUP A, with the symptom rows lined up. This way you can mark answers in both GROUP A and GROUP B across the same symptom row before moving on to the next symptom. (This is the way it would look if you were taking the survey on line, where Group A and Group B are side-by-side.)
If you do not have anyone to enter your survey answers into the online survey website for you, you can mail your marked hard copy to:
Maine Coalition to Stop Smart Meters P.O. Box 43 Richmond, ME 04357
If you have questions, you can call Ed Freidman in Maine at 207-666-3372, or Richard Conrad in Hawaii at 808-695-1128 10am to 4pm Hawaii time.
Welcome to your survey!
If you have symptoms or health effects from smart meters please complete this questionnaire. We need your input! It will take about 15 minutes and will document your experiences in a way that could be very helpful to many people. We hope to present the results as testimony in the ongoing Maine Public Utilities Commission investigation into the safety of smart meters, so please submit your completed questionnaire before January 15, 2013. (If you do not experience health effects from smart meters please do not fill out this survey, because it is about health effects only and is
100 not a prevalence survey.)
OVERVIEW
Page 1: Before Smart Meters, Smart Meter Info Page 2: Your Symptoms, Other Possible Factors Page 3: Smart Meter Removed? Moved? Present Sensitivities, Consequences Page 4: Personal Data, Optional Comments, Permissions
Abbreviations and Definitions n/a: not applicable.
Smart Meter: any type of wireless or wired smart meter or digital device that meters electricity, gas or water
EMF: Electromagnetic Fields (generally equivalent to the term EMR or Electromagnetic Radiation; RFR or Radio Frequency Radiation is a subset of EMF)
ES: Electrical Sensitivity (sensitivity to EMF; ES is also known as EHS or EMS)
Symptoms: adverse health effects: uncomfortable, painful or debilitating physiological effects correlated with proximity to smart meter(s), taking seconds to months to occur. A symptom could be either completely new (never experienced before), or an intensification of a symptom experienced previously from any cause.
HELPFUL TIPS: You can click on the answer button or on the text of the answer. If a question does not apply to you, please select "Don't know or n/a" instead of leaving it unanswered. Please don't rush, take your time, and if you need a long break while completing the survey, click on the "Save and continue later" text always present in the dark blue border at the very bottom of your screen (on pages 2, 3 and 4 only).
A CAUTION ABOUT DROP-DOWN MENU QUESTIONS: After you select your answer, please double-check to be sure the answer that shows in the box is the one you meant to select.
Before Smart Meters
1. Before smart meters, what was the general state of your health? *
Excellent (and no Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia or known autoimmune disease)
Good
Fair
101 Poor
2. Before smart meters, did you have any electrical sensitivity that you were aware of? *
Yes
No
Unsure
Before smart meters, did you consider yourself to have ES (Electrical Sensitivity)? *
Yes
No
Unsure
Before smart meters, had you ever heard of electrical sensitivity? *
Yes
No
3. Before smart meters, did you have any concerns about EMF (Electromagnetic Fields) from smart meters? *
Yes
No
4. Before smart meters, were you using a computer? *
Yes, without it causing any symptoms
Yes, and it caused symptoms
No because it had caused symptoms in the past
No for another reason
5. Before smart meters, were you using Wi-Fi? *
102 Yes, without symptoms
Yes, with symptoms
No because it had caused symptoms in the past
No for another reason
6. Before smart meters, were you using a cell phone? *
Yes, without symptoms
Yes, with symptoms
No because it had caused symptoms in the past
No for another reason
If you were using a cell phone, how would you characterize your cell phone usage? *
Less than 1/2 hour/day
1/2 to 2 hours/day
More than 2 hours/day
n/a
Smart Meter Information
If the smart meter(s) around you were installed or activated at very different times from each other, please choose the installation/exposure that most affected you, and consistently base your answers on only that. (You can use the comments section at the end of this survey to elaborate further if you wish).
7. Roughly what was the total number of smart meters within about a 50 foot radius around your residence, including those (if any) on your residence? (Please review your selection to be sure it is correct.) *
Zero
1 to 2
3 to 5
6 to 9
103 10 to 29
30 to 99
More than 100
Don't know or n/a
8. How many of these smart meters were on your residence (or on your building and relatively close to you)? (Select "Zero" if none). *
Number of Smart Meters
Electric
Water
Gas
9. Concerning only the smart meter(s) that most affected you, about how long after smart meter installation or after beginning of exposure, did you discover that the smart meter was present (by actually seeing it or being told about it)? (Please read the answer that remains in the dropdown menu box after you make your selection, to be sure it is correct). *
At the time of installation/start of exposure
Less than one hour after installation/start of exposure
Later on the day of installation/start of exposure
The day after installation/start of exposure
2 to 3 days after installation/start of exposure
4 to 6 days after installation/start of exposure
7 to 13 days after installation/start of exposure
14 to 28 days after installation/start of exposure
1 to 2 months after installation/start of exposure
2+ to 3 months after installation/start of exposure
More than 3 months after installation/start of exposure
Don't remember or n/a
104 10. What was the Brand/Manufacturer of the closest Electric smart meter? *
ABB
Centron (Itron)
Elster
GE
Itron
Landis+Gyr
OpenWay (Itron)
Schlumberger (Centron)
Sensus
Siemens
Tantalus
Westinghouse
Other Brand
Don't know or n/a
If known, what was the "Other Brand" of the closest Electric smart meter?
11. What was the TYPE of the closest Electric smart meter?? AMI = Advanced Metering Infrastructure type of meter (data automatically sent to utility), AMR = Automated Meter Reading type of meter (data read remotely by reader from vehicle or on foot) *
AMI
AMR
Other
Don't know or n/a
What was the TYPE of the closest Electric smart meter if "Other" than AMI or AMR?
105 12. Optional: for the closest Electric smart meter, please enter the FCC ID number, usually found under one of the bar codes on the face or side of the meter; it usually begins with "FCC ID" (this identifies brand and model and transmitter info and is not unique to your particular meter):
FCC ID
13. Please enter the name of your Electric Utility Co. *
Electric Utility *
Don't know or n/a
14. Which method of data reporting to the Utility did the Electric smart meter use? *
Wireless
PLC-Power Line Carrier/Broadband over Power Line
Phone line
Fiber optics
Don't know or n/a
If wireless, were the transmitters supposedly turned off? *
Yes
No
Don't know or n/a
Page 2 of 4: Your Symptoms, Other Possible Factors
Your Symptoms
KEY TO SYMPTOM INTENSITY AFTER SMART METER EXPOSURE
MILD: mildly uncomfortable MODERATE: quite uncomfortable; tolerable but barely SEVERE: extremely uncomfortable, painful or debilitating
106 Definitions
New: symptoms you never experienced before, not even once in your entire life, that began in correlation with your exposure to smart meters.
Worsened: symptoms experienced before smart meters that worsened in correlation with your exposure to smart meters. Worsened in either intensity and/or frequency.
Smart meters: used here to signify either one or more smart meters
Here is a list of Possible Symptoms with 3 text boxes at the end you can use to type in additional symptoms.
FOR EACH OF YOUR SYMPTOMS THAT WERE INITIATED OR WORSENED BY EXPOSURE TO SMART METERS: (the smart meter(s) that most affected you)
SELECT ONE PARAMETER FROM GROUP A, AND ONE FROM GROUP B.
If you make a mistake or change your mind, re-click a box again to remove its checkmark
IMPORTANT: leave only one checkmark in each Group . Leave the whole symptom row blank for all symptoms NOT initiated or worsened by smart meters.
If you want to type additional symptoms into the textboxes at the end of the list, please be sure to type the description of each symptom twice, once in the textbox in Group A, and again in the textbox in Group B.
15. GROUP A: Symptom Intensity AFTER smart meters; click only one box: *
MILD MODERATE SEVERE Agitation Difficulty concentrating/ attention deficits Digestive problems Dizziness
MILD MODERATE SEVERE Eye/vision problems Fatigue Flu-like symptoms Headaches
MILD MODERATE SEVERE Heart racing, arrhythmia or palpitations
107 High blood pressure Insomnia Involuntary muscle contractions
MILD MODERATE SEVERE Low blood pressure Memory problems Nosebleeds Numbness in hands or feet
MILD MODERATE SEVERE Pressure in head Respiratory problems Ringing, buzzing or tone in ears/tinnitus Tingling, burning or itching skin
MILD MODERATE SEVERE Tingling, burning or itching internally
GROUP B: Symptom Category; click only one box: *
New Worsened Agitation Difficulty concentrating/ attention deficits Digestive problems Dizziness New Worsened Eye/vision problems Fatigue
108 Flu-like symptoms Headaches New Worsened Heart racing, arrhythmia or palpitations High blood pressure Insomnia Involuntary muscle contractions New Worsened Low blood pressure Memory problems Nosebleeds Numbness in hands or feet New Worsened Pressure in head Respiratory problems Ringing, buzzing or tone in ears/tinnitus Tingling, burning or itching skin New Worsened Tingling, burning or itching internally
16. Approximately how long after smart meter installation or the start of exposure (concerning only the smart meter(s) that most affected you) did new symptoms begin and/or previous symptoms worsen? (Please read the answer that appears in the dropdown menu box after you make your selection, to be sure it is correct). *
Within a few minutes after installation/start of exposure
109 Less than one hour after installation/start of exposure
Later on the day of installation/start of exposure
The day after installation/start of exposure
2 to 3 days after installation/start of exposure
4 to 6 days after installation/start of exposure
7 to 13 days after installation/start of exposure
14 to 28 days after installation/start of exposure
1 to 2 months after installation/start of exposure
2+ to 3 months after installation/start of exposure
More than 3 months after installation/start of exposure
Don't remember, don't know or n/a
17. Did your new/worsened symptoms (that you correlate with smart meter exposure) begin or worsen BEFORE, or AFTER you first DISCOVERED the presence of a smart meter? (the smart meter(s) that most affected you) (After you select your answer, please double-check to be sure that the answer that shows in the box is the one you meant to select). *
Symptoms months BEFORE discovered smart meter
Symptoms weeks before
Symptoms days before
Symptoms hours before
Symptoms minutes BEFORE
Symptoms minutes AFTER discovered smart meter
Symptoms hours after
Symptoms days after
Symptoms weeks after
Symptoms months after
Don't remember or n/a
18. How sure are you that your new/worsened symptoms correlated to smart meter exposure? *
110 Unsure
Fairly sure
Very sure
19. What is (or was) the approximate distance (through the wall in a straight-line measurement) between the closest smart meter and the location closest to the smart meter where you spent the most time (for example, the head of your bed)? *
Less than 3 feet
4 to 9 feet
10 to 19 feet
20 to 50 feet
50 to 100 feet
More than 100 feet
Don't know or n/a
20. Did your symptoms lessen when you went further away from smart meter(s)? *
Yes in seconds
Yes in minutes
Yes in hours
Yes in days
Yes in weeks
Yes in a month or longer
No
Don't know or n/a
21. Did your symptoms worsen when you went closer to smart meter(s)? *
Yes in seconds
Yes in minutes
Yes in hours
111 Yes in days
Yes in weeks
Yes in a month or longer
No
Don't know or n/a
22. How many times did you conduct the inadvertent (or conscious) "experiment" described by the previous two questions? *
Never
A few times
More than a dozen times
Don't remember or n/a
23. How many people in your household were affected by smart meters, including yourself? *
1 (only myself)
2 (myself + one other)
3 (myself + two others)
4
5
6
More than 6
Please encourage the other person(s) in your household who were affected by smart meters to fill out their own survey, or fill one out for them. Be sure that you and they enter full name and street address when asked for it in the Personal Data section near the end of each survey, so we can link your surveys.
24. What was the total number of persons living in your household at the time of smart meter exposure, including yourself? *
1 (only myself)
112 2
3
4
5
6
More than 6
Other Possible Factors
25. Was there any new electronic device in your home that was first turned on at around the time of smart meter installation/start of exposure, such as a: baby monitor, DECT cordless phone, large screen TV, computer/monitor, internet connection, Wi-Fi device, high-efficiency light bulbs such as compact fluorescents (CFLs) or LEDs, induction-type stove top, generator, welder, large charger or 12 volt DC to 120 volt AC inverter such as for a solar system? *
Yes
No
Don't know or n/a
If "Yes" a new device was turned on at the time, is it possible that your new/unusual or intensified symptoms were associated with this new device and not at all to the smart meter? *
Yes it is possible
No
Don't know or n/a
26. Was there a new antenna/transmitter newly activated near your home around the time of smart meter installation/start of exposure that was not part of the Smart Meter Mesh system (such as a new cell tower or emergency police/fire communication system, either an antenna, or a microwave dish/drum pointed at you at your elevation)? *
Yes
No
Don't know or n/a
113 If "Yes" a new antenna/transmitter was activated, is it possible your new/unusual or intensified symptoms were associated with this transmitter and not at all to the smart meter? *
Yes it is possible
No
Don't know or n/a
Page 3 of 4: Smart Meter Removed? Moved? Present Sensitivities, Consequences
Smart Meter Removed? Moved?
27. If one or more smart meter(s) were installed on your residence, have all of them been removed? *
Yes
No
n/a
If "Yes" all smart meters were removed, did removal decrease your symptoms? *
Yes fewer or weaker symptoms
Yes all symptoms disappeared
No
n/a
28. Have you moved? *
Yes to another residence
Yes moved out and currently homeless
Want to move because of smart meters but can't
No
n/a
114 If you moved, did you move primarily because of smart meter(s)? *
Yes
No
n/a
If you need to express anything about locations to live, you can do this in the Comments section at the end of this questionnaire.
Present Sensitivities
29. Are you presently able to use a computer? *
Yes without symptoms
Yes with symptoms
No because of symptoms
Have not tried
30. Are you presently able to use Wi-Fi? *
Yes without symptoms
Yes with symptoms
No because of symptoms
Have not tried
31. Are you presently able to use a cell phone? *
Yes without symptoms
Yes with symptoms
No because of symptoms
Have not tried
32. Do you presently have ES (Electrical Sensitivity)? *
115 Yes
No
Unsure
Your answers to the following 3 optional questions could be helpful to many other people:
33. What, if anything, has made your symptoms worse (aside from exposure)?
34. What, if anything, has diminished your symptoms (aside from avoidance) - any supplements, treatments, etc?
35. If you had a blood or other test that revealed an abnormal level which seemed to correlate with ES or smart meter exposure, what was that parameter and was it above or below its normal level?
Consequences
Was your exposure to smart meters responsible for initiating your ES? *
Yes
No
n/a, or unsure/don't know
36. If you already had ES before smart meters, did your exposure to smart meters make your ES worse? *
Yes, slightly worse
Yes, considerably worse
Yes, much worse
No
116 n/a, or unsure/don't know
37. Have your symptoms from smart meter(s) significantly limited your capacity to work? *
Yes
No
n/a
38. If you had a job, did your symptoms from smart meter(s) force you to leave it? *
Yes
No
n/a
39. Have your symptoms from smart meter(s) caused you to have a disability that needs (or needed) accommodation? (Check all boxes that apply; you can check more than one. ) *
Yes, at home/housing
Yes, at work
Yes, in public buildings
No
n/a
40. Have you been diagnosed by a M.D. to have any of the following conditions, and if Yes, diagnosed when? [SM = your exposure to Smart Meter(s)] *
No or Yes, Yes, after n/a before SM SM Cardiac arrhythmia Other heart condition MCS CFIDS
117 Fibromyalgia Lupus MS Other autoimmune
Were any of these diagnosed conditions worsened by SM or initiated by SM? [SM = your exposure to Smart Meter(s)] *
No or Yes, Worsened Yes, Initiated n/a by SM by SM Cardiac arrhythmia Other heart condition MCS CFIDS Fibromyalgia Lupus MS Other autoimmune
41. If you clicked "Other autoimmune condition diagnosed by a M.D." in the question above, please type the name of the condition here (and if there is more than this one other diagnosed autoimmune condition, please list it/them in the comments section at the end of this survey, along with if diagnosed before or after SM, and if worsened or initiated by SM):
n/a by default, or enter "Other autoimmune condition" here
Page 4 of 4: Personal Data, Optional Comments, Permissions
Personal Data
Your personally identifiable data will be kept confidential. The manner in which they may be used depends on the level of permission you give in your answers to the last two questions on this page (in Permissions section)
118 This survey is being conducted via SurveyGizmo. SurveyGizmo has HIPAA personal information protection certification. HIPPA is a US federal law that establishes standards for the privacy and security of health information.
SurveyGizmo also has Safe Harbor certification. Safe Harbor is program for compliance with European Union privacy laws.
. First Name * Last Name
Street Address
City * County if a USA address (note, this is not CountRy)
State if a USA address (pease review your selection to be sure it is correct). If not a USA address, enter your equivalent to State in the "(Provence)" textbox, also enter your equivalent of Zip code and enter your Country, and then ignore the reminder "You skipped this question" that pops up over County and State when you click "Submit Survey". Just scroll down to the bottom of the page again and click "Submit Survey" a second time.
(Province)
Zip * Country *
Email If you enter an email we will be able to send you our Thank You email, which contains a PDF of your completed survey, a PDF of a blank survey to give to people who cannot use a computer, an optional affidavit, and a link to access survey results.
119 Phone Number
42. Sex *
Female
Male
43. Please Select Your Age Range *
under 18
18 to 29
30 to 44
45 to 59
60+
44. Highest degree achieved: (Please review your answer after you select it to be sure it is correct). *
n/a
GED
High School
BS or BA
MS or MA
Ph.D.
M.D.
RN
DDS
Other medical
120 45. Profession/Occupation:
Comments Section (optional)
46. You can enter additional heath-related comments in the space provided below, including if you wish, a short summary of the impacts smart meters have had on your life. (Your entry is limited to 300 words).
Permissions
In order to make use of the answers you supplied, we need your permission for:
47. Anonymous Use: Do you give us permission to incorporate your answers and comments given in this questionnaire: into a research database to be used in our analysis and report which may eventually be presented, as anonymous data only, in legal proceedings, at conferences and/or published, including permission for us to quote some of your comments anonymously?
[Your personally identifiable information - last name, street address, email and phone number - will remain in a secure SurveyGizmo computer database. Neither SurveyGizmo nor the author of this survey will share any of your personally identifiable information with anyone. The author will use your phone number to contact you only if there is a problem with your survey.] *
Yes
No
Did you really intend to answer "No" to the question above about anonymous permission? If you let a "No" answer stand, then when you press "Submit Survey" all of the data you have entered in this questionnaire will be permanently erased, because you have not given us permission to use it.
48. Limited Confidential Disclosure: Anonymous data carry very little weight in regulatory or legal proceedings. Therefore in order for your data to be convincing in such proceedings, it must include at least your full name and street address. If you answered "Yes" to the previous question concerning permission to use anonymously, do you give us further permission to use all (except
121 email and phone) of your answers and comments given in this questionnaire, including full name and street address, subject to confidentiality restrictions (i.e., disclosable only to parties to proceedings who are bound by sworn confidentiality obligations not to disclose any personal information), in regulatory/legal proceedings concerning smart meters, including in the pending investigation of smart meters by the Maine Public Utilities Commission? (Your email and phone will not be revealed under any conditions. If you did not supply your last name, street address, email and phone number where requested in previous questions, please reconsider doing so.)
[Aside from this limited and confidential disclosure, your personally identifiable information (last name, street address, email and phone number) will remain in a secure SurveyGizmo computer database, accessible only to the author of this survey via a secure password. All surveys and data reside on SurveyGizmo's servers, which use Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256 bit encryption, the method used by banks and by the US National Security Agency for classified top secret information. There are multiple layers of proactive security, and data are never exported, sold, rented or used in any way by SurveyGizmo.]
Yes
No
Thank you for answering Yes to the last question, giving us permission for limited confidential disclosure of your full name and full address along with your survey data. Please scroll up to the top of this page and check to make sure that you did enter these in the blanks provided at the beginning of the Personal Data section (they are not required responses, and so you may have omitted them). Without full name and address, your survey responses would be less useful in regulatory or legal proceedings. THANK YOU!
Survey ID *
[survey("response id")]
Thank You!
Thank you very much for completing your questionnaire!
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Attached to this email is a PDF file of your completed survey containing your answers for your records, and a link to a summary report of all surveys received. Most importantly, it includes information on how to mail us an optional AFFIDAVIT together with a hard copy of your completed survey. The affidavit will greatly magnify the influence of your survey data in legal proceedings. Click here to download the affidavit form with instructions, or just download it from the email we have sent you.
122 This email also contains a link to forward to others interested in taking this survey, and a PDF of a blank survey. You can print a hard copy of the blank survey to give or mail to people who have been affected by smart meters and cannot use a computer.
123 This article is protected by copyright. To share or copy this article, please visit copyright.com. Use ISSN#1078-6791. To subscribe, visit alternative-therapies.com
REVIEW ARTICLE Self-Reporting of Symptom Development From Exposure to Radiofrequency Fields of Wireless Smart Meters in Victoria, Australia: A Case Series Federica Lamech, MBBS
ABSTRACT Context • In 2006, the government in the state of Victoria, Outcome Measures • The author used her medical Australia, mandated the rollout of smart meters in experience and judgment to group symptoms into Victoria, which effectively removed a whole population’s clinically relevant clusters (eg, pain in the head was ability to avoid exposure to human-made high-frequency grouped with headache, tinnitus was grouped with ringing nonionizing radiation. This issue appears to constitute an in the ears). The author stayed quite close to the wording unprecedented public health challenge for Victoria. By used in the original entries. She then calculated total August 2013, 142 people had reported adverse health numbers and percentages for each symptom cluster. effects from wireless smart meters by submitting Percentages were rounded to the nearest whole number. information on an Australian public Web site using its Results • The most frequently reported symptoms from health and legal registers. exposure to smart meters were (1) insomnia, (2) headaches, Objective • The study evaluated the information in the (3) tinnitus, (4) fatigue, (5) cognitive disturbances, registers to determine the types of symptoms that (6) dysesthesias (abnormal sensation), and (7) dizziness. Victorian residents were developing from exposure to The effects of these symptoms on people’s lives were wireless smart meters. significant. Design • In this case series, the registers’ managers Conclusions • Review of some key studies, both recent eliminated those cases that did not clearly identify the and old (1971), reveals that the participants’ symptoms people providing information by name, surname, postal were the same as those reported by people exposed to address, and/or e-mail to make sure that they were radiofrequency fields emitted by devices other than smart genuine registrants. Then they obtained consent from meters. Interestingly, the vast majority of Victorian cases participants to have their deidentified data used to compile did not state that they had been sufferers of electromagnetic the data for the case series. The author later removed any hypersensitivity syndrome (EHS) prior to exposure to the individual from outside of Victoria. wireless meters, which points to the possibility that smart Participants • The study included 92 residents of Victoria, meters may have unique characteristics that lower people’s Australia. threshold for symptom development. (Altern Ther Health Med. 2014;20(6):28-39.)
Federica Lamech, MBBS, is a medical practitioner in he Victorian Auditor-General’s November 2009 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. report1 criticized the rollout of smart meters, which had commenced in 2009 under a previous government’sT mandate from 2006. As a result, a freshly elected Victorian Premier announced in 2010 that his Corresponding author: Federica Lamech, MBBS government would review the program. Following a number E-mail address: [email protected] of reports, including those by Deloitte,2 EMC Technologies,3 and Lockstep Consulting,4 the new Victorian government announced on December 14, 2011, that it would continue with the program. Although the program would result in an overall net cost to consumers of $319 million dollars (NPV at
28 ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES, NOV/DEC 2014 VOL. 20, 6 Lamech—Symptoms From Radiofrequency Exposure in Victoria, Australia This article is protected by copyright. To share or copy this article, please visit copyright.com. Use ISSN#1078-6791. To subscribe, visit alternative-therapies.com
2008 values), Deloitte’s analysis of the costs and benefits of which involves transmission from each meter directly to a the program had concluded that it made economic sense to collection tower in a star-like configuration.6,9 continue given that a large portion of the costs had already Smart meters do not have to be wireless. Italy has been sunk into the project.2 The rollout was scheduled to completed the largest smart meter rollout to date. Their smart conclude by the end of 2013, but the deadline has been meters are hard-wired and communicate over the existing extended because of delays caused by technical difficulties, power lines.10 Other options have been proposed, such as inaccessible sites, and customer refusals. communication via telephone lines, whereas fiber optic cabling has already been successfully deployed in other parts of the Issues Surrounding Rollout world.11 Claims have been made that all types of electronic After installation of wireless smart meters began, meters, including wired smart meters, can introduce dirty anecdotes of people developing symptoms started to be electricity (ie, high-frequency voltage transients and reported in mainstream media. For example, an article in the harmonics) along the wiring of a house, because of their Herald Sun in Melbourne reported that Marc and Maureen switching-mode power supply, as well as back into the main Florio and their 4 children had left their home, claiming that powerline.12 The function of the switching-mode power supply they had been experiencing constant headaches and sleep is to convert alternating current (AC) coming in from the deprivation since a neighbor’s smart meter had been power lines to direct current (DC), which is required to run installed 3 weeks earlier.5 the electronic meter. This process creates high frequency Public concerns over a number of issues with the voltage spikes, which are emitted constantly, 24/7, and which compulsory rollout of smart meters have since intensified travel along building wires and radiate outward from them. and multiplied. They have included (1) adverse health effects; Critics claim that this dirty electricity can lead to short- and (2) safety issues, such as a possible increased risk of house long-term, adverse health effects.12,13 fires; (3) the incompatibility of the smart meter with existing wiring and appliances, possibly causing damage to electrical Sources of Radiation devices in the home; (4) privacy issues surrounding the Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) is a broad term that collection and on-selling of vast amounts of data that reveal encompasses both natural and human-made sources of customers’ energy usage patterns; (5) security issues, such as radiation. The electromagnetic spectrum describes the those inherent in any type of wireless communication (ie, a continuum of different frequencies put together with the vulnerability to hacking and to cyber-attacks); (6) cost associated wavelength of each frequency.14,15 The frequency is concerns; and (7) a perceived lack of democratic process the number of oscillations or cycles per second, whereas because of the way in which the rollout had proceeded.6 In wavelength describes the distance between successive peaks response to these concerns, Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) of a wave.16 As a result, wavelength and frequency are released a report in July 2012, “Safety of Advanced Metering inseparably intertwined: The higher the frequency, the Infrastructure in Victoria,” which stated that “smart meters shorter the wavelength is.14 The electromagnetic spectrum is are safe,”7 notwithstanding the fact that ESV had mentioned divided into 2 main types: (1) ionizing radiation, which in their draft in May 2012 that the issue of possible health comprises cosmic and gamma rays, X-rays, and ultraviolet effects was “beyond the detailed scope” of the report.8 rays; and (2) nonionizing radiation.14,15,17 Victoria’s smart meters are electronic meters that are Ionizing radiation has so much energy per quantum that capable of measuring electricity consumption in 30-minute it is able to break chemical bonds between molecules.14 The intervals and have a transmitter/antenna that is able to negative effect on health of ionizing radiation is well broadcast the collected data wirelessly to the base.6 Victoria’s recognized.17 In this report, however, the term radiation will smart meters also have a second internal antenna for the be used to describe nonionizing radiation, which does not Home Area Network (HAN) radio, which can be turned on carry sufficient energy to break molecular bonds.14 when requested by the customer.3 The electronic meter is all Nonionizing radiation includes (1) extremely low- that is needed to implement time-of-use tariffs (ie, charging frequency fields, such as those emitted by electrical appliances different rates for electricity at different times); however, the and power lines; (2) intermediate-frequency fields, such as remote-reading function means that meter readers are no those used in some antitheft and security systems; and longer required and that the power companies can disconnect (3) high-frequency radiation, which includes radiofrequency and reconnect power remotely.6 In effect, a smart grid, as fields, such as those produced by mobile telephones, television opposed to deployment of electronic meters, constitutes the and radio transmitters, and radar, as well as microwaves, a power companies’ communication system. The bulk of subset of radiofrequency radiation, which have frequencies Victoria’s power distributors use wireless mesh networks that in the 300 MHz to 300 GHz range.16 The last are used in rely on the smart meters to act as relay stations, with microwave ovens and for wireless Internet.14,15 households’ data hopping unpredictably from meter to These definitions are arbitrary but represent a useful way meter, thus forming a mesh.6 Any reflective surface can cause of describing different parts of the nonionizing component a deviation in the transmission route of the radiofrequency of the spectrum. Discussions of and research on the effects of signal. One distributor has deployed a WiMax network, nonionizing radiation revolve around thermal and
Lamech—Symptoms From Radiofrequency Exposure in Victoria, Australia ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES, NOV/DEC 2014 VOL. 20, 6 29 This article is protected by copyright. To share or copy this article, please visit copyright.com. Use ISSN#1078-6791. To subscribe, visit alternative-therapies.com
nonthermal effects.17 According to the main regulatory state the symptoms from which they were suffering that they agencies in Australia and the United States, only thermal believed had resulted from exposure to electromagnetic effects are capable of affecting human health17; however, this radiation (EMR) that had been emitted from smart meters. article will deal exclusively with the nonthermal, or biological, The information could be submitted online or the form could effects on humans of nonionizing radiation. For this reason, be printed and filled in by hand, then sent to a designated the author has used the terms radiation, radiofrequency, and postal address. Neither form of registration posed direct microwaves interchangeably in this article. questions about types of symptoms or offered any form of As societies industrialize, an unprecedented increase in tick-a-box questionnaire, thereby avoiding the suggestion of the number and diversity of EMF sources occurs.18 These various symptoms, and both steered clear of a recruitment- sources include (1) video display units (VDUs) associated style approach to the collection of information. with computers and mobile phones and their base stations,18 The author subsequently approached the managers of (2) wireless Internet, (3) digital television and radio, and— the Web site and the registers, and based on her status as a more recently—(4) wireless utility meters and their medical practitioner, she received permission to view people’s associated infrastructure. For some time, individuals have deidentified data in both registers in hard-copy form. It was reported a variety of health problems that they relate to immediately apparent to the author that people from exposure to EMF.18 disparate parts of Victoria were listing the same or similar symptoms from exposure to smart meters. The majority of Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity Syndrome people could not possibly have known each other, and they Electromagnetic hypersensitivity syndrome (EHS) is certainly had no access to information that had been characterized by a variety of nonspecific symptoms. The registered by others, as data sent to the registers had been most common ones include dermatological symptoms— kept strictly private and confidential. Because the information redness, tingling, and burning sensations—as well as appeared to point to a new and ongoing public health neurasthenic and vegetative symptoms—fatigue, tiredness, problem for Victoria, the author decided that a case series concentration difficulties, dizziness, nausea, heart report, based on the cases in the registers, was warranted. palpitations, and digestive disturbances.18 This syndrome was first described by Russian researchers in the 1950s, who METHODOLOGY called it microwave sickness.17 The author began by enlisting the agreement and Although the range of estimates of the EHS prevalence cooperation of the managers of the public Web site and in the general population is broad, a survey of self-help registers and by instructing them on her planned methodology. groups has indicated that approximately 10% of reported The managers were given the task of selecting appropriate cases have been considered severe.18 The World Health cases from both their health register and legal register. The Organization (WHO) has expressed a willingness to consider cases were included when the managers could clearly identify professional and public input on evidence supporting the the person by name, surname, postal address, and/or e-mail inclusion of EHS into the 11th version of the International address to make sure that they were genuine registrants. In the Classification of Diseases (ICD), to be released in 2015.15 case of children, name and surname, together with postal Various national governments have also recognized EHS as address and/or e-mail address of at least 1 parent, were an emerging public problem. Sweden classifies EHS as a considered sufficient for identification of the child. functional impairment,15 whereas the Council of Europe The managers then proceeded to print or photocopy Resolution 1815 calls for particular attention to be paid to each qualifying individual’s entry and to deidentify each case, the needs of electrosensitive people and for the introduction providing the author with each person’s gender, date of birth, of special measures to protect them, including the creation of and the name of his or her residential suburb. The author wave-free areas not covered by the wireless network.19 considered these details important for statistical purposes. In May 2013, the author of the current study became Children’s symptoms were reported by their parents. E-mail aware that people were registering adverse health effects addresses and phone numbers were hidden by the registers’ from smart meters on a public Web site. Two ways existed for managers, and the author made no attempt to contact any people to register: (1) a health register and (2) a legal register. person to obtain additional details or ask for clarification(s). The health register requested that people send their data to a This practice was judged by the author to be appropriate, not specific e-mail address if they believed that their health had only for the maintenance of anonymity but also because any been affected following installation of smart meters, asking 2 further questioning would have had the potential to introduce questions: (1) “Are you hypersensitive to electromagnetic biases in reporting and interfere with its spontaneous and radiation from sources such as smart meters and mobile unsolicited nature. What was not written or written clearly phones?” and (2) “Has your health been affected following was simply omitted from the report. This fact must be kept in the installation of smart meters?” The legal register mind when reading the case series. contained 1 similarly worded open-ended question: “Do you The Web site’s managers then proceeded to seek signed believe your health has been affected by the installation of written consent to use people’s deidentified data to compile a smart meters?” If the answer was “yes,” people were asked to report. This request was done by sending a letter to each
30 ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES, NOV/DEC 2014 VOL. 20, 6 Lamech—Symptoms From Radiofrequency Exposure in Victoria, Australia This article is protected by copyright. To share or copy this article, please visit copyright.com. Use ISSN#1078-6791. To subscribe, visit alternative-therapies.com
individual, mainly via post, but in a few cases in which postal Figure 1. Map of Victoria and Places of Residence of the addresses were not available, via e-mail. In the case of People in the Study’s Cases children, consent had to be signed by 1 of the parents. One case was drawn directly from the public side of the earlier- mentioned Web site, and for this reason, consent was not sought for that case because it was already available in the public domain. The Web site contained a significant number of publicly available cases of symptoms from smart meters; however, the chosen case was included because it was the only one that provided fully identifiable details: name, surname, residential address, and phone number. The author subsequently removed 1 case from outside the state of Victoria and 1 from a resident of New Zealand. Of 142 fully identifiable cases before this removal, 91 consented, with the 1 additional case being in the public domain and not requiring consent. Therefore, the sample size was 92, and the author received all deidentified submissions in hard-copy form only. They were stored in her home office meters had aggravated their conditions. The place of under lock and key. The author intends to keep all documents residence of the person representing each case study was for a period of 5 years after publication of this article. At the important, because the locations illustrate that individuals end of this period, the documents will be destroyed. reporting symptoms were not concentrated in 1 geographical For the results, the author has used her medical area but were from different and varied parts of metropolitan experience and judgment to group symptoms into clinically and rural Victoria. Figure 1 shows the residential locations of relevant clusters (eg, pain in the head was grouped with the current study’s cases marked with red dots; 67% of the headache; tinnitus was grouped with ringing in the ears). The Victorians in this study lived within Melbourne’s metropolitan author has stayed quite close to the wording used in the area (ie, Melbourne’s suburbs), which is shaded a darker original entries. Total numbers and percentages were green on the map. This correlates almost perfectly with calculated for each symptom cluster. Percentage values were current demographics for the state, which show more than rounded to the nearest whole number. 70% of all Victorians living in Melbourne’s suburbs. As Figure 2 shows, the most common symptoms were RESULTS (1) insomnia, sleep disturbance, or sleep disruption—44 Of the 92 participants reporting symptoms from exposure people (48%); (2) headaches, head pain, or dull head—41 to wireless smart meters, 87 were adults and 5 were children. people (45%); (3) tinnitus, ringing in the ears, or Of the adults, the youngest person was 23 years of age and the buzzing/noises in the ears—30 people (33%); (4) tiredness, oldest was 74; 55 (63%) were female and 32 (37%) were male. lethargy, or fatigue, including chronic fatigue, exhaustion, or The children were aged 6, 10, and 14 years, with the ages of the weakness—29 people (32%); and (5) cognitive disturbances, remaining 2 children unknown. The children’s group was inability to concentrate or think, disorientation, or memory composed of 2 females and 3 males. Therefore, for the total loss—28 people (30%). Table 1 identifies the symptoms that group, 57 (62%) were female and 35 (38%) were male. were experienced by participants, other than the 5 most Of all the individuals, 39 (42%) did not specify whether common, with their incidence. their symptoms were caused by their neighbors’ or their own smart meters. This lack of information was not surprising, Figure 2. Five Most Common Symptoms because that kind of information was not sought in either the 60% health or the legal registers. Therefore, it is of note that a total 50% 48% of 53 people (58%) volunteered this data: (1) 27 (29%) 45% claimed that their symptoms were from exposure to their 40% neighbors’ smart meters, (2) 20 (22%) thought the adverse 33% 32% 30% health effects were from a smart meter at their own homes, 30% and (3) 2 wrote that their symptoms were from both their neighbors’ and their own smart meters. It is also interesting 20% that 3 people stated that they experienced symptoms when 10% visiting friends or relatives who had a smart meter, and 1 person became ill after exposure to a smart meter at work. 0% Only 7 people (8%) stated that they considered Insomnia Headaches Tinnitus Lethargy Cognitive themselves to have been suffering from EHS prior to smart Disturbance meter exposure. Of these, 2 felt that radiation from smart
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Table 1. Other Symptoms
Symptom/Symptom Cluster n (%) Dysesthesias, including nerve pain, neuropathy, burning sensations, tremors, cold extremities, and 20 (22%) poor circulation Dizziness/loss of balance 19 (21%) Heart palpitations 16 (17%) Nausea 15 (16%) Onset of EHS 14 (15%) Pain (in joints, bones, muscles, other and including arthritic changes) 13 (14%) Pressure/heat/weird feeling in or on head 12 (13%) Anxiety/agitation/irritability/restlessness 12 (13%) Adverse health effects not otherwise specified 11 (12%) Problems with eyes or eyesight/blurred vision 10 (11%) Chest pain/pain in the heart 9 (10%) Rashes/skin irritation/skin discoloration/dry skin 7 (8%) Aggravation of pre-existing medical condition 6 (7%) Digestive problems/bowel irritability/stomach pain 5 (5%) Muscle spasms/cramps/twitches 5 (5%) Nose bleeds 4 (4%) Ear problems (ear pain, loss of hearing) 3 (3%) Depression/loss of motivation 3 (3%) Increased rate of infections/colds 3 (3%) Allergies/food sensitivities 3 (3%) Aggravation of EHS 2 (2%) Sinus problems 2 (2%) Lump in throat/sore throat 2 (2%) Weight loss/loss of appetite 2 (2%) Swollen face/lips 2 (2%) Bladder infections/strains 2 (2%) Flu-like symptoms 1 (1%) Dehydration/thirst 1 (1%) Weight gain 1 (1%) Inability to talk 1 (1%) Loss of motor skills 1 (1%) Loss of feeling and movement from waist down 1 (1%)
Abbreviations: EHS = electromagnetic hypersensitivity syndrome.
It is concerning that 40% of all participants reported 4 or symptom—chronic, severe nerve pain—and had to go on a more symptoms, as this finding is very likely to be predictive disability pension as a result. of a greater level of disability (Figure 3). Eleven percent had It may reasonably be expected that a random sample of developed only 3 symptoms, 20% only 2 symptoms, and 29% the population would also report a number of symptoms at only 1 symptom. Note that the author counted “adverse any one time, but the difference in these cases is that all health effect(s) not otherwise specified” as 1 symptom. She is people in this study self-reported symptoms that they of the opinion that even 1 symptom, depending on its type attributed directly to smart meters. Because EHS is a self- and severity, could result in significant disruption for an reported syndrome and given the current absence of a individual. An example of this result is the experience of the reliable assessment tool for identifying EHS in individuals, person in Case 82, an adult male who developed only 1 Eltiti et al20 concluded that researchers have to rely on the
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Figure 3. Number of Symptoms per Person Table 2. Effect on People’s Lives
Effect 1. Having to go on a disability pension 2. Not being able to use part of one’s house 3. Restricting freedom of movement 4 or more 4. Spending a lot of money on shielding products symptoms, 40% 1 symptom, 29% 5. Causing financial problems 6. Causing relationship problems 7. Having to undergo otherwise unnecessary medical investigations 8. Needing to see a psychologist and doctors 9. Producing general deterioration in quality of life 2 symptoms, 20% 10. Needing to restrict time spent using a computer 11. Needing to avoid all EMR-emitting devices 12. Being unable to drive 3 symptoms, 13. Causing secondary stress 11% 14. Having to temporarily move out of one’s home while it was being shielded 15. Developing concerns about long-term effects of individual’s self-diagnosis of their symptoms as caused by exposure exposure to EMF. The researchers proposed an EHS screening 16. Relocating bedroom tool that is centered on the fact that an individual explicitly 17. Decreased performance at work attributes his or her symptoms to exposure to EMF-producing 18. Being unable to work object(s).20 19. Being able to feel normal only when away from home Similarly, a survey conducted by the Dutch 20. Causing several issues, such as lethargy or cognitive Electrohypersensitivity Foundation in 2007 argues that EMF- impairment, secondary to sleep disturbances affected individuals simply know, often by experimentation, 21. Needing to move into a caravan 25 km out of town that certain pieces of electrical equipment, installations, or 22. Sleeping in a van for 6 months facilities make them sick and that most of the problems are 23. Relocating to another state solved when these items are switched off or the EMF exposure is lowered by shielding or increasing the distance Abbreviation: EMR = electromagnetic radiation. from a device.21 This statement mirrors the experience of the majority of the Victorian cohort, who were specific in their Figure 1 shows that people in this study were from description of their health problems as being directly related disparate parts of the state of Victoria. They were from to smart meter exposure. A chronological relationship metropolitan as well as regional and rural areas and were not existed between the onset of exposure and symptom concentrated in any geographical area, which makes possible development. causes of symptoms related to a specific location unlikely A chronological relationship between length of exposure (eg, proximity to airports, wind farms, open-cut coal mines, and an increase in the number or severity of symptoms, or chemicals used in agriculture). It is also unlikely for the however, did not necessarily exist. This finding suggested a reported symptoms to be associated with any seasonal factor possible all-or-nothing mechanism, whereby smart meter (eg, extremes of temperatures, degree of humidity, bushfire exposure leads people to reach a personal threshold beyond smoke, or a high pollen count), because the reporting period which adverse health effects are consciously perceived. More stretched between September 2012 and August 2013, which than one-half (58%) of all the current participants also meant that symptoms were reported during all 4 seasons. volunteered a statement with regard to the location of the Smart meters represent an ubiquitous presence throughout smart meter(s) that they had identified as causing their the state of Victoria, having been rolled out across the entire symptom(s) and described clear alleviation of symptom(s) state. Their presence is not subject to seasonal variation. when they moved away from the smart meter(s) or when Therefore, they are a credible possible cause of the symptoms shielded from the smart meter(s). reported in this study, although a case series cannot prove As a consequence, a large number of people self-helped causality. It can and does, however, offer a new hypothesis, one either by using shielding measures or by putting distance that will have to be tested by further research. between themselves and the smart meter(s), which meant More than one-half (55) of all the cases did not state either relocating their bedrooms, moving to another what effect the symptoms had had on their lives. This lack is residence, ceasing employment, restricting their movement possibly caused by the fact that the registration of their in general, or moving out of the state of Victoria (Table 2). symptoms occurred in an open-ended style that did not
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directly ask questions other than whether they thought that changes and/or pyramidal tract lesions as mentioned in the smart meters had affected their health. Moreover, participants 1971 report; and (15) loss of motor skills or loss of feeling and had consented for their deidentified data to be used to movement from the waist down, which are both consistent compile a report at a time after their initial submission to the with pyramidal tract lesions and effects on locomotor nerves Web site’s registers. This situation had the benefit of that are listed in the NMRI paper. In looking at these eliminating the likelihood of a real or perceived secondary symptoms that were not obviously listed in the NMRI report, gain for registrants but also led to the writing of short, simple it is important to keep in mind that the language of that report statements that did not elaborate on how the symptoms had was more technical and clinical compared with the current affected their lives. Table 2 provides details about the effect case series, in which the author has purposely stayed true to on the lives of the 37 people who made a statement about the wording and terms used by participants and which is, those effects.. therefore, less technical and less interpretive. In 1990, a study was commissioned in response to a DISCUSSION petition that had been signed by a group of residents in Biological Effects of Radiation Schwarzenburg, Switzerland, who claimed to be experiencing ill With regard to the reported symptomatology related to health from a shortwave-radio transmitter present in their small wireless smart meters, it is interesting to look back at a town. The Federal Office of Energy was charged with setting up research report by Dr Zorach R. Glaser for the Naval Medical a study group, which was chaired by Dr J. Cattin, head of the Research Institute (NMRI) in the United States, completed in Section Energy Management, and which included the University 1971 and revised in 1972.22 The report lists in excess of 2300 of Berne and Swiss Telecom, among others.23 The study was references on the biological responses to radiofrequency and criticized, particularly because of Swiss Telecom’s involvement microwave radiation in its bibliography. What is immediately and because of its 5-year duration, which was too short a time apparent is the fact that most of the symptoms reported in the for any conclusive findings on long-term health effects, including current case series were also present in the NMRI report. This cancer, to emerge.24 It nevertheless revealed some impressive fact indicates that biological effects from nonionizing radiation understandings on short-term effects from exposure to are the same irrespective of the device that emits them— radiofrequency fields. The most important of these effects was accounting for frequency, intensity, and duration—and that that of sleep disruption, which was very common, affecting 55% such biological effects were already known and reported to the of those older than 45 years, and which was directly associated public in 1971. In fact, Glaser mentions 2 even earlier studies with the electromagnetic-field strength of the transmitter.23 that were both published in 1969.22 The value of Glaser’s report Other symptoms reported by residents included headaches, lies particularly in its lack of bias and conflict of interest tiredness, general weakness, irritability, nervousness, limb pain, because the sponsoring department was the Bureau of lower-back pain, and palpitations. Most important, personality Medicine and Surgery (Navy) in Washington, DC. studies were carried out that showed that symptoms were not In terms of the biological symptoms listed, an almost related to a health-worrying personality but displayed a dose- complete overlap exists with symptoms reported in the current response relationship with logistic regression. The strong case series. All commonly reported symptoms in the current correlation between the type of symptoms experienced by the case series, such as insomnia, headaches, tinnitus (described as Victorian cohort and by the residents of Schwarzenburg, buzzing about the ears in the NMRI document), fatigue, together with the shared high prevalence of sleep disruptions in cognitive disturbances, memory problems, dizziness, buzzing both groups, should further inform assessment of the significance in the head, heart rate problems, eye problems, chest pain, of the findings of the current case series. dysesthesias, anxiety, and restlessness are very clearly biological A consensus paper of the Austrian Medical Association’s symptoms that were listed in Glaser’s report,22 together with EMF Working Group, adopted on March 3, 2012, in Vienna and less common symptoms, such as heat/weird feeling in/on the titled “Guideline of the Austrian Medical Association for the head, skin problems, digestive problems, muscle cramps, sinus Diagnosis and Treatment of EMF-related Health Problems and problems, depression, loss of appetite, and dehydration.22 Illnesses (EMF Syndrome),” mentions a survey carried out in The symptoms reported by Victorians but not mentioned Switzerland in 2001.25 In it, 394 respondents attributed specific in the 1971 report are (1) nausea; (2) pressure in the head; health problems to EMF exposure. The following symptoms (3) pain other than head or chest pain, although the pain could were reported: (1) sleep problems (58%), (2) headaches (41%), be caused by changes in oxidative processes in tissues as listed (3) nervousness (19%), (4) fatigue (18%), and (5) difficulty by Glaser, and consequent tissue inflammation; (4) shortness of concentrating (16%). It is apparent at first glance that the first 2 breath; (5) ear problems—pain and decreased hearing; symptoms are of the same order of frequency as for the (6) allergies and food sensitivities; (7) nose bleeds; (8) increased Victorians in the current case series (Figure 4). A very similar rate of infections/colds; (9) bladder infections/strains (10) flu- percentage of people complained of headaches in both the like symptoms; (11) lumps in the throat (the NMRI report current study (45%) and the Swiss one (41%). A similar, albeit instead mentions a peculiar metallic taste in the mouth); slightly lower, number of participants reported sleep problems, (12) swollen face or swollen lips; (13) weight gain; (14) inability such as insomnia and frequent waking, in Victoria (48%) versus to talk, which could be caused by electroencephalogram (EEG) those reported in the Swiss study (58%). All 5 symptoms
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Figure 4. Victorian Cohort Versus Swiss Study Table 3. Summary of Biological Effects of Nonionizing 70% Radiation 58% 60% Effects 1. Pathological leakage of the blood-brain barrier, which 50% 48% 45% allows toxins into brain tissues 41% 40% 2. Pathological leakage of the blood-gut barrier 32% 3. Altered immune function, including increased allergic 30% 30% and inflammatory responses 4. Cardiovascular effects, particularly on blood pressure 18% 19% 20% 16% 13% and heart rate 10% 5. Disregulation of circadian rhythms and reduced melatonin production, which may account for 0% insomnia Sleep Headaches Fatigue Difficulty Nervousness 6. Nervous system effects, which include altered Problems Concentrating brainwave activity, changes in neuronal functioning Victorian cohort Swiss study and changes in autonomic nervous system electrophysiology reported in the Swiss survey corresponded to symptoms 7. Desynchronization of neural activity that regulates experienced by the Victorian cohort, with fatigue (32%) and critical functions in brain, gut, and heart difficulty concentrating (30%) being more common in 8. Lipid peroxidation of cell membranes Victoria and nervousness (anxiety/agitation) (13%) being 9. Elevated intracellular calcium with consequent less common. disruption of cell metabolism The Austrian Guidelines also list a number of what their 10. Poorly functioning mitochondria authors consider to be EMF-related symptoms: sleep 11. Production of stress proteins as a result of the direct problems, fatigue, exhaustion, lack of energy, restlessness, interaction of EMF with the DNA molecule, whereby heart palpitations, muscle and joint pain, headaches, DNA acts as a fractal antenna (because of its coiled-coil depression, difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, anxiety, configuration) urinary urgency, anomia, dizziness, tinnitus, and a sensation 12. Altered biochemical functions and production of of pressure in the head and the ears.25 All listed symptoms hormones were experienced by Victorians in the current study, if the 13. Increased production of free radicals and deficiencies reader accepts that anomia corresponds with inability to talk of antioxidants such as glutathione and melatonin and urinary urgency to bladder infections/strains. leading to oxidative stress Short-term effects from exposure to radiofrequency fields are also mentioned in another recent publication, the Abbreviation: EMF = electromagnetic field. BioInitiative 2012 report prepared by 29 independent scientists and health experts from around the world. It conditions) from chronic exposure to nonionizing radiation, documents bioeffects (ie, adverse health effects) and public which include genotoxicity and DNA breakages among health conclusions about effects of nonionizing radiation, others.26 It is not strictly within the scope of this case series to including radiofrequency microwave fields. It replaces the explain the biophysical mechanisms that may account for BioInitiative 2007 report.26 These effects involve cognition; acute symptoms or effects or to discuss the long-term serious memory and learning; behavior; reaction time; attention and health endpoints associated with radiofrequency radiation; concentration; and altered brainwave activity (altered EEG), however, a summary of the nonthermal biological effects of as well as insomnia; discomfort; loss of well-being; sleep nonionizing radiation is contained in Table 3. It is distilled disruption; aberrant immune, allergic, and inflammatory from the BioInitiative report and intends to be a basic guide responses in tissues; interference with normal cardiac for clinicians. function; alteration of circadian rhythms; and It also needs to be mentioned that in 2011, the desynchronization of neural activity that regulates critical International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which functions in the brain, gut, and heart. Radiofrequencies can is part of the WHO, classified radiofrequency fields as a act as disrupters of synchronized neural activity. Group 2B Possible Human Carcinogen, based on an increased The BioInitiative report offers a detailed explanation on risk of glioma after 10 years or longer of cell phone use.27 The how environmental exposures to artificial EMFs can interact IARC clarified that the evidence for carcinogenicity applies with fundamental biological processes in the human body.26 to exposures to radiofrequency radiation from all sources, This finding should not be unexpected because “human beings not only cell phones (ie, it is not device-specific).28 This are bioelectrical systems.”26 In addition to short-term effects, finding has implications for the continued massive rollout of the report dwells on the long-term sequelae (pathological wireless technologies, in particular the wireless smart utility
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meter, which was described in a recent statement to the UK Again, this statement correlates with the conclusion in Parliament as having triggered thousands of complaints of ill the Austrian Guidelines that “multiple exposures to different health and disabling symptoms worldwide.29 EMF sources must be taken into account.”25 Dr Namkung’s conclusion that “... governmental agencies are the only Mandated, Involuntary Exposure defense against such involuntary exposure” to mandated With regard to smart meters, 2 unique features should smart meters’ nonionizing radiation emissions31 applies in a be considered: (1) exposure may be involuntary and (2) particularly relevant way to the Victorian experience. exposure can be universal. In Victoria, smart meters were A similar view is also shared by Dr David O. Carpenter mandated, thereby removing the individual’s choice to avoid and 53 other scientists and doctors, who, in an article exposure in his or her own home, and involuntary exposure published in 2012, outline some of the effects of EMF also occurred to meters in neighboring homes. Each smart exposure with the intent to correct some of the gross meter in the mesh networks transmits an unknown and misinformation regarding wireless smart meters and variable number of burst transmissions per day, which advocate for the application of a precautionary principle, typically reach into many thousands in number.30 Meters on such as using wired meters.32 the WiMax network,9 although not communicating with Although some of the studies discussed in this report each other and deploying only bidirectional communication offer recommendations regarding wireless smart meter between a meter and the base station, nevertheless send deployment (Table 4), virtually no published studies are hourly time synchronization signals in addition to their daily available with respect to smart meters and human health, session transmissions.3 and no long-term studies exist because of the newness of A submission by the Public Utilities Commission of the technology. California shows that only 45.3 seconds of transmissions per Notably, an early voice of concern on this issue was that day (<0.1% duty cycle) still equates to 9600 transmissions.30 of Don Maisch, PhD, from Tasmania, who posed the question Exposures are likely to be physiologically additive in of whether smart meters would end up creating a public nature.25,26,31 Moreover, belief is increasing in the concept that health nightmare in an article published in September 2012.33 intermittent pulses of radiofrequencies, such as those used in In it, he explained how current exposure standards are the smart grid, are more biologically significant compared outdated and no longer relevant and warned that, given the with constant-type exposures, even when the time-averaged sheer number of people exposed, simply dismissing anecdotal exposure is miniscule.26,31 This kind of signal is biologically evidence of symptoms from smart meters as a nocebo active and not invisible to the human body and its proper (harmless) effect without a serious research effort would be biological functioning, because the unpredictable pulses inexcusable. disrupt the synchronized biological oscillations within cells.26 The Austrian Medical Association recommends that such Incidence of Effects periodic signals should be critically evaluated, whereas This article has discussed the fact that people from nonperiodic signals may be considered more leniently.25 various regional and metropolitan areas in the state of In a 2012 memorandum titled “Health Risks Associated Victoria, of all ages and during all seasons, have reported with SmartMeters,” Dr Poki Namkung, public health officer symptoms from exposure to the radiofrequency fields of of the County of Santa Cruz (CA, USA) stated that no wireless smart meters as well as the onset or aggravation of scientific literature exists on the health risks of smart meters EHS and the aggravation of pre-existing medical conditions because they are a new technology.31 This statement parallels after installation of the meters. Interestingly, only 8% of the the Austrian EMF Working Group’s statement that “new participants in the current study stated that they had suffered technologies and applications have been introduced without from EHS prior to exposure to smart meters, which suggests certainty about their health effects.”25 Dr Namkung also that the threshold for symptom development appears to be explains that research on the potential health risks from significantly lower when it comes to wireless meters compared radiofrequencies has been funded largely by industry because with that for other wireless devices. little funding is available for basic scientific research.31 Of an initial 142 people who had formally registered The report indicates: their adverse health effects from smart meters related to the current study, 92 consented to participation. The author ... exposure is additive and consumers may have already considers this number to be significant and most likely to increased their exposures to radiofrequency radiation in represent the tip of the iceberg in terms of total numbers. the home through the voluntary use of wireless devices Underestimation could be caused by the fact that people do such as cell and cordless phones, personal digital assistants not associate their symptoms with smart meter exposure (PDAs), routers for internet access, home security systems, wireless baby surveillance monitors (baby when the symptoms are not severe or do not occur monitors), and other emerging devices. It would be concurrently. In addition, this underdiagnosis may be caused impossible to know how close a consumer might be to his by a lack of knowledge about the effects of wireless or her limit, making safety a uncertainty if SmartMeters technologies on the part of the general population and the are mandatorily installed.31 majority of the medical fraternity. The ongoing campaign of
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Table 4. Summary of Scientific Reports Subject Matter and Title Author(s) Country Year Findings Recommendations “Bibliography of Reported Glaser22 United 1971 Provides more than 2000 No specific recommendation; Biological Phenomena and Clinical States references on the prepared for the Naval Medical Manifestations Attributed to biological responses to Research Institute, Bethesda, Microwave and Radio-frequency radiofrequency radiation Maryland; approved for unlimited Radiation” public release “Study on Health Effects of the Altpeter, Switzerland 1995 Notes marked No urgent protection measures; Shortwave Transmitter Station of Krebs, Pfluger, deterioration of sleep review of current exposure Schwarzenburg, Berne, Switzerland” et al23 quality in persons guidelines; further research exposed to radio transmitter “Guideline of the Austrian Medical Austrian Austria 2012 Discusses EMF-related Primary method of treatment of Association for the Diagnosis and Medical problems and outlines EMF-related health problems to Treatment of EMF-related Health Association’s clinical-management consist of prevention or reduction of Problems and Illnesses (EMF EMF Working approach EMF exposure Syndrome)” Group25 “BioInitiative 2012–A Rationale for Prepared by 29 Experts 2012 Reviews more than 1800 New, biologically based public- Biologically-based Exposure experts, edited from more new scientific studies exposure standard; precautionary Standards for Low-Intensity by Sage & than 10 added to the BioInitiative approach to RF exposure levels Electromagnetic Radiation” Carpenter26 countries Report 2007, which cited 2000 studies on adverse health effects from extremely low frequencies and radiofrequencies “Health Risks Associated with Namkung31 United 2012 Indicates objective All available, peer-reviewed research SmartMeters” States evidence supports EHS data on EMF applicable to smart diagnosis; no scientific meters; governmental agencies to literature on health risks protect public health from of smart meters involuntary exposure “Smart Meters: Correcting the Carpenter et Authors 2012 Summarizes long-term Application of Precautionary Gross Misinformation” al32 from a and short-term health Principle, such as using wired meters number of effects of EMF exposure, countries; in particular from smart published in meters Canada “Electromagnetic and Dean, Rea, United 2012 Discusses different types Immediate caution on smart-meter Radiofrequency Fields Effect on Smith, Barrier States of radiation and effect of installation; further research on Human Health” (American the increasing use of effects of EMF and RF exposure; use Academy of wireless technology on of safer technology, including for Environmental human health smart meters Medicine)17
Abbreviations: EMF = electromagnetic field; RF = radiofrequency; EHS = electromagnetic hypersensitivity syndrome.
the state government and power distributors to portray Another limitation, which is specific to this type of smart meters as safe has also contributed to this lack of noninterventional analysis of existing nonidentifiable data, is knowledge. Even when people believe that their new that the author was not able to contact individual case studies symptom(s) are caused by smart meters, some are not able to and was therefore unable to clarify or add to the information report or register their symptoms because they have no given by them. For the same reason, the author was also Internet access, and of those who do, not all are aware of Web unable to follow up these cases longitudinally, which is sites or ways to make reports. something that could have potentially yielded valuable information. Limitations of Current Study The main limitation of the current study is that, being a CONCLUSIONS case series, it is a descriptive, retrospective study that does This case series has discussed the most commonly not have a control arm and can therefore help formulate a reported symptoms from wireless smart meters. Although new hypothesis, but can only make limited statements on the some of these symptoms are also reported in relationship to causality of correlations observed. other environmental exposures, such as proximity to airports
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5. Hosking W. Family forced to move out after suffering health problems. Herald or wind turbines, Victorians in this report claimed a direct Sun. November 1, 2011. www.heraldsun.com.au/archive/news/smart-meter- chronological association between exposure to wireless smart shock-forces-family-out/story-fn7x8me2-1226181915461. Accessed February 27, 2014. meters and symptom development. A look at the place of 6. Smith J. Smart meters in Victoria: information and concerns. http:// residence of people reporting symptoms does not suggest a stopsmartmetersau.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/smart-meters-in-victoria_ information-and-concerns_version_3.pdf. Published March 29, 2013. Accessed link to any possible environmental factors that are February 27, 2014. geographically specific. Seasonal factors are also excluded, 7. Energy Safe Victoria. Safety of Advanced Metering Infrastructure in Victoria. http://www.esv.vic.gov.au/Portals/0/About%20ESV/Files/whats%20new/ because the reporting period stretched over all 4 seasons. The FINAL%20ESV%20smart%20meter%20safety%20report%2031%207%2012.pdf. effect of these symptoms on people’s lives is far-ranging, from Published July 31, 2012. Accessed February 27, 2014. 8. Energy Safe Victoria. Safety of Advanced Metering Infrastructure in Victoria stress, financial problems, and unnecessary investigations to [draft report]. http://www.esv.vic.gov.au/Portals/0/Consumers/Files/Safety%20 needing to move out of one’s home and even to another state. of%20advanced%20metering%20infrastructure%20in%20Victoria%20%20 170512.pdf. Published May 17, 2012. Accessed February 27, 2014. The author of the current study offers the hypothesis 9. SP AusNet communications network. SP AusNet Web site. http://www. that some people can develop symptoms from exposure to sp-ausnet.com.au/?id=1010100C36913FCE7EB6037CA2579D1001C8D91. Accessed February 27, 2014. the radiofrequency fields of wireless smart meters. This 10. International Confederation of Energy Regulators. Report on experiences on the hypothesis cannot be disproven without further assessment regulatory approaches to the implementation of smart meters, annex 4: case study, smart meters in Italy. http://www.icer-regulators.net/portal/page/portal/ of the affected individuals and the electromagnetic fields in ICER_HOME/publications_press/ICER_Reports_2009_2012/Reports_Annexes/ which they live. An evidence-based approach, such as the Annex%204%20-%20Case%20study%20from%20Italy. ICER report 12-C&A-08- 01. Published April 2012. Accessed February 27, 2014. one used in all other areas of medicine, must be applied, 11. Smart alternatives. In: Jamieson I. Smart Meters-Smarter Practices: Solving which would mean the establishment of a postrollout Emerging Problems. Leicestershire, UK: EM-Radiation Research Trust; 2012:24- 32. http://www.radiationresearch.org/component/content/article/10- surveillance study and funding for further research into the uncategorised/173-smart-meters-smarter-practices-document. Accessed particular effects of wireless smart meters, in conjunction February 27, 2014. 12. Brangan MB, Heddle J. New critical problem with ‘smart’ meters: the Switching- with research into the short-term and long-term Mode Power Supply (SMPS). eon3EMFblog.net Web site. http://eon3emfblog. consequences of EMR exposure. Until more knowledge is net/?p=2180. Published March 30, 2011. Accessed February 27, 2014. 13. Havas M. Electromagnetic hypersensitivity: biological effects of dirty electricity accumulated and until this type of wireless technology can with emphasis on diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Electromagn Biol Med. be proven safe, the author believes that communities should 2006;25(4):259-268. 14. Electromagnetic fields (EMF): what are electromagnetic fields? World Health use a cautionary approach, asking for a moratorium on Organization Web site. http://www.who.int/peh-emf/about/WhatisEMF/en/. deployment of wireless smart meters and smart grids and for Accessed March 11, 2014. 15. Genuis SJ, Lipp CT. Electromagnetic hypersensitivity: fact or fiction? Sci Total the use of safer technologies for smart meters, such as hard- Environ. January 2012;414:103-112. wiring, fiber optics, or other nonharmful methods of data 16. Exposure data. In: Non-ionizing Radiation, II: Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2013:37-38. transmission, including reading of meters by meter readers. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans; vol 102. Living in a wireless smart grid makes the Austrian Medical http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/ Monographs/vol102/mono102-001.pdf. Accessed March 11, 2014. Association’s recommendation to “take all reasonable 17. Dean AL, Rea WJ, Smith CW, Barrier AL. Electromagnetic and radiofrequency measures to reduce exposure to electromagnetic fields” fields effect on human health. American Academy of Environmental Medicine Web site. http://aaemonline.org/emf_rf_position.html. Accessed February 28, impossible to implement. 2014. Dr Maisch’s article title, “Smart Meter Health Concerns: 18. World Health Organization. Electromagnetic fields and public health: fact sheet 296. http://www.who.int/peh-emf/publications/facts/fs296/en/. Published Just a Nocebo (Harmless) Effect or an Emerging Public December 2005. Accessed February 28, 2014. Health Nightmare?”, resonates strongly with the Victorian 19. The potential dangers of electromagnetic fields and their effect on the environment. Resolution 1815, Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly. experience so far. This question is very pertinent and one Adopted May 27, 2011. http://www.assembly.coe.int/Documents/AdoptedText/ that must be urgently answered. ta11/ERES1815.htm. Accessed March 11, 2014. 20. Eltiti S, Wallace D, Zougkou K, et al. Development and evaluation of the electromagnetic hypersensitivity questionnaire. Bioelectromagnetics. 2007;28(2):137-151. 21. Schooneveld H, Kuiper J; Dutch Electrohypersensitivity (EHS) Foundation. Electrohypersensitivity (EHS) in the Netherlands—a questionnaire survey. AUTHOR DISCLOSURE STATEMENT http://www.electroallergie.org/downloads/EHS_in_the_Netherlands.pdf. The author did not receive any outside funding for this research. She self-funded it and Published December 2007. Accessed March 11, 2014. conducted the research independently. 22. Glaser ZR. Bibliography of Reported Biological Phenomena (‘Effects’) and Clinical Manifestations Attributed to Microwave and Radio-frequency Radiation. Bethesda, MD: Naval Medical Research Institute; 1972. Research REFERENCES report MF 12.524.015-0004B. 1. Pearson DD; Victorian Auditor-General. Towards a ‘smart grid’ – the rollout of 23. Altpeter ES, Krebs T, Pfluger DH, et al. Study on Health Effects of the Shortwave Advanced Metering Infrastructure. http://www.audit.vic.gov.au/ Transmitter Station of Schwarzenburg, Berne, Switzerland. Berne, Switzerland: publications/2009-10/111109-AMI-Full-Report.pdf. Published November 2009. Federal Office of Energy; 1995. Study 55. Accessed February 27, 2014. 24. Jakob HV. The Schwarzenbourg (Switzerland) short-wave transmitter: the 2. Deloitte; WorleyParsons; Victoria Department of Treasury and Finance. Advanced scandal continues! Franz Weber J. July/August/September 1997;(41). Metering Infrastructure cost benefit analysis report. http://www.smartmeters.vic. 25. Austrian Medical Association’s EMF Working Group. Guideline of the Austrian gov.au/resources/reports-and-consultations/advanced-metering-infrastructure- Medical Association for the diagnosis and treatment of EMF-related health cost-benefit-analysis. Published August 2, 2011. Accessed February 27, 2014. problems and illnesses (EMF syndrome): consensus paper of the Austrian 3. EMC Technologies. AMI meter electromagnetic field survey. http://www. Medical Association’s EMF Working Group. http://magdahavas.com/wordpress/ smartmeters.vic.gov.au/resources/reports-and-consultations/ami-meter-em- wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Austrian-EMF-Guidelines-2012.pdf. Adopted field-survey-repor. Published October 20, 2011. Accessed February 27, 2014. March 3, 2012. Accessed February 27, 2014. 4. Lockstep Consulting. Privacy impact assessment report: Advanced Metering 26. Carpenter D, Sage C, eds; BioInitiative Working Group 2012. BioInitiative 2012: Infrastructure (AMI). http://www.smartmeters.vic.gov.au/resources/reports- a rationale for biologically-based exposure standards for low-intensity and-consultations/lockstep-dpi-ami-pia-report. Published August 2011. electromagnetic radiation. http://www.bioinitiative.org/report/wp-content/ Accessed February 27, 2014. uploads/pdfs/BioInitiativeReport2012.pdf. Published December 31, 2012. Accessed February 27, 2014.
38 ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES, NOV/DEC 2014 VOL. 20, 6 Lamech—Symptoms From Radiofrequency Exposure in Victoria, Australia AdBoard_AltTherapies_Layout 1 2/19/14 1:28 PM Page 1
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27. IARC classifies radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans [press release]. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer; May 31, 2011. http://www.iarc.fr/en/media- centre/pr/2011/pdfs/pr208_E.pdf. Accessed February 27, 2014. 28. General remarks. In: Non-ionizing Radiation, II: Are You Offering Your Patients Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2013:33- 34. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of The Most Advanced Food Sensitivity Test Available? Carcinogenic Risks to Humans; vol 102. http:// monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/ Monographs/vol102/ mono102-F07.pdf. Accessed February 27, 2014. 29. Written evidence submitted by Stop Smart Meters! (SMR 124). Energy and Climate Change Committee, We are. UK Parliament. http://www.publications.parliament. uk/pa/cm201314/ cmselect/cmenergy/161/161vw107. htm. Published May 2013. Accessed March 11, 2014. 30. Kim AH, Nwamu CJ; Pacific Gas and Electric “For ten years I have used the Alcat test in my practice - no other Company. Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s test is as useful.” - Fred Pescatore, M.D., M.P.H., Medical Director, Partners in Response To Administrative Law Judge’s October 18, 2011 Ruling Directing it to File Clarifying Radio Integrative Medicine, New York, NY Frequency Information. Public Utilities Commission of the State of California. http://emfsafetynetwork.org/ wp-content/uploads/2011/11/PGERFDataOpt- outalternatives_11-1-11-3pm.pdf. Filed November 1, “In my professional opinion 2011. Accessed March 11, 2014. 31. Namkung PS. Health risks associated with SmartMeters the Alcat test can be [memorandum]. Santa Cruz, CA: County of Santa Cruz Health Services Agency; January 13, 2012. http:// successfully utilized in a sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/bds/Govstream/ broad spectrum of disease BDSvData/non_legacy/agendas/ 2012/20120124/ PDF/041.pdf. Accessed February 28, 2014. conditions cost-effectively.” 32. Carpenter DO, Adlkofer F, Al Salameh MS, et al. Smart “I have found that Meters: correcting the gross misinformation. Maison du - David J. Blyweiss, M.D., Director with the elimination 21e Siècle. July 12, 2012. http://maisonsaine.ca/smart- of Functional Medicine, Maximum meters-correcting-the-gross-misinformation/. Accessed of food sensitivities February 28, 2014. Wellness Centers, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33. Maisch D. Smart meter health concerns: just a nocebo through the Alcat effect or an emerging public health nightmare? Australasian Coll Nutr Environ Med J. 2012;31(2):15-19. test, I am able to “Most of my patients who take the Alcat obtain better and test have marked improvements of their more dramatic symptoms.” - Donald Dennis, M.D., F.A.C.S., Medical results.” - Juan Director, Atlanta Center for ENT, Atlanta, GA Remos, M.D., M.B.A., Wellness Director, Wellness Institute of the Americas, Miami, FL
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To: Carla A. Reid General Manager and CEO Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Laurel, Maryland Email: [email protected]
CC: Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Officials
WSSC Board of Commissioners, c/o Sheila R. Finlayson, Esq., WSSC Corporate Secretary WSSC Legal Counsel, Amanda Stakem Conn, Esq., c/o Sheila R. Finlayson, Esq., WSSC Corporate Secretary WSSC Board of Ethics, c/o Latonya Allen, Administrative Assistant to the Board WSSC Office of the Inspector General, Arthur A. Elkins, Jr., J.D., CFE, CBA
Officials of Maryland counties served by WSSC
Montgomery County Executive, Marc Elrich Montgomery County Council Members Prince George's County Executive, Angela D. Alsobrooks Prince George's County Council Members
From: Ronald M. Powell, Ph.D. Retired U.S. Government career scientist (Ph.D. Applied Physics, Harvard University_ (Short biography appended on page 19.) Email: [email protected]
Subject: Wireless smart meters harm human health.
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) is, indeed, a vital component of our community. As a subdivision of the Maryland Government, WSSC provides water and sewer services to 475,000 customer accounts that serve 1.8 million residents of Montgomery County and Prince George's County in Maryland.
The issue
WSSC's web site indicates that it is planning to replace its current water meters with wireless smart meters. And WSSC's Capital Improvement Program for 2021-2026 suggests that the cost will be about $100 million.
Reference: https://www.wsscwater.com/AMI
Reference: WSSC FY 2021 - 2026 Capital Budget: Capital Improvements Program Commission Meeting July 17, 2019, page 27 of introductory viewgraphs. http://bit.ly/WSSC_Capital_Improvements_Program_2021- 2026
Wireless smart meters communicate regularly using radiofrequency radiation, and radiofrequency radiation is harmful to human health. Further, the wireless smart meters that WSSC is contemplating, according to the first Page 1 of 19 web site above, are wireless AMI smart meters, where AMI stands for the "Advanced Metering Infrastructure". Wireless AMI smart meters are highly active. They expose everyone in their vicinity to radiofrequency radiation every day of the year. There is no simple or affordable way to shield oneself from such exposure, nor should anyone have to do so.
As a WSSC customer, and as a scientist, I urge WSSC to consider the adverse health effects of wireless AMI smart meters and to abandon plans to implement them. This document explains why and raises questions that merit answering whenever any form of wireless metering technology is contemplated. This document is focused on health effects and does not address other concerns about wireless smart meters, such as invasion of privacy, cyber insecurity, and disregard of property rights.
Public concern about the harm caused by radiofrequency radiation is greatest for the sources of radiation with these characteristics:
Their installation is mandated. Under pressure from wealthy wireless industries, each level of government is forcing lower levels of government to comply. And lower levels of government are forcing the public to comply. Their installation is permanent, with no prospect that they are ever going away. They are placed close to people, where they live, sleep, work, or play, and where the radiation levels they produce are the highest. They radiate every day, even at night, throughout the year. They are beyond control by the individuals who are irradiated by them.
Wireless AMI smart meters have all of the above characteristics. And they are being introduced at a time when aware members of the public are already concerned about other sources of radiofrequency radiation placed close to them. The primary examples are these:
The mandatory irradiation of everyone by wireless smart meters for measuring electricity, which are located inside, on, or adjacent to homes, apartment buildings, and businesses. The mandatory irradiation of the entire populace by emerging 5G cell towers, located right in front of homes and businesses. The mandatory irradiation of our children in the schools by Wi-Fi systems and by cell towers on school grounds.
Especially puzzling about WSSC's interest in wireless AMI smart meters is the timing. That interest comes as three developments are occurring simultaneously:
Personal stories of those harmed by radiofrequency radiation from wireless utility meters and other wireless devices continue to accumulate. Scientific evidence of harm from radiofrequency radiation has been growing for decades and has become overwhelming. Public awareness of harm from radiofrequency radiation is growing and is finding expression at local, state, national, and international levels.
I document these three developments below. But first, I provide an Overview that describes, in general terms, the health challenges posed by radiofrequency radiation. The Overview provides a context for the documentation of harm that follows the Overview.
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Overview of the health challenges posed by radiofrequency radiation
What is meant by "radiofrequency radiation"?
"Radiofrequency radiation" refers to waves of electromagnetic energy that travel through our atmosphere at virtually the speed of light. The frequencies called “radiofrequency radiation” are variously defined, but generally extend from a low frequency of 3 kilohertz (3 thousand hertz) to a high frequency of 300 gigahertz (300 billion hertz). "Microwave radiation" falls within this definition of radiofrequency radiation and is generally considered to cover frequencies from 1 gigahertz (1 billion hertz) to 30 gigahertz (30 billion hertz).
The frequencies within this broad range that are most important for the discussion here are those used for wireless smart meters, cellular technology, and Wi-Fi. Those frequencies lie primarily in the range of 300 megahertz (300 million hertz) to 6 gigahertz (6 billion hertz). But higher frequencies, perhaps extending up to 60 gigahertz (60 billion hertz), may come into use for a new version of cellular technology called 5G, which stands for "Fifth Generation".
Why does radiofrequency radiation threaten human health?
All living things are bioelectrical in nature. That is why electrocardiograms and electroencephalograms work. They, of course, measure the tiny electrical signals that operate the heart and the brain. The critical tasks performed by these tiny electrical signals, and so many other electrical signals in all living things, can be disrupted by radiofrequency radiation. Thus, it is not surprising that radiofrequency radiation affects human health. It would be more surprising if radiofrequency radiation did not affect human health.
The levels of radiofrequency radiation that we ourselves have generated in our environment are increasing exponentially and already vastly exceed the levels in which all life on Earth evolved. Simply stated, we are drowning in a rising sea of radiofrequency radiation that is of our own making.
The radiofrequency radiation that we have inflicted upon ourselves comes from many sources, not just from wireless smart meters, but also from cell phones, Wi-Fi, and other sources. But the radiation from wireless smart meters is a key contributor. Not only can that radiation cause harm on its own, but also it can raise our sensitivity to the radiation from the other sources.
The form of radiofrequency radiation that is most disruptive to biological entities is digitally modulated radiofrequency radiation. Unfortunately, this is the type of radiation used in nearly all modern communications applications, including wireless smart meters. It is very effective for successful communications. But it is harmful to life. It is characterized by rapid, sharp changes in signal level, and those rapid changes have proven highly disruptive to biological systems.
Why is convincing the public of the risk of radiofrequency radiation so challenging?
Radiofrequency radiation is invisible to the human eye. That invisibility leaves the public and the decision- makers unaware of the rising levels of radiation around them. If we could see that radiation, we would be stunned by its presence everywhere.
The genuine usefulness and convenience of the wireless devices that use radiofrequency radiation promotes denial of the risks.
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The intense advertising, the economic power, and the political power of profitable wireless industries enable them to dominate the public dialogue and to hold sway over government regulators and legislators.
Current Federal guidelines for limiting the exposure of the public to radiofrequency radiation are outdated and overly permissive. Those guidelines come from the Federal Communications Commission and are commonly called the Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) Limits for the General Population. Those guidelines were put in place in 1996, 24 years ago, before most of the modern digital devices we use today were even created. Further, those guidelines are described by the FCC as "generally based" on even older publications from 1986 and 1992. And those guidelines have not been updated since, despite requests from many sources, including my own Montgomery County Government.
Reference: Evaluating Compliance with FCC Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields, FCC OET Bulletin 65, Edition 97-01, pages 65-66 (August 1997). https://www.fcc.gov/bureaus/oet/info/documents/bulletins/oet65/oet65.pdf
Those guidelines provide a measure of protection against adverse health effects that are based on thermal heating. But those guidelines do not protect against a host of other adverse health effects that occur at much lower levels of radiation, called "non-thermal levels", leaving the public inadequately protected.
Widespread misunderstanding of the risks of exposure to radiofrequency radiation has led the Federal Government, and some state and municipal governments, to advocate virtually unlimited expansion of wireless technology. In some cases they have even co-funded that expansion and have mandated the acceptance of wireless technology by the public. These actions reflect a lack of knowledge of, or even willful blindness to, the underlying science and its consequences for public health.
Who is vulnerable to harm from radiofrequency radiation?
Everyone is vulnerable to harm from radiofrequency radiation. But some are more vulnerable than others. Of special concern are pregnant women, children, men of reproductive age, individuals with compromised immune systems or other health conditions, and seniors.
Different individuals experience different symptoms from exposure to radiofrequency radiation. Some individuals will experience a single symptom, but most will experience multiple symptoms, from dozens of known possibilities. Insomnia, headaches, and ringing in the ears are frequent examples.
Some of the more serious consequences of exposure to radiofrequency radiation give no symptoms as early warning signs. Examples include reproductive harm, DNA damage, and cancer.
Other health effects are currently under study to see if radiofrequency radiation plays a role in causing or worsening them, including autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and Alzheimer's disease.
Some people evidence harm very quickly when exposed to radiofrequency radiation, even in minutes. Other people may not evidence harm for months or even years.
Some people evidence harm at much lower levels of exposure to radiofrequency radiation than others, so setting uniform exposure limits that protect the entire population must accommodate the most sensitive of us.
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The consequences of exposure appear to be cumulative, so the longer that people are exposed, the greater the probability that they will become symptomatic. Some will become so sensitive to radiofrequency radiation that they can no longer function in an environment with even a relatively low level of radiofrequency radiation. They are deemed to have "Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity Syndrome (EHS)", which historically has been called "microwave radiation sickness".
Why is the harm from radiofrequency radiation so difficult to diagnose and treat?
The absence of routine training of physicians in the biological effects of radiofrequency radiation makes it difficult for them to identify the causes and to provide responsive guidance.
Many of the symptoms of overexposure can have multiple causes, making it difficult to determine whether radiofrequency radiation is the actual cause.
Diagnostic aids for identifying harm from radiofrequency radiation are still in the earliest stages of development.
Because of these difficulties, it is highly likely that many individuals afflicted by overexposure to radiofrequency radiation do not know the cause; and even fewer individuals know what to do about it.
Recovery from overexposure to radiofrequency radiation invariably requires reducing exposure to a very low level. Such a reduction is difficult to achieve in our current highly irradiated environment. Often affected individuals must leave their current jobs or must move to areas of very low exposure to recover, and such areas are increasingly difficult to find.
Even individuals aware of the hazards of radiofrequency radiation cannot control their exposure in an environment shared with others, because the radiation around them, much like second-hand smoke, is forced on them by unaware individuals.
Conclusion: Only governments can fully solve this problem, but they are currently part of the problem. For now the public will have to protect itself, best it can; and that will require continued public education and action.
Personal stories of those harmed by radiofrequency radiation from wireless utility meters and other wireless devices continue to accumulate.
Nothing brings home the seriousness of the harm caused by radiofrequency radiation quite like the personal stories of those affected. They speak so that the rest of us may learn.
Three surveys link health problems to exposure from wireless utility meters.
In 2011, 2013, and 2014, three surveys were conducted of the health impact of wireless utility meters. Those meters were used for metering electricity, natural gas, or water. Respondents came from three countries: the USA, Canada, and Australia. All three surveys found multiple adverse health effects after exposure to the radiofrequency radiation emitted by wireless utility meters. Among the symptoms most widely reported were: insomnia; headaches; ringing in the ears; cognitive disturbances, such as problems with concentration, memory, or learning; dizziness or loss of balance; cardiac disturbances, such as heart palpitations and arrhythmia; and fatigue or weakness. Page 5 of 19
I attach a "Summary of Symptoms after Exposure to Wireless Utility Meters". The summary enables a quick comparison of the symptoms experienced by individuals after such exposure. After that summary, I attach the full analyses of the findings of all three surveys for more extensive examination. The three surveys are these:
Survey in 2011: Ed Halteman, Ph.D. (statistics), Wireless Utility Meter Safety Impacts Survey, Final Results Summary, September 13, 2011. The survey instrument was developed by the EMF Safety Network (http://emfsafetynetwork.org), and the data were analyzed by Dr. Halteman.
Survey in 2013: Richard H. Conrad, Ph.D. (biochemistry), and Ed Friedman, B.S. (environmental science), Smart Meter Health Effects, Survey and Report, 2013. Both the development of the survey instrument and the analysis of the data were conducted by Dr. Conrad and Mr. Friedman. The analysis of the survey results was accepted as legal testimony before the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
Included in this survey are the narrative descriptions offered by 139 of the survey respondents, describing the impact on their lives of wireless smart meters. They tell, in their own words, how life changed for them after exposure to the radiofrequency radiation from wireless smart meters. They indicate what it meant to be unable to sleep, to be in constant pain, to see their health and the health of their children deteriorate, to be unable to continue on their jobs, or to be forced to move. The narrative descriptions appear in Appendix 6 on pages 64 to 95.
Survey in 2014: Federica Lamech, MBBS (physician), Self-Reporting of Symptom Development from Exposure to Radiofrequency Fields of Wireless Smart Meters in Victoria, Australia: A Case Series. Alternative Therapies, Nov/Dec 2014, Vol. 20, No. 6, pages 28-38, and NIH PMID 25478801. The data were obtained from the health and legal registers on an Australian public web site and were analyzed by Federica Lamech as a case series.
Individuals harmed by exposure to radiofrequency radiation tell their stories in videos.
Individuals tell their stories of being harmed by the radiofrequency radiation from wireless smart meters, and other wireless devices, in a video format.
Reference: Garic Schoen of Gaithersburg, Maryland, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, describes his experience after installation of a wireless smart meter on his home (March 7, 2013). This video was filmed by Maryland Smart Meter Awareness. Video (3 minutes): http://marylandsmartmeterawareness.org/smart-meter-news/maryland-ms-resident-testimony-to- economic-matters-committee-re-hb1038-on-march-14-2013/
Reference: A young woman in Maryland describes her experience after moving into a condo with a bank of 26 smart meters outside its kitchen wall. Because of the deeply personal nature of the impact on her health, her statement is presented anonymously (January 21, 2015). This video was filmed by Maryland Smart Meter Awareness. Video (3 minutes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9QZuWPw6Y0&feature=youtu.be
Reference: A former Silicon-valley engineer, Jeromy Johnson, presents his TEDx Talk, called "Wireless Wake-up Call" (2016). He describes the threat of wireless technologies -- including wireless smart meters, cell phones, and Wi-Fi -- to human health, especially for children. He shares how his own high sensitivity to radiofrequency radiation was triggered by exposure to a bank of wireless smart meters where he lived. Video (17 minutes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0NEaPTu9oI
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Reference: Attorney Jimmy Gonzales describes his experience with cellular radiation to his local government officials in Pembroke, Florida, in "Cell Phones Cause Cancer" (October 17, 2012). Damage from that radiation ultimately took his life, but he left this video as a warning for the rest of us. Video (9 minutes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIlOVJd0lA8
Reference: The plight of individuals with high sensitivity to the radiofrequency radiation from wireless devices search for, or endeavor to create, safe electromagnetic environments in which to sleep or live, in "Searching for a Golden Cage" (May 8, 2014). Produced by Nadav Neuhaus. Video (13 minutes): http://time.com/golden-cage/
Reference: The web site "We Are The Evidence" continues to assemble the stories of individuals harmed by exposure to radiofrequency radiation. This site was founded by attorney, Dafna Tachover, MBA, who told her own story in "Searching for a Golden Cage" above. Multiple video and audio clips: https://wearetheevidence.org/harmed-by-wireless/
Scientific evidence of harm from radiofrequency radiation has been growing for decades and has become overwhelming.
The scientific documentation of the adverse health effects of radiofrequency radiation is extensive, based on thousands of peer-reviewed biomedical articles published over many decades. Clearly, such a mass of evidence cannot be presented in a document like this one. So, I have selected key examples for mention below, each supported by on-line references.
The NIH National Toxicology Program finds "clear evidence" that radiofrequency radiation causes cancer.
In 2018 the National Toxicology Program (NTP) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) published the results of the largest study it has ever undertaken of any toxin: radiofrequency radiation (RFR). The study cost $30 million and was conducted over 10 years. That study exposed test animals to digitally modulated cellular radiofrequency radiation at a frequency of 900 megahertz. The NIH study found the following, and I quote:
"Clear evidence of tumors in the hearts of male rats. The tumors were malignant schwannomas." "Some evidence of tumors in the brains of male rats. The tumors were malignant gliomas." "Some evidence of tumors in the adrenal glands of male rats. The tumors were benign, malignant, or complex combined pheochromocytoma."
"Clear evidence" is the highest classification that NIH has for risk.
Why is this finding especially important for wireless smart meters, too? Wireless smart meters commonly employ digitally modulated radiofrequency radiation at the same frequency of 900 megahertz.
In a further analysis of the test results, NIH noted the following, and, again, I quote:
"NTP scientists found that RFR exposure was associated with an increase in DNA damage. Specifically, they found RFR exposure was linked with significant increases in DNA damage in:
the frontal cortex of the brain in male mice, Page 7 of 19
the blood cells of female mice, and the hippocampus of male rats."
Reference: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/whatwestudy/topics/cellphones/index.html
The World Health Organization classifies radiofrequency radiation as a Group 2B human carcinogen.
In 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) of the World Health Organization (WHO) classified radiofrequency radiation as a Group 2B human carcinogen (a "possible human carcinogen"), naming explicitly the "increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer". [That is the same type of cancer for which NIH found "some evidence" in the study described above.]
Reference: https://www.iarc.fr/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/pr208_E.pdf
The IARC is now planning a review, beginning in 2020, of the latest research findings to determine if the risk classification of radiofrequency radiation should be raised to either Group 2A ("probable human carcinogen") or Group 1 ("known human carcinogen") which is its highest risk classification.
Reference: https://www.saferemr.com/2019/11/IARC-RFR-cancerrisk.html
253 of the world's EMF scientists appeal to the UN and the WHO to protect the public from harm from radiofrequency radiation, including the radiation from smart meters.
As of April 30, 2020, 253 scientists, representing 44 nations, have signed the "International EMF Scientist Appeal". The Appeal is addressed to the United Nations and the World Health Organization. These are scientists who study the health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF), which include radiofrequency radiation.
Reference: https://www.emfscientist.org/.
The Appeal focuses on the health effects of multiple wireless devices, including smart meters as shown in this quotation:
"We are scientists engaged in the study of biological and health effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (EMF). Based upon peer-reviewed, published research, we have serious concerns regarding the ubiquitous and increasing exposure to EMF generated by electric and wireless devices. These include–but are not limited to–radiofrequency radiation (RFR) emitting devices, such as cellular and cordless phones and their base stations, Wi-Fi, broadcast antennas, smart meters, and baby monitors as well as electric devices and infra-structures used in the delivery of electricity that generate extremely-low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF EMF)."
The Appeal makes nine requests, including the following four, which are quoted here:
"children and pregnant women must be protected" "guidelines and regulatory standards must be strengthened" "the public be fully informed about the potential health risks from electromagnetic energy and taught harm reduction strategies" "white-zones (radiation-free areas) be established." Page 8 of 19
Reference: https://emfscientist.org/index.php/emf-scientist-appeal
Review papers document the scientific evidence of harm from radiofrequency radiation.
Multiple scientific review papers have been published over the years, warning of the harm caused by exposure to radiofrequency radiation. These review papers assemble and analyze the scientific evidence published in the biomedical research journals of the world. Here are several examples of such papers:
Reference: Igor Belyaev, Amy Dean, Horst Eger, Gerhard Hubmann, Reinhold Jandrisovits, Markus Kern, Michael Kundi, Hanns Moshammer, Piero Lercher, Kurt Müller, Gerd Oberfeld, Peter Ohnsorge, Peter Pelzmann,Claus Scheingraber, and Roby Thilland, EUROPAEM EMF Guideline 2016 for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of EMF-related health problems and illnesses, Reviews on Environmental Health, volume 31(3), pages 363-397 (2016). This review paper cites 308 references from the biomedical research literature.
This paper reviews the adverse health effects of electromagnetic fields, including radiofrequency radiation. It recommends "precautionary guidance values" for exposure to radiofrequency radiation, in Table 3 on page 381, that are far lower (much more protective) than the Maximum Permitted Exposure (MPE) Limits of the Federal Communications Commission.
Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27454111 Full article: https://www.degruyter.com/downloadpdf/j/reveh.2016.31.issue-3/reveh-2016- 0011/reveh-2016-0011.pdf
Reference: Dominique Belpomme, Lennart Hardell, Igor Belyaev, Ernesto Burgio, and David O. Carpenter, Thermal and non-thermal health effects of low intensity non-ionizing radiation: An international perspective, Environmental Pollution, volume 242, pages 643-658 (2018). This review paper cites 229 references from the biomedical research literature. It documents human vulnerability to a host of conditions caused by exposure to radiofrequency radiation, and contains, on page 647, this special warning about the vulnerability of children:
"Children, and especially fetuses, are more vulnerable than adults for most environmental exposures (Sly and Carpenter, 2012). This is because their cells are rapidly dividing and their organ systems are not mature. As a result, events that perturb cellular function early in life can result [in] abnormalities that last. There is a building body of evidence indicating that exposure to RF-EMFs has adverse effects on cognition and neurobehavior, especially in children and adolescents."
Abstract: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30025338 Full article: https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/12103008105187/nonionizing%20radiation%20international%20perspecti ve%20Belpomme%20Hardell%20Carpenter%202018.pdf
Reference: Martin Pall, Ph.D., 5G Risk - The Scientific Perspective.
Dr. Pall reviews the adverse health effects applicable to multiple wireless technologies, including wireless smart meters, and describes the evidence for disruption of human health, at the cellular level, by the radiofrequency radiation that those technologies employ. This review paper cites 139 references from the biomedical research literature.
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Full article: http://www.stopsmartmetersbc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/5G-Risk-The- Scientific-Perspective-by-Martin-L.-Pall-The-5G-Summit-2019.pdf
Reference: BioInitiative Working Group, Cindy Sage, M.A. and David O. Carpenter, M.D., Editors, BioInitiative Report: A Rationale for Biologically-based Public Exposure Standards for Electromagnetic Radiation, December 31, 2012.
The BioInitiative Report of 2012 provides a massive review of the biomedical research literature. It considered about 1800 publications issued in the five years since the publication of a previous report, The BioInitiative Report of 2007. The 2012 Report was prepared by an international body of 29 experts, heavy in Ph.D.s and M.D.s, from ten countries, including the USA which contributed the largest contingent of experts (ten). The Report documents the broad range of biological effects caused by radiofrequency radiation and makes the case for much more restrictive radiation exposure standards to protect the public.
Website: http://www.bioinitiative.org
Reference: Biological and Health Effects of Microwave Radio Frequency Transmissions, A Review of the Research Literature, A Report to the Staff and Directors of the Eugene Water and Electric Board, June 4, 2013.
A group of six doctors in Oregon, led by Paul Dart, M.D., released, in June 2013, a review of 279 biomedical research publications. This 74-page review makes the health case against smart meters and other wireless technologies. The review notes that “The current levels of exposure need to be reduced rather than increased further. The FCC must especially protect vulnerable groups in the population including children and teenagers, pregnant women, men of reproductive age, individuals with compromised immune systems, seniors, and workers.” This review is posted on the website of the Federal Communications Commission.
Full article: https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/7520940898.pdf
Books document the harm from radiofrequency radiation.
Entire books have been written to assemble the scientific evidence about the harmful effects of radiofrequency radiation. Here are just three examples:
Reference: Devra Lee Davis, Ph.D., MPH, Disconnect: The Truth About Cell Phone Radiation, What the Industry Is Doing to Hide It, and How to Protect Your Family (Writers House LLC, 2013). Dr. Davis reviews the health concerns produced by our exposure to radiofrequency radiation and describes the forces that continue to promote increases in that exposure despite our growing knowledge of its harm. She notes, on page 9, the disconnect between "what scientists have come to learn" and "the miraculous, unquestioned, benign aura of today's smart phones." https://ehtrust.org/publications/disconnect-dr-devra-davis/
Reference: Katie Singer, An Electronic Silent Spring: Facing the Dangers and Creating Safe Limits (Portal Books, 2014). Ms. Singer describes how rising levels of human-made radiofrequency radiation are affecting not only humans but also other living entities, including plants, birds, and bees. Hundreds of footnotes cite references in the biomedical research literature. http://www.electronicsilentspring.com/
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Reference: Arthur Firstenberg, The Invisible Rainbow: A History of Electricity and Life (AGB Press, 2017). Mr. Firstenberg traces the history of our sensitivity to electricity and electromagnetic fields, including radiofrequency radiation. His bibliography cites more than 2000 references from the biomedical research literature and other sources. https://www.chelseagreen.com/product/the-invisible-rainbow/
Public awareness of harm from radiofrequency radiation is growing and is finding expression at local, state, national, and international levels.
Public awareness of harm from sources of radiofrequency radiation is on the rise, especially for those sources placed close to the public on a mandatory basis. Here are some of the indications of growing awareness of harm from wireless AMI smart meters, cellular technology (especially 5G), and Wi-Fi in schools.
40,369 Maryland ratepayers have "opted out" of wireless smart meters for electricity.
Wireless AMI smart meters are always installed close to people. Wireless smart meters for metering electricity, in particular, are installed inside, on, or near to homes, apartment buildings, and office buildings. Often, they are placed on the other side of a wall against which people sit, work, play, or sleep. Installers give no special consideration to the location of the smart meters; the meters are placed without regard to whether they are on the other side of a wall from a baby's crib or from a pregnant mother's bed.
This proximity is a major factor explaining why so many residents of Maryland have opted out of the installation of wireless smart meters for metering electricity. Opting out was permitted by a decision of the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) in response to public demand. As of November 15, 2019, the PSC reported that 40,369 Maryland ratepayers had opted out of a wireless smart meter from three of the electric power companies serving Maryland: Delmarva Power and Light (Delmarva), Potomac Electric Power Company (Pepco), and Baltimore Gas and Electric (BG&E). Assuming an average family size of 2.5 persons per household means that about 100,922 persons benefited. The vast majority these customers are located in the service area of Baltimore Gas and Electric (BG&E) where a public awareness campaign was conducted and where the location of some of the electric utility meters inside residences may have increased public resistance to wireless smart meters.
Reference: The online database of the Maryland Public Service Commission located at https://www.psc.state.md.us/. Case number 9207 addresses Delmarva and Pepco. Case Number 9208 addresses BG&E.
Choosing to opt out is no small decision for homeowners because it is so expensive. The Maryland PSC permits the three electric power companies, just cited, to charge their opt-out customers a one-time fee of $75 and monthly fees of $17, $14, and $5.50 respectively, forever, for the “privilege” of not being irradiated by wireless smart meters. The monthly fee for BG&E was originally $11, but was cut in half to $5.50 by the Maryland PSC because so many BG&E customers opted out that the $11 monthly cost of servicing them seemed no longer justified. Note that the one-time fee of $75 is large enough to purchase three newly refurbished analog mechanical meters that emit no radiofrequency radiation. And the two higher fees, of the three monthly fees just cited, are large enough to buy a newly refurbished analog mechanical meter every two months.
Reference: Hialeah Meter (https://www.hialeahmeter.com/spwm.html)
All opt-out customers in Maryland must also pay "their share" of the costs of the wireless smart meter system, built into their rates; so they are required to pay both "to have", and "not to have", wireless smart meters at the Page 11 of 19 same time. This odd form of extortion has been repeatedly endorsed by inaction from the two cognizant committees of the Maryland General Assembly. But new bills are submitted regularly by other Maryland Delegates and Senators in an effort to counter this regrettable practice.
Whatever the ethics of the opt-out fees, the opt out has helped to lower the radiofrequency radiation levels for those customers who can afford the fees, but it does nothing to protect them from the radiation from their neighbors' wireless smart meters. And the opt out does nothing at all to help customers who cannot afford the opt-out fees.
297,823 individuals and organizations have signed the "International Appeal to Stop 5G on Earth and in Space".
Opposition by members of the public to sources of radiofrequency radiation placed close to them has been accelerated by the efforts of the telecommunications companies to install 5G cell towers right in front of homes and businesses. That opposition is based primarily on the adverse health effects; but other factors, such as the degradation of environmental aesthetics, are also playing a role.
The intensity of public concern was reflected most recently by the "International Appeal to Stop 5G on Earth and in Space". This appeal, just issued in 2019, is addressed to the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the European Union, the Council of Europe, and the governments of all nations. As of August 17, 2020, the appeal had been signed by 297,823 individuals and organizations, from 219 nations, including thousands of scientists, thousands of engineers, thousands of physicians, thousands of nurses, and many other aware individuals from multiple professions and walks of life. A copy of the International Appeal may be read on the web page cited below, and a list of all signatories may be found by clicking on "Signatories" at the top of that web page. The signatories are arranged by country, then by profession, and then by name. The Appeal is administered by Arthur Firstenberg, author of the book "The Invisible Rainbow" mentioned above.
Reference to the Appeal and its Signatories: https://www.5gspaceappeal.org/the-appeal/
The intensity of public concern about 5G has been expressed locally as well, right here in Montgomery County, by residents testifying at a Public Hearing on 5G, held by the Montgomery County Council of Maryland on November 19, 2019. The purpose of the event was to hear public comments on a zoning ordinance that would permit and govern the roll out of 5G in the County.
Reference: https://youtu.be/Lpabr5GpJj8
217,000 individuals have signed up for the "5G Summit".
The increasing awareness of the public about the risks of sources of radiofrequency radiation placed close to them was evident this past August of 2019. Beginning then and continuing, 217,000 individuals have signed up to hear an on-line educational program called "The 5G Summit: 5G Crisis, Awareness & Accountability". 42 interviews were presented over a period of 7 days, addressing every aspect of 5G cellular technology imaginable. As a result of The Summit, participants have sent 210,000 email messages to their elected representatives, notifying them of the harm and the liability inherent in 5G.
Among the many topics addressed at The Summit were these:
technology of 5G
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health impact of the radiofrequency radiation used in 5G o specific biological effects of radiofrequency radiation o mechanisms by which radiofrequency radiation causes harm o special vulnerability of children to harm o evidence for causing cancer legal issues surrounding 5G local government and community action
The following reference lists all speakers at The Summit and provides the titles of the topics that they discussed with the Summit host and organizer, Josh del Sol. (Scroll down the web page to see the speakers and topics.)
Reference: https://the5gsummit.com/
Multiple Jurisdictions in Switzerland implement a moratorium on 5G because of health concerns.
Multiple jurisdictions in Switzerland have implemented a three-year moratorium on 5G while the health concerns caused by 5G’s radiofrequency radiation are further examined.
Reference: https://ehtrust.org/three-year-moratorium-on-4g-5g-in-geneva-switzerland/
Sharyl Attkisson announced this moratorium on her television program, Full Measure, which is broadcast in many parts of the USA. Here in the metropolitan Washington, DC area, this program was aired on Sunday, August 30, 2020 at 10:00 am on WJLA (broadcast channel 7).
A replay of this program can be viewed on the Internet at any time at the URL below. The announcement of the moratorium in Switzerland begins at time marker 21:50.
Reference: http://fullmeasure.news/coming-up/full-measure-august-30-2020-cover-story-glen-beck
Public Television programs raise public awareness about the risks of exposure to radiofrequency radiation.
Public awareness of the risks of exposure to radiofrequency radiation has also been advanced by public television. In June, 2019 public television stations throughout the USA, including Maryland Public Television, broadcast two half-hour programs that introduced the health risks of radiofrequency radiation. The programs are episodes of the series "Travels and Traditions" with host Burt Wolf. The programs present the conundrum faced by users of wireless technologies, as they begin to weigh the convenience and the services provided by wireless technologies against the harm that they are causing. The two programs are available for continued viewing on the Internet:
Reference: "A Short Guide to Cell Phone Safety". Produced by Burt Wolf in his Season 18. Click on the picture of a giant rotary telephone dial. Video: (24 minutes): https://ehtrust.org/pbs-burt-wolfs-travels- and-traditions-investigates-cell-phone-and-wireless-radiation/ Reference: "Travel and the Danger of Radiofrequency Radiation". Produced by Burt Wolf in his Season 18. Click on the picture of cell-tower antennas. Video (24 minutes: https://ehtrust.org/pbs-burt-wolfs-travels- and-traditions-investigates-cell-phone-and-wireless-radiation/
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Video documentaries bring discussions of the risks of radiofrequency radiation to the public.
Full-length video documentaries, available worldwide, have raised public awareness of the risks of radiofrequency radiation. In the examples below, the first documentary focuses on wireless smart meters, the second focuses on cellular communications, and the third addresses multiple sources of radiofrequency radiation including wireless smart meters.
Reference: Take Back Your Power, an award-winning documentary film by Josh del Sol, latest release, 2017. Video (83 minutes): https://www.takebackyourpower.net/watch-take-back-your-power-2017/ Reference: Microwaves Science & Lies: When business leads research, can we still trust science? A documentary film my Jean Heches and Nancy de Meritens of France, September 2014. Trailer free; full documentary, $5.00 fee. Video (92 minutes): https://vimeo.com/ondemand/17755 Reference: Generation Zapped, an award-winning documentary film by Sabine El Gemayel, 2017. Click on "Watch the Film" to find multiple ways of viewing it, including a free way (with inserted commercials) through Vudu (https://www.vudu.com/). Video (74 minutes): https://generationzapped.com/
U.S. Supreme Court upholds "Right to Know" ordinance about cellular radiation risk.
In May 2015, the City Council of Sacramento, California unanimously adopted an ordinance giving its public a "Right to Know" about cellular radiation risk. The ordinance required phone retailers to provide the following notification to prospective customers of cell phones:
“To assure safety, the Federal Government requires that cell phones meet radiofrequency (RF) exposure guidelines. If you carry or use your phone in a pants or shirt pocket or tucked into a bra when the phone is ON and connected to a wireless network, you may exceed the federal guidelines for exposure to RF radiation. Refer to the instructions in your phone or user manual for information about how to use your phone safely.”
The wireless industry, represented by the "CTIA - The Wireless Association", went to court to overturn this ordinance as unconstitutional. After an adjustment to the wording of the notification, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the ordinance in April, 2016. The wireless industry carried its appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, which, in December, 2019, denied the industry's appeal and referred the issue back to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for any further consideration, effectively upholding the ordinance.
Reference: https://www.saferemr.com/2014/11/berkeley-cell-phone-right-to-know.html Reference: https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/19- 439.html
Children's Advisory Council to the Governor of Maryland recommends phasing Wi-Fi out of Maryland's schools.
The Maryland Children's Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council advises the Governor of Maryland on the health of the environment in the state's schools. Members of the Council include physicians, scientists, and other individuals knowledgeable about the school environment. Under Maryland Law, the mission of the Council is the following:
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"Gather and disseminate information to the public, including the research and medical communities, community–based organizations, schools, and State agencies, on how to reduce, treat, and eliminate children’s exposures to environmental hazards to further the public’s understanding of the environmental hazards that may potentially affect children;"
"Recommend uniform guidelines for State agencies to follow to help reduce and eliminate children’s exposure to environmental hazards, especially in areas reasonably accessible to children..."
In 2016, the Council reviewed parental concerns about the exposure of children to the radiofrequency radiation produced by Wi-Fi systems in the State's schools, ordered a review of the biomedical research literature, and considered submitted testimony from outside experts on the biological effects of radiofrequency radiation. In response, on December 13, 2016, the Council recommended that Wi-Fi be phased out of Maryland's schools in favor of safe wired connectivity that operates "without any microwave electromagnetic field exposure." And in the interim, the Council recommended that several specific steps be taken to reduce the exposure of children to radiation sources in the schools.
Reference: Maryland Children’s Environmental Health and Protection Advisory Council, Wifi Radiation in Schools in Maryland, Final Report, pages 3 and 8-9 (December 13, 2016). Report: https://phpa.health.maryland.gov/OEHFP/EH/Shared%20Documents/CEHPAC/MD_CEHPAC_SchoolWiFi_02 2017_final.pdf Council: https://phpa.health.maryland.gov/OEHFP/EH/Pages/children-environmental-health.aspx
Hundreds of organizations and individuals throughout the USA are actively opposing wireless smart meters.
Organizations and individuals, representing nearly all of the states in the USA, are actively opposing wireless smart meters. Some states even have multiple organizations engaged in this opposition, particularly in those states that were among the first to receive wireless smart meters. There are so many of these organizations that it would be difficult to catalog them all, but even a partial listing, like that cited below, is informative.
Reference: StopSmartMeters.org https://stopsmartmeters.org/frequently-asked-questions/contacts-database/
Informative websites provide public information about wireless technologies that give rise to health effects.
A seemingly endless number of websites have been created throughout the nation and the world to provide information about wireless smart meters and other wireless technologies. Here are just a few outstanding examples, in addition to those already cited elsewhere in this document:
Reference: Smart Grid Awareness (https://smartgridawareness.org/) Reference: Environmental Health Trust (https://ehtrust.org/) Reference: Electromagnetic Radiation Safety (https://www.saferemr.com/) Reference: What are 5G and the Internet of Things? (https://whatis5g.info/) Reference: Electrosensitivity UK (http://www.es-uk.info/)
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Radiofrequency meters, accessible to consumers, make radiofrequency radiation "visible".
New products, in the form of radiofrequency (RF) meters, make it harder for the advocates of endless expansion of wireless technologies to continue to count on the invisibility of radiofrequency radiation to foster public acceptance. Instrument manufacturers have responded to increased public awareness of the health risks of radiofrequency radiation by providing a broad array of RF meters that can measure that radiation. In effect, these meters make invisible radiofrequency radiation visible, while also measuring its level. With these meters, people can do the following:
They can assess the level of radiation in their environment. They can identify the devices in their environment that are emitting that radiation, including wireless smart meters. They can measure their progress as they work toward reducing that radiation.
Candidate meters can be readily found by simply searching the Internet for "RF meters". While these meters are increasingly affordable, with prices ranging from about $100 to $400, their cost may still be prohibitive for many individuals and families. But their costs remain far lower than the costs caused when even a single family member becomes ill from overexposure to radiofrequency radiation, let alone an entire family.
What questions are worth considering?
Plans to implement wireless smart meters raise a number of important questions. The answers may already have been pursued by WSSC. If WSSC would like to honor its stated ethical principal on "transparency", the answers would be of great interest to the public, including me.
Questions about assurances of safety
When WSSC was first investigating the possibility of implementing wireless AMI smart meters, did WSSC receive assurances about the safety of the radiation that they emit? If so --
What documentation did WSSC rely upon for assurance that the radiofrequency radiation from wireless AMI smart meters posed no health risk to its customers? Has that documentation already been made available to the public for inspection, or will it be made available soon? Was that documentation from impartial and knowledgeable sources, or from sources with a vested interest, such as vendors of wireless smart meters anticipating millions of dollars of sales? Was that documentation from the Federal Communications Commission which has been captured by the wireless industries and has been acting as a promoter of wireless technologies, not just as a regulator?
Reference: Norm Alster, Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, Harvard University, Captured Agency: How the Federal Communications Commission is Dominated by the Industries it Presumably Regulates. https://ethics.harvard.edu/files/center-for-ethics/files/capturedagency_alster.pdf
Questions about the technology
Has the WSSC answered the basic technical questions about the wireless AMI smart meters that it is considering, and have those answers been made available to the public? Page 16 of 19
What are the make, model, optional features, and Federal Communications Commission's Identification Number (FCC ID) of the wireless AMI smart meters that WSSC is contemplating employing? At what frequency, in megahertz (MHz), will the radiofrequency transmitters in the wireless smart meters operate? What is the peak radiofrequency power output, in milliwatts (mW), of the radiofrequency transmitters in the wireless smart meters? Where will the transmitters of the wireless smart meters be installed? o In the ground, but uncovered, in the yards of customers? o In the ground, but uncovered, in the rights of way adjacent to customers' properties? o On the sides of homes and buildings? o Or elsewhere? What is the approximate range, or maximum distance, over which the radiofrequency radiation from the wireless smart meters remains effective in serving their communications purposes? WSSC indicates that each wireless smart meter will “communicate water usage information as needed, only four to six times per day” (Reference: https://www.wsscwater.com/AMI). Will the total number of transmissions per day equal or exceed these numbers. If so, why and what will be the total number of transmissions per day? Will the data that WSSC's wireless smart meters transmit 4 times per day (about every 6 hours) to 6 times per day (about every 4 hours) be more highly time resolved than that? That is, will each transmission contain water consumption data within each 6-hour interval or within each 4-hour interval, respectively? How will the wireless smart meters be powered? If a battery is to be employed, what is the anticipated lifetime of that battery? If WSSC felt that a wireless technology for metering water consumption was absolutely necessary, were "wake-up" meters considered? To my knowledge, they generate the least amount of radiofrequency radiation of any wireless metering technology. They transmit only in response to a triggering signal from a passing utility vehicle, which, for water measurement, would require a burst of radiation only once each quarter of the year under current revenue metering practices.
Questions about liability and insurance
How does WSSC plan to address the liability and insurance issues raised by wireless smart meters?
Does WSSC, as a government entity, plan to be self-insured? o That is, does WSSC plan to pay successful liability claims for harm caused by, or contributed to by, the radiofrequency radiation from its wireless smart meters? o If so, will WSSC then recover those costs through additional rate or tax increases paid by its customers? That is, does WSSC plan to have the customers pay for their own liability claims, one way or the other?
Or does WSSC plan to obtain outside insurance against the health risks posed by wireless smart meters? o If so, does WSSC realize that major insurance underwriters, like Lloyds of London, will not underwrite insurance policies that protect against health claims from wireless technologies, presumably because the associated risk is so high?
Reference: https://www.jrseco.com/lloyds-insurance-company-does-not-cover-health-damage- caused-by-electromagnetic-radiation/
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Or does WSSC plan to transfer claims of liability to the providers of wireless smart metering equipment or services? o If so, is WSSC writing liability responsibilities into any contracts it is contemplating with the providers? o And will WSSC require the providers to present evidence of insurance in advance of installation, so that the providers cannot simply declare bankruptcy to avoid paying claims?
Questions about public notification and disclosure
Will WSSC provide advanced written notification to all its customers of any plan it may be contemplating to mandate the acceptance of wireless AMI smart meters for their homes and buildings? If so --
Will that notification be provided in the form of an insert with the customers' quarterly bills? o Or does WSSC consider the brief web page already posted on its web site as sufficient notification of its plan? Reference: https://www.wsscwater.com/AMI o Or does WSSC consider mention of wireless smart meters at WSSC's open meetings as sufficient notification of its plan? Will that notification spell out the radiation exposure anticipated from its wireless smart meters, by providing answers to the questions in the section above entitled: "Questions about the technology"? Will that notification explain why a less risky wireless technology, such as a "wake-up" metering technology, was not chosen? Will that notification explain whether WSSC will offer an "Opt-Out" provision for those who do not want radiation exposure from wireless smart meters? If so -- o Will that notification indicate what the "Opt Out" will cost its customers to gain the privilege of not being irradiated? o Will that notification explain that, even if a customer elects to "Opt Out", so doing will not protect that customer against the radiation from the neighbors' wireless smart meters because the signals from all wireless smart meters travel considerable distances? o Will the fact that about 40,000 Maryland residents have already paid to Opt Out of the radiation from the wireless smart meters of the electric power companies have a bearing on the availability of an Opt Out from WSSC's wireless smart meters? Or will the reduction in radiation exposure paid for by those Opting Out of the smart meters for electricity simply be undone by WSSC's wireless smart meters? Will that notification warn WSSC customers to keep away from WSSC's wireless smart meters because radiation levels rise steeply with proximity to the meters. For example -- o Will WSSC suggest that customers not sit, work, play, or sleep on the other side of a wall where a wireless smart meter is located, or where a bank of wireless smart meters is located? o Will the wireless smart meters that WSSC is contemplating contain highly visible signs to warn customers not to approach the meters because of the radiofrequency radiation they emit? o Will WSSC suggest that customers take additional precautions to protect those especially vulnerable to harm from wireless smart meter radiation, such as pregnant mothers and children. For example -- . Will WSSC suggest that children not sit or play in yards where wireless smart meters are installed nearby, even if that yard is their own? . Will WSSC warn parents that children should not mistake the cap of a ground-based transmitter of a wireless smart meter as a place to sit?
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The ethical choice facing WSSC
The unhappy news delivered by the surveys of customers' experiences with wireless smart meters, and by the findings of the international biomedical research community, is that radiofrequency radiation, including the radiation emitted by wireless AMI smart meters, is harmful to human health. And the public is slowly, but steadily, awakening to this reality, despite conflicting messages from the wireless industries.
But there is a positive dimension to the present situation for WSSC that is hugely important:
No customer has yet been harmed by WSSC's plan to install wireless AMI smart meters, and there is still time to ensure that no customer will be harmed.
But to protect its customers, WSSC will need to rethink its use of metering technologies that expose its customers to radiofrequency radiation. As one of those customers, and as a scientist, I urge WSSC to consider especially the adverse health effects of wireless AMI smart meters, and to abandon plans to implement them.
Is WSSC up to such a challenge? And can WSSC live up to its own admirable ethical values, quoted below? I hope so, and I believe so.
"We are responsible employees who act ethically, are accountable, and conduct ourselves with integrity and transparency." "We continuously enhance and protect natural resources and the environment for the health of future generations."
Reference: https://www.wsscwater.com/about-us/overview.html
Thank you for reading this document. I am very grateful for your attention.
Who am I?
I am a retired U.S. Government career scientist (Ph.D., Applied Physics, Harvard University, 1975). During my Government career, I worked for the Executive Office of the President of the United States, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. For those organizations, respectively, I addressed Federal research and development program evaluation, energy policy research, and measurement development in support of the electronics and electrical-equipment industries and the biomedical research community. I currently interact with other scientists, with physicians, and with other informed individuals around the world about the impact of electromagnetic fields, including radiofrequency radiation, on human health.
I have been a resident of Montgomery County since 1979.
Regards,
Ronald M. Powell, Ph.D. 20316 Highland Hall Drive Montgomery Village, MD 20886-4007 E-mail: [email protected] Tel: (301) 926-7568
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 42D02A9C-0600-4423-89FE-E64E5D1E7475
August 26, 2020
Dear Elected Official:
As part of our ongoing efforts to expand customer outreach and share information on the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission’s (WSSC Water’s) projects and services, we invite you to the following public hearings on WSSC Water’s Staff Draft Proposed Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for fiscal years (FYs) 2022 - 2027, which begins July 1, 2021.
IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY Wednesday, September 2, 2020 Thursday, September 3, 2020 7:30 PM 7:30 PM Virtual Meeting Virtual Meeting https://www.wsscwater.com/contents/events/publi https://www.wsscwater.com/contents/events/publi c-meetings/finance/montgomery-county---public- c-meetings/finance/prince-georges-county---public- heari.html 3.html
For your reference, a list of projects in your election district is enclosed should you choose to attend a hearing or provide written comments. The draft FYs 2022 - 2027 CIP document is available on our web site at www.wsscwater.com/fin. Our Adopted FYs 2021 - 2026 CIP is also available on-line. By providing electronic versions of our documents, we offer more communication choices to our customers while reducing printing and mailing costs. For additional information or printed copies, please call our Intergovernmental Relations Office at 301-206-8228.
Written testimony for the public hearing record will be accepted through noon on September 14, 2020 and should be sent to Mrs. Letitia Carolina-Powell, Budget Division Manager, WSSC, 14501 Sweitzer Lane, Laurel, MD 20707 or emailed to [email protected]
Thank you for your interest and support.
Sincerely,
Carla A. Reid General Manager/CEO
Enclosures
DocuSign Envelope ID: 42D02A9C-0600-4423-89FE-E64E5D1E7475
ELECTED OFFICIALS AUGUST 26, 2020 PAGE 2
August 26, 2020
bcc: Commissioners Corporate Secretary (Montes De Oca - Acting) Deputy General Manager for Administration (Beach) Deputy General Manager for Operations (Price) Deputy General Manager for Strategic Partnerships (Johnson) Executive Administrative Assistant - GM (Sullivan) Chief of Engineering & Construction (Harmer) Chief of Utility Services (Lampley) Chief Financial Officer (Colihan) General Counsel (Conn) Intergovernmental Relations Director (Riley) Director Communications and Community Relations (Brown) Budget Division Manager (Carolina-Powell)
DRAFT Proposed Capital Improvements Program Fiscal Years 2022 - 2027
Projects listing prepared for: The Honorable Angela D. Alsobrooks District P-99 The following projects are in your district: Project Number: Project Name Page Number
W-34.04 Branch Avenue Water Transmission Improvements 5-4 S-43.02 Broad Creek WWPS Augmentation 29 S-131.11 Calm Retreat Sewer Main 6-17 W-139.02 Duckett & Brighton Dam Upgrades 29 S-131.10 Fort Washington Forest No. 1 WWPS Augmentation 29 W-111.05 Hillmeade Road Water Main 29 S-87.19 Horsepen WWPS & FM 6-11 S-28.18 Konterra Town Center East Sewer 6-4 W-93.01 Konterra Town Center East Water Main 5-10 S-68.01 Landover Mall Redevelopment 6-6 W-161.01 Large Diameter Water Pipe & Large Valve Rehabilitation Program 3-7 S-89.25 Little Anacostia WWPS & FM 6-12 W-34.05 Marlboro Zone Reinforcement Main 5-5 W-105.01 Marlton Section 18 Water Main, Lake Marlton Avenue 5-11 W-34.02 Old Branch Avenue Water Main 5-3 S-77.20 Parkway North Substation Replacement 6-8 S-77.21 Parkway WRRF Electrical Upgrades 6-9 W-172.07 Patuxent Raw Water Pipeline 3-9
Budget Division (301) 206-8110 www.wsscwater.com DRAFT Proposed Capital Improvements Program Fiscal Years 2022 - 2027
Projects listing prepared for: The Honorable Angela D. Alsobrooks District P-99 The following projects are in your district: Project Number: Project Name Page Number
S-103.02 Piscataway Bioenergy 4-10 S-96.14 Piscataway WRRF Facility Upgrades 6-13 S-131.07 Pleasant Valley Sewer Main, Part 1 6-16 S-131.05 Pleasant Valley Sewer Main, Part 2 6-15 W-84.05 Prince George's County 450A Zone Water Main 5-9 W-12.02 Prince George's County HG415 Zone Water Main 5-2 S-28.20 Pumpkin Hill WWPS & FM 6-5 W-84.02 Ritchie Marlboro Road Transmission Main & PRV 29 W-172.08 Rocky Gorge Pump Station Upgrade 29 W-62.06 Rosaryville Water Storage Facility 5-6 S-170.08 Septage Discharge Facility Planning & Implementation 4-12 W-84.03 Smith Home Farms Water Main 5-7 W-137.03 South Potomac Supply Improvement, Phase 2 5-13 S-86.19 Southlake Subdivision Sewer 6-10 S-131.12 Swan Creek WWPS & FM 6-18 W-120.14 Timothy Branch Water Main 5-12 S-170.09 Trunk Sewer Reconstruction Program 4-13 S-118.10 Viva White Oak Sewer Augmentation 6-14
Budget Division (301) 206-8110 www.wsscwater.com DRAFT Proposed Capital Improvements Program Fiscal Years 2022 - 2027
Projects listing prepared for: The Honorable Angela D. Alsobrooks District P-99 The following projects are in your district: Project Number: Project Name Page Number
S-157.02 Western Branch WRRF Process Train Improvements 6-19 S-27.08 Westphalia Town Center Sewer Main 6-3 W-84.04 Westphalia Town Center Water Main 5-8
Budget Division (301) 206-8110 www.wsscwater.com DRAFT Proposed Capital Improvements Program Fiscal Years 2022 - 2027
Projects listing prepared for: The Honorable Angela D. Alsobrooks District P-99 The following projects are in your district: Project Number: Project Name Page Number
The following projects are not in your district, but may be of interest to you: Project Number: Project Name Page Number
S-89.24 Anacostia #2 WWPS Upgrades 4-9 S-22.07 Blue Plains WWTP: Biosolids Management, Part 2 4-5 S-22.10 Blue Plains WWTP: Enhanced Nutrient Removal 4-7 S-22.06 Blue Plains WWTP: Liquid Train Projects, Part 2 4-4 S-22.09 Blue Plains WWTP: Plant-wide Projects 4-6 S-22.11 Blue Plains: Pipelines & Appurtenances 4-8 S-75.21 Mattawoman WRRF Upgrades 6-7 W-73.33 Potomac WFP Consent Decree Program 3-6 W-73.32 Potomac WFP Main Zone Pipeline 3-5 W-73.22 Potomac WFP Pre-Filter Chlorination & Air Scour Improvements 3-3 W-73.30 Potomac WFP Submerged Channel Intake 3-4 W-175.05 Regional Water Supply Resiliency 3-10
Budget Division (301) 206-8110 www.wsscwater.com
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
WSSC Water will hold two virtual public hearings on the Proposed Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for Fiscal Years 2022 through 2027, which commences July 1, 2021. The six-year CIP proposes planning, design and construction expenditures for major water and sewer projects. The hearing dates and times are as follows:
Wednesday, September 2, 2020 - 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 3, 2020 - 7:30 p.m.
For instructions on how to view or participate virtually in the hearings, visit: wsscwater.com/fin
Please contact WSSC Water as soon as possible at 301-206-8200 if your attendance at a meeting will require an accommodation under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
After public comment, the CIP will be transmitted to the County Executives and County Councils by October 1, 2020.
Copies of the preliminary draft of the FY2022-2027 CIP will be available on the WSSC Water website at wsscwater.com/fin, or by phone at: 301-206-8100 by August 21,2020.
Please submit any comments for consideration by September 14, 2020. Written comments can be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to WSSC Water Budget Division at 14501 Sweitzer Lane, Laurel, MD 20707.